Centerville council approves ordinances, demolition order and procedural changes; votes at a glance

The Centerville Town Council took a series of formal votes at its Aug. 7 meeting, including passage of two ordinances following public hearings, adoption of a demolition order for a hazardous building, approval of changes to vendor payment processing, and acceptance of a parks tree‑planting grant with constrained scope.

Ordinances and public‑process votes - Ordinance 08‑2025 (vehicles — trailers): After a second public hearing and council discussion the council approved Ordinance 08‑2025, which revises Chapter 158 to restrict semi‑permanent parking of trailers in residential neighborhoods while allowing limited periods for outfitting or decommissioning. The town clerk certified legal notice of the hearing (published 07/18/2025). Council members expressed intent to conduct public education before robust enforcement. - Ordinance 10‑2025 (administrative search warrants): The council approved Ordinance 10‑2025 to add a new chapter to the town code enabling administrative search warrant procedures when buildings or properties pose imminent risk to public health or safety, consistent with state requirements for such warrants. The clerk certified that the ordinance’s public notice was published on 07/18/2025.

Other formal actions - Demolition order — 2647 Centerville Road (Old Mill Building): Following a public hearing on dangerous buildings and a findings‑of‑fact approval, the council approved a demolition order requiring the owner (and any interested parties) to demolish the unsafe structure within 10 days of the order. The order states that if the owner fails to act, the town may cause demolition to abate a public nuisance under Chapter 31 of the town code. - Vendor payment processing: The council agreed to a procedural change proposed by Finance Director Karen Luffman to stop requiring three email approvals for accounts‑payable payments routed through bill.com. Instead, staff will circulate check registers and allow a 48‑hour review window for counsel to object; absent objection, payments proceed. Council requested that staff continue to circulate reminders and provide a 48‑hour objection window so councilors can raise concerns before funds are disbursed. - Parks tree‑planting (Tree to Shore grant): The parks board recommended accepting a ShoreRivers “Tree to Shore” planting grant to provide 34 trees at multiple locations (Historic District tree wells, Watson Road gateway, Millstream/Commerce Street, Liberty/Water parking area, and Pennsylvania Avenue). Council voted to accept the grant but excluded planting interventions on one town parking lot (the Liberty/Water corner) after concerns from some council members about long‑term plans for that parcel; the other locations were approved for fall planting and minimal town cost (barrier materials estimated in the packet).

Procedure and next steps: For the ordinances the council declared the public hearings closed and proceeded to consideration and adoption; the planning commission will continue review of related zoning map amendments and the TND (traditional neighborhood development) ordinance will have a public hearing on Sept. 18 as scheduled. The demolition order and vendor procedure change are effective immediately as of Aug. 7; staff will follow up to implement the 48‑hour review window for vendor payments and to coordinate removal or demolition steps if the property owner does not act.