Votes at a glance: Black Mountain council ratifies restoration contract amendment, approves $4.7M Swannanoa flood project and several donations and loan explor-

At its March 11, 2025 meeting the Black Mountain Town Council approved a set of motions and resolutions that advance recovery work, parks repairs and infrastructure projects. The council also directed staff to gather additional information on the federal Lead and Copper Rule inventory before authorizing more field work.

Key votes and formal actions (voice votes unless noted):

- Amendment to Resolution R-24-40 (ratify property-restoration professional services agreement with Balfour): Approved. Staff said invoices for emergency property restoration totaled $1,289,975.62; the council ratified an amendment to the earlier resolution to authorize payment and to document the contract for FEMA reimbursement. Staff reported the town already received $500,000 toward this work via expedited FEMA funding and expects the remainder to be processed for reimbursement.

- Donation of surplus police vehicles to McDowell Technical Community College: Approved. The town proposed donating two 2013 Dodge Charger police vehicles to McDowell Tech for use in driver and firearms instruction; staff estimated combined Kelley Blue Book trade-in of about $4,900 and decommissioning costs of roughly $2,100.

- Cragmont Park contract (Harper General Contractors): Council authorized the town manager to draft and send a termination letter for the contract and terminate for convenience under the contract terms: Approved. The town had budgeted roughly $492,000 for the project and spent $15,685.80 to date; Harper provided site plans that the town may reuse if the project returns in the future.

- Phase 2 design–build construction contract for Swannanoa River flood benching and wetland construction (SRP‑SW‑ARP‑0026) with North State Environmental, Inc.: Approved. The council authorized a $4,700,000 design–build contract using ARPA funds; staff said the project remains 100 percent grant-funded and must be completed by the ARPA deadlines.

- Acceptance of donation from Asheville Fence Company for Veterans Park fencing components: Approved. Asheville Fence offered materials and installation valued at about $37,000, including gate and playground fencing elements.

- Approve pursuit of grant funding for the Doctor John Wilson Community Garden (Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Emergency Disaster Response Fund): Approved. Staff will pursue grant funds to install an irrigation well; garden manager Leonora told the council a well would provide reliable, low‑maintenance irrigation and is eligible for the foundation’s emergency funding.

- Authorization for staff to explore eligibility for USDA Community Facilities Direct loans: Approved. Council authorized a staff prequalification process to determine scope, eligibility and potential loan sizes for municipal facility reconstruction and replacement; staff said typical local loan amounts range from several million dollars and noted higher amounts require national‑level approval.

- Amended project ordinance and resolution to accept State Treasurer cash‑flow aid (loan of $705,703) and associated budget amendment: Approved. Council accepted the state cash‑flow loan and approved the budget changes necessary to record the funds.

Votes that were deferred or received direction rather than immediate approval:

- Lead and Copper Rule inventory and related field work: No immediate authorization to proceed beyond the approximately $17,000 already spent. Staff said the town obtained a $500,000 zero‑interest loan for the inventory process; council asked staff to research peer municipal practices and return with recommendations before authorizing additional field work or spending.

Where recorded, motions were moved and approved by voice vote. The meeting record did not include roll-call tallies for most motions; councilors recorded “Aye” on voice votes.