BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, July 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 Johnny Phillips, Mayor ABSENT: Jonathan Brown, Commissioner Brad Waldrop, Commissioner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Abbie Smith, Mallary Caraway, Eric Fanslau, Mike Beck (Fire Chief), Keith Buchanan (Assistant Fire Chief), Chris Hatton (Police Chief), Robbie Carter (Assistant Police Chief), Jake Scott (Public Works Director) and Bernadette Peters (Economic Development Director). VISITORS: Neil Dawson, David Massengill, Chuck Hall, Carol Hall, Lisa McBride, Jason Kelly and Shannon Queen. 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 the retaining wall behind Town Hall is failing, and the Town is working on securing funding for repairs. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Commissioner Jones thanked the board for appointing him to the Mountain Projects Board. Commissioner Estridge thanked Jake Scott, Chris Hatton and Robbie Carter for the ride-along to Pinnacle Park. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  The procedures for the Economic Development board will be on the agenda at the July 25 th work session.  Dowling attended the NC City & County Manager’s conference. The managers association holds a summer and winter conference that lasts three days.  Dowling thanked the Chamber for the excellent job they did with the July 4 th celebration. The crowd was a record size and there has been plenty of positive feedback about the event.  Reminder to the board: August 24th will be the Bridge Park ribbon cutting and Matt Stillwell’s Hometown Party.  Employment Updates: Officer Maggie Kirkland was sworn in and has started her field training. The lieutenant interview process will begin July 15th. There is still a maintenance technician position open in Public Works.  The restroom progress is slowly coming along. The contractor has experienced several supply chain issues they are working through. There is an estimated substantial completion date of July 31st. Utility tie-in work will take place the last week of July NEW BUSINESS FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Mayor Phillips presented the annual Firefighter of the Year Award to Eric Fanslau and thanked him for his outstanding service to the community. Regular Board Meeting July 11, 2024 NC GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM—LOCAL GOVERNMENET GRANT: Shannon Queen explained that the Governor’s Highway Safety Grant for the current year is now accepting applications. This will be a $30,000 grant for FY 2024-2025. The Town can apply for the grant for traffic-related expenses. Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program agreement of conditions and contract for federal funding for traffic safety in the amount of $30,000 and approve the resolution authorizing Shannon Queen to file on behalf of the Town of Sylva, the application contract. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. WNC FROM THE GROUND UP—MARKET REQUEST: Lisa McBride addressed the board to request approval of an additional market on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Bridge Park. She wants between seven and eight vendors to set up in the new section near the picnic tables. These vendors would be restricted to Jackson County farmers. Bridge Park would still be available for the public to rent on Saturday mornings. The board discussed the request. Commissioner Estridge made a motion to approve the request as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SPECIAL EVENT: SOCIAL DISTRICT CELEBRATION ALCOHOL REQUEST: Bernadette Peters explained that the MSSA is requesting the Board’s permission to use Bridge Park September 21st from 3-7:00 p.m. for a Social District celebration. This event will replace Brew Hop. Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the request to serve alcohol at the Social District Celebration. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. MSSA FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATIONS APPROAL: Bernadette Peters presented three applications eligible for a 1:1 match up to $3,000 to the board for approval: 1. Remax Realty 2. Innovation Brewing 3. McGuire Estate Commissioner Estridge made a motion to approve the three grant applications. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk