New City Manager Chris Morrill was sworn in at the beginning of Monday’s Roanoke City Council meeting. He may have gotten his first taste of the political grandstanding which the panel has often been accused of when Mayor David Bowers tried once again to send the Countryside Golf Course matter back to the City Manager’s office for further review.
City Council, over the objections of Bowers, voted at its previous meeting to close the course as of March 1, because the city couldn’t reach an agreement with Meadowbrook Golf on managing it. Bowers got no takers when he asked for a motion and a second, which blocked his attempt to send it back to Morrill for review. Vice Mayor Sherman Lea also took objection to Bower’s comment that the city would get “a bad reputation” for changing its mind on major projects.
“I resent the accusation that you make, that this council is flip-flopping [on Meadowbrook],” said Lea. “What might have made sense a few years ago – buying the Countryside property with hopes of selling it to a developer – became a burden in these tough economic times,” noted Lea.
Councilman Rupert Cutler spoke of a nationwide trend to turn municipal golf courses into open space and parkland, his preference for Countryside. “We’ve really tried to make it work,” added Councilman David Trinkle. Court Rosen noted that Meadowbrook wanted to be able to walk away from its management contract with just a 45 day notice, which would leave the city holding the bag for maintenance costs and major repairs.
Even those that supported Countryside remaining a golf course, like Councilwoman Anita Price, who felt “hamstrung,” couldn’t see how it was feasible to continue with the money-losing proposition. “Perhaps this is one of those times when grass roots efforts come into play,” she suggested.
Morrill, the former Assistant City Manager in Savannah, Georgia, also heard Council members heap praise on his arrival. He in turn said it was “a real big day in my life,” and an “incredible opportunity.” Morrill said the passion and love residents seem to have for Roanoke will help it weather the economic storm in the coming months and years. Morrill said he hopes to position the city so that “we will be ready to seize that day [after the worst of the recession recedes].”
Morrill noted the ribbon cutting he attended last week for a new police training academy and spoke of the city’s decreasing crime rate in recent years. The new academy “will help keep that going,” he said during brief remarks.
“Hiring you was one of the easier [decisions],” said Councilwoman Gwen Mason, who will not seek reelection in May. She and several others noted the sacrifice Morrill was making in leaving his wife and two young sons behind in Savannah for the remainder of the school year.
Regional Report: Roanoke Regional Partnership Executive Director Beth Doughty gave a report on the past year’s efforts to Council, noting that business “was bad” when it came to recruiting business prospects for the valley – down some 25% from the year before. She noted that 2010 looks better so far. One concern from prospects: not enough shovel-ready, flat sites in the area.
“Roanoke still suffers from an identity crisis,” said Doughty, with many not knowing much about the area’s amenities. “We have to continue to work [on image],” she added. “The year-long push to brand the area’s outdoor assets appears to be paying off,” said Doughty, with outdoor guides printed for area hotels, a new website devoted to recreational amenities and the recruitment of businesses and people “that want to be associated with that outdoor brand.”
New City Manager Receives Warm Welcome
Chris Morrill has traveled the world, been an assistant city manager for nine years, earned a master’s degree in public administration at the University of North Carolina and earned a reputation in several positions as a budget expert. Now he’s in Roanoke, replacing Darlene Burcham, who just completed a long stint as City Manager.
After Monday’s City Council meeting – Morrill’s first official day on the job – he met with well-wishers along with some who may have an agenda during a two-hour reception at the Performing Arts Theatre. For two hours people lined up to welcome Morrill to Roanoke from Savannah, Georgia. The crowd included current City Council members, along with then-candidates like Valerie Garner and Bill Bestpitch. Congressman Bob Goodlatte was on hand to offer a welcome as well.
The Massachusetts native, who is 47, came south after graduating from Holyoke College and time spent in Lynn, MA as a project manager, is also a former Peace Corps volunteer who served in Ukraine. His mission now is to guide Roanoke through tough economic times, working with the council as the city tries to keep moving forward. His first day on the job included a 90-minute budget workshop. “That was good – I like working and getting my hands dirty,” he said.
His much talked-about “budgeting for outcomes” methodology includes “prioritizing and a heavy dose of employee involvement,” said Morrill. “You’re seeing more and more local governments turning to priority-based budgets,” said Morrill, who calls it a byproduct of the recession. He co-wrote an article on the subject for a national magazine, to be published next month.
Morrill heard plenty of “good lucks” and “welcome to Roanoke” platitudes, as well as pleas from residents outside of downtown, saying they need help. “It’s really neighborhoods that build strong cities…you can’t lose sight of those,” he observed. Morrill also likes some of the big city amenities in a small city like Roanoke. “The quality of life is great and [so is] the connectiveness to the natural environment.”
Morrill said outgoing City Manager Darlene Burcham “was very helpful” during the transition process, sitting down with him several times to go over issues. “She left a very good foundation,” Morrill noted.
The Council-City Manager form of government found in Savannah and Roanoke is his favorite. “I like professional government – especially for sustainability.” One thing stood out to Morrill as he met people over the past few weeks. “People love living here. It’s fantastic.” One person told Morrill that he had arrived “at a good time…we know you’ll do a good job.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]