Black Mountain council approves park hours, local fireworks vendor and several capital steps; votes on equipment leases and utility fixes

At its regular meeting the Black Mountain Town Council approved a string of operational and capital decisions and heard public comment on rail access, park hours and downtown amenities.

Park hours: The council adopted an ordinance setting hours for Lake Tomahawk Park and Town Square from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. after hearing testimony from residents and the Active Mobility Commission about pedestrian safety and use patterns. The Police Chief had recommended a shorter closing time based on after-hours vandalism concerns, but the council voted unanimously to adopt the 5 a.m.–11 p.m. timeframe and agreed to revisit if problems persist.

Fireworks vendor: Council compared two proposals for the July 4 fireworks display and voted to hire a local Black Mountain fireworks firm (Pyro/Pyre Wright) at a quoted price of $18,500 rather than an out-of-town vendor priced at $20,475. The motion passed with recorded opposition from two council members who raised budgetary constraints; supporters said the event brings community and business benefits.

Golf course equipment: With donated equipment due for return in March and a Wells Fargo lease proposal expiring in March, council authorized staff to proceed with a lease or installment purchase so the golf course remains operational. The proposed 60-month lease value presented was roughly $325,271$335,554 (different components discussed) with monthly payments described in staff comments. Several council members asked staff to weigh purchase versus lease options and the budget implications.

Golf maintenance building: Council reviewed a conceptual feasibility study estimating a roughly $2.3 million project (with $1 million state grant identified) for a new maintenance building. Staff and members raised concerns about size, site costs and required safety features (chemical storage, ventilation, fire suppression). Council voted to table the feasibility approval pending a revised design and clearer funding plan.

Utility and procurement votes: Council authorized use of system development fees (estimated $55,000$65,000) to relocate about 552 feet of water main to bring a new subdivision connection into compliance after staff found a water main sitting above an old terracotta sewer line. The council also approved an agreement for disaster recovery financial assistance from the North Carolina League of Municipalities (up to $30,000 in services) and adopted an ordinance to require itemized third-party fire inspection/reporting fees so businesses see the base compliance engine fee and any vendor admin charge.

Norfolk Southern lease: Council approved executing an amended parking lease with Norfolk Southern to add a second area of downtown parking; staff said the annual lease payment would increase to about $12,000 per year from approximately $1,500 and directed crews to begin removing cross ties and applying gravel once the lease is fully executed.

Procedural votes recorded during the meeting include approval of an amended consent agenda and multiple unanimous or majority votes on the items described above. Several council members urged careful budget monitoring as FEMA reimbursement and other recovery funds remain uncertain.

Next steps: Staff will finalize procurement documents for the golf equipment, follow up on RMS/CAD and fleet budget items raised in the police report, pursue grant avenues for the maintenance building and manage the Norfolk Southern lease execution. Council scheduled follow-ups during the budget process and agreed to revisit park hours if after-hours problems continue.