Votes at a glance: Centreville council approves dangerous-buildings lien, Green Street deed, Talky franchise and additional utility-rate study funds

The Centreville Town Council on June 26 approved four formal measures after public hearings and discussion: an ordinance allowing the town to assess costs to repair, vacate or demolish dangerous buildings as a lien collectible like real estate taxes (Ordinance 09-2025); an ordinance accepting a deed of dedication for Green Street extended from the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Chesapeake (Ordinance 11-2025); a resolution authorizing a franchise agreement with Talky Communications; and additional spending to expand a planned utility rate study.

The council held a public hearing on Ordinance 09-2025 (dangerous buildings) before taking action. Town staff said the change is intended to add a statutory mechanism to assess costs as a lien against property without a separate court action. A member of the public asked how the town will enforce payment if owners do not respond; staff said the lien would be collectible like real estate taxes and could lead to tax sale. The council voted on the ordinance by roll call and recorded affirmative votes for the members called during the roll call. The council then approved Ordinance 11-2025 to accept the deed for Green Street extended, a segment of roadway that was part of a YMCA development condition and for which county deed restrictions have been cleared.

On fiscal and administrative matters the council voted to increase the budgeted amount for a utility-rate study. The finance staff and council reported that Stantec provided a quote of $45,006.15 for the scope requested; the study had been budgeted at $25,000. Council members reviewed enterprise-fund balances and staff recommended covering the additional cost from interest earnings in the enterprise fund; the council approved the increase.

The council also approved Resolution 07-2025, a franchise agreement with Talky Communications that will allow Talky to seek to provide television service where it can obtain necessary rights from property owners. Town staff noted the franchise covers town rights-of-way only and does not grant access to state or county rights-of-way or private property; Talky must secure easements or consents from other owners if required to reach other parts of town.

Other ordinances on the agenda were discussed and set for later hearings or draft revisions; the council recorded inclusion of one amendment and the exclusion of another for an upcoming trailer/vehicle ordinance (see separate article). The town clerk recorded publication notices and the public-hearing minutes and roll-call results are on file with the town clerk.

Votes (recorded in meeting minutes) - Ordinance 09-2025 (Dangerous buildings: allow town cost of repair/vacation/demolition to be assessed as lien): outcome — approved (roll call recorded in meeting). Recorded roll-call responses included affirmative responses from the members called during the roll call. - Ordinance 11-2025 (Deed of dedication, Green Street extended — acceptance of deed from Young Men’s Christian Association of the Chesapeake, Inc.): outcome — approved (roll call recorded). The council noted the roadway had been treated as a town street and the deed completes the formal transfer. - Utility rate study additional funding (increase from $25,000 budgeted to $45,006.15 per Stantec quote): outcome — approved. Staff recommended using enterprise-fund interest to cover the difference. - Resolution 07-2025 (authorize execution of franchise agreement with Talky Communications): outcome — approved (roll call recorded).

What the approvals mean now - Dangerous-buildings ordinance: staff may follow the new statutory procedure described in the ordinance to perform or contract for repairs or demolition and place the town’s costs on the property as a lien collectible in the same manner as real estate taxes; unpaid liens can proceed to tax sale under state law. - Green Street extended deed: the town will accept formal ownership of the street segment and continue municipal maintenance. - Utility rate study: Stantec will proceed under the larger scope; staff will use enterprise-fund interest to pay the higher fee. - Talky franchise: franchise approval allows the company to seek to offer television service in areas where it can secure rights; it does not itself grant rights on state or county rights-of-way or private property.

Where to find records - Notices of public hearing and the ordinances/resolution are recorded in the council packet and the town clerk’s office. The town clerk presented certificate of publication for the two ordinances (Bay Times/Record Observer and Star Democrat notices were listed in the clerk’s certification).