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

Mike Poston, Jackson County Planning Director

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 Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

4. Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 7, 2020 Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Rice made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for June 2, 2020, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

5. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of July 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 

• Honorarium for Dr. Spell’s services:  Councilmember Almond made a motion to give Dr. Spell $1,000 for his services to the village, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
• Discussion of Zoning Ordinances with Mike Poston:  Mike Poston was present and answered questions from the Council regarding Zoning and Ordinances. 

Mayor Wallace asked Council what their thoughts were on the zoning and planning documents, he noted that he would like to see “mixed-use” removed.  Councilmember Yount said that his main concern was mixed-use areas, he asked if any type of building was permitted?    Mike Poston said it would be best to look at the goals of the Land Use Plan before making changes. 

Councilmember Rice said that he did not see anything to change at this time.  

Council asked about number of unrelated parties living in the same home.  Mike Poston said that a “Family Care Home” can exist in the Village with 6 people or less. 

Mike said that he has reviewed the provisions in the new Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes as well as statutory changes that will be incorporated into Chapter 160D and he recommended having an Attorney review and advise that all necessary required changes are met.  Mike said he would assist the Council.  Mayor Wallace said that he feels the most efficient course would be to have Mike provide recommendations to the Planning Board and have the Attorney review before completion. 

Roads:  Jerry Rice – Councilmember Rice said Saturday morning there was a tree down near Carl’s house and his son agreed to take it down for $75.00 so he had him remove it.  

RPO/TAC:  Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said she attended the RPO meeting via Zoom and they were continuing to prioritize projects as possible with current conditions.                                                                                                                                

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 8 times.  She said that the 911 report showed 26 calls, 12 came from one residence on Pincushion Lane and 3 from Roadway Inn. 

8. New Business: 

Discussion about Roadway Inn’s operation as a shelter: Marcia – Councilmember Almond mentioned the ongoing issues with domestic disturbances coming from the Roadway Inn’s apartments and Council agreed that someone should speak to the owner and perhaps invite him to a meeting.  Councilmember Couture agreed to speak with the owner and Rick Cardona volunteered to go with her to speak to the owner. 

9. Unfinished Business: 

• Patrol Contract/hours:  Council discussed Patrol contract and agreed to have officers patrol 10 hours per week and an additional 5 hrs. per week when school starts.  Council mentioned having patrol do periodic check on resident’s homes as some by be traveling. 
• Review of Village Hall Use License Agreement:  Council reviewed the agreement and Councilmember Almond made a motion to adopt the agreement without Alcohol being permitted, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
• J.M. Teague proposal:  Council discussed and voted unanimously to not proceed with the Federal Experimental Pedestrian Advisory Shoulder Application.
• 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.
• Roadside Clearing:  Mayor Wallace suggested looking at monthly roadside clearing, he noted that it was previously the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their property and if it were not done, the Village would complete it and bill the homeowner.

     Councilmember Almond asked about maintaining the areas where there are no houses.

  10.  Additional Public Comments:  Rick Cardona mentioned the Village Planning document and asked the Council to consider adopting a mission statement to say the Village’s preference is to remain R-1.

  11.  Adjourn:  At 9:05 pm, Councilmember Couture made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved.