During Christiansburg's Town Council meeting on July 21, it was announced Val Tweedie would begin work August 3 as the new Treasurer/Finance Director. The Town Manager indicated Tweedie, of Michigan and a member of the Association of Government Accountants of Greater Lansing, was accustomed to preparing budgets consisting of an average of 750 pages.
This came out during discussion where some members were asking to be provided with additional information relative to payment of monthly bills they are responsible for approving. Tuesday’s agenda had been modified to add this item at the request of Councilman Henry Showalter.
“Just briefly tell me what the amount is for, or the date the bill was received,” Showalter asked. Other council members said they only wanted to see information for lump sum payments above $25,000, while others indicated they believed that, once entered into a computer, information could be formatted however it suited council.
The Mayor stated the town spends over $1 million a month, so it can be difficult to keep track of and suggested waiting for the new Treasurer/Finance Director to begin work and make any reporting changes, to which the Town Manager replied “I don’t know what she’s going to implement.”
Council agreed by consensus to ask Payment of the Bills show, at a minimum, who is getting paid and what it is for. Per the Town Charter, Council appoints the Treasurer, Town Manager and Chief of Police; however the two other positions typically report directly to the Town Manager rather than Council.
Council accepted the Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation and rezoned property on the eastern side of Plum Street in Cambria from B3-General Business to R2-Two Family Residential. Before the vote, Councilman Mike Barber asked what the property owner’s intent was for this lot, and was told it was to sell the lot. The lot size minimums were noted as being compliant for R1-Single Family Residential, however.
Other procedural changes for how Council conducts business and information they are provided also included lengthy discussions about planning and zoning packets. Planning Department personnel used to a provide staff analysis of each request, addressing concerns ranging from storm water management or other hazards, historic properties, or past land uses. It was noted that in the majority of localities throughout Virginia, this information is required to be provided by the applicant, with staff explaining the process and reviewing relevant information in a presentation both officials and the public could see and understand. The discussion concluded with the Mayor saying administration would look into whether more information could be provided to elected representatives.
On the recreation front, the fourth-annual “Backyard Brawl” was reported as another success, with all supporters being paid for working rather than working on a volunteer basis. It was estimated this two-day event generated about $31,000 in local spending, and proceeds will be evenly split between the Parks & Recreation Department and CHS Boosters Club.
Councilman Barber stated recreation events see visitors who often ask staff for directions to lodging, restaurants or shopping. The town’s Engineering and Parks & Recreation Department worked to develop a large town map listing many of these destinations in relation to the five recreational facility sites which typically host events.
Council also agreed to have monthly updates from the aquatic center architectural firm or contractor until the new facility opens, currently expected to occur in October.
The Town Manager’s report included an update on the Cameo Court sewage back up, indicating the Engineering Department had submitted information to the town’s insurance company. That information will be given to the insurer’s consultant for review. A Public Hearing was scheduled for August 18 for a conditional use permit to allow an adult home for up to four residents at 111 Second Street. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, August 4 at 7:30 pm in the municipal building.