The Blacksburg Town Council met on June 12, 2024, to act on a consent agenda, conduct two public hearings, receive citizen comments, make an appointment, and address unfinished business. All items on the consent agenda were approved, including the introduction of several ordinances for future public hearings. Public hearings on photo speed monitoring devices and the Harding Avenue project were passed unanimously. Citizen comments raised concerns about the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall operating agreement, the process for withdrawing land from an Agricultural and Forestal District, water fluoridation, and weed abatement policies.
All consent items except Item H were approved unanimously on a roll call vote. Item H was voted separately and passed with Sutphin abstaining.
Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer presented the ordinance, noting that speed enforcement cameras would address speeding in school zones. The ordinance authorizes a $100 civil penalty. No public comment was offered. Council unanimously approved the ordinance.
Town Attorney Spencer explained that the resolution authorizes acquisition of easements and allows for eminent domain if needed. One citizen, Zach Weiss of 1003 S. Main Street, voiced concerns about tree replanting after construction. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
Will council please come to order and will the clerk please call the roll. Anderson, present. Oliver? Here. Board? Here. Eager Smith. Here. Mattingley? Here. Sutfin? Here. Watson. Present. Will the Vice Mayor please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic. For which it stands on under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We will begin today with the consent agenda. And that includes approval of town council minutes for May 7th and 14th. Ordinance 2051 to amend ordinance 1895, which rezoned 33.8 acres of land at 520 Patrick Henry Drive. We're going to introduce that this evening and schedule a public hearing for July 9. We have ordinance 2052 authorizing the withdrawal of land in the agricultural and forestal district. We'll introduce that ordinance and also schedule it for a public hearing on July 9. Ordinance 2054 to repeal town section 18-407 through 18-417 pertaining to industrial cost recovery charges. We'll talk about that also at a public hearing on July 9. Ordinance 2055, vacating a portion of public right of way located at Progress Street. Resolution 6B24, writing off the town's uncollectible water, sewer, refuse service, and stormwater receivables and real estate taxes. Next item is resolution 6C24, referring to the planning commission, a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to the R4 zoning district to create a new alternative small lot residential development option. Didn't they already do that? Re-referring it because it's great resolutions expire after a certain amount of time. So the planning commission is almost done with it. That's what I thought of that they've been gnawing on it this whole time. Okay. It'll be coming to you all this summer. Okay. Great. Um a proposed amendment to the 2022-26 consolidated plan and 2024 action plan for home and community development block grant programs. A fireworks permit for Independence Day. We'll have our celebration on July 4. And uh a contract for design build services at 414 North Main Street. And Michael has a reading, I think. Yep, I'll start with a statement. Um the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act requires that I make disclosure to be recorded in town records. In any case in which I'm forbidden to participate, therefore I make the following disclosure. The transaction involved is the approval of amendment to the 2022 2026 consolidated plan and the 2024 action plan for home and community development block grant programs with a vote scheduled for June 11th. My personal interest in this transaction is my employment in community housing partners, which receives HUD funding. This funding is part of the annual plan. Uh CHP is located at 448 Deep Ruth Street, Christiansburg, Virginia.