BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Paige Dowling, Town Manager Ben Guiney, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Greg McPherson, Commissioner Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney David Nestler, Mayor Natalie Newman, Commissioner Brad Waldrop, Commissioner ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Nestler called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. STAFF PRESENT: Jake Scott (Public Works Director), Bernadette Peters (Main Street Director), Mike Beck (Fire Chief) and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: Dave Russell and Jay Coward APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jay Coward addressed the board and requested a work session be scheduled to discuss the recommendations from the Pinnacle Park survey on invasive species, roads and water breaks, and site clearing. MAYOR’S REPORT None. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Newman requested support from the Board to attend an affordable housing conference in October. The board gave consensus for registration. All commissioners thanked staff and volunteers for their hard work on the Greening Up the Mountains festival. Commissioner Guiney requested that the Board add to the next agenda a discussion on the Town of Sylva sponsoring the Sylva Pride event so that a street closure could happen. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  GUTM was a big success.  Lieutenant Bruce Moore has submitted his resignation.  Planning Board member Alan Brown will be moving in June and the board will need to replace him on the Planning Board.  The Employee Wellness Fair is May 11, 2023. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: Jake Scott reported the following: • He thanked all those who helped with Greening Up the Mountains. • The weather has delayed the start of construction on Allen Street. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chris Hatton reported the following: • Greening Up the Mountains went very well. Regular Board Meeting April 27, 2023 • Thanked Lieutenant Bruce Moore for his service. • The Police Department has one vacancy. • Continuing training for department members. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Mike Beck reported on the following: • Reviewed calls for service for 2023. MAIN STREET REPORT: Bernadette Peters reported the following: • Brew Hop was a success. • The Mainstreet Board retreat was a success. • Thanked all who helped with Greening Up the Mountains. TWSA BOARD REPORT: Mayor Nestler reported that TWSA was currently working on the FY 23-24 budget. He also added that TWSA had just received a completed rate study and system development fee study and it showed TWSA’s fees were drastically low. PINNACLE BOARD REPORT: None. NEW BUSINESS None. CLOSED SESSION: Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to enter closed session pursuant to NCGS. 143-318-11(a)(3) to consult with the town attorney and (5) for contract purposes at 9:36 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to come out of closed session. The motion carried with a unanimous vote and the Board entered into regular session at 10:05 a.m. No action was taken during closed session. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk