BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Jonathan Brown, Commissioner Paige Dowling, Town Manager Blitz Estridge, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney Johnny Phillips, Mayor Brad Waldrop, Commissioner Joseph Waldrum, Commissioner ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Robbie Carter (Asst. Police Chief) and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: Nelia Waldrum and Kate McKittrick. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Brown 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: Kate McKittrick addressed the board regarding a new gas station proposed on Highway 107 in the Town of Sylva ETJ and noted that she was not in favor of such construction. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY: Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Commissioner, Joseph Waldrum. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Phillips expressed his thanks to the Public Works department for repairing a sink hole on Main Street that impacted business. He also thanked TWSA for their partnership with the repairs. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Commissioners reported the following: Gelbaugh—The 41st annual Tuck Clean-up is Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Estridge—Welcomed Joe Waldrum to the board. Brown—Welcomed Joe Waldrum to the board. Brown thanked the MSSA Board for their efforts in cleaning up the downtown area. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  Dowling thanked Public Works and TWSA for their work on repairing a sink hole on Main Street.  The consent agenda included an item for a budget amendment to appropriate $7,000 for the sink hole repair.  Budget Update: The balanced draft budget will be emailed Thursday, April 17 th. The next budget work session is April 24th following the meeting. The draft budget and fee schedule will be reviewed. Regular Board Meeting April 10, 2025  Employment Update: Public Works is still accepting applications for the vacant maintenance technician position. Sgt. Ryan Griffin submitted a resignation letter.  Bryson Park: The tile in the restrooms is complete. Siding will be painted soon. The target date to reopen the park is still June.  The ribbon cutting for the public restroom is Saturday, April 26 th at 2:00 p.m. during Greening Up the Mountains. Odell Thompson, the architect on the project, is going to cut the ribbon.  Town offices will be closed April 18th for Good Friday. NEW BUSINESS: FY 2024-2025 AUDIT CONTRACT: The audit fee is $25,000 with Sheila Gahagan, CPA. Commissioner Waldrop made a motion to approve the audit contract. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENT: The Town appoints a commissioner to fill the Town’s vacant seat on the Jackson County Public Library Board of Trustees. Their next meeting is May 20th in Cashiers. Commissioner Waldrop volunteered to serve on the library board. Commissioner Estridge made a motion to appoint Commissioner Waldrop to the Library Board. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Waldrop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:51 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk