BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 5:30 PM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Blitz Estridge, Commissioner Paige Dowling, Town Manager Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Mark Jones, Commissioner Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney Natalie Newman, Commissioner Johnny Phillips, Mayor Brad Waldrop, Commissioner ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Jake Scott (Public Works Director), Chris Hatton (Police Chief) and Robbie Carter (Police Lieutenant). VISITORS: Luther Jones, Nelia Waldrum, Leigh Anne Young, Dave Russell, Chuck Hall and Carol Hall. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Phillips reported that he met with Kevin King, the new Jackson County Manager and also met with Mark Letson regarding paid fire department employees. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Commissioner Gelbaugh reminded everyone of the Tuckasegee River Clean-up event. She noted also that Raymond Street, Cowee Street and Maple Street had areas that the pavement needed to be fixed. Commissioner Waldrop apologized for missing the previous two meetings for family events. He expressed his disappointment in the Board’s decision to deny the Sylva Pride parade. Commissioner Jones announced a benefit luncheon for the Karup family and the birth of their child. Commissioner Newman read a statement from herself in about her disappointment regarding Sylva Pride. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  Budget Update: The balanced draft budget will be sent to the Board April 18 th.  Greening Up the Mountains is just over two weeks away. Preparations are in full swing.  Project Updates: o Bridge Park: The Bridge Park project is on schedule. The observation deck will be started next week. One weir is completed, and the other is a little over halfway installed. o Public Restroom: Cinderella Partners should be back onsite early next week. A local contractor will remediate the unsuitable soil. Materials are being delivered on site. The projected completion date is now June 5th. o Bryson Park: Playground equipment has been ordered.  We have been conducting interviews at the Police Department to try and fill the vacant positions. Regular Board Meeting April 11, 2024 NEW BUSINESS PINNACLE PARK MASTER PLAN—DISCUSSION ONLY: Commissioner Gelbaugh commented the proposal had great ideas for the park and she liked the outdoor classroom option. Commissioner Waldrop agreed with Gelbaugh. CLOSED SESSION: Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to enter closed session pursuant to NCGS. 143-318-11(a)(3) to consult with the town attorney at 5:49 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Commissioner Newman made a motion to come out of closed session. The motion carried with a unanimous vote and the Board entered into regular session at 6:48 p.m. No action was taken during closed session. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk