A joint public hearing to rezone property at
107 & 201 S. Franklin and 35 Second streets from two-family and multi-family residential to B-2 Central Business had no speakers, and was subsequently unanimously approved. The town manager noted possible grandfathering of a cabinet-making shop, although not determined as being an ongoing, viable business operation and so providing the property with possible broader use applications, with current plans being for professional office use.
A right of way vacation request by the town for parcels between Flint Drive and Spruce Street had one adjacent property owner asking for clarification on potential assumed responsibilities. This action was subsequently approved by unanimous vote with existing drainage and utility easements in place.
Chief Sisson
administered the oath of office for two additional town police officers, noting their individual preparations and experience, and the expectations of being held to the highest standards for performance.
Rhonda Hale, Director of the Montgomery Museum & Lewis Miller Regional Art
Center, thanked council for their past support of the Virginia Challenge Grant, which provided matching dollars to the agency for the town's endorsement. She also recognized the partnership between the town and the museum for support of the spring art show,
Heritage Festival, and the recent "Pickin' on the Museum" as well as the upcoming summer
Cruisin' Christiansburg events .
Council approved the sale of the final lot in Christiansburg Industrial Park which was owned by the town. This represented 4.7 acres disposed of by council for $22,000 per acre.
A closed session was then entered into, for discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining power or negotiation strategy of the public body. In a previous meeting it was noted Joey Simmons had the old funeral home, located on East Main between the town's existing parking lot and the police station, on the real estate market and authorized town administration to negotiate to purchase this property. Mr. Simmons was present at this closed session and left without comment. The closed session was certified with no action taken upon return to the open meeting.
The mayor asked council members to review a packet of information previously provided to them on financial or tax revenue generating options as allowed by the Code of Virginia, in preparation of upcoming fiscal year 2007-08
budget discussions with both its Finance Committee and the full council. The committee includes town staff, the mayor and council members Mike Barber and Ann Carter.
The town manager's report included a brief update on construction of the aquatic center. It was noted that the town's Park & Rec department had successfully scheduled two Dixie Youth events at the Harkrader Sports Complex for July 2008.
Councilmen Huppert and Wade questioned the anticipated completion date for Phase "II" of the town's renovation project. Response from administration indicated that while the
contract was extended beyond its initial 11/30/2007 end date, all related work should be completed by the end of May. Council members stressed summer street festivals dates were imminent and citizens should be able to see an end to this construction beforehand.
The
next regular meeting of the Christiansburg Town Council is scheduled for
Tuesday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.