BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, February 9, 2023 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, Mayor Natalie Newman, Commissioner ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Nestler called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Bryant (Finance Officer). VISITORS: Rozaria Hart, Roy Davis, Susanne Saucier, Ann Bass, Adam Gelbaugh, Seth Gelbaugh, Wren Gelbaugh, Vickie Nestler Davis, Wayne Smith, Sara Lavway, Livingston Kelley, Destri Leger, Dave Russell and Clemmy Queen. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Newman 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 Wayne Smith addressed the board about drainage issues near the Azalea Motel, owned by him. Water runoff is causing damage to his property and the culvert needs to be replaced. NCDOT is working on a sidewalk project on Skyland Drive near the Azalea Motel and Smith would like to request the Town replace the failing drainage pipes and culvert. MAYOR’S REPORT: David Nestler reported that he had received the final draft of the Pinnacle Park Botanical Survey. The Pinnacle Park Foundation will review and a presentation to the board will follow at a future meeting. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Gelbaugh acknowledged David Joy, a local author, who recently had a book written by him made into a motion picture. Commissioner Guiney reminded everyone that 2023 is the Year of the Trail. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  Thank you all for the opportunity to attend the NCCCMA conference in Winston-Salem last week. It was excellent. The best sessions I attended were on the state of the economy, keeping communities affordable, employee mental health, the retirement system, and community engagement. It was exciting to talk with other managers about capital projects they are working on in their jurisdictions.  Employment Update: Albin Gashi has accepted a job at the Sheriff’s Department with their SWAT team so we will work to fill that vacancy in the police department.  The TWSA annual meeting is March 7th at 4:00 p.m. The business meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. Please let me know if you would like me to rsvp for you.  Jeanette White from NCDOT is working to provide a written update on R-5600. I requested this on behalf of the Board after our last meeting and we should have it soon.  The biodiversity study should be submitted to the Pinnacle Park Foundation tomorrow, February 8 th. Regular Board Meeting February 9, 2023 PLANNING BOARD REPORT Manager Dowling reported that the Planning Board reviewed agricultural uses in city limits during their January meeting. Boyd Sossamon, chairman, resigned from the Planning Board. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY: Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed mayor, David Nestler. NEW BUSINESS MAYOR PRO-TEM APPOINTMENT: Commissioner Newman made a motion to appoint Mary Gelbaugh as Mayor Pro- tempore (Vice Mayor). The motion carried with a unanimous vote. OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR PRO-TEM: Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Mayor Pro-tem, Mary Gelbaugh. APPOINTMENT TO THE RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION Each jurisdiction has a representative serving on the RPO. Commissioner Guiney made a motion to appoint David Nestler, replacing Lynda Sossamon, to the RPO. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPOINTMENT TO THE SOUTHWESTERN NC HOME CONSORTIUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Manager Dowling explained this board looks at federal funds for the region for housing. Each jurisdiction has a representative on the board. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to appoint David Nestler, replacing Lynda Sossamon, to the Southwestern NC Home Consortium Board of Directors. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS Term limits have been applied to the Planning Board. Melissa Madrona is eligible for reappointment through 2025. The board will accept applications for the replacement of Boyd Sossamon. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to reappoint Melissa Madrona to the Planning Board for a term to expire in February 2025. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST—INNOVATION BREWING 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Nicole Owen, from Innovation Brewing, submitted an application to serve alcohol at their 10-year anniversary celebration in September 2023. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the request. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. FOOD TRUCK REQUEST TO SET UP ON TOWN PROPERTY Shane Bennett from Bread Heads Co. is a food vendor at the Farmers Market. He would like to remain at the market on Saturdays until 4:00 p.m. after the market has closed. The food truck ordinance requires Town Board approval to set up on Town owned property. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the request. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. NC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIES—CORE MOU The NC Dept. of Commerce is using State ARP grant money to fund a technical assistance initiative for outdoor recreation economy strategic planning and asset development services in rural North Carolina communities. The initiative, Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (“CORE”) is intended leverage outdoor recreation assets available across the state to bolster local economic vitality. The Town of Sylva will be working in conjunction with Jackson County and separately as a town with the guidance of our Prosperity Zone coordinator here locally, Ann Bass. Once the MOU and resolution are signed, we will be getting a brainstorming/informational meeting scheduled with key stakeholders to pave the way for this process. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to adopt the resolution and approve the memorandum of understanding. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:01 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk