May 2021
The following members of the Council were present:
Mayor Jim Wallace
Councilmember Marcia Almond
Councilmember Nilofer Couture
Councilmember Ron Yount
The following members of the Council were absent:
Councilmember Jerry Rice, III
The following Non-Council members were Present:
Stephanie Gibson, Clerk
- Call to order: at 7:00pm Mayor Wallace called the meeting to order.
- Announcements:
Reminder – Please silence cell phones for meeting
- Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Almond made a motion to approve the agenda, Councilmember Yount seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
- Approval of Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2021 Regular Council Meeting: (All meeting minutes are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Yount made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for April 6, 2021, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
- Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of April 2021: (All financial reports are posted on the Forest Hills website once approved.) Councilmember Almond made a motion to accept the financial report, Councilmember Couture seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
- Budget Review: Stephanie provided copies of the proposed budget for fiscal year 21-22 prepared by Budget Committee: (Kolleen Begley & Stephanie Gibson). Council reviewed budget and will review and approve at the next meeting since the recent re-evaluation may affect the total budget.
- Public Comments: None
- Reports:
Mayor’s Report: Jim Wallace
- Discussion of Zoning Ordinances and Planning Document: Mayor Wallace discussed the Zoning Ordinances and referenced the amended copy with all mixed use removed. He noted that he would be absent at the June meeting but would speak with Attorney Fox about reviewing the document.
Roads: Jerry Rice – Councilmember Rice was absent
RPO/TAC: Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond said she had nothing new to report.
Planning Board:
Village Safety: Nilofer Couture – Councilmember Couture said that officers patrolled for the month. She said that numerous 911 calls were on the report and noted that most of them came from North Country Club Dr. and were in connection with rentals and the University Inn.
- New Business:
- Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act Info.: Nilofer Couture – Councilmember Couture provided information for Council to review. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act will help reduce America’s carbon pollution to net zero by 2050. It puts a fee on carbon pollution, creating a level playing field for clean energy. The money collected from fossil fuel companies goes to Americans in the form of a monthly ‘carbon cash back’ payment so that everyone can afford the transition.
Council discussed and voted to support the Act.
- Discussion of SB 349/HB 401: Marcia Almond – Councilmember Almond discussed the proposed legislation, as House Bill 401 and Senate Bill 349. In their introductory language, HB 401 and SB 349 advertise that the legislation’s primary goal is to provide affordable housing options in all residential zones in North Carolina. The proposed legislation achieves this by mandating that every local government in NC must allow all “middle housing” types in areas zoned for residential use, including those residential zoning areas defined for single-family homes. Middle housing types are defined as duplexes, quadplexes and townhouses in the proposed legislation.
Councilmember Almond will provide additional information at the June meeting.
- Elections: (Registration for Mayor and two Council members)
10. Unfinished Business:
- Discussion of Assembly Hall being named for former Mayor & resident, Irene Hooper and plaque with all Mayors names: Mayor Wallace said we could decide on wording and vote at the next meeting.
11. Additional Public Comments: None
12. Adjourn: At 8:40pm, Councilmember Yount made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Almond seconded the motion, unanimously approved.