After verification of a quorum, Aaron Baker (Brevard City Council) convened this month’s meeting as Co-Chair in the absence of Mayor Copelof. Selena Einwechter was welcomed and will be attending meetings as a representative from the Henderson County Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC).

Wilson Hooper (City Manager) proposed the need for a meeting of closely interested ET partners. Proposed attendees would include representatives from the Friends of Ecusta Trail (FOET), Brevard Parks and Recreation, and the Brevard Ecusta Trail Advisory Board (ETAB). The purpose of these discussions is to describe outcomes regarding eventual governance of the Ecusta Trail when the Brevard (ETAB) is disbanded, which according to its charter is at the end of trail construction. Hooper emphasized the importance of defining these governance roles long before the ET is completed in Transylvania. In addition, he added the necessity to begin considering the impact of a busy ET on the everyday work of City staff.

Mark Tooley (FOET) added that the FOET must also develop new visions to guide the non-profit when the ET becomes a reality. The current FOET goals are tied to planning, fund-raising, and coordination of local efforts to create the Trail. However, the need for ongoing ET support and oversight continues after construction, creating a vital role for a re-envisioned FOET. Tooley requested a response from the City of Brevard to a letter asking for help with this task.

Paul Ray (Brevard Planning) reported that public engagement will begin again with a new June ET newsletter to be sent to property owners adjacent to the Trail. Also, following Brevard Planning presentations to public officials, a potential meeting with the adjacent property owners is tentatively planned for July.

Clark Lovelace (Tourism Development Authority) reported that the TDA has approved revision of the agreement between the TDA and City of Brevard for distribution of a $1M grant over 4 years for ET construction. Mr. Hooper expressed his intention to ask for $250K soon to help cover upcoming engineering costs. Mr. Tooley inserted that the FOET will also contribute significantly to engineering costs. Councilman Baker highlighted the unseen discussions that have resulted in the availability of these contributions.

Selena Einwechter shared the enthusiasm generated by construction starting in Henderson County. She remains confident that the first 5-mile section of Henderson County’s trail, termed Ecusta East, will be completed by the end of 2024. In addition, she revealed that the City of Hendersonville intends to build a path from downtown to the ET. Many committee members followed with comments supporting the idea of using the Trail to bring people into downtown Brevard and Hendersonville. Similar positive consumer traffic is expected in Laurel Park, Horse Shoe, Etowah, and Penrose.

In further discussion, planned NCDOT road construction will intersect with the ET in a couple of locations. Lonnie Watkins agreed that the NCDOT is open to designing new road construction in ways that promote trail access and safety. Hooper suggested that Transportation Planning and Development (TPD), the chosen engineering firm for Transylvania ET design, be tasked with developing such recommendations for the DOT. The Committee approved this.

By Matt Revis