BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM 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 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: VISITORS: APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Nestler reported that notice was received from Representative Mike Clampitt that Jackson County was a potential site for a substance abuse facility to be built. He encouraged the board to support this endeavor. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Guiney also expressed support for the health facility. Guiney also requested that crosswalk signs be replaced on Mill Street and added at areas around Innovation Brewing. Manager Dowling noted that each sign would be approximately $350. Commissioner McPherson congratulated the Police Department on their service award received for the Community Care Program. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  Employment Updates: Bernadette will begin full-time July 27th. First round interviews for the firefighter vacancy are in process. Eric Fanslau has been promoted to Captain.  The Town’s new website is active.  The Fire Department dinner is July 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the training room at the Fire Department.  The Southwestern Commission annual dinner is Monday, July 24 th at 5:30 p.m. at Betty’s Creek.  We are still in the process of reviewing our Municode ordinances for recodification and hope to complete the review in August. Project Updates  Allen Street: The Allen Street slope stabilization is still on schedule. The North wall has been completed and work is starting on the south wall of soil nails. Regular Board Meeting July 13, 2023  Public Restroom: Watco/Blue Ridge Railroad has requested additional survey points, so Jake has contacted the surveyor to update the survey. Dowling has provided our municipal insurance liability policies to the real estate division of the railroad in Kansas. Depending on how long it takes to get the plans and lease approved by the railroad, we could potentially be under construction this fall. Lynn Bryant has worked with the Southwestern Commission and the State Office of Budget Management to get a grant extension through June 30, 2028 for the SCIF grants for the restroom and Bryson Park.  Bridge Park Green Infrastructure: The TDA Board of Directors is recommending the County Commissioners approve the grant for Bridge Park. This should go before the County in August. We hope to begin construction on this project in early November right after the pottery festival. NEW BUSINESS PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT: Mayor Nestler reported that no applications had been received. ABC BOARD CHAIRMAN APPOINTMENT: Manager Dowling reported that Jackson County reappointed David Noland for a three-year term on the ABC Board, which will expire June 30, 2026. The County also appointed Mr. Noland as Chairman for another one-year term, which will expire June 30, 2024. The ABC merger agreement states that the Chairman will be jointly appointed by both the Town and County boards annually. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to appoint David Noland as Chairman of the ABC Board for a one-year term to expire June 30, 2024. The motion caried with a unanimous vote. FY 2023-2024 ABC BOARD BUDGET—REVIEW ONLY: The FY 2023-2024 ABC Board Budget is included in the agenda packet for review. SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST—INNOVATION BREWING AT FARMERS MARKETS: Lisa McBride would like to amend her application to include Innovation Brewing selling alcohol at the third Thursday Farmer's Markets. Commissioner Guiney made a motion to approve the request. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST—BALSAM FALLS BREWING AT CONCERTS ON THE CREEK: Balsam Falls Brewing is requesting to sell alcohol at Concerts on the Creek July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 25th. Commissioner Newman made a motion to approve the request. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Guiney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:04 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk