The following members of the Council were present:

Mayor Jim Wallace

Councilmember Marcia Almond

Councilmember Nilofer Couture

Councilmember Ron Yount

Councilmember Jerry Rice, III

 

The following Non-Council members were Present:

Stephanie Gibson, Clerk

Jack Brown, Village Homeowner

Rick Cardona, Village Homeowner

 

1. Call to order:  at 7:00pm Mayor Wallace called the meeting to order.  

2. Announcements: 

Reminder – Please silence cell phones for meeting 

3. Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Yount made a motion to approve the agenda, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

4. Approval of Meeting Minutes for August 4, 2020 Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Couture made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for August 4, 2020, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

5. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of August 2020: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.)  Councilmember Yount made a motion to accept the financial report, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

6. Public Comments:  none 

7. Reports:  

Mayor’s Report:  Jim Wallace 

• Discussion of Zoning Ordinances with Mike Poston:  Mayor Wallace said that he spoke with Mike Poston about the Ordinance changes.  He noted that the Ordinances are listed on the Village website under “Code of Ordinances".  He said that Mike is going to review and revise the Ordinances for the required changes under the new Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes and assist with changes the Council would like to address.
• Roadside Mowing:  Mayor Wallace asked the Council what they thought about asking B.H. Graning to quote mowing the left side of the road at the Village entrance.  Councilmember Almond made a motion to have B.H. Graning quote mowing the left side of the road at the entrance, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

Mayor Wallace mentioned the possibility of having B.H. Graning mow the roadsides monthly during the summer months rather than only twice per year, Councilmember Almond made a motion to ask B.H. Graning about mowing monthly and what the cost would be, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

     Roads:  Jerry Rice – Councilmember Rice said that he will check with the Department of Transportation about removing the pile of stuff on the side of the road at the entrance.  He noted that removing the debris would help with visibility in the turn lane at the light and coming out of SCC Dr. onto NCC Dr. 

     RPO/TAC:  Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said she had no new information to report.                                                                                                

     Planning Board:  No meetings held for March, April, May, June, or July. 

     Village Safety:  Nilofer Couture – Councilmember Couture said that the patrol report noted officers patrolled a total of 54 hrs. for the month.  She noted that they stopped a driver that failed to stop at the stop sign and responded to a call regarding noise at Prospect. She said that the 911 report showed multiple calls regarding property damage and partying from the Summit and Prospect. 

8. New Business: 

Discussion about Roadway Inn’s operation as a shelter:  Nilofer – Councilmember Couture said she and Rick Cardona spoke with the property owner about the ongoing issues with domestic disturbances coming from the Roadway Inn’s apartments and he said that he had not been able to evict some residents that were causing disturbances due to COVID. He said that he would like to see the reports and have the Council give him copies of the Ordinances and Village rules and he would give them to any new residents.  He assured them that he would address any disturbances that he was aware of.  Councilmember Couture said they invited him to come to a Council meeting. 

Western Carolina Power rate increase:  Nilofer – Councilmember Couture said that WCU Power implemented a rate increase of 35% which is about 13.7% more on the electric bills.  She noted that there will be an open hearing and you must register by Friday to be allowed to comment.  Councilmember Couture agreed to go and speak on behalf of the Village if the Council would like her to.  Councilmember Almond made a motion to have Nilofer speak on behalf of the Village at the hearing for WCU Power rate increase, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved.

Cleaning of rock work at the Village entrance:  Marcia – Councilmember Almond said she received an email from Kolleen Begley suggesting that the rock work at the Village entrance be pressure washed.  Mayor Wallace suggested doing the cleaning next year, Councilmember Yount said he has a pressure washer and Mayor Wallace said he would check the water source. 

November Council meeting date:  Nilofer:  Councilmember Couture suggested changing the November meeting from Nov. 3 to Nov.10 due to the election, Council agreed.  Stephanie will post the change on the website and in the Sylva Herald. 

9. Unfinished Business: 

• Review of Village Hall Use License Agreement:  Mayor Wallace said that Attorney Fox was revising the agreement and would have the paperwork completed by the October meeting.
• Order for correcting echoing effect in Assembly Hall:  Jim – Councilmember Yount made a motion to order the acoustic panels to address the echoing in the meeting room, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved.  Mayor Wallace said that he would ask Dr. Spell where to order the panels and Councilmember Almond said her husband would install them.
• Ordinance Administrator:  Mayor Wallace said that David Shapiro had expressed interest and he will follow up with him before the next meeting.

    10.  Additional Public Comments:  Rick Cardona said that the Planning Board did meet in August and all, but one member was present.  He noted that they are looking at the Ordinances, the Planning document and the 160D changes.

    11.  Adjourn:  At 8:15pm, Councilmember Almond made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved.