Blacksburg Town Council Meeting - January 9, 2024

The Blacksburg Town Council held its first regular meeting of 2024 on January 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting began with the ceremonial administration of oaths of office for re-elected members Jerry Ford, Jr. and Michael Sutphin, and newly elected member Liam Watson. Councilmember Lauren Colliver was absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Council elected Michael Sutphin as Vice Mayor on a motion by Susan Anderson, with Liam Watson seconding; the vote was 5-0-1 (Sutphin abstained). The meeting included a consent agenda, three public hearings, citizen comments, and approval of annual council appointments. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Town Council Minutes: Approved minutes from December 5, 12, and 19, 2023.
• Resolution 1-A-24: Adopted a resolution deleting Rimrock Drive from town ownership and maintenance.
• Resolution 1-B-24: Adopted a resolution adjusting two positions in the town's employee pay plan system.
• Resolution 1-C-24: Adopted a resolution transferring $426,415 between Water and Sewer Fund capital projects.
• Revised Blacksburg Transit Advertising Policy 2024: Authorized the Town Manager to sign the revised policy.
• Ordinance 2038: Introduced an ordinance to amend Town Code Sections 14-200, 14-201, and 14-202 establishing a civil penalty for certain trash violations, and scheduled a public hearing for February 13, 2024.
• Ordinance 2040: Introduced an ordinance to amend Town Code to establish a new Section 17-315 prohibiting overcrowding in buildings, and scheduled a public hearing for February 13, 2024.

Public Hearings

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) – FY2024/2025 through 2028/2029

• Staff Presentation: Town Manager Marc Verniel reviewed the five-year capital plan, totaling $172 million across all funds, with $47 million in bonded projects. Key projects include the Progress Street parking garage, Draper Road Streetscape, South Point Community Park, downtown restroom, and ongoing equipment replacement. Council discussed potentially reprioritizing the recreation center ahead of the parking garage.
• Public Comment: Charles Schade of 401 Clairmont Drive commended the quality of the CIP and urged Council to advance the downtown restroom project ahead of the Draper Road Streetscape. He also raised safety concerns about pedestrian visibility on Clay Street.
• Action: Deferred to the January 23, 2024 meeting for a vote.

Ordinance 2045: Budget Amendment for Water/Sewer and Stormwater Funds

• Staff Presentation: Finance Director Susan Kaiser explained the ordinance appropriates $927,000 of bond proceeds to the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement Fund and $800,000 to the Stormwater Capital Improvement Fund for cost-sharing agreements with Glade Spring Crossing, LLC related to the Glade Spring Crossing housing development.
• Vice Mayor Recusal: Vice Mayor Sutphin disqualified himself from this item, stating his employment with Community Housing Partners, which controls New River Home Trust LLC, could receive an indirect benefit. He stepped away from the meeting from approximately 6:53 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.
• Public Comment: None.
• Action: Councilmember Anderson moved to approve; Councilmember Mattingly seconded. The motion passed on a 5-0 roll call vote (Mattingly, Watson, Anderson, Ford, Hager-Smith voted yes; Sutphin not voting).

Ordinance 2046: Lease of Space at 141 Jackson Street to New River Land Trust

• Staff Presentation: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer presented a two-year lease for storage space at Old Town Hall (141 Jackson Street NE) to the New River Land Trust for a nominal fee of $10 per year.
• Public Comment: Susan Terwilliger of 404 Floyd Street, a volunteer with the Blacksburg Clothing Bank (also in the building), asked if the lease would affect their agreement. Attorney Spencer confirmed the lease is for a separate space previously used by the police department and does not impact the clothing bank.
• Action: Vice Mayor Sutphin moved to approve; Councilmember Anderson seconded. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call vote (Sutphin, Watson, Anderson, Ford, Hager-Smith, Mattingly voted yes).

Citizen Comments

• Hillary Williams of 603 Jefferson Street raised safety concerns about the intersection of Palmer and Hemlock Drive, citing untrimmed shrubs that reduce visibility and create hazards for drivers and cyclists. Town Manager Verniel and Town Attorney Spencer directed her to Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty for follow-up.

Appointments

• Mayor Hager-Smith presented the 2024 Town Council Membership Appointments and Affiliations. The list includes assignments to boards and committees such as the Blacksburg Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, New River Valley Regional Commission, Blacksburg Planning Commission, and others. Vice Mayor Sutphin moved to approve; Councilmember Anderson seconded. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call vote.

Key Outcomes

• Vice Mayor Election: Michael Sutphin elected Vice Mayor (5-0-1).
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance 2045: Approved 5-0 (Sutphin recused).
• Ordinance 2046: Approved 6-0.
• CIP Public Hearing: Held; action set for January 23, 2024.
• Council Appointments: Approved 6-0.
• Council Announcements: Councilmember Anderson announced the annual Dialogue on Race winner summit on January 27, 2024. Councilmember Watson expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for serving the community.