January 8, 2024 Town of Black Mountain Town Council Meeting

The Town of Black Mountain Town Council convened on January 8, 2024, for a regular meeting focused on administrative approvals, public safety agreements, and community planning initiatives. The session opened with New Year greetings and an apology from the Mayor regarding recent holiday trash pickup issues, noting that a revised schedule had been released by the Town Manager. The Council also announced that January 15, 2024, would be observed as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, with the town honoring his legacy at the Swannanoa Valley Prayer Breakfast.

During the public comment period, several residents presented specific requests and updates. Libba Farley of Black Mountain Pickleball presented data showing a significant increase in players and visitors, requesting that the Council consider expanding the number of courts from four to six. Phil Bissessi advocated for more frequent recycling pickup and proposed a crosswalk on Broadway to address pedestrian safety. Peter Dawes delivered a lengthy statement regarding grievances with town government processes and requested access to departmental records, prompting the Mayor to caution that his statements could be used in court. Additionally, Merrill Sabansky emphasized the importance of retaining a sandbox in planned playground renovations, while Julie Light, Chair of the Active Mobility Commission, provided an update on infrastructure priorities, including greenway feasibility studies and sidewalk needs.

The Council took several actions during the meeting, passing multiple resolutions by unanimous 5-0 vote. These included approving a budget amendment for police vehicles, accepting a grant-funded playground shade structure for Veterans Park, and adopting a resolution establishing a 10% goal for minority business participation in construction projects costing $300,000 or more. The Council also approved the renewal of the lease for the golf course snack shop with Green Tee Grille, LLC, and adopted the CORE (Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies) Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. Furthermore, the Council authorized the use of a design-build delivery method for the Swannanoa River Floodbench and Wetland Construction Project, funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant, to expedite the work.

A significant discussion centered on the Public Safety Interoperability Program (PSIP) agreement with Buncombe County. Eric Grau from Buncombe County presented information on the regional collaboration for improved communication and data sharing. However, rather than approving the agreement immediately, the Council decided to postpone the decision. The Town Attorney will review and update the agreement to account for new software requirements, which are estimated to cost approximately $69,000 in FY25, before the Council votes on it at a future date.

Looking ahead, the Town Council has scheduled the town offices to be closed on January 15 for Dr. Martin Luther, Jr. Day. Staff will continue to work on the holiday trash pickup schedule, and the Active Mobility Commission will continue collaborating with town staff on infrastructure needs. The Council will reconsider the PSIP agreement once the Town Attorney completes their review. No other specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed upon by members or staff during this meeting beyond these administrative next steps.