Oct. 7 Town Council Notes

The Christiansburg Town Council took an unusual action at its meeting Oct. 7, when it responded to a request to shift a future meeting date.  Carol Lindstrom spoke during the Citizens Hearing and listed several historic events and dates, and shared the significance of experiencing these as they occurred with family and loved-ones.  Lindstrom asked council to consider shifting their next meeting away from Nov. 4, election day for this year’s closely contested presidential and Virginia senatorial races.  After some discussion, which acknowledged normal meeting schedule conflicted not only with school board meetings but also town election dates, council voted to hold their next meeting one day earlier. 

Another regular speaker at Citizen Hearings, Lisa Gardner, again brought up the use of what she perceives to be an excessive number of  “take-home” vehicles by police personnel.  Gardner stated some of the feedback or complaints were from personal observations or made by town employees.  The use of public equipment, whether off duty officers or being used for apparent shopping trips, wasted gas and cost the town money, Gardner stated.  This elicited a brief but sharp exchange when Mayor Ballengee challenged her to provide specific names, yet Gardner stated she could not do that without compromising her sources (employee names).  Councilman Mike Barber remarked that Gardner’s “disdain for the police department was now well known, and why.  We’ll just leave it at that.” 

A representative of Blacksburg Transit gave a brief overview of a survey which will be sent to each Christiansburg household this month, seeking citizen input on public transportation needs.  These responses will be used to determine whether extending bus service times or stops and possible funding options are warranted.  Preliminary results expected to be available by year-end with a final report by early 2009.  Councilwoman Ann Carter stated she thought the $25 gift certificates were excellent incentives for encouraging responses from town residents. 

Former councilman Steve Huppert was presented with a resolution of recognition for his service to Christiansburg, both on town council and in his support of downtown events and coaching area youth.  Mayor Ballengee stated that all town citizens should “appreciate Steve’s sincerity and service.” 

Relative to changes in the Robin Hood Estates subdivision off Roanoke and Depot Streets, council took action on three "housekeeping" items where land for wastewater pump station, a former cul-de-sac and redesign of stormwater retention ponds were vacated and reverted back to portions of the adjacent lots.

The matter of town election dates was again on the agenda, with the town’s attorney reiterating council could effect this only by changing Town Code through ordinance.  No motion to do so was made or seconded.  Councilman Henry Showalter indicated a citizen’s group had prepared the necessary paperwork, which had been filed with the court.  Signatures of at least 10% of registered voters living in town can be collected over the next nine months, he explained.  Volunteers will begin by staffing polling places where Christiansburg residents vote this Nov. 4th.  Obtaining the required number of signatures would allow the referendum to be placed on the November 2009 ballot, with citizens then voting on the matter.  Either way, whether by town council action through ordinance or by a referendum, any change will require review and approval by the state’s Department of Justice and General Assembly as it affects Town Code.      

Town council also agreed to review safety requirements for lightweight vehicles, following the Street Committee’s earlier recommendation to take no action beyond what is required or allowed by State Code.  Concerns about multiple riders and lack of requirements for safety helmets were expressed by several council members, who pointed to other localities adopting some standards in response to public safety concerns, increased use of these vehicles and related accident reports.  Councilman Barber is rejoining the Street Committee and indicated he would like to see possible safety standards- in place by January 2009. 

Council clarified for town administrators their desire to have the public notice board placed outside the entrance to Town Hall.  This ensures visibility and readability, even when the building is closed.  While the bulletin board had been moved closer to the front entrance, council reasserted its intent for this to be a temporary measure until a weather-proof board could be obtained and installed.  The expectation is that both boards are to be kept current going forward.  

Councilman Brad Stipes reported Montgomery County was again filing the grant which could fund the Huckleberry Trail bridge and extension from its current terminus at the NRV mall to the town’s Recreation Center, and asked business organizations to consider providing letters of support which should be sent to the attention of the Town Manager or himself. 

Town Council also adopted a change to the process used for Public Hearings and its appointed Planning Commission.  This change is expected to extend the process for zoning or ordinance changes, or conditional use permit applications by about two weeks.  The advantage is that once a Public Hearing on the matter is held, Town Council would have additional time to consider all the information, perform site visits or reflect on information from developers, citizens and its Planning Commission recommendation.  This change also eliminates a recess in regular Town Council meetings, when the Planning Commission reconvenes after Public Hearings and confirmed what their recommendation to council would be for action or vote later that same night. 

Due to a Virginia Municipal League conference in Norfolk the week of Oct. 19, the second council meeting of October has been canceled.  The next meeting of the Christiansburg Town Council will be held Monday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.