BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 5:30 PM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Paige Dowling, Town Manager Greg McPherson, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk David Nestler, Mayor Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney Natalie Newman, Commissioner Brad Waldrop, Commissioner ABSENT: Ben Guiney, Commissioner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Nestler called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: John Thomas (Assistant Police Chief) VISITORS: Luther Jones, APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Newman made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS Luther Jones addressed the board and thanked them for their work on moving forward with public restrooms. He also asked to see a copy of the bathroom plans when complete. Jones continued and requested an update on Bryson Park plans. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Nestler reported to Mr. Jones that public restroom plans were 90% complete and would be posted when finished. He also added that plans for Bryson Park were in the very early stages. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Gelbaugh reported on an article in the Sylva Herald about a local resident, Jason Gregory, who has written a book about the history of Jackson Paper. She encouraged everyone to attend his book reading following the board meeting. Commissioner Guiney submitted a statement for Mayor Nestler to read in his absence. He is recovering from Covid-19. Guiney thanked citizens who attended the Jackson County Commissioners meeting in support of a proposed mental health facility. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  The contractor is still on track with progress on Allen Street. The engineers anticipate the South wall being completed in a couple of weeks and the contractor will begin on the Bryson Park wall by September. Storm drainage was installed last week. The consent agenda had a $4,000 change order to add an additional storm drop inlet. Work is still expected to be completed by November/December.  Employment Updates: o Officer Tanya Giordano has been sworn in. o James Lewis accepted the firefighter position and will begin work by August 25 th. James has 7 years’ experience in eastern NC and already holds the necessary firefighter certifications. Regular Board Meeting August 10, 2023 NEW BUSINESS WATCO LEASE—PUBLIC RESTROOM: The Town has received a proposed lease agreement between the Town and Blue Ridge Southern Railroad. The proposed lease is for 99 years (expiring August 31, 2122) for a lump sum of $10,000. Thanks to Eric Ridenour for his help moving this forward. Plans are still 90% complete. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the lease as presented and authorize Mayor Nestler to sign. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. TAXI ORDINANCE DISCUSSION: The Town is in the process of completing and ordinance recodification process with Municode, which occurs every 10 years. During a review of all ordinances with Municode, the attorney from Municode explained that many towns are removing their taxicab ordinances. Uber and Lyft have almost made taxis obsolete. State law also regulates taxis. The board needs to give direction on whether you would like to eliminate this ordinance when we recodify or if you would like to keep it. Commissioners asked Assistance Police Chief Thomas what the Police Department would prefer. He acknowledged that the department would like to see it removed. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to remove the taxicab ordinance from the Town’s Code of Ordinances effective immediately. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk