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Town manager lists projects: finance disclosures due, LOVE sign finalized; planning items and a citizen's garage offer noted
Summary
Manager Stephen Lawson told council finance disclosures and conflict training are due Jan. 31; LOVE sign design edits are complete; the Planning Commission presented a Shawnee Avenue garage site plan; the town was approached about buying a private garage; an upcoming Ballad meeting will discuss locating Isaiah 117 House.
At the Jan. 6, 2026 workshop, Town Manager Stephen Lawson briefed the Big Stone Gap Town Council on several operational and planning items.
Lawson said annual finance disclosures and conflict-of-interest training links will be emailed to council members and must be completed and returned by Jan. 31, 2026. He reported that design edits for the town's LOVE sign are complete and photos were distributed to council.
The Planning Commission presented a map and site plan for a garage to be built on Shawnee Avenue; the commission also asked council to review the town's camping ordinance and parking issues at the old Pet Dairy property. Mayor Gary Johnson questioned how the camping ordinance's Section 1-C term "sleeping intent" would be determined, prompting discussion about enforcement.
Lawson said a Ballad meeting with Cindy Elkins is scheduled for Jan. 7 to discuss locating the Isaiah 117 House at the Armory; he noted an alternative location could be the Williams Property in Frog Level. Council received two names for a Planning Commission vacancy (Bryan Adams and Shawn Eldridge). Lawson said resident Winston Whitt approached the town to ask whether the town would consider purchasing his garage; no price or negotiations have been recorded.
Councilman Tyler Hughes said, in the context of considering acquisition of a private garage, the town should weigh potential rental revenue versus taxable property revenue before buying. The minutes do not record council votes or final decisions on these items at the workshop.
The manager placed procedural and informational items on the agenda for future action or follow-up; staff will return with necessary paperwork or proposals as appropriate.
