Town Council Meeting for March 10, 2025 - Town of Black Mountain, NC

The Town Council convened for a regular session on March 10, 2025, focusing on storm recovery efforts, financial approvals, and community proclamations. The meeting opened with tributes to local musician Roberta Flack, including a proclamation designating March 11 as "Roberta Flack Day," and a recognition of March 31 as "International Transgender Day of Visibility." The Council also addressed ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, reviewing financial reports and approving several key contracts and resolutions to support infrastructure and facility repairs.

Key decisions included the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, which contained previous meeting minutes and a monthly tax collector’s report. The Council approved an amendment to the contract with Belfort Property Restoration Services, increasing the budget by $289,775.62 for remediation work following Hurricane Helene, noting that FEMA will reimburse a significant portion of this cost. Additionally, the Council accepted a donation of fencing components from Asheville Fence Company, valued at approximately $37,000, for improvements to Veterans Park. The Council also authorized staff to explore eligibility for a USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and approved the pursuit of grant funding from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to install a well for irrigation at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden.

Significant discussion centered on the town’s recovery progress and financial constraints. Jessica Trotman provided an update on FEMA recovery efforts, including reimbursements and project statuses. The Council voted to terminate the contract for the Craigmont Park project due to shifting priorities and financial constraints, with the Town Manager tasked with drafting the termination letter. The Council also reviewed the approval of a $4.7 million design-build contract for the Swannanoa River Floodbench and Wetland Construction Project and accepted a loan from the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer for Hurricane Helene cash flow needs.

During community input, several residents shared concerns regarding town services. Mark White raised issues about water system violations and missed sampling deadlines, emphasizing the need for better oversight of the town’s water contractor. Alma Bush and Joyce Miles spoke about the current state of the Senior Center, advocating for a new, accessible location and highlighting the center's role in combating loneliness and providing meals for seniors. Alice McClary spoke about community kindness and efforts at the dog park. The Council acknowledged these concerns, with staff agreeing to include an update on the water quality situation in a future meeting.

Follow-up actions agreed upon during the meeting include the Town Manager drafting a letter to terminate the Craigmont Park contract and staff reporting back on the town’s eligibility for a USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan. The Council also agreed to include a water quality update in the next meeting. These steps address immediate contractual obligations and ongoing infrastructure needs, ensuring that recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene remain funded and that community facilities like Veterans Park and the Community Garden receive necessary improvements.