Regular Meeting May 12, 2025

Recap of May 12, 2025 Government Meeting: Addressing Storm Recovery and Resident Concerns

This recap summarizes the key discussions and decisions made during the May 12, 2025 government meeting. The meeting focused on ongoing recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene, addressing resident concerns about local flooding issues, and reviewing the town's budget. This meeting was a regular session open to the public.

Addressing Resident Flooding Concerns on Wilkie Way: A significant portion of the meeting centered around concerns raised by residents David Todd and Tony Bland regarding persistent flooding on Wilkie Way. Both men detailed how a restriction within a stormwater pipe is contributing to water pooling and flooding their properties during heavy rainfall. They requested the council investigate either removing the restriction or improving drainage in a nearby ditch to manage water flow. The council agreed to await an inspection from McGill Associates, the city engineer, scheduled for this Thursday. They also committed to exploring potential solutions, including temporary measures if needed, once the assessment is complete. This issue highlights the ongoing challenges residents face following storm events and underscores the council's commitment to finding a resolution.

Tropical Storm Helene Recovery Progress: The council received an update on the progress of repairs following Tropical Storm Helene. Good news was shared regarding park restoration, with fencing at ball fields and multi-use courts progressing well, and the dog park fencing already completed. The target completion date for these repairs is the end of May, weather permitting. Discussions also included updates on bridge and stream bank repairs near Mills Gap Road and within the park, with bids expected May 27th following a pre-bid conference this Thursday. The council acknowledged ongoing collaboration with Hendersonville and the county to coordinate debris removal, noting that while most vegetative debris has been cleared, some remains on private properties and the county is assessing streams for potential removal.

Budget Review & Upcoming Public Hearing: The council engaged in a preliminary discussion regarding the town's budget. A workshop was held last week to present the recommended budget, and a significant increase of $12,000-$14,000 was noted for property and liability insurance renewal. A public hearing is scheduled for May 28th to allow residents to provide feedback on the proposed budget. The council also considered a proposal from the ABC board regarding establishing a capital reserve fund for future projects, potentially including a new store. This matter will be revisited in a separate agenda item at a future meeting.

Other Notable Updates & Action Items: Beyond these key topics, the council approved the minutes from the previous meeting and a consent agenda of routine approvals. The Farmers Market is reportedly operating successfully, with good attendance. Several action items emerged from the meeting:

• McGill Associates Inspection (Thursday): The city engineer will inspect the Wilkie Way property.
• Budget Public Hearing (May 28th): Residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the proposed budget.
• Capital Reserve Discussion: A future agenda item will be scheduled to further discuss the ABC board’s capital reserve fund proposal.
• Schedule Budget Year Close Out Meeting: A meeting for June 30th at 9:00 AM will be scheduled to close out the budget year.

This meeting demonstrated a focus on addressing immediate resident concerns, continuing recovery efforts from recent storms, and carefully considering the town's financial future. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming budget public hearing on May 28th to voice their opinions and contribute to the decision-making process.