August 13, 2026 - Public Forum & Town Council Meeting

Montreat Town Council Meeting Recap: August 13, 2026

The August 13th meeting of the Montreat Town Council featured a public forum followed by the regular council session, addressing a range of topics from ongoing recovery efforts to local infrastructure improvements. The meeting provided residents with an opportunity to voice their concerns and receive updates on key town projects, ultimately resulting in several significant decisions impacting the community.

The public forum opened with residents expressing appreciation for Montreat's beauty and thanking town staff for their contributions. A significant portion of the forum was dedicated to updates on recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, with Savannah outlining progress on FEMA-funded projects. Residents like Jean Norris emphasized the importance of securing engineering for the pedestrian footbridge project, a key priority for attracting additional funding. Concerns were also raised about traffic flow on Texas Road and the need to prioritize pedestrian safety.

During the regular council meeting, several key decisions were made. The council formally commended Police Officers Morgan Bocanegra and Elijah Ammons for their assistance to the Black Mountain Police Department. In a gesture of community support, the council unanimously approved donating surplus Axon Body 2 cameras to the Town of Hot Springs Police Department. A proposed ordinance aimed at improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety on Texas Road was tabled, pending further resident input. This means the council will gather feedback from those living along Texas Road before making a final decision in September.

Perhaps the most significant and debated decision of the evening was the council's vote to decline accepting funds from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund’s Helene Recovery Fund for the Flat Creek Crossing project. While acknowledging the importance of restoring Flat Creek, council members, led by Commissioner Widmer’s emphasis on prioritizing critical infrastructure and responsible financial management, ultimately determined that accepting the grant would place an undue burden on town finances given existing FEMA recovery obligations. Jean Norris clarified that this decision does not impact the town’s ability to pursue alternative funding sources for the footbridge project. The council also approved a budget amendment recognizing and allocating recent donations received for various projects.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. The town will be sending a letter to residents on Texas Road regarding the proposed traffic changes, and council members plan to walk Texas Road with Police Chief Whitson to observe traffic patterns firsthand. The Flat Creek Crossing Committee will continue fundraising and exploring alternative funding options for the footbridge, while town officials will persist in navigating the FEMA recovery process and appealing the denial of funds for embankment repairs.

This meeting highlighted Montreat's ongoing commitment to recovery, infrastructure improvements, and responsible financial stewardship. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the Texas Road traffic study and future opportunities to provide input on these important community initiatives.