Town board approves SPIR funding

By David Bailey

Board members approved a $20,000 contribution to Sylva Partners in Renewal by a 3-1 vote.

Board member Eldridge Painter cast the only dissenting vote. Board member Eldon Cabe was absent due to illness.

During a brief presentation SPIR President Russ Seagle cited improvements to Main Street, the Christmas parade and the Greening Up the Mountains festival as evidence of the group's importance to Sylva.

In addition, he linked the organization to an increase of 66 jobs, 21 building renovations and 11,000 volunteer hours downtown as a result of SPIR's work over the last seven years.

Since SPIR's inception in 1995, the group has garnered $1.64 million in public funds and $1.65 million in private funds for downtown development, said Seagle.

"SPIR has become a catalyst for growth," Seagle said. "We'd like your continued support financially and otherwise."

SPIR is planning work to Mill Street as part of its overall beautification program. The group will focus on improving the overall streetscape, the parking lot adjacent to Lifeway Church and installation of a bridge to Poteet Park.

"(These improvements) are a great way to link the pool and the park to the downtown area, said Seagle.

Following this, board members turned their attention to the purchase of a knuckle-boom loader. Again by a split vote, board members approved purchasing the truck through the state's "piggy-back" statute.

The vote was 3-1, with board member Maurice Moody casting the "no" vote.

Sylva needs the truck for hauling and clearing projects that take too long by current methods, said Town Manager Richard McHargue.

McHargue offered the board the option of a formal bid process where the town would accept bids from different vendors or, accepting a bid price that another city, which went through a formal bid process, used in purchasing the same truck.

Sylva can "piggy-back" with Charleston,S.C., and purchase the truck for $85,000, which was the price Charleston paid; however, the town must purchase the truck before Aug. 30 to take advantage of that method, McHargue said.

"To expedite this process that's what I would recommend," said Town Clerk Tommy Thompson.

Moody made a motion, which died for lack of a second, to accept formal bids.

In other business July 11:

- Board members tentatively approved a sewer line easement for a new apartment building. Elisabeth St. John requested an easement for a gravity-fed sewer line to connect to the main line on Municipal Drive for a new four-unit apartment building located at the end of Drury Lane.

Commissioners expressed concern over granting a permanent easement because the line would have to cross an undeveloped parcel of town property. If the property is developed in the future, St. John's sewer line might have to be moved, Moody said.

"I have a problem with a permanent easement if the property is developed, and I think it will be in the future," Moody told St. John. "I don't think the taxpayers should have to pay for your sewer line."

The board approved the easement subject to town attorney Eric Ridenour including a stipulation making St. John responsible for moving her sewer line if the town-owned property is developed.

- Board members set a public hearing for Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6:15 p.m. to adopt new criteria for a multi-family residential district.

They will also discuss Darla Matthews application to rezone her property on Fortune Lane to the new classification.

The new R-1B residential district criteria would allow for the construction of residential duplexes, day care facilities (upon issuance of permit) and single family development.

- Board members set Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. as the time for a hearing on the zoning of property behind Quin Theater.

Owner David Sizemore would like his property zoned commercial so he can install mini-storage units, said Jim Aust, town zoning administrator. Security lighting at the storage business should help curtail loitering behind the theater, said Aust.

- Board members replaced Jana Fulton on the Alcohol Beverage Control board after Painter expressed concerns about Fulton not living within Sylva's city limits.

"I feel like our board (appointees) should come from the boundaries of our town," said Painter.

After discussing possibilities for Fulton's replacement the board named Kevin Penn-ington to the ABC seat.

- Board members unanim-ously approved paving Sylvan Heights Road using $13,000 in Powell Bill funds.

- Board members unani-mously approved a plan to install speed bumps on Cowan Street to slow down traffic.

"It has become a short cut into town," said Moody. "(The residents) really want some relief."

- Board members unani-mously approved a $500 contribution to local Senior Games participants. "Those people really appreciate our support," said Mayor Brenda Oliver.

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