June 2020

Village of Forest Hills
Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 – 7:00 pm
Forest Hills Assembly Hall, Cullowhee NC

 

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

Eldred Spell, Guest from WCU Music Dept.

 

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

Reminder – Please silence cell phones for meeting 

  1. Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Yount made a motion to approve the agenda, Councilmember Rice seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Approval of Meeting Minutes for May 5, 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 May 5, 2020, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of May 2020: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.)  Councilmember Yount made a motion to approve the financial report for the month of May, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Public Hearing:  Budget review and approval for fiscal year 20-21 – Council discussed budget items and Councilmember Rice made a motion to approve the budget presented for fiscal year 20-21, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Approval of Audit Contract for the Village:  Councilmember Yount made a motion to accept the Audit contract as presented, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 
  1. Public Comments:  David Shapiro told the Council that he appreciated their maintenance of the Village business during the pandemic.  He also mentioned trash pickup and said that he and his way often pickup trash while walking in the village and suggested the possibility of homeowners picking up trash from their homes and going from one house to the right and one house to the left of their homes and picking up trash, he said if homeowners did this, it would eliminate most of the trash. 

David asked about the cost of the Village Assembly Hall, Council told him that the Village leases the building for $1 a month and pays the water and power for the room they use.  This year property tax will have to be paid on the building but there is a tax exemption form that was sent from the Jackson County Tax office that allows for an exemption on property taxes if they are being used by a Governmental body. 

David mentioned that his property, located at the bottom of Caves Spring Road, was damaged after a vehicle lost control on ice and came down Caves Spring Road and into his home a few years ago.  He has mentioned this previously and would still like to see the Village install some safety barrier such as a guardrail, speed bump, or gate at the road to prevent future accidents.  Mayor Wallace said he would speak with BH Graning. 

  1. Reports:  

Mayor’s Report:  Jim Wallace 

  • Review of BH Graning’s Contract renewal:  Mayor Wallace said he spoke to BH Graning about the cost of clearing the state-maintained roads at the same time he does the Village roads and he said that it would be an additional $350. to do the state-maintained portion of the road at the same time.  Council approved having both areas cleared at the same time. 
  • Items needed for Assembly Hall:  MayorWallace said that he met with Eldred Spell and discussed sound issues.  Mr. Spell shared his opinion with the Council and said that adjacent walls need to be covered to help with the echo in the room.  Mayor Wallace asked if Eldred could provide some ideas and ballpark pricing and review at next meeting, Mr. Spell agreed. 
  • Review of JM Teague Project:  Mayor Wallace asked that Stephanie speak with JM Teague and asked that they come to the next meeting if possible, to bring everyone up to date on the project. 
  • Discussion of Chris Green Proposal:  Mayor Wallace shared with the Council an email he received from Mike Poston with a new Proposal from Mr. Green but noted that nothing has been formally submitted. Mayor Wallace said that he contacted the Attorney and he reviewed the Zoning Ordinance and it does not define duplex. 

Roads:  Jerry Rice – Councilmember Rice said that on 1168 NCC Drive there is a tree that is dead that is going to fall and two trees that are alive near it that could get hit,  He said he got an estimate to remove the three trees and it would be $6,000.00.  He said there are also two other trees that it would be beneficial to remove and the cost for all 5 was quoted at $8,000.00.  Councilmember Almond recommended Jeff Polson.  Councilmember Rice said that he would get additional estimated and report back at the next meeting.  Council suggested checking on the homeowner’s responsibility and their liability insurance. 

RPO/TAC:  Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said that there was a virtual meeting, but she was not able to attend.                                                                                                                                

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

Village Safety:  Nilofer Couture – Councilmember Couture said that the patrol report noted officers patrolled 8 times, about 24 hours for the month.  She said that the 911 report for February through April showed no calls.  She said that she called Wanda and told her she knew of at least one 911 call to the Roadway Inn in April.  Councilmember Couture said that the report she received in May showed 22 calls, 7 came from one residence on 563 SCC Drive. 

   10.  New Business: 

  • Ordinance Administrator:  Mayor Wallace said that Ken Dickert resigned his position as Ordinance Administrator and the Council would need to vote on a replacement for that position at the next meeting.
  • Village Signage:  Councilmember Almond noted that the sign for Teacup Lane was missing as well as one of the Community Watch signs.  Council asked that the two signs be ordered, Stephanie will call the NCDOC to place an order.

   11.  Unfinished Business: 

  • Assembly Hall Schedule/Procedure for use:  Mayor Wallace noted that the Attorney is working on a proposal.  He mentioned Liability Insurance and Stephanie said that insurance had been added to the Village policy for the Assembly Hall and the fee was nominal.
  • Patrol Contract/hours:  Council discussed having officers patrol an additional 5 hrs. per week when school starts and having patrol do periodic check on resident’s homes as some by be traveling. 

   12.  Additional Public Comments:  None

   13.  Adjourn:  At 8:40pm, Councilmember Rice made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved.