BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, August 14, 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) VISITORS: Sarah Hirsch, Shawn Oberlies, Nelia Waldrum, Beth Baxley, Sam McGuire and Michael Hopkins. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Waldrum 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: Beth Baxley addressed the board and thanked them as well as the police department and so many other volunteers who support the Town of Sylva endeavors. She thanked the board specifically for supporting the Sylva Stop donation box. Baxley commended all who continue to donate time, work and effort to maintain the Sylva Stop. Sarah Hirsch echoed Badley’s comments. She also gave the board an update on UNIDXS, a non-profit organization supplying needs to various groups in the community. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Phillips reported that in light of a recent rescue at Pinnacle Park, it may be necessary for the Town to consider purchasing additional rescue equipment in the future. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Commissioners reported the following: Gelbaugh: Expressed her gratitude towards a new skate park being planned by Jackson County. Waldrop: Congratulated Gelbaugh on her dedication towards seeing the wheels in motion for a skatepark. Waldrum: Expressed support for additional rescue equipment purchases for Pinnacle Park. Estridge: Also expressed appreciation for the skate park. Brown: Attended the Pinnacle Park board meeting. They are continuing to work on signage and trail construction plans. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  The RFQ for engineering for the Scotts Creek Slope Stabilization is open until August 15 th at 12:00 p.m.  Lisa Leatherman from Duke Energy called to say the Duke Energy Foundation has approved Pinnacle Park’s $25,000 grant for improving 300 feet of the forest therapy trail at Pinnacle Park and adding signage. Regular Board Meeting August 14, 2025  Dowling and Jake Scott met with Equinox on grant administration for the Recreational Trails Program grant.  Jackson County is scheduling a public meeting on changes to the flood plain. This is considered a public hearing for Sylva and Dillsboro also since property owners inside town limits are impacted. The meeting will be held either August 25 or September 29, 2025 at the Justice Center. NEW BUSINESS: SKATE PARK DONATION REQUEST FROM JACKSON COUNTY: Michael Hopkins, Parks and Recreation Director from Jackson County, shared a presentation with the board on plans for a new skate park at Mark Watson Part. The County is seeking a $30,000 donation from the Town for the park. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to appropriate $30,000 from ARPA related funds for the contribution to Jackson County. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SCHEDULE RIBBON CUTTING FOR BRYSON PARK SEPTEMBER 25, 2025: Commissioner Waldrum made a motion to schedule a ribbon cutting ceremony for Bryson Park on September 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL NOVEMBER 27, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MEETING: The November 27, 2025, regular Board of Commissioner meeting falls on the Thanksgiving holiday. Commissioner Brown made a motion to cancel the meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL NOVEMBER 27, 2025, PLANNING BOARD MEETING: The November 27, 2025, Planning Board Meeting falls on the Thanksgiving holiday. Commissioner Brown made a motion to cancel the meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL DECEMBER 25, 2025, REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING: The December 25, 2025, regular Board of Commissioner meeting falls on the Christmas holiday. Commissioner Waldrum made a motion to cancel the meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. CANCEL DECEMBER 25, 2025, PLANNING BOARD MEETING: The December 25, 2025, Planning Board Meeting falls on the Thanksgiving holiday. Commissioner Waldrum made a motion to cancel the meeting. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Waldrop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk