SUPPLEMENTAL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM 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 9:00 a.m. STAFF PRESENT: Jake Scott (Public Works Director), Bernadette Peters (Main Street Director), Keith Buchanan (Assistant Fire Chief), Galadriel LaVere (Community Care) and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh 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 None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Nestler acknowledged the passing of former Public Works Director, Dan Schaeffer. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Gelbaugh requested that parking lines be repainted in the Main Street area. Commissioner Newman reported that she attended the Southwest Commission meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023. She also requested for a future agenda that the Board discuss a safe haven box. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Dowling reported the following:  Jackson County has approved the TDA grant for the Bridge Park expansion/green infrastructure project. We have reached out to Equinox to begin preparing the permits and contract documents to bid the project. We hope to begin construction after the pottery festival in November.  The survey revision is almost complete for the depot site. Once that is complete, we can send it to the railroad.  Dowling and Jake Scott are participating in the County’s feasibility study for a sidewalk along Fairview Road to connect NC 107 with Fairview and SMHS. The County received a grant from NCDOT for this feasibility study.  Employment Updates: o Bernadette begins full-time as the Economic Development Director on Thursday. o Officer Brittany MacLean was sworn in yesterday. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: Jake Scott reported the following: • Scott gave an update on Allen Street repairs. Regular Board Meeting July 27, 2023 • The annual Powell Bill certified statement has been submitted. • Painting of Town Hall under way. • Alex Plott was promoted to Equipment Mechanic and Radburn Schutters was promoted to Senior Maintenance Tech effective July 1, 2023. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chris Hatton reported the following: • Reviewed calls for service. • Announced the hiring of Tanya Giordano and Brittany MacLean. • July 4th festivities went well. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Keith Buchanan reported on the following: • Reviewed calls for service for 2023. • Fire department Firefighter vacancy has been filled employee will hopefully start in August. MAIN STREET REPORT: Bernadette Peters reported the following: • The downtown Harry Potter Birthday festival will be Saturday, July 29 th. • Continuing to work towards a coworking space. • The NC Main Street Director conference is August 2-4. TWSA BOARD REPORT: Mayor Nestler reported the following: • The board is working on updating policies. PINNACLE BOARD REPORT: Mayor Nestler reported the following: • The Steering Committee met to plan a schedule for the Master Plan implementation. • Recreational needs survey will be the first task to complete. NEW BUSINESS SKATE PARK DISCUSSION: Commissioner McPherson would like to begin looking a the future of the skate park. He does not think the structure will last. He would like to see the current area have additional structures as well as improvements such as pavement or concrete and additional walls. Commissioner Gelbaugh believes that Mark Watson Park is a great place for a permanent location. Mayor Nestler added that he would like to see energy put into working with the county on an agreed upon location. PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT: Alan Brown’s vacancy on the Planning Board must be filled. This term will expire 12/23/2026. The person would then be eligible to serve three terms that last three years each. The Town has received applications from Madeleine Craig, Alison Joseph, and Stephen Phillips. Commissioner McPherson made a motion to appoint Allison Joseph to the Planning Board. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ David Nestler Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk