Mayor’s Summary of the October 8, 2026 Town Council Meeting

October 9, 2026
Headshot of an older man with white hair wearing a navy blue blazer over a pink button-down shirt.

Hello Friends,

It was a long meeting tonight, but we accomplished quite a lot. I’ll summarize it below.

I do these summaries so you know what is happening in Montreat immediately after our Town Council meeting and you don’t have to wait a month for the official minutes. You can also view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum

We had only one question/comment. Eric Nichols asked when the Convenience Center key fob will work. Town Manager, Savannah Parrish, apologized that we have been having technical, equipment-related problems with the gate. Right now, the gate remains unlocked with the Convenience Center fully functional for your household trash and recyclables. Public Works is overseeing the repairs, and expects the gate to be fully functional soon.

Council Meeting

There was a special presentation by Captains Phillip and Sherrie Stokes, Commanding Officers of the Asheville Salvation Army. They did an excellent job presenting the mission of the Salvation Army and the programs they employ for the community, including emergency shelter and food support, homeless prevention, rent support, worship services and spiritual support, youth, family and senior support, and so much more. They are in need of volunteers, donations, and prayer for their ministry. For more information, call them at 828-253-4723.

The Council then adjourned for a closed executive session. We returned from the session to continue the meeting.

When we reconvened, I reminded everyone of the upcoming weekend rain. Please help the Town staff by cleaning leaves and other debris from stormwater grates. Working together, we can minimize flooding.

Public Comments

  • Tanner Pickett shared about the upcoming Support the Wilderness Day on Saturday, October 17th. MRA is setting aside the day for the community to gather around the wilderness, share information and ideas, and build support for future wilderness initiatives. The day has a full schedule including hikes, presentations, special shopping events, and much more. CLICK HERE for the schedule and other information.

Old Business

  • The issue of MRA’s Planned Unit Development request was heard after being continued from last month. Richard DeBose, president of the MRA, went through the Town’s draft of the PUD Ordinance, agreeing with many points but questioning several others. Town Commissioners responded and asked additional questions of Richard.
  • Becauseit was aPublic Hearing, individuals spoke for and against the PUD request. Speakers included Priscilla Hayner, Betsy Shoenfelt, and Helen Krone.
  • The Council then began discussion of the conditions the Council wanted to include. In the final analysis, all the Commissioners felt more time was needed to consider the changes MRA and the Montreat Stewards were requesting as well as some extenuating circumstances that were recently brought to light. The Council voted to continue the issue to the next Council meeting on November 12th to give enough time to resolve the open issues.

New Business

  • The following individuals were appointed to Boards and Commissions:
    • Larry Arne was appointed as an alternate member to the Planning and Zoning Commission.Tiffany Neville was appointed as an ETJ representative to the Board of Adjustment.
    • Matt Horne was appointed as a regular member to the Board of Adjustment.

We are always grateful for the willingness of residents to serve in these important and voluntary positions. Thank you Larry, Tiffany, and Matt.

  • The Council passed a proclamation to designate October as Domestic Violence and Prevention and Awareness Month
  • The Council passed several resolutions to dispose of surplus property by selling the equipment and offering it at auction.
  • The Council passed two budget amendments depositing and transferring funds within Town accounts. Funds originated from insurance payments, donations, and FEMA reimbursements.
  • The Council approved an environmental policy prohibiting smoking, vehicle idling, littering, discharge of pollutants, and other concerns on Town property.

Council Communications

  • Commissioner Widmer gave praise to and thanked the Montreat residents for abiding by the new Sanitation Ordinance involving bear resistant trash containers and systems. In the first week of enforcement, there were only three infractions, and each was resolved by the end of the day. Thank you for taking our bear problem seriously and working together to make our Town bear-safe and keeping them wild.

MRA’s lodge project has been in the spotlight for a number of years. It was our hope to resolve it tonight. But there is more work to be done and we are hopeful of resolving it next month. Thank you for your patience.

And thank you for your support of all the work of our Town. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please write me at thelms@townofmontreat.org or call me at 828/669-3852.

Thank you again,

A blue ink signature on a white background.


Mayor Tim Helms on behalf of the Town Council