Lisa Burnett

The meeting included key discussions and actions categorized across several sections. Under the Consent Agenda, actions involved approving the January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes and scheduling public hearings for February 24, 2026, concerning a 57.51-acre annexation request and a map amendment (rezoning) for a 4.96-acre parcel. The Consent Agenda also covered Special Event Permits for multiple 2026 events, including the Appalachian True Heritage Festival and Christmas Parade. Presentations included the promotion of a staff member to Lieutenant, recognition awards for 2025 parade winners, a request for Town Council support to engage Haywood County Commissioners regarding recreation funding reinstatement, and a presentation on a Main Street Mural Public Art Commission. New Business items focused on operational improvements, such as approving the addition of a Full-Time Electrician position, adding a Part-Time Wastewater Treatment Plant position for laboratory support, and approving the scope of work for brick sidewalk installation along Walnut Street. The Council also scheduled their planning retreat for February 27th and entered into a closed session to discuss economic development matters before adjourning.

The Council meeting began with a welcome and announcements, followed by the removal of the 'Design for cafe light installation on Church Street' item from the agenda. Key actions included endorsing the Impact U Medford Grant Application for the Helene Flood Memorial landscaping, which will fund landscaping elements like a dry river bed and benches. The Environmental Sustainability Board presented on the benefits of Electric Vehicles for the town fleet, citing potential savings in maintenance and fuel costs. A public hearing was held to adopt an Ordinance removing the mandatory 12-month waiting period for resubmitting map and text amendments to comply with updated state legislation. New business involved approving an amendment to the Downtown Waynesville Commission rules to allow property owners to designate an employee, agent, or representative for open seats, and the approval of the schematic design for cafe lighting installation on Church Street. The Town Manager suggested scheduling a planning retreat, set for February 27th. The session concluded with a closed session to discuss economic development matters.

The regular meeting included several presentations and new business items. Presentations recognized staff with the Life Saving Chiefs Award, acknowledged the retirement of Lt. Tamara Vander Day (granting her duty weapon) and Telecommunicator Shelia Trull, and honored Fire Marshal Darrell Calhoun's retirement while congratulating three newly promoted lieutenants. An update on the Basecamp afterschool and summer programs highlighted increased attendance and revenue, alongside concerns regarding van reliability. The Council also reviewed a Dogwood Health Trust grant award of over $487,000 for the Waynesville Command Center Collaborative Initiative to enhance emergency response capabilities via a solar/battery backup system. New business involved approving the contractor selection (ACMI) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Potable Water Supply for Disc Filters project and authorizing part-time operator positions to support 24/7 plant operations until new hires are licensed. The Council awarded the Public Works Bank Stabilization Project to Rhino Design Build LLC, authorized its initiation, and approved the construction contract and project budget for the Vance & Recreation Park Ballfields rebuild following Hurricane Helene damage. A project budget of $430,741 was established for the Dog Park Project. Finally, the Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina League of Municipalities to conduct a comprehensive Public Safety Classification and Pay Study for Fire, Police, and parts of Public Works.

The Town Council meeting covered multiple agenda items spanning consent, presentations, public hearing, new business, and closed session. Key discussions included the promotion of Paige Shell to Lieutenant within the Police Department and a presentation of awards to the 2025 Christmas parade winners. The Council considered an endorsement for the Medford Grant Application for the Helene Flood Memorial landscaping. A public hearing addressed a text amendment to remove the mandatory waiting period for map and text amendment resubmissions in the Land Development Standards. New business involved changes to the structure of the Downtown Waynesville Commission board, and several Public Works items, such as approving the renewal of the JM Teague On-Call Contract, awarding contracts for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Potable Water Supply Project and the Public Works Bank Stabilization Project, and establishing a budget for the Dog Park Project and the Vance & Recreation Park Ballfields rebuild due to Hurricane Helene damage. The Council also approved the addition of part-time positions for Water Treatment and Waste Treatment Plants and authorized a Memorandum of Agreement for a Comprehensive Pay and Classification Study for Public Safety. The meeting concluded with reports from the Town Manager and Town Attorney, and a closed session concerning Economic Development.

The meeting included a presentation from Haywood Christian Ministries about their food pantries, a presentation on the Town of Waynesville's America 250 NC Grant Mural, and a public hearing to consider text amendments to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Additionally, there was a public hearing to consider a request for annexation and a map amendment (rezoning) for a parcel on Plott Creek Rd. The council also discussed TDA Winter Events and the establishment of a Downtown Social District for the Ice Block Party, and discussed a request to permit a new Solar Rate Schedule retroactive to the installation of a solar system, a position reclassification for the Fire Department, a deannexation, and a service contract with Davis Engineering and Consultants PLLC.