SUPPLEMENTAL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

TOWN OF SYLVA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM Board Room, 83 Allen Street Sylva, North Carolina MINUTES PRESENT: Jonathan Brown, Commissioner Blitz Estridge, Commissioner Amanda Murajda, Town Clerk Mary Gelbaugh, Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Ridenour, Town Attorney Johnny Phillips, Mayor Brad Waldrop, Commissioner ABSENT: Mark Jones, Commissioner Paige Dowling, Town Manager CALL TO ORDER Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. STAFF PRESENT: Jake Scott (Public Works Director), Bernadette Peters (Main Street Director), Mike Beck (Fire Chief), Tammy Pavey (Police), Aimee Sumner (Police), Josh Geiger (Police), Brandon Flesch (Police), Galadriel Lavere (Police), Robbie Carter (Assistant Police Chief) and Chris Hatton (Police Chief). VISITORS: Cyndy Caravelis APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Brown 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 Commissioner Jones was absent due to sickness. He reminded everyone of the budget meeting rescheduled for February 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Phillips also commended staff on their work during the recent snowstorm. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Commissioner Gelbaugh encouraged everyone to read an article in the Sylva Herald regarding a skate park. She attended a county meeting with Jon Brown regarding the skate park and there were several residents who spoke. Commissioner Waldrop noted the extreme cold and thanked all town departments for their work during the cold and snow. Commissioner Estridge announced he would be stepping down from the Pinnacle Park Board and Commissioner Jonathan Brown would replace him. Commissioner Brown also commented on the county meeting and skate park. MANAGER’S REPORT: None. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: Jake Scott reported the following: • Scott gave an update on snow removal and thanked Jackson County and NCDOT for their partnership. • The new public restrooms are open. • Scott gave an update on Bryson Park renovations. • The town received an RTP grant to add two loop trails at Pinnacle Park. More information will be forthcoming. • Scott will meet with FEMA on February 4, 2025, for the first official site visit for wall repairs. • Two new employees will begin soon—Camren Powell and Dason Farmer Regular Board Meeting January 23, 2025 POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chris Hatton, Police Chief, reported the following: • Officers Kirkland and McFalls have completed field training. • NC Impact will air on PBS on 2/21/25 at 7:30 p.m. on the Community Care Program. • Planning has begun for GUTM. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Mike Beck, Fire Chief, reported the following: • The contract for a new fire truck has been signed. The truck will be delivered in 2026. • Calls for service have increased. MAIN STREET REPORT: Bernadette Peters reported the following: • GUTM applications are being accepted, and spots are almost full. • An ADA study on the downtown area was completed by Jennifer Hinton. Peters and Jake Scott will review. • Façade grants are almost complete. NEW BUSINESS—ACTION ITEMS SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST: WARD’S PLUMBING EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENT—ALCOHOL REQUEST: Ward Plumbing is requesting to have Innovation Brewing serve beer at their employee appreciation event May 7, 2025 at Bridge Park which needs board approval. Commissioner Waldrop recused himself from voting. Commissioner Gelbaugh made a motion to approve the request. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST: INNOVATION BREWING—BEER GARDEN AT GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS: Innovation Brewing is working with the MSSA to sponsor the Beer Garden at Greening Up the Mountains in April 2025. Commissioner Estridge made a motion to approve the application to hold a Beer Garden at the 2025 Greening Up the Mountains festival. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST—CONCERTS ON THE CREEK —REQUEST FOR ALCOHOL: MSSA has requested to have alcohol sold at all events for Concerts on the Creek through Innovation Brewing and Balsam Falls Brewing. Commissioner Waldrop made a motion to approve the request from MSSA. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM PRESENTATION: Chris Hatton, Galadriel Lavere and Cyndy Caravelis gave an update to the board on the Community Care Program. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Waldrop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:08 a.m. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _________________________________________ Johnny Phillips Amanda W. Murajda Mayor Town Clerk