[0:07] Oh, man.

[0:22] Okay. >> Is this the same time?

[0:25] » charger

[0:45] seven >> Mhm.

[0:46] » seven

[0:50] We'll call the September the 8th, 2026 meeting of the Christiansburg Town

[0:54] Council to order. And as we always do, uh, we'll take a

[0:58] moment of reflection, uh, give you a chance to think about events

[1:04] of the day, family, friends, relatives. So, let's just take a moment of

[1:07] reflection.

[1:21] Thank you. If you will please rise and join us for the pledge of allegiance.

[1:24] Uh, Mrs. Bowman, if she would lead tonight.

[1:28] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

[1:33] » And to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[1:37] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[1:41] for all. >> Thank you.

[1:49] All right. Are there any adjustments to the agenda?

[1:52] » Yes, I would like to, uh, under the consent agenda, number four, item number

[1:58] four, uh, the letter B, bill list. I would

[2:01] like to separate the some

[2:05] a couple of the things under the bills. Um

[2:09] and those will be regarding the the drones, please.

[2:13] » Okay. That's fine.

[2:17] Do you know where they are on the on the >> one of them is on page 11 to 14.

[2:22] » Mhm. >> On main vehicle technologies, two drones

[2:26] from UVT for $26,937.52.

[2:32] And then there was another one under the was in a different place under the

[2:37] bills. >> Okay.

[2:38] » But it is for also for drones. >> Okay.

[2:41] Very good. We'll get to it.

[2:46] All righty. Um

[2:49] We have a code amendment Deborah with

[2:52] » Mhm. >> Thank you.

[2:54] Uh we have

[2:55] under public hearings, we have a code amendment request by town of

[2:58] Christiansburg applicant to amend the Christiansburg town code chapter 42

[3:03] section 42-397 permitted uses. Data centers are

[3:08] currently allowed by right in the general industrial I2 zoning district.

[3:14] And the request is to require conditional use permit for data centers

[3:18] in the general industrial I2 zoning district. Is there

[3:22] anyone here that would like to address this?

[3:35] » Good evening. My name is Corey Hamilton. I live at 510 Ellett Road.

[3:41] I support any measure which increases the burden NTT has to overcome to build

[3:46] a data center in Christiansburg. In fact, I support increasing this

[3:50] burden until it's functionally impossible to overcome.

[3:53] No matter what promises are made or what short-term benefits there may be, data

[3:58] centers are a net negative for the community.

[4:01] The majority of employment opportunities they provide are short-term, such as

[4:05] construction. They have long-term negative impacts, such as pollution and

[4:10] wear and tear on our infrastructure. The goal should be to stop any efforts

[4:14] to build a data center in Christiansburg before it can even begin.

[4:18] Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else?

[4:30] » Hey there, Travis Story, 114 Scattergood.

[4:33] Um first I want to say that um

[4:38] I work with data and I think that anybody interested in this

[4:43] Reda gave a presentation before this body that was excellent. Um

[4:49] so shout out to Reda on that one. I do think that the

[4:53] primary one of the primary issues with is that the the town defines a data

[4:58] center differently than the state of Virginia.

[5:01] Um and the town's definition doesn't fit with

[5:05] the current parlance of what a data center is.

[5:09] Um I've discussed this with Mr. Broughton

[5:11] and he brought to my attention that yeah, Virginia actually has a a pretty

[5:15] good uh definition for it. Um

[5:18] and I I thank you for your consideration on this.

[5:21] » Thank you. Anyone else?

[5:26] Seeing no one, I will close the public hearing. We'll go to the consent agenda

[5:31] for approval of A,

[5:37] » C, >> C, and D.

[5:39] » Motion to approve. >> Second. The motion is second. Any

[5:43] discussion? Madam Clerk.

[5:46] » Mr. Bishop. >> Aye.

[5:47] » Mrs. Bowman. >> Aye.

[5:49] » Mrs. Higgs. >> Aye.

[5:50] » Mrs. Hackett. >> Aye.

[5:52] » Mrs. Umberger. >> Aye.

[5:53] » Mrs. Waltz. >> Aye.

[5:54] » That is 6-0. Under the bill list, uh

[5:59] you will hear that separately. There was a question about some drones. Is that

[6:04] correct? >> Yes. Um

[6:06] under page um 10 of 14, um

[6:12] there is a DroneSense Incorporated DroneSense Software 5800. And then

[6:18] there's another one for Unmanned Vehicle Technologies LLC UVT two drones for from

[6:25] UVT $26,937.52.

[6:30] I do not recall getting um like a presentation or a question thing

[6:36] about this. Um is there Can you Can someone explain

[6:41] why these items are here? Because my biggest concern is we're getting rid of

[6:46] the flock, but also a concern that we can get other types of surveillances

[6:53] against you know um so I just wanted get clarification on

[6:58] this, please. >> This is a continuation of a project

[7:02] that's been in place for probably 7 years or more. We've already had drones.

[7:06] We use them for search and rescue. We use them when people flee.

[7:10] Uh we don't keep them in the air and make and do surveillance with them.

[7:15] DroneSense is the training software that allows us to download and record

[7:20] training for our pilots. We have at least seven certified FAA

[7:25] pilots to fly the drones that we have.

[7:29] That's the news That's not new, but it's the

[7:32] renewal or upgrades to that software that allows us to keep track of the

[7:37] training the way we're required to. The two new drones replace the ones that

[7:42] are old, out of date, and also were probably sec- or not sacrificed, but

[7:49] probably compromised because of the Chinese companies that were involved in

[7:52] the manufacture years ago. So, the US government has come out with a list of

[7:57] things that aren't approved to be used anymore because of that concern. The new

[8:02] drones meet the specifications of the government, so they don't have that risk

[8:06] of that kind of compromise.

[8:09] » Mhm. >> Um each drone is about $13,000. That's

[8:12] why they're That's why it cost that much.

[8:16] » Can I ask a question about the long- longevity and how often we pay for this

[8:22] $5,800 for software?

[8:25] » This is the second time that I know of that we've had to renew or upgrade the

[8:29] software. Um

[8:32] the longevity of the drones depends on the

[8:35] life and service of the drone. Sometimes they crash, that kind of thing. I mean,

[8:39] there's no way to know when that is, but they have a warranty.

[8:43] They're serviceable for a few years. I mean, as

[8:46] I said, we've had the drone program in place for about 7 years. Um and this is

[8:51] the first time we've replaced both units.

[8:54] Uh they reached the end of their service life to where you couldn't get new parts

[8:57] or replacement parts for them even if we didn't want to take them off of the

[9:01] the list of of things that might be compromised.

[9:05] » So, a couple of questions. You said that they are to replace 201s.

[9:09] Um you said that they um the the company was obviously compromised and everything

[9:14] else, but when there is a compromise with a company and everything else,

[9:18] sometimes the company makers will compensate us or

[9:23] will compensate most consumers regarding, you know, those items. Is

[9:27] there Is there

[9:29] anything that is being talked about getting money back for this or any

[9:34] compensation regarding this? >> I mean, there was concern that they

[9:38] might be compromised because of Chinese manufacturers of the components.

[9:43] I don't know that there was ever proof, but the US government

[9:47] banned the import or whatever and use of that, so we had to come into compliance

[9:51] with the new things. There's not a compensation factor, plus they'd already

[9:56] reached the end of their service life. I mean, they're not going We're not

[10:00] taking them out of service just because of that. They're taking them out because

[10:04] we can't repair them anymore. >> And now, are they These new drones, do

[10:09] they have AI capabilities? >> Not that I'm aware of. They have a

[10:13] forward-looking infrared camera. They have visible camera. You can

[10:18] fly them into a place and talk to somebody through it.

[10:21] Um but I don't If it does, I don't know of it, but I'm not a drone pilot, so I

[10:26] don't I don't know the answer to that question.

[10:28] » And what are we going to do with the 201s, please?

[10:32] » With what? >> The 201s, the ones that you were taking

[10:35] down. >> trash them. I mean, I don't know that

[10:38] there's anything you can do with them other than

[10:41] get rid of them. >> But we will get rid of them and we will

[10:44] not sell them or >> No, we're not going to sell them or

[10:47] reuse them. >> Okay. Uh do we have to file or make sure

[10:53] that there is some type of paperwork to make sure that they are completely

[10:58] destroyed? >> No.

[11:01] » Mm. Okay.

[11:03] » All right. >> Thank you very much for the question.

[11:05] » Any other comments or questions? >> I'll make a motion to approve item B.

[11:10] » Second. >> Because sent agenda.

[11:12] » Sorry. >> I'll have a second.

[11:15] » Second, yes. >> We have a motion and a second. Any

[11:17] discussion? Vote on the board.

[11:20] » I'm sorry. >> I have one more question about the

[11:22] bills, Ashley, and that had to do with the

[11:25] regarding the face painting and the music stuff for farmers market. Were you

[11:31] able to get some clarification from >> Um I did. Um I have a list. Uh we've

[11:35] been doing that for the last couple of years. So, I have a conversation

[11:38] scheduled with uh Brad Eberly to to talk about that.

[11:42] » Okay. And the way I feel about that one, obviously, we're going to have some

[11:46] future conversations regarding the farmers market, but if we are not making

[11:50] any money financially income or anything like that from the vendor side of the

[11:54] farmers market, I do believe that this money uh probably taxpayers should be uh

[11:59] spent somewhere else. Um but, that's my opinion. So, thank you so much.

[12:03] » Thank you. Madam Clark.

[12:08] » Mr. Bishop. >> I.

[12:09] » Mrs. Bowman. >> I.

[12:11] » Mrs. Hicks. >> I.

[12:12] » Mrs. Hackett. >> I.

[12:13] » Mrs. Umberger. >> I.

[12:15] » Mrs. Waltz. >> I.

[12:17] » Under 6-0, we have no introductions or presentations tonight. This is the uh

[12:22] we'll go into the citizens comments section, which is uh

[12:26] time we open for our citizens to come forth and discuss issues within the town

[12:31] that may have concern. Uh we ask that you come to the

[12:34] microphone, that you give your name,

[12:38] street address, and town, and that you speak directly into the

[12:42] microphone at all times without turning your head to look in the crowd because

[12:46] we get complaints people can't hear what's going on.

[12:49] And you will address your comments to me as the chair.

[12:52] Anyone here to address citizens comments? Yes, ma'am.

[12:59] » Uh Sandy Lightner, 160 Lexington, Fishersburg.

[13:04] I try really hard to make positive comments when I do make comments, but

[13:09] something happened at the last um regular town council meeting

[13:14] that I and some others noticed that was disturbing.

[13:19] And um it involved one council member who um was on their phone

[13:27] when citizen comments was um taking place. There were a lot of citizen

[13:32] comments. And uh this person was on the phone most

[13:37] of that time. And it seemed really disrespectful to

[13:42] me. Um we only have 3 minutes to address you

[13:47] with our concerns. And um

[13:51] to see someone on their phone and this wasn't just looking at the phone. This

[13:57] was using the phone. I don't know whether

[14:00] they were texting or but they were typing things in.

[14:04] Um it seems to me that when

[14:08] citizens address you it shouldn't be a problem with you not

[14:14] giving them uh your full attention.

[14:17] And I hope um that that will happen from now on. Thank you.

[14:23] » Thank you. Anyone else?

[14:34] » Travis Story, 114 Skater's Good. Um you all have

[14:38] Well, first thank you for the vote on Flock last week or last time. You know,

[14:41] my stance on Flock and I'm very anti-surveillance.

[14:45] The drones that the police use broadcast where and when they're being used.

[14:49] Police are very public about it. I have no concerns there and I promise you to

[14:53] hear about it if I thought there was any kind of problem

[14:56] with what they're doing. They're even good about providing footage to the

[14:58] public. Um I'm mostly here to talk about uh

[15:03] there's uh public hearing scheduled for next meeting and there was a public

[15:07] hearing for the planning commission last week for a development at 2040 Parkway

[15:12] Drive Southeast. Um but no information about it is being

[15:16] made public. The landowner is claiming by right

[15:20] development for everything except this one thing that the CUP is asking for,

[15:24] but you don't have any by right development if you don't have public

[15:27] plans that have been approved. Um they're asking for something much taller

[15:33] than the code allows, which is why they want the

[15:36] CUP. Um

[15:38] I think prior to the public hearing coming before this body would be very

[15:41] very helpful if the public knew what this development was going to be.

[15:47] Um the tower or whatever it is that they're

[15:50] going to be building, um they're problems using like explaining

[15:55] how big things are, but it's larger than 10 Olympic swimming pools. It's It's

[15:59] bigger than any anything around here that I could find

[16:02] to compare it to. Um and that we don't know what that is

[16:05] going to be is a a problem, especially with the hearing coming up. Um if there

[16:10] is a legal case for keeping something like this private,

[16:13] something other than town negotiations and police matters, um I'm sure people

[16:17] would would want to know. I know there were people asking at the planning

[16:20] commission, "Hey, what is this?" and they weren't able they weren't able to

[16:24] be given an answer at that time. Thank you.

[16:26] » Thank you. Anyone else?

[16:30] Seeing no one, I'm going to close the citizens' comments. We will go into

[16:33] committee report. Uh have any committees met within since

[16:37] our last meeting, Mr. Bishop? >> No.

[16:40] » Uh Ms. Hicks? >> No, sir.

[16:42] » Ms. Hackett? >> No reports.

[16:44] » Mr. Bowman? >> No, sir.

[16:47] » Ms. Umberger? >> No.

[16:49] » And Ms. Watts? >> No, we meet next week.

[16:52] » Very good. Discussion and action by mayor and

[16:55] council. Um

[16:57] the appointment of Brad St. Clair as a joint appointed member of the New River

[17:01] Valley Regional Emergency Communications Regional Authority to fulfill the

[17:05] remainder of Kevin Foss's term expiring March 31, 2027. The appointment shall be

[17:12] effective September 1, 2026. And Mr. St. Clair is here tonight?

[17:18] He was. There you go. Great.

[17:23] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[17:24] » You have a motion and a second. Discussion?

[17:27] » Thank you for being here today.

[17:32] » All right. Madam Clerk.

[17:34] » Mr. Bishop. >> Uh

[17:36] » Mrs. Bowman. >> Aye.

[17:37] » Mrs. Hicks. >> Aye.

[17:39] » Mrs. Hackett. >> Aye.

[17:40] » Mrs. Umberger. >> Aye.

[17:42] » Mrs. Waltz. >> Aye.

[17:44] » That is 6-0. The appointment of Assistant Chief of Police Steven Swecker

[17:49] to the New River Valley ASAP Policy Board. Appointment shall be effective

[17:54] September 22nd, 2026. >> Motion to approve.

[17:58] » Second. >> Motion and a second. Comments or

[18:00] questions? Madam Clerk.

[18:04] » Mr. Bishop. >> Uh

[18:06] » Mrs. Bowman. >> Aye.

[18:07] » Mrs. Hicks. >> Aye.

[18:09] » Mrs. Hackett. >> Aye.

[18:10] » Mrs. Umberger. >> Aye.

[18:12] » Mrs. Waltz. >> Aye.

[18:13] » That is 6-0. Non-exclusive franchise agreement with

[18:17] Point Broadband Fiber Holding LLC. >> Motion to approve.

[18:23] » Second. >> Second. Motion and a second.

[18:26] Any comments? >> I have a question for this. This is just

[18:30] the fibered um the cables going under the ground, but

[18:35] then they're not going to have any antennas or anything like that. This

[18:39] company is now. >> No, it's the wires.

[18:42] » There's some aerial wires. >> wires is not going in the ground.

[18:46] » Oh. >> It's both.

[18:48] » Oh, it's both. Okay. And then are they going to use like any of those boxes

[18:54] that um where they will have all the uh I guess the connectors and everything

[18:59] else connected. Do they connect to like electricity or anything like that by any

[19:04] chance? Okay. My biggest concern when we do like

[19:08] anything that is like this and stuff is just to to have boxes that make noises

[19:14] and things like that. And so that was why my questions. Thank you.

[19:19] » So we have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk.

[19:23] » Mr. Bishop. >> Aye.

[19:25] » Mrs. Bowman. >> Aye.

[19:26] » Mrs. Hicks. >> Aye.

[19:28] » Mrs. Hackett. >> Aye.

[19:29] » Mrs. Umberger. >> Aye.

[19:31] » Mrs. Waltz. >> Aye.

[19:33] » That is 6-0. We have road closure for the CHS homecoming parade for October

[19:38] the 7th, 2026. The closures will occur in the staggered time frame between 3:00

[19:44] p.m. to 3:45 p.m. A temporary shutdown for barricades and the actual street

[19:50] closure for the event is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The road closures are as

[19:55] follows: East Main Street from Park Street to

[19:58] North Franklin Street, West Main Street from North Franklin Street to Radford

[20:02] Street, Roanoke Street from East Main Street to First Street, Southeast

[20:09] Pepper Street Northeast from Hill Street Northeast to I'm

[20:13] reading too quick here. To First Street uh

[20:17] North Franklin Street from Commerce Street Northwest to First Street

[20:21] Southeast, College Street to the west of to West Main Street, Phlegar Street from

[20:29] First Street to uh West Main Street, Radford Street from

[20:34] Northwest uh Radford Street Northwest from Depot Street to West Main Street

[20:39] and College Street Northwest from College from Radford Street to

[20:45] Sheridan's Circle Northwest. >> Motion to approve.

[20:47] » Second. >> Motion and a second, any comments or

[20:51] discussions? Madam Clerk.

[20:56] » Mr. Bishop. >> Aye.

[20:57] » Mrs. Bowman. >> Aye.

[20:59] » Mrs. Hicks. >> Aye.

[21:01] » Mrs. Hackett. >> Aye.

[21:02] » Mrs. Umberger. >> Aye.

[21:04] » Mrs. Waltz. >> Aye.

[21:05] » That is 7-0, thank you. We have a code amendment request with the town of

[21:09] Christiansburg applicant to amend the Christiansburg town code

[21:13] chapter 42 section 42-397, permitted uses. Data centers are

[21:19] currently allowed by right in the general industrial I-2 zoning district.

[21:24] And the request is to require conditional use permit for data centers

[21:28] in the general industrial I-2 zoning district.

[21:32] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[21:33] » Motion and a second. Comments? >> I'm really

[21:37] I'm going ahead. Is there a need for us to update the our definition of data

[21:41] centers?

[21:44] » I don't believe so based on the feedback we've received thus far. I'm not sure

[21:48] I'm looking at Retta from planning to see if you have any additional

[21:51] information on the the definition discussion.

[21:57] » Good evening. It will be up to you.

[22:01] The state code goes into more detail than ours does. Ours is pretty vague. Um

[22:07] I think it's maybe matching up to like the first line of the Virginia code, so

[22:13] um that's up to to you if and also our

[22:18] attorney if he has a recommendation. >> I have a couple of concerns that that

[22:22] was going to be my question, so thank you, Tonya. Um

[22:25] » Well, can we get a recommendation I mean, did you have a recommendation?

[22:28] » I think that would be something you could look at in the future to to give

[22:31] better clarity on on what is a data center cuz

[22:35] as Retta said, it's pretty vague right now.

[22:38] » But not required for us to make this amendment. It's just where we do It's

[22:41] defined separately. >> I'd say this is a good first step.

[22:43] » Okay, thank you. Can we um What is the step What are the steps

[22:49] right now to change the definition into more um

[22:53] defined inform you know, like definition for this because I do think

[22:58] I'm very much against the data centers right now, and I want to make sure

[23:04] that they do not come here as much as we are able to, you know?

[23:09] But, I also don't want to buy rights. So,

[23:12] um if we were to vote on this this um right now,

[23:18] we can change it to now, but can What is the process for us to be able to change

[23:23] it again within the next month? I would really like to work on this rapidly cuz

[23:28] I don't want any chances of the data centers coming because we have

[23:33] the incorrect definition as far as the data centers.

[23:36] » If I might interject, the uh guideline would be for us to

[23:41] to ask the planning commission to research the definitions and come back

[23:46] with a recommendation as to what we're going to do. It's not going to change

[23:52] what the definit- the definitions not going to change the fact that we require

[23:57] now, if we pass this, we require a conditional use permit for a data

[24:02] center, whatever the definition may be. Is that correct?

[24:05] » correct. >> And you have nothing in place currently.

[24:08] » Yes. >> As a reminder.

[24:09] » Can I ask a question? Was data centers one of the definitions that you were

[24:13] looking at changing? I know you were going through definitions with the

[24:15] planning commission. Was this one of the actual definitions you were looking at?

[24:19] » I don't believe that was on the list, but it will be now.

[24:22] » It will be now. Thank you. >> Yeah, can I can I say something too?

[24:25] Yeah, I too would like for that to be looked at, and if it needs to be

[24:29] changed, would like to go ahead and start that process because I started

[24:34] asking about this ordinance back in December,

[24:37] and it's taken us this long to get this little tiny bit done. So, I don't want

[24:43] to draw it out another 8 months. So, if it needs to be done, I'd like to see

[24:49] it moved on quickly. >> And if it if it is that we just want to

[24:53] match the the state code, >> That should be pretty simple.

[24:56] » and and we would just need to um properly advertise and have the public

[25:01] hearings because it does it is housed in the zoning code. So.

[25:05] » Thank you. >> My idea was for this like about almost

[25:08] two years to go as far as like making sure that there's some things that will

[25:13] keep them away from us. But I do like the idea of having as many definitions

[25:18] as possible. Just add them all. >> Okay.

[25:22] » And so that'd be good. >> Cool.

[25:23] » Whatever we do tonight will will slow things down if not send

[25:28] it to a grinding halt. >> Yes.

[25:31] » Thank you. Madam Clerk. >> Mr. Bishop.

[25:35] » Uh >> Mrs. Bowman.

[25:37] » Hi. >> Mrs. Heggs.

[25:38] » Hi. >> Mrs. Hackett.

[25:40] » Hi. >> Mrs. Umberger.

[25:41] » Hi. >> Mrs. Waltz.

[25:42] » Hi. >> That is 6-0. Thank you. Staff reports.

[25:47] Dr. Eagle. >> I have two things.

[25:50] » I have two items for the the council tonight. The first is related to an

[25:55] update on the compensation study that we talked about as a part of the budget

[25:59] process. That work is proceeding. So I'll have more updates as the consultant

[26:04] makes progress and interviews staff members and supervisors.

[26:09] But I wanted you to know that that work is progressing.

[26:12] The second item is related to the schedule and just to touch base on the

[26:15] work session for the 16th of September. So I tentatively

[26:20] have scheduled an update for you all on the consolidation of parks and rec and

[26:24] aquatics into one department. And the second item is a conversation we

[26:30] need to revisit related to the ARC grant for the farmers market and and bringing

[26:36] some closure hopefully to that that item. So those are the two items for the

[26:41] work session coming up. >> Thank you.

[26:43] » That's all I have. >> Mr. Broughton.

[26:46] » No report, Mayor. >> Any other town staff that would like to

[26:51] Council reports. Mr. Bishop. >> No report.

[26:54] » Miss Miss Hicks. >> Yes. Um

[26:57] I want to address the concern from the citizen that spoke about using a phone.

[27:04] I do appreciate you coming out here and speaking about it. Um fortunately, I get

[27:10] this iPad thing, which we all get, and they all have a code and everything.

[27:14] I've been trying to get into that thing for for a while now, and so I have to

[27:18] use my phone. And in my phone, there's emails, there's all the information

[27:23] regarding what I needed for the flock last week, and well, or 2 weeks ago. So,

[27:28] it was really important for me to find the flock camera thing, and all my

[27:33] information that I had on my notes and the stuff like that were actually in

[27:37] there because also my printer broke at work. And so, I do

[27:42] um I do um

[27:45] want to apologize if you feel like I was looking on my phone the whole time. I

[27:50] was definitely doing town council things. I When I come over here, I'm all

[27:54] town council. And I'm definitely I I love the fact that I am able to, you

[28:00] know, have my phone with me all times to be able to see that information when I

[28:05] do not have the thing, which today I had the same issue. I'm unable to get into

[28:09] the thing cuz somehow or another, I don't memorize the

[28:13] numbers very well. And so, to like to log into it, so I do apologize if it

[28:18] seemed wrong that I was looking at my phone, but I was definitely paying

[28:22] attention to what was happening last the last time in town council. So, thank you

[28:26] for speaking out. Thanks. >> Miss Hackett.

[28:30] » Nothing to report. >> Miss Bowman.

[28:33] » Nothing, thank you. >> Miss Zumberger.

[28:36] » No, sir. >> Miss Waltz.

[28:39] » Nothing. Can I make

[28:42] » Is there any other business to come before council?

[28:44] » Oh, please. Um Um, I wanted to see if there was a possibility that we can

[28:48] really look at the um that meeting for the first week in October since we

[28:53] definitely typically don't have a meeting the first week of the month and

[28:58] we moved it because we had the VML conferences on the week of the 13th. Is

[29:03] there a possibility that you guys can reconsider your vote, please, on

[29:07] changing that and just canceling that meeting completely?

[29:10] » I think at the last meeting it was pretty much unanimous that we would have

[29:14] the meeting or to an extent or majority.

[29:18] » Can anybody change that? >> I would be willing to

[29:21] I Dr. Eagle, how much stuff is on the schedule for the 6th?

[29:32] Okay. Is that time-sensitive?

[29:37] Okay.

[29:51] Okay.

[29:57] Just a second. Wouldn't >> Yeah, I think the problem is and I wish

[30:01] that uh Councilwoman Hicks would have spoke up at the last meeting. I probably

[30:06] would have voted different. It's her youngest daughter's birthday and it's

[30:11] not a night that we normally meet and I certainly can understand that. So, I

[30:17] would be willing to try to readjust myself because of that. If it was a

[30:22] normal meeting night, I would say, you know, okay, but

[30:27] um I think we do try to make considerations for for staff and others

[30:31] and you know, I think she should have the same consideration.

[30:36] » Well, we are all spending a lot of time away from our lives going to these

[30:41] conferences and it's a lot of work. I mean, we're waking up at 6:00 in the

[30:45] morning, being there for a whole day. It's not a really vacation time, as you

[30:51] can say. And I mean, it really takes away from

[30:55] our lives and for us to be I mean, for me to be gone even for that many days is

[31:00] um which I understand that. So, I put those

[31:04] days away as far as that goes, but no, it was my Ashley, my older daughters

[31:08] birthday. But, yeah. But But, yeah, it's it just

[31:13] adds a lot more work into it, but if there is a way to reconsider that,

[31:20] please. >> I I have my birthday and Fred's birthday

[31:24] were on the work sessions. Uh

[31:27] with my children, I would just have it another day. I mean, you know, so that

[31:32] I don't know, just >> You You choose what you want to do.

[31:36] You're staying >> Yeah, just what what we're doing because

[31:39] I understand that you would like to have it on that same day, but we all like we

[31:43] all have family things that happen on the

[31:47] days that >> I have had spent many birthdays in here,

[31:50] too, in town council. >> It's part of the job.

[31:54] » I think graduations. >> I think my biggest issue with it is that

[31:58] we asked to readjust really quickly. We didn't actually get a lot of time cuz it

[32:02] came up. And so, I mean, if you already made these plans and you know, I don't

[32:08] know exactly how they're planning on celebrating, but if it's with multiple

[32:12] family members, um I know Joanna has a big family and

[32:16] they travel from New Jersey and different areas of So,

[32:22] that's my biggest worry regarding that.

[32:25] » Well, I mean, I'm not sure what is scheduled for that agenda.

[32:31] Uh it's certainly something that Ms. Hicks, if you feel strongly and and I

[32:35] encourage you, you can miss that meeting. I mean, it's not going to

[32:39] we're not going to dock your pay or anything for that.

[32:42] But, I mean, we had talked about it and particularly

[32:46] there is a two of the budget of Jim amendments

[32:50] have to do with the fire station with fire trucks that we've already approved.

[32:54] » But, those are going to be on the 22nd, right?

[32:58] » That's the public hearing, but we don't vote on them until 2 weeks later.

[33:03] » Typically what >> Typically what town council has asked is

[33:06] that we have the public hearing and then you vote at the next meeting.

[33:10] Um so, I was going to bring them back for the October 6th meeting for you to

[33:15] vote on the approval of both amendments. So, one of them is for the carryover of

[33:20] the Arrowhead Arrow.

[33:22] » Arrowhead. >> project. And the other one is for the

[33:25] fire truck purchases, and the fire trucks are estimated to come in right

[33:29] around the end of September. So, the sooner we can approve those, then we can

[33:34] get those town paid. They originally told us the end of October, so I wasn't

[33:37] stressed about it, and then they're like, "Nope, just kidding, they're going

[33:39] to be in sooner." So.

[33:42] » Which he um as far as that one, I know we're not

[33:45] talking about that one, but as far as like even the fire trucks, um

[33:51] they were um there was one in the on the previous budget from my understanding

[33:57] for years now, right? And then this second one, where from where do we get

[34:01] two fire trucks and they're from? Because I know there was like

[34:06] money for the one, and then there was like $600,000 put on the side, right?

[34:11] » saved up, I think. From what I could tell looking back, it looked like around

[34:15] 2021 >> One.

[34:17] » One is when you guys started putting apart side money. I don't know if Chief

[34:23] had >> But, for the two fire trucks or one?

[34:25] » originally was done for one, maybe, but I know that there's enough saved for two

[34:29] cuz they They're cost about 1. 5, 1.4 something million.

[34:36] And so there is enough for two there now in the reserves.

[34:39] » Cuz on the budget itself, I don't think it that was the wording for.

[34:44] » It actually it was for the full amount. It was for both of them. Part of it's

[34:47] coming from a separate fund. >> Okay.

[34:49] » Okay. >> So,

[34:51] I mean, >> Okay.

[34:54] » At this point, I would say the meeting is still on.

[34:56] » it. >> So, we'll go from here. Anything else?

[35:02] I'm going to have to go get a hamburger or something. My wife's going to expect

[35:05] me home in a minute. We're adjourned.

[35:14] » Joe. This is my office.

Town Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

Transcript