Blacksburg Town Council Meeting – March 28, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council met on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. Present were Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, Vice Mayor Susan Anderson, and Councilmembers John Bush, Jerry Ford Jr., and Susan Mattingly. Councilmembers Michael Sutphin and Lauren Colliver were absent. The open meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m., followed by a closed meeting until 10:00 p.m. for personnel evaluations.

Consent Calendar

• Town Council Minutes for March 14 and March 21, 2023, were approved unanimously on a roll call vote (5–0).
• Contract for Professional Engineering Services for Blacksburg Transit was authorized for the Town Manager to sign, approved unanimously on the same roll call.

Public Comments & Testimony

FY2024 Agency Funding Requests

Fourteen representatives of local nonprofit organizations addressed Council, each requesting support for their FY2024 funding requests. Speakers and their positions are summarized below; all expressed support for their own agency’s request and generally encouraged Council’s continued investment in community services.

• Kim Carlson, Chair of The Lyric Board: Reported that The Lyric served over 200,000 patrons in 2022 across more than 100 events, including 45 film screenings and five concerts. She noted a recently signed 30-year lease and plans for renovation. Councilmember Mattingly recused herself due to employment with The Lyric during this portion.
• Kacie Hodges, Blacksburg Community Band: Represented the band, composed of 85–100 musicians spanning middle school to Warm Hearth residents. The band holds 8–10 free concerts annually and awards a $500 scholarship. The band’s budget is 95% donor-funded; COVID-19 caused income loss but a recent spring concert was successful.
• Sharon Shipgreen (also identified as Sharon Chickering in transcript): Supported the Montgomery Museum of Art and History, emphasizing its role in the community and its regional collaborations. She noted that Blacksburg funded the museum $5,000 last year but no recommendation had been made for FY2024.
• Tina King, Executive Director, New River Valley Agency on Aging: Highlighted services including 3,500 meals and 130 rides provided to Blacksburg residents. The agency served 27 individuals in Blacksburg in the past year and conducted outreach to 1,300 people. She requested an increase to $8,280 due to inflation and rising need.
• Dr. Jean Haskell, Vice President, Montgomery Museum of Art and History: Stated that museum visitation increased by 350% in one year after moving to a new building. Membership is growing fastest from Blacksburg. The museum received the Virginia Association of Museums Innovation Award for 2023. She emphasized the importance of local government funding as leverage for grants.
• Ginny Ayers, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley: Noted that nearly 850 adults in Blacksburg read at or below a third-grade level and 1,800 residents speak English less than well. The agency provides free one-on-one tutoring in literacy, digital skills, and health literacy. Approximately 50 of its 150 volunteers are from Blacksburg.
• Tracie Hughes, Director, Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. (DBI): Described DBI as the downtown merchant organization for over 35 years, organizing events like Summer Solstice and Winter Lights Festival. DBI has 100 members and supports economic development, marketing, and public art.
• Oliver Peacock, 108 W. Roanoke Street: Spoke as a Virginia Tech student and son of a contractor, expressing frustration that a building permit for Kent Square businesses has taken 17 months. He asked Council to address delays. Mayor Hager-Smith invited him to call her to discuss further.
• Karim Khan, Library Director, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library: Reported that Blacksburg Library has 18,287 cardholders; visits are forecast to increase 27% over the prior fiscal year, program attendance up 50%, and community room attendance up 44%. E-book checkouts are up over 10%. He thanked Branch Manager Monina Hall for her service.
• Kate Skelly, Executive Director, Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation: Described exhibits including “From Africa to Appalachia” and partnerships with area groups. The museum offers adult art classes, summer concerts, and a “Blacksburg Time Machine” Google Maps history tool. She cited a national study showing museums improve health, intercultural competence, and community connections.
• Michael Hudson, Executive Director, Historic Smithfield: Highlighted the museum’s role in attracting tourists and telling inclusive history of African Americans and Native Americans. He warned that 33–40% of small American museums may fail by the end of the 2020s due to COVID, but Historic Smithfield is resisting that trend.
• Ashley Slagel-Perry, Senior Director, Community Health Center of the New River Valley: Reported that in 2022 the center served 674 Blacksburg residents (2,700 visits). The center is a Federally Qualified Health Center offering medical, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding fee scale (e.g., $20 medical visit). With Medicaid unwinding, demand for sliding scale care is expected to rise.
• Laina Schneider, Live, Work, Eat, Grow: Described community garden programs supporting 118 families to grow food, and 19 community events. She requested funding to maintain current operations.
• Ann Cassell, President, Blacksburg Partnership: Noted the Partnership’s 20th year and its role as fiscal agent for the New River Valley Passenger Rail Organization (service expected 2026). She requested increased funding to stabilize budget, produce a new Visitors Guide ($20,000 cost), and support talent retention.
• Hansen Ball, President, Friends of the Farmers Market: Reported the market attracts approximately 90,000 people annually and was named a top five reason to visit downtown Blacksburg by Southern Living. The market administers SNAP matching benefits. He requested a small funding increase to cover rising costs.

Other Comments

Several residents spoke regarding the proposed Glade Spring Crossing development. All expressed concerns about safety, environmental impact, and numerous variances. No one spoke in favor of the development as proposed.

• Alex Tuckey, 401 Progress Street: Inquired about permits for live band performances at a fraternity house. Town Manager Marc Verniel directed him to speak with the Police Chief.
• Traci Sterling, 1211 Village Way South: Thanked Council for considering removal of a vehicular connection to Village Way South, but raised concerns about variances for sidewalks, driveway setbacks, and tree canopy. She encouraged Council to visit the property.
• Vikki Fix, 1301 Village Way South: Noted the lack of tree canopy in the plan, referencing the Town Code requirement for one street tree per 30 feet; the developer proposed one per 80–100 feet. She worried about stormwater and heat impacts.
• Tess Thompson, 1601 Honeysuckle Drive: A professional in stormwater management, she stated that Tom’s Creek is designated a stock trout water and already impaired by high temperatures. Urban development without tree canopy and bioretention will exacerbate thermal pollution. She urged better stormwater management.
• Kacie Hodges, 1223 Village Way South: Handed out photos showing erosion from lack of curbing in the Village at Tom’s Creek, arguing that similar ditch and culvert systems in the existing neighborhood have failed over time. She opposed the variance to eliminate standard curb and gutter.
• Guy Acciai, 1221 Village Way South: Spoke against the development, focusing on the proffer statement. He noted that aside from affordable housing (24 units), the proffers offer little benefit to the town while the town would contribute $3.4 million in public funds. He urged Council to read proffers carefully and consider long-term consequences.

Council Announcements

• Vice Mayor Anderson reminded citizens that the annual “Take Back the Night” rally has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. on Henderson Lawn (outdoor stage across from The Lyric Theatre). The event raises awareness about gender-based violence.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously (5–0).
• Closed Meeting entered at 7:50 p.m. under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) for performance and salary discussions of the Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Clerk. Motion passed 5–0.
• Resolution 3-C-23 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting was adopted unanimously (5–0) upon reconvening at 10:00 p.m.
• No formal decisions were made on FY2024 agency funding requests; those will be considered as part of the Town’s FY2024 operating budget process.