BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, November 9, 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, following the Board of Adjustment meeting. STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Bryant (Finance Officer), Jake Scott (Public Works Director) and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: Luther Jones and Jon Brown. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Waldrop 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: Luther Jones addressed the board and thanked them for their service. He also added that he reviewed the construction plans for the Bridge Park Green Infrastructure project and believes that there are areas where the town could save money including pavement and drain lines. MAYOR’S REPORT: None. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Commissioner Waldrop reported that he was pleased with the civility of election day. Hen thanked Greg McPherson for his service. Commissioner McPherson noted he had enjoyed his tenure as a commissioner. Commissioner Newman thanked voters for their support. MANAGER’S REPORT: In the absence of the Town Manager, Amanda Murajda reported the following:  The Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Board members participating will need to report to Town Hall no later than 2:00 p.m. The theme for the parade is “A Superhero Christmas”.  Employment Update: Police Officer Tanya Giordano has submitted her resignation. We are currently advertising/interviewing for the position.  Jake Scott gave an Allen Street update, noting that the project is expected to be completed by the end of November.  Jake Scott gave an update on the new downtown restroom project. NEW BUSINESS BRIDGE PARK GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT: Two bids were received after the re-bid of the project. The project ordinance amendment and resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the contract must be approved. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to appropriate $98,447 from Fund Balance using funds set aside for ARPA related projects. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the project ordinance as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Regular Board Meeting October 12, 2023 Mayor Nester presented the resolution of approval awarding the contract to Buchanan and Sons, Inc. and authorizing the Mayor to sign the contract. He read an excerpt from the resolution as follows: Whereas, on November 3, 2023, after the project was re-bid for a seven (7) day requirement, the Town of Sylva received and opened sealed bids from two (2) agencies and BH Graning Landscapes, Inc. was the lowest bid at $738,433.57; and Whereas, the Town did not receive a HUB Certificate from BH Graning Landscapes, Inc. and is required to go with the next lowest responsible bidder of Buchanan and Sons, Inc. and their proposal was selected and recommended for approval; and Commissioner McPherson made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SCHEDULE HOLIDAY LUNCH FOR DECEMBER 7, 2023: Commissioner Newman made a motion to schedule the holiday lunch for December 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner McPherson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk