Mayor’s Meeting Summary for May 8, 2025 Town Council Meeting

Greetings Montreaters,

We were grateful for the small but august crowd this evening. My meeting summary follows below. The official minutes will be in next month’s agenda packet. And, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum                                                                                                                  

• Tom Frist expressed his appreciation for the work done near Frist Road removing trees in the right-of-way. He spoke of some very sophisticated equipment needed to remove the trees. He also asked if there was a way to increase the number of bulk pickups, since we have only two per year. He mentioned Black Mountain has them every Friday. We reminded Tom of the piles of debris still on and near Montreat Road in Black Mountain, which you don’t see in Montreat. Town Manager Savannah Parrish reminded everyone that on-demand bulk pickup is available for $30 at any time.
• Savannah Parrish announced that Town Clerk, Angie Murphy, will receive her Masters in Public Administration from Montreat College on Saturday. She received a well deserved round of applause. We are proud of Angie’s accomplishment.

Council Meeting

After I opened the meeting, I reminded everyone that the storms like we had today are just a part of living in Montreat and the mountains. Please be aware of weakened trees, particularly from the hurricane, and other potential issues that often occur during storms.

In Savannah’s Town Manager Communications, she offered:

1. Thanks to resident Julie Schell who spent each Monday in April volunteering in the office, filing, organizing, and other important office duties. We are grateful for Julie’s donation of time.
2. Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 26^th, in observance of Memorial Day.
3. The Town is still having problems with residents putting items other than branches and natural brush into brush piles. Metal was found recently, which could potentially do significant damage to chipping equipment. We recently had to buy a new chipper because a resident’s brush pile contained a metal rod that destroyed the $30,000 chipper. Please be cognizant of what is in your brush pile.

Public Comments- There were none

Old Business- There was none

New Business

• Rachel Sawyer, Buncombe County’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Helene Recovery, gave a very informative overview of Buncombe’s planning process of recovering from Hurricane Helene. She shared about Buncombe County’s collaboration with local governments strategizing how everyone can work together to develop a plan for long-term recovery from and strategic planning for Hurricane Helene. At the heart of their efforts is a survey for Buncombe residents to gain perspectives on concerns and solutions to the problems such as post-disaster needs, recovery priorities, and ideas for building a more resilient community. Buncombe County residents are encouraged to complete the short survey by clicking HERE.
• The Council passed a proclamation to acknowledge the 56^th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week and Montreat’s own Angela Murphy in particular.
• The Council passed a proclamation to honor Law Enforcement Officers and Montreat’s own officers including Police Chief Jeff Eaton, Captain Tim Bradley, Patrol Officers Gin Johnson, Morgan Bocanegra, Justyn Whitson and Brandon Collins, a new officer working with the department. We are also grateful for our reserve officers.
• The Council passed a proclamation to honor National Public/works Week and our own staff, Director Barry Creasman, Drew Brown, Mike Harrison, Jarod McIntosh, and Daniel Wiggs.

Please take time to thank our dedicated Town staff for their efforts on our behalf.

• The Council approved a cashflow loan agreement with the state of NC for use in Hurricane Helene recovery. The interest free loan is $120,000 and is to be paid back by 2030.
• The Council appointed Sally Jenkins as a regular member to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission. Sally had previously served on P&Z as an alternate.
• The Council appointed Gayle Sawyer as an altenate member to the Planning and Zoning Commission. We are grateful to Sally and Gayle for their willingness to serve.
• The Council directed Town staff to develop a plan that would require all residents to have bear proof trash containers by September 1. Commissioners asked staff to seek public input during the process.

Public Comment

• Tom Frist emphasized the need for public input on the decision to require bear proof trash containers. He also suggested that the Town work out arrangements with suppliers for preferred pricing on approved containers.
• George Sawyer, Landcare Committee Chair, announced that 126 Hemlock trees were treated last week, with the work largely done by Montreat volunteers. More trees will be treated but using a different technique.

Council Communications

• Commissioner Alexander reported on the Landcare Committee’s hope to initiate a follow up Flat Creek water quality study. Doing so would offer a comparative study to the 2020 water quality study and allow the Town to understand how the Hurricane affected Flat Creek’s water quality. Landcare thinks the project to be important enough to fund the $600 estimated expense from their own treasury.

Again, I thank you for your encouragement and support in the work of the Town staff and Council. We truly appreciate you.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please write me at thelms@townofmontreat.org or call me at 828/669-3852.

Thank you again,

Mayor Tim Helms on behalf of the Town Council