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

David Shapiro, Village Homeowner

Mark Teague, 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 September 1, 2020 Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Almond made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 1, 2020, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

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

6. Public Comments:  Mark Teague spoke on behalf of Forest Hills Estates residents, he said that there is a small area that has not been paved that needs to have gravel, it is part of Cave’s Springs.  He said that he got a quote from B.H. Graning and the cost was $4700 for 90 tons of gravel, the haul bill, equipment, and cleanup. 

David Shapiro asked for a follow up about pricing or ideas from B.H. Graning regarding his safety concern near his home.  Mayor Wallace said that he had not spoken to Ben Graning yet. 

Councilmember Almond suggested asking the officers to watch Caves Spring Road for people that fail to stop at the stop sign.  Mark Teague asked who determines when a stop sign is installed.  He noted that when the area was first developed, there was not a stop sign there and he is unsure if it is enforceable.

Mayor Wallace noted that the speed limit is 15 mph on Village roads and 25 mph on state-maintained roads. 

7. Reports:  

Mayor’s Report:  Jim Wallace 

• Discussion of Roadside Clearing:  Mayor Wallace said that he spoke with Ben Graning about mowing the Village roadsides monthly next summer.  Council agreed that the roads would look better to have monthly maintenance rather than only twice yearly.
• Discussion of Zoning Ordinances and Planning Document:  Mayor Wallace said that he spoke with Mike Poston and he will have the document edited in the next couple weeks.  He said once he receives it, it will go to the Planning Board for review and recommendations. 

• Maintenance on Land on South Side of Village:  Mayor Wallace noted that the strip of land as you come into the Village on the South side needs to be mowed, he will ask B.H. Graning for a quote. 

Roads:  Jerry Rice – Councilmember Rice said that he called Chris with the Department of Transportation about having the guardrail removed going out of SCC lane on the right to create another exit lane.  Chris said that money is tight.  Mayor Wallace asked if the Village could pay and have the lane created, Jerry said that he will check with DOT. 

RPO/TAC:  Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said that there is $700 Billion in funds, Build NC Bonds, to cover roads and major highway projects in the state.                                                                                                                                  

Planning Board:  No meetings held for March, April, May, June, or July.  There was not a quorum present at the August meeting and no meeting in September. 

Village Safety:  Nilofer Couture – Councilmember Couture said that the patrol report noted officers patrolled a total of 39 hrs. for the month.  She noted that they addressed noise complaints at the Summit and at Prospect.  Councilmember Couture said that the 911 report showed 19 calls between Prospect, Roadway Inn, The Summit, and Pin Cushion Lane.  She noted that Wanda with 911 was retiring and Elaine Melton was taking her position. 

8. New Business: 

Farmer’s Market “potential use of Assembly Hall” – Mayor Wallace said Rick had been asked about the potential of using the Assembly Hall to have the Farmer’s Market in winter months – Council discussed the idea and decided that the Assembly Hall would not work to hold the Farmer’s Market due to traffic, parking, and wear and tear on the meeting room.  Councilmember Almond made a motion that the Assembly Hall should not be used for the Farmer’s Market, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 

Complaint regarding barking dog – Councilmember Couture said that she received an email from Jonathan Brooks that a dog was barking incessantly.  Council discussed and said that the noise violation is for noise that is disturbing during the hours of 11pm – 7 am.  Mayor Wallace said that he would ask Attorney Fox about Ordinances regarding pets. 

9. Unfinished Business: 

• Review of Village Hall Usage Fee:  Mayor Wallace asked the Council about fees for use of the Assembly Hall.  Councilmember Almond recommended charging a fee and deposit and returning the deposit if the meeting room was left in good condition.  Council will discuss fee chart at the November meeting. 
• Ordinance Administrator:  Mayor Wallace asked David Shapiro about his interest in taking the position of Ordinance Administrator, David asked questions about the position and said he will review the information and decide by the November meeting.

   10.  Additional Public Comments: 

David Shapiro asked about the duties of the Ordinance Administrator and what the position would entail and said he would get back to the Council if he was interested in taking the position.

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