BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 5:30 PM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Mary Gelbaugh, Commissioner Paige Dowling, Town Manager Ben Guiney, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Greg McPherson, Commissioner Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney David Nestler, Vice-Mayor Natalie Newman, Commissioner ABSENT: Lynda Sossamon, Mayor CALL TO ORDER Vice-Mayor Nestler called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Bryant (Finance Officer), Jake Scott (Public Works Director), Mike Beck (Fire Chief), and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carries with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion carries with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. MAYOR’S REPORT: None. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Nestler reported that the Pinnacle Park Foundation received preliminary report from Equinox on the botanical survey and there were a number of rare and unique species found. Also, a large number of American Chestnut trees that were fruiting. Commissioner Gelbaugh thanked everyone who helped with the Christmas Parade. Commissioner Guiney also everyone who helped with the parade. He noted that there was a NC Bradford Pear bounty out that the state will pay owners to get rid of. He would also like to have a discussion in the future on priorities that will not affect the budget. Commissioner McPherson added that he was interested in learning more about the Bradford Pear bounty. Commissioner Newman presented to the board a fundraising idea for Bryson Park. She would like to sell bricks with engraving as a way of fundraising for Bryson Park. NEW BUSINESS AUDIT REPORT: Bronwyn Burleson of Burleson and Earley, PA presented the financial statements and auditor’s report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. A clean audit opinion was given with no findings. Burleson encouraged the board to review the report and to read the management discussion. FY 2023-2024 BUDGET CALENDAR: Commissioner Newman made a motion to approve the FY 2023-2024 budget calendar. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Fire Department Personnel Request: Mike Beck, Fire Chief, addressed the board and noted that in 2021 there were 762 calls for the year. As of November 30, 2022, there have been 1,151 calls. He requested from the board permission to approach Jackson County Commissioners and staff about adding additional personnel to the fire department staff. Currently, Regular Board Meeting December 8, 2022 there is money built into the budget appropriations from the county for truck and building payments. One truck has been paid off and the building will soon be paid off. He would like to reallocate that money to personnel and that would leave a shortfall of about $40,000. After discussion, Commissioner Guiney made a motion to authorize Mike Beck and Manager Dowling to approach Jackson County about such changes. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL DECEMBER 22, 2022 REGULAR BOARD MEEITNG: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to cancel the December 22, 2022 regular board meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL DECEMBER 22, 2022 PLANNING BOARD MEEITNG: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to cancel the December 22, 2022 regular board meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SCHEDULE HOLIDAY LUNCH FOR DECEMBER 15, 2022: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to schedule the 2022 Holiday Lunch for December 15, 2022, at noon. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Vice-Mayor Town Clerk