Clifton Forge Town Council Examines 2016 Goals; Discusses Future
AirBnB Ordinance May Be In The Making | By Jerry E. Clark
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Clifton Forge, VA (Jan. 17, 2017) - The few citizens of the fine town of Clifton Forge might be a bit misguided: 5-10 of them normally show up for official town council meetings.
From this reporter's standpoint, much more information about the town's operations may be gleaned from attending the town council's work sessions. That is, if they are anything like that of January 17th.
Town Council met for a work session in the small quarters which used to be the office of the town manager and that informal session, which lasted more than an hour (not including an executive session to deal with an employee's pay issue, we believe), was full of background information as well as important, informative comments from various town council members on a variety of issues before the town.
One of those issues involved the fact that there were local individuals cooperating with the well-known AirBnB service to rent out their properties, but the town wasn't set up to get tax revenue from those rentals.
Here is town manager, Darlene Burcham on the issue: Burcham Talks About AirBnB Issue.
A document entitled, "2016 Town of Clifton Forge Town Council Goals" was circulated, which formed the basis of the evening's discussion.
Here's a brief summary of the comments:
• the town's various council members wanted to improve its communications "using a variety of methods." "Council Corner" articles, regularly published by the Virginian-Review newspaper were mentioned. The council members wanted to continue this activity for the next year as well. (Later on in the session, Gayle Hillert suggested that the AlleghanyJournal.com be included in these article releases, a suggestion which was immediately approved by the Journal's owner).
• the promotion and implementation of the tax exemption program developed by the town and all the other local jurisdictions was encouraged for another year. Discussion of that program ensued, with everybody noting that not one single household in the region had taken advantage of it. Town manager Darlene Burcham probably hit the nail on the head when she opined that the reason for this was homeowners did not want their tax assessments raised. (Listen to the video here...Concerns About Exemption Program.)
• council then discussed the reporting of various agencies and other organizations which make yearly or semi-yearly reports to it. "I think this keeps people informed," opined mayor Carl Brinkley.
Groups reporting included the town's planning commission, the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Armory, the Clifton Forge Library, the Citizens Advisory Committee, the Clifton Forge School of the Arts, the Masonic Theatre Complex and the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center.
• council noted the efforts of the town supported Visiting Clifton Forge website in the promotion of marketing town-owned properties.
• in the department of promoting town clean-up efforts, from code enforcement to the efforts of many other organizations as well as Vision 2025 Curb Appeal initiatives, the council seemed happy with progress.
• council briefly discussed its ongoing Roxbury project, noting that the Alleghany Foundation had awarded it another $145,000 to include in its $580-$600,000 additional state funding to continue to renovate homes there as well as create an area playground. "With one more home under contract," town manager Burcham noted, "we then may begin stage two: nine more homes with improvements.
• the subject came about about "ongoing efforts to establish an Amtrak Depot in the area of the C&O Heritage Center", but council seemed to want to back off. It may be the case that CSX and the C&O Historical Society just can't agree on the specifics to get this done. On the one hand, almost everybody wants to see this happen, but future, possibly very expensive requirements apparently are causing the society to withhold its support for a deal.
• council wants to continue to encourage a more proactive Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce to assist in the marketing of town events and assist tourism. Councilwoman Hillert indicated that, "We're making strides with this."
Council members seemed very positive on the night, most of whom continued to support 2016 initiatives and wanting to expand other efforts. | | | | | |
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