BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 9:00 AM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Blitz Estridge, Commissioner Richard Hicks, Interim Town Manager Mark Jones, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Natalie Newman, Commissioner Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney Johnny Phillips, Mayor ABSENT: Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Brad Waldrop, Commissioner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Phillips 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: Luther Jones, Dave Russell, Galadriel LaVere, Cyndy Caravelis, and Greta Worley. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Newman made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Phillips reported that he had attended the RPO board meeting as a representative of the Town of Sylva. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT None. MANAGER’S REPORT: Interim Manager Hicks reported the following:  Thursday, February 1, 2024 will be his last day serving as Interim Town Manager. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: Jake Scott reported the following: • Allen Street slope failure repairs are 95% complete. • Bridge Park Green Infrastructure project has begun. • Public restroom project is also underway. • Working on pricing for Bryson Park playground equipment. • Commissioner Estridge will visit the Public Works Department on Friday, January 26th. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chris Hatton reported the following: • Gave presentation updating the board on the Community Care Program with Galadriel LaVere and Cyndy Caravelis. Regular Board Meeting January 25, 2024 FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Mike Beck reported on the following: • 1,492 calls for 2023 • 94 calls so far in 2024 MAIN STREET REPORT: Bernadette Peters reported the following: • New Mainstreet website is up and running. • Planning for GUTM is well underway; currently have 75 vendors signed up. • Received a community enhancement grant of $10,000 for a façade grant program. • Cycle NC Mountain Rod will be held in 2025. • Coworking feasibility study part 2 is nearing completion. • NC Highway 107 project update will be soon. RECESS: Commissioner Jones made a motion to recess for 15 minutes. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. NEW BUSINESS BRYSON PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PRESENTATION: Jake Scott gave a presentation on possible equipment for the new Bryson Park playground. The Town received a $3,000,000 SCIF grant for the park. MAIN STREET LIGHTING—DISCUSSION OF LIGHT POLES: Jake Scott reported that there are 55 decorative lights on Main Street/Mill Street. The poles are owned and maintained by Duke. Since making a gradual transition from compressed sodium (halogen) to LED, the lights we currently have are no longer available for replacement. There are currently several spots missing lights because no replacement is available. Additionally, there are currently several lights on Mainstreet that don’t match because of sourcing issues. Scott reviewed the cost increase the Town will face when selecting new lights. The board discussed the lighting options and will make a decision at the February 8, 2024 meeting. INTRODUCTION OF PUBLIC SOLICITATION ORDINANCE: Mayor Phillips announced the draft agenda was on the website and the board had a copy to review. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 8, 2024—PUBLIC SOLICITATION ORDINANCE: Commissioner Jones made a motion to schedule a public hearing for February 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Estridge made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk