Blacksburg Town Council Regular Meeting – April 9, 2024
Blacksburg Town Council Regular Meeting – April 9, 2024
The Blacksburg Town Council met on April 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on bond issuance and the FY24/25 budget, approval of two ordinances, and extensive citizen comments regarding the conflict in Gaza. Council also held a closed meeting to evaluate performance and salaries of town staff.
Consent Calendar
- Town Council Minutes – March 19 and March 26, 2024: Approved unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0).
Public Hearings
A. Ordinance 2047 – General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2024
- Staff Presentation: Finance Director Susan Kaiser reported the ordinance authorizes the issuance of up to $16.9 million in bonds to fund the Harding Avenue sewer shed upgrades, South Main sewer upgrades, Harding Avenue stormwater/pedestrian project, hospital pump station upgrade, Glade Springs sewer and stormwater projects, property purchases, and other capital projects. The bonds are scheduled for public sale on May 7, 2024 with closing on May 21.
- Public Comment: None.
- Action: Motion to approve passed 6-0.
B. FY24/25 Recommended Budget Package (Ordinances 2048 and 2049)
- Combined Staff Report: Town Manager Marc Verniel presented the $105 million total budget ($54 million general fund). Key points:
- Property tax rate remains at 26 cents per $100 of assessed value.
- Operating budget increase of 3.9% (consistent with inflation).
- General fund up 7% due to new positions: 2 police officers, a business relations manager, a parks and natural lands coordinator, a recreation program associate, and 2 public works positions.
- Average utility bill increase of $2.70 (2%).
- No health insurance increase for employees; salary increases given to address inflation.
- Council adjusted agency funding (e.g., Literacy NRV to $3,200; YMCA increase) and reserved funds for the Edgar Long building.
- Public Comment:
- Zach Weiss (1003 S. Main St.) recommended reducing the police department budget increase slightly to fund a wind turbine on the police station parking garage.
- William Kirshbaum (1207 Gladewood Dr.) thanked Council for increased support for Literacy NRV and the YMCA, and voiced support for protecting bees, invasive species management, and Brush Mountain land acquisition.
- Action: Mayor Hager-Smith announced that votes on Ordinance 2048 and Ordinance 2049 will be considered on April 23, 2024.
- Recusal: Vice Mayor Sutphin disclosed his employment with Community Housing Partners, which receives HUD funding related to certain appropriations in Ordinance 2048. He stated he will abstain from voting on those sections on April 23.
C. Ordinance 2050 – Amendment to FY23/24 Operating Budget Appropriating $2,500,000 of Bond Proceeds to General Capital Improvement Fund
- Staff Presentation: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer explained the ordinance appropriates $2.5 million from the bond proceeds authorized in Ordinance 2047 for the purchase of three buildings in the downtown district, for future expansion of facilities and potential parking garage.
- Public Comment:
- Gwyneth Homer (252 Brice St.) suggested using one of the buildings for an indoor climbing gym and emphasized the need for a public restroom downtown.
- Zach Weiss (1003 S. Main St.) recommended installing solar tubes or solar pipes on purchased buildings to bring natural light and support indoor gardens.
- Action: Motion to approve passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- The meeting began with Vice Mayor Sutphin reading a unanimously supported statement from Council acknowledging the deep concerns about the conflict in Gaza and Israel, expressing hope for an end to violence and humanitarian aid, and urging residents to treat each other with compassion. The statement was sent to U.S. Representatives, Senators, and the President.
- Citizen Comments (on Gaza/ceasefire): Multiple speakers addressed Council, including:
- Bikrum Gill (2703 Tall Oaks Dr.) criticized the statement as insufficient, called the situation a genocide, and urged a ceasefire resolution. Cited 32,500 Palestinian deaths, 15,000 children, and U.S. complicity.
- A young child read a statement requesting a ceasefire resolution.
- Susan Delay (302 Cherokee Dr.) requested support for a ceasefire resolution.
- Megan Peterson (905 Church St.) voiced concerns about U.S.-made weapons from nearby Radford Army Ammunition Plant being used in Gaza, presented a petition with 200 signatures, and urged a ceasefire resolution.
- Dr. Desiree Poets (3746 Mount Tabor Rd.) called the statement complicit and urged recognition of genocide and Palestinian liberation.
- Prairie Jones (2803 Brook Dr.), a high school student, said the statement was far from enough and demanded a ceasefire resolution.
- A citizen from 109 Orchard View Ln. asked Council to consider human loss and approve a ceasefire resolution.
- Vishal Gill (2703 Tall Oaks Dr.) criticized the statement for not mentioning Palestine and called for a ceasefire.
- Other Comments:
- Gabrielle Spennacchio-Parker (2428 Ridge Rd.) requested a resolution to ban water fluoridation, citing health and environmental concerns and linking it to military-industrial complex.
- Gwyneth Homer (222 Price St.) thanked Council for the statement but urged a ceasefire resolution, noting the role of Virginia Tech.
- James Hardell (233 Price St.) provided an article by Victor Davis Hanson arguing Hamas broke the ceasefire on October 7 and criticizing the international community’s stance.
- William Kirshbaum (1207 Gladewood Dr.) praised the statement as a step in the right direction and urged local support for migrants and nonprofits.
Council Announcements
- Councilmember Ford reminded of a Virginia Passenger Rail Authority open house on April 18.
- Councilmember Watson promoted Arbor Day tree planting event on April 20 at 615 Patrick Henry Dr.
- Mayor Hager-Smith noted the start of a planning process involving Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County, and Virginia Tech on April 11.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2047 (GO Bonds) approved 6-0.
- Ordinance 2050 (FY23/24 budget amendment) approved 6-0.
- Ordinances 2048 and 2049 (FY24/25 budget and rate changes) deferred to April 23, 2024. Vice Mayor Sutphin will recuse from voting on specific sections.
- Closed Meeting: Council adjourned to a closed meeting at 7:45 p.m. under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1) to discuss performance and salaries of the Town Manager, Town Clerk, and Town Attorney. Reconvened at 9:47 p.m. and adopted Resolution 4-B-24 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting (6-0).
- The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. (open portion) and closed meeting began at 7:45 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Council please come to order and will the clerk please call the roll. Henderson, present. Oliver's absent. Ford? Here. Hager Smith. Here. Addingly? Here. Sutfin? Here. Watson? Present. We are going to begin this evening with a statement, and it will be read by Vice Mayor Michael Sutfin. The following statement is supported by the entire town council unanimously. The Blacks Town Council acknowledges the deep concerns expressed by many of our citizens regarding the ongoing conflict and and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel. We have heard the impassioned calls to take action on this matter. While the town council does not typically weigh in on international affairs, we are not indifferent to such tremendous suffering and loss of life. All human lives are precious regardless of ethnicity, religion, or geography. The devastating violence and dire conditions affecting civilians in the region constitute a tragic crisis on all fronts. As a local governing body, we recognize that we lack the authority or means to directly influence events unfolding half a world away. However, we fervently hope for an end to the violence and for humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need. Promoting peace, human rights, and human dignity must be our shared goals as we bear witness to this catastrophic loss of life. Blacksburg prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive community for people of all backgrounds. Understandably, this conflict has surfaced strong emotions and divisions locally, just as it has around the world. Whatever one's views, we urge our residents to treat each other with compassion, empathy, and respect during this difficult time. Only through dialogue and negotiation can this cycle of violence be broken. We are also sending it to our U.S. Congressperson, our U.S. Senators, Senator Kane and Senator Warner, and the President of the United States. So we are getting our message out. Thank you. Oh yeah. I got that out of order, didn't I? Well, the Vice Mayor please uh lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation undergone, indivisible with liberty and justice for all we will go on now to our consent agenda, and today that includes approval of the town minutes for town council minutes for March 19th and March 26th. What is council's um pleasure? That's the word. Second. We have a motion and a second. Will the clerk please call the roll? Ford? Aye. Anger Smith. Aye. Addingly? Aye. Sutfin? Aye.
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