Mayor Benita England called the Monday, July 13, Town of Hayesville Council meeting to order and opened new business and discussion on a University of North Carolina School of Government meeting platform. The multi-page document provided to council — Parliamentary Procedure Rules for Local Governments — streamlines Robert's Rules of Order and for a small local government body makes allowances in decisions by requiring one motion, discussion and the vote.
England said that these parliamentary rules are for towns the size of Hayesville and don't require a second motion. “Where do we go from here?” England said. “In order to use the streamlined Robert's Rules of Order we need a resolution.”
Council member Harry Baughn said that a “second” is not a vote and Baughn made a motion to adopt the rules as presented. There was no discussion and council members voted to adopt the new rules.
Approval of minutes of the June 8 and 24 Zoom Meeting and June 22 Public Hearing and the 2026-2027 Budget were completed, the council heard the financial report presented by Suzanne Hedden. Hedden said that the new budget will receive some corrections.
Old business on the council's agenda included a Mill Street update and the status of the Historic Hayesville Inc. rental agreement. Regarding Mill Street, England said, “We're back to the drawing board and we'll have something to report in the future.”
The Historic Hayesville Inc. rental agreement was tabled to Wednesday, July 15. Sandy Zimmerman said that with one of HHI's board members absent to vote on the agreement, she requested a few more days. England said that an attorney will need to draft the agreement and council will look at it next.
In new business:
• Callie Moore and Susan Bean representing Mountain True made a presentation to council and public present on planning and zoning issues within town limits.
• Council voted to submit four names for a road on Robin Bryan property to 911 and accept the name they select.
• A resolution was made to apply for three State of North Carolina Department of Commerce grants for the repair of critical storm water infrastructure.
• In the discussion on a new flag pole needed for Hayesville Town Hall, Dwight McClure representing the American Legion said that when the pole is purchased they will install it.
• Clay Macon Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted.
• Zimmerman announced that the Centennial Museum is open.
England's Mayor's Report noted that with construction on the new Hayesville Inn on the Square and George's new building being erected, there are a few disruptions almost daily that require remediation or at least some attention. The inn is slated to be completed in the fall. England said that the projects are exciting to the community and its growth.
Zoning Administrator April England reported that two zoning compliance certificates were issued this past month. The first was issued to Justin Ashe for extending the Jacky Jones Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership showroom. The second certificate was issued to N.C. Department of Transportation for a new build on Tusquittee St. No Board of Adjustment applications were submitted this month and no BOA meeting was held.
In council's discussion regarding the Brunch Bill, council voted to schedule a Public Hearing for the Brunch Bill on Tuesday, July 28.