Christiansburg Council got moving at 7:33 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 19th, getting a report on the aquatic center and approving paying bills in town hall with credit or debit cards.
The Christiansburg Aquatic Center update was provided by the contractor, architect and project manager. Town staff is expected to have access by the end of February to set up their offices and computers, test equipment and generally get ready for opening the building to the public at a yet to be determined date.
The Mayor stated citizens did not understand the "uniqueness of the public-private partnership" and how this process resulted in a completely different building, with the architect agreeing and saying some council members had seen drawings in 2006 for a structure costing $10-11 million less.
Council heard an update from representatives and supporters of Valley Curbside Recycling, which is the only option for this service in Christiansburg. The new company had recycled 15 tons of materials, thus extending the life of the local landfill and is positioned to expand this capacity in their second year of business.
During the Citizens Hearing, Lenny Sessions presented a request for financial assistance for Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church. This building, which is listed as both a Virginia and National Historic structure, is threatened by the roof's substructure. Members are generally elderly, on fixed or limited incomes, and the special nature of this maintenance need exceeds their ability to quickly respond to replacing the roof and protecting the building.
The Mayor indicated Council was sympathetic, yet expressed concerns about "the separation of church and state" and suggested they seek professional opinions from Virginia Tech's Department of Architect. The Town Manager indicated staff included civil engineers, but not structural engineers.
The Montgomery Museum & Lewis Miller Regional Art Center had a small contingency requesting the Town's resubmitting a Virginia Council of the Arts "Local Government Challenge Grant" as has been done in the past.
While the Mayor indicated this had no cost to Christiansburg, which "only channels the money" the grant actually requires a matching amount, up to $5000, from localities. Given the state budget crisis, it is uncertain whether this program will be funded during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The museum is housed in the former manse of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church. Council later unanimously approved this action.
Council rescinded the temporary change to on street parking approved Dec. 1 due to abuses. The Street Committee indicated they would be meeting with the County Administrator to discuss possible options during construction of the new courthouse. Three hour time limits are to be strictly enforced effective Feb. 1 and time limitations in the town's small public lot may have certain spaces reserved to provide citizens with access to short-term parking when coming to pay bills.
Council was split on whether to assess a user fee for the use of debit or credit cards for payment of town bills and fees. Merchant service fees could require an estimated $50,000 per year, while it was noted the county had been able to negotiate these fees being waived due to having more leverage. There was no discussion whether the Virginia Municipal League or similar government associations provided access to "group" terms or rates.
Councilman Mike Barber stated "we've been bugged by citizens for this for five years, so it's time to fish or cut bait." Citizens had asked for online bill-pay and this program appears geared towards walk-in payments being processed at the counter or via telephone for persons who may have moved out of the area. Citizens may have been resistant or unaware about utilizing a feature most checking accounts now offer, as Barber admitted he initially had been.
Council debated charging a fee and then dropping it later if the amounts were not that significant, to offering a service most people expect. The vote to begin accepting credit or debit cards without a service fee to users was determined by the Mayor casting the tie-splitter, with Barber, Carter and Showalter opposed. (It should also be noted the Aquatic Center is expected to have a separate merchant service system, as well as a unique website rather than being maintained within the Christiansburg site.)
Council approved the Street Committee's recommendation to approve a lot adjustment on Moose Drive, requested by Good Samaritan Hospice. This followed discussion on whether this would be a business office or could lead to a nursing home in an area zoned B3-General Business.
The Town Manager's Report included an annual resolution for payment from VDOT relative to the town's responsibility for maintaining approximately three new miles of road constructed over the past year in new subdivisions.
Three public hearings were scheduled for Feb. 16, including zoning to allow an automotive body shop at 895 Park Street (where NRV Collision is already doing business), and to shift 3301 Roanoke Street from combined zoning to B3-General Business. This request includes a related conditional use application and had previously been scheduled for a Public Hearing on Feb. 2. The reason for the change in date was not discussed; however it is in an area where concerns about development and stormwater have previously brought citizens before Council.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm and Council's next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 2nd at 7:30 pm.