The firm tasked to help Roanoke find a replacement for City Manager Darlene Burcham after she retires next spring received 108 applications for the job.

That's according to Councilman Rupert Cutler, who leads the city's personnel committee. Cutler said the council has already winnowed that list of 108 applicants down to 16, most of which are currently employed as city managers elsewhere.

Cutler said the council will now set about narrowing the list of 16 down to six. He said he expects the council will hire Burcham's replacement by mid-December.

-- Mason Adams

Council wants more public comment on pool

The council appears set to approve a $1.9 million renovation of the Washington Park swimming pool, but the public will get one final chance to weigh in before a final decision is made.

During a Monday briefing, council members appeared to favor an option that represents middle ground between a $589,000 bare-bones repair of the pool and a $3.6 million makeover that would transform the pool into a small water park.

The option favored by council members, as well as most parents at a September meeting on the issue, includes a 5,400-square-foot lap pool, six 25-yard lanes, a slide, diving board, 3,225-square-foot leisure pool and a "sprayground."

"I think this is a good enhancement for Washington Park pool," Vice Mayor Sherman Lea said.

The council had delayed its decision on the pool until more community input was received.

Councilwoman Anita Price said that after a September meeting that drew about 21 people, she felt that concern had been satisfied.

The council still needs to take formal action to appropriate the money for the project before architectural and engineering work can begin.

At Mayor David Bowers' urging, the council scheduled that action to take place after a public hearing at its regular meeting later this month.

-- Mason Adams

Mill Mountain property needs careful survey

The council directed city administrators Monday to move forward with a survey of property lines in preparation for a conservation easement on Mill Mountain.

Assistant City Manager Brian Townsend told the council that the city's land on the property consists of many parcels, all acquired at different times and under varying circumstances.

The combination of that and the fact that much of the land abuts private residential properties will make this easement more complicated than the two placed on Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, he said.

The mountain's summit won't likely be placed under easement, but Mayor David Bowers said that Roanokers should not interpret that as meaning the council plans to further develop that land.

"I don't want anyone to misinterpret that as an encouragement for development," Bowers said. "If that comes up, no development on top of the mountain."

Bowers said he does not consider a proposed expansion of the Mill Mountain Zoo as "development" and intended the statement toward commercial development such as restaurants or retail stores.

-- Mason Adams

Roanoke extends golf course contract

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham told the council Monday that city officials have extended Meadowbrook Golf's contract to manage Countryside Golf Course for another six months.

Meadowbrook's lease to operate the course had been set to expire at the end of October, and Burcham said the extension allows city officials to "continue to negotiate in good faith on a longer-term contract."

-- Mason Adams