Town of Black Mountain Regular Town Council Meeting, February 9, 2026

Black Mountain Town Council Meeting Recap: February 9, 2026

On February 9th, the Black Mountain Town Council convened for their regular meeting, addressing a wide range of topics impacting our community. The meeting began with a heartfelt moment of silence to remember former Town Manager Al Richardson, recognizing his significant contributions, particularly concerning the town's golf course. The council also affirmed their commitment to open governance with an ethics statement, and Council Member Craig recused himself from a discussion regarding a proposed maintenance shed due to a potential conflict of interest.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reports from various town bodies and discussions about pressing issues. The Active Mobility Commission presented their goals for improving safety and connectivity, including pursuing improvements to crosswalks on I-40 ramps (aiming for solutions within a year), addressing pedestrian access between Richardson and South Ridgeway, reverting Greenway Path hours at Lake Tomahawk to 5-11 a.m., and prioritizing the completion of the Veterans Park bridge (exploring funding options with FEMA). The Police Department, facing challenges related to building space needs and competitive pay rates, presented a report highlighting crime reductions over the past five years and emphasizing the importance of investing in current officers. Citizen comments were heard from several residents, including a restaurant owner urging action on railway lease issues impacting pedestrian safety, and advocates for traffic calming measures in the downtown area.

The council made several key decisions that will directly affect Black Mountain residents. They unanimously passed a resolution honoring Black History Month and approved extending park hours at Lake Tomahawk and Town Square to 5 a.m. - 11 p.m., with a commitment to revisit the decision if issues arise. Crucially, they approved engaging a financial consultant from the North Carolina League of Municipalities to assist with FEMA recovery efforts and overall financial management, a vital step in navigating ongoing disaster relief processes. The council also approved the consent agenda, which included approving meeting minutes and a plan to apply for State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding for water supply improvements.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. The town will continue working with the NCDOT on crosswalk improvements and explore options for addressing pedestrian safety on Sutton Avenue. Staff will also investigate funding sources for the Veterans Park bridge and explore easements for the Flat Creek Greenway realignment. The council will schedule a retreat to discuss strategic planning, and continue discussions regarding the interim Town Manager hiring process. The upcoming Community Conversation event on February 17th, featuring Eric Ager and Warren Daniel, was announced as a valuable opportunity for community engagement.

This meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing critical issues facing Black Mountain, from improving pedestrian safety and supporting our police force to navigating financial challenges and ensuring a vibrant community. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about these ongoing efforts and participate in future council meetings and events. Details on public hearings scheduled for March 9th, and a special meeting on March 5th can be found on the town website.