Mayor’s Meeting Summary of March 13, 2025 Town Council Meeting

Hello Montreaters,

We had a full house tonight and were encouraged by the interest of our fellow Montreaters. My summary follows below, but remember that the official minutes will be in next month’s agenda packet. Of course, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum                                                                                                                  

• Kat Achtemeier expressed concerns about the request to close and remove a portion of Virginia Road across from her own home. Her concerns included issues related to the width of the road changing and infringing on her property; water, sewer, and stormwater being affected on Virginia Road; and vacating the space would restrict future development, particularly on the “S” curve by Alabama Terrace.
• Nancy Midgette, Firewise Chair, expressed appreciation to the Black Mountain Fire Chief speaking tonight about fire concerns post-Helene. She offered help to Montreaters in evaluating the defensible space around homes and read a letter from 1897 expressing concern for wildfires even back then. She also urged everyone to count their hours of work dedicated to clearing fuel sources and report them to her for Firewise certification.

• Shirley Mitchell commented that Nancy Midgette did an excellent job with a Firewise assessment on her property. She also said that the loud music she complained about last month from a nearby contractor from a different culture has started up again and is not culturally based. Finally, she wanted to know why the Town did not inform anyone that MRA was demolishing the three buildings. I responded that it was not a Town government issue or responsibility. MRA applied for a permit to demolish, which was granted, as all requirements were met. MRA publicized the project in their communications and it was reported in the Black Mountain News.
• Ed Kramer, Tree Board Chair, stated that the Tree Board has concerns about the Virginia Road right-of-way vacation request and the trees that would likely be affected. He also said that given the large amount of fire fuel from trees and brush from Helene and no public services available to move it from private property, the Tree Board is making arrangements to remove debris. Contact Ed if you need such services.
• Tanner Pickett, MRA VP, encouraged people to sign up for email news and updates on the MRA website or read the updates in the NEWS section of their website.
• Mary Standaert asked if the upcoming Text Amendment first went to Planning & Zoning. I said no, it had not. She asked if that was commonl. I commented that often subjects like this will come to the Council first, then be referred to P&Z.
• Arrington Cox, BearWise Chair, reminded everyone that the bears are out and we should bring in our bird seed and secure trash from marauding bears.
  
  

Council Meeting

After I opened the meeting, I asked everyone to please be patient with our Helene recovery. We are making steady progress, but our biggest problem is financing the work. FEMA may eventually pay for the projects, but only after we complete and pay for them and they reimburse us. Cash flow is our biggest obstacle. We are open to any financing ideas.

Public Comments

• Wade Burns stated that he appreciates the work of the Tree Board. People need to know that trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to manage and remove.
  • Letta Jean Taylor informed everyone that the Asheville area Living Wage has increased from $22.10 to $23.15 for 2025. She hopes Town staff below the Living Wage will be brought to the new level. I responded that I have been discussing this with Savannah, and we will do everything we can, as we have in the past, to bring employees to that level. As we all agree, they deserve it. Letta Jean also stated that historically the Council has not looked favorably upon closing and vacating Town rights-of-way.

Old Business

• We deferred the Old Business item of selecting an engineering firm to New Business, allowing Town legal counsel to study one legal issue before acting upon it.

New Business

• We were honored to receive a presentation from Black Mountain Deputy Fire Chief, Jimmy Bingham, about Hurricane Helene and its effects. Key elements from his remarks were:
  • The majority of the damage in the valley, including Montreat, was on South facing slopes, which is contrary to typical storms
  • 225,000 acres were affected in our area with severe damage
  • Buncombe and McDowell counties were the most affected of all counties in WNC
  • 75% of all damage was on private property
  • The biggest issue we will be dealing with in the future is abundant fuel for fires. Downed trees and brush will continue to dry through the summer, creating dangerous conditions for fires in the future.
  • Downed trees and brush hinder fire fighting efforts, which makes it important to manage and eliminate fuel sources.
  • He emphasized Nancy Midgette’s comments about “beefing up your defensible space”, meaning eliminating fuel sources from areas around your home
  • Yesterday, there were 9 reported wildfires in our area
  • Do not expect help from outside government sources in clearing public lands

To view Deputy Chief Bingham’s full report, CLICK HERE.

• After discussion, the Council voted to deny the intent to close a portion of Virginia Road and give away certain rights-of way and set a Public Hearing with regard to same. This means the issue of handing over the right-of-way land was denied and is now closed.
• The Council then held a Public Hearing on a text amendment involving the Stormwater Ordinance and subsequently denied the text amendments but referred the issue to the Planning & Zoning Commission to review and revise the ordinance to meet current needs.
• The Council approved revisions to the Fee Schedule involving the timing of determining institutional water consumption, resulting in more effective budget planning. No water rates were changed.
• The Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and Montreat.
• Finally, the Council voted to select Withers-Ravenel as the Engineering Consultant for Hurricane Helene rebuilding oversight.

Public Comments

• Wade Burns offered background information on the Hitch’s request for right-of-way abandonment and emphasized they were not trying to take advantage of the Town
• Eric Nichols stated he believes that vacating rights-of-way is not the favor of residents, that they do not want to give Town property away. He said he appreciates the Council’s position on the matter.
• Mary Standaert commented that the first survey of Montreat in 1897 was the first attempt at a “conservation” approach to land management and when the Town was incorporated in 1967, the Council underscored such an understanding.

Council Communications

• Itold a story about a woman on Shenandoah and her caretaker who were unable to handle the needs of the woman. Neighbors Mary and Joe Standaert came to the aid of the two people for a period of time, Then Chief of Police, Jeff Eaton, arrived and sat with the women for four hours until alternative care giving measures were arranged. Stories like this exemplify the hearts of Montreaters, residents and staff alike.
• Commissioner Alexander appreciated everyone being here tonight and caring so much about Montreat.
• Commissioner Widmer informed everyone of the overwhelming experience Police Chief Jeff Eaton and Captain Tim Bradely have brought to the department. Between the two of them, they have 60+ years of law enforcement experience in patrolling, conducting field training, detectives, criminal investigation, field investigation, SWAT team, narcotics investigation, administrative management, and County Jail management. Other jurisdictions are now contacting to the Montreat Police Department for advice and counsel. We have every right to be proud of our Police Department and the first-class job they do in protecting us and our Town.

Again, I thank you for your encouragement and support in the work of the Town staff and Council. We are fortunate to work for you.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please write me at [email protected] or call me at 828/669-3852.

Thank you again,

Mayor Tim Helms on behalf of the Town Council