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Christiansburg council certifies closed meeting, authorizes manager to negotiate; chair says Roger Woody will cover hearing costs
Summary
The Christiansburg Town Council voted 6-0 to certify that its recent closed meeting complied with Virginia law and authorized the town manager to negotiate on two matters discussed in closed session. The chair said he expects Roger Woody and his group to pay for additional public hearings and associated costs.
The Christiansburg Town Council unanimously certified that its recent closed meeting complied with Virginia law and authorized the town manager to negotiate on two matters discussed in that session, the council chair said.
The council voted 6-0 after a motion to certify the closed meeting was moved by Committee member (S1) and seconded by Committee member (S2). "That is 6 0," the chair (Chair (S3)) announced after the roll call, during which Councilman Bishop, Councilwoman Bowman, Councilwoman Cox, Councilwoman Hicks, Councilwoman Harkett and Councilman Wilson each voted "aye."
The certification affirms the council's finding that the closed meeting addressed only matters lawfully exempted from the Virginia open meeting requirements, as identified in the resolution authorizing the closed session.
After the vote, the chair said the council "authorized the town manager on both, on both issues tonight and told him to negotiate as, as we discussed in the closed session." The chair also said he "fully expect[s] the Roger Woody and his group to pay for any and all additional public hearings, plus all expenses involved with this, which just includes the mailings, includes everything else," and that that expectation "will be construed to them in a letter." (Chair (S3)).
Council members asked whether the chair's statement relied on an earlier informal promise. Committee member (S2) asked if it was the "pinky promise" referenced earlier; another participant asked, "The pinky promise?" The chair replied, "Not a pinky promise. It's a written letter. I assume it's a legal document," and added that such letters "wouldn't be enforceable like a formal process" and that the involved party would need to return to the formal process if enforcement were required.
The record shows the council gave direction to the town manager to negotiate on the two items discussed in closed session; the chair said the expectation that Roger Woody would cover hearing costs will be communicated in writing. The transcript does not record a separate, formal vote specifically imposing costs on any outside party.
With no further business, members exchanged brief thanks and holiday greetings before the meeting moved toward adjournment.
