Blacksburg Town Council Meeting - November 26, 2024

Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin presiding due to Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith's absence. All six council members were present. The meeting covered a consent agenda with five items, citizen comments, and the introduction of the recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Town Council minutes of November 5, 2024.
• Authorized the Town Manager to accept professional construction, engineering, and inspection services for the Meadowbrook Drive Trail.
• Approved the 2025 Police Towing Contractor Agreement.
• Approved Resolution 11-B-24: Amendments to the Town Sanitary Sewer Specifications.
• Resolution 11-C-24 (transferring $3,786,354 between ARPA Fund projects) was moved separately after Vice Mayor Sutphin read a disqualification statement due to a conflict of interest (benefit to CHP's Legacy Project, located at 448 Depot Street, Christiansburg, VA). The resolution was approved on a roll call vote of 5-0-1, with Sutphin abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zach Weiss of 1711 Whipple Drive addressed the council. He began by expressing thanks for electronic recycling, then delivered a lengthy commentary comparing the energy used to roast Thanksgiving turkeys (estimated 46 million turkeys, 8 kWh each, totaling $55.2 million annually) to the energy used by Israel in its military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023. He questioned whether Americans should celebrate Thanksgiving given the ethical and energy implications, urging a choice between peace and conflict. He concluded with a "Happy Thanksgiving."

Discussion Items

• Introduction of Recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Town Manager Marc Verniel presented the five-year CIP, the first step in the town's budget process. The plan includes 133 projects totaling approximately $170 million, with $68 million in the general fund. Key highlights:
  • Reduced parking structure on Progress Street from $24 million to $7 million (over-under deck).
  • $1.5 million for athletic field improvements (youth and adult softball).
  • Draper Road Streetscape permanent improvements.
  • St. Luke and Oddfellows Hall Restoration: $187,000, based on stakeholder recommendations.
  • Meadowbrook Trail Phase 2: $250,000 (Phase 1 fully funded by ARPA funds via consent item E).
  • Continued funding for Brush Mountain Trail System expansion.
  • Skate park expansion.
  • Transportation projects: Smart Scale funding for Transportation Change Improvement, design money for Glade Road, Clay Street sidewalk/roadway improvements, Mount Tabor Road sidewalk, priority sidewalk infill projects (now town-funded), roadway and trail paving.
  • Water/sewer: Northside Pump Station Force Main Relocation, Harding Avenue sewer shed 2A, North Main Street water tank backup pump, Laurel Ridge water line replacement.
  • Stormwater: Countryside stormwater improvements, Draper Road/Miller Street box culvert replacement.
  • Transit: Bus replacements with electric buses and charging infrastructure, ITS system.
  • Maintenance funds for roads, buildings, water/sewer, stormwater, and equipment depreciation for police, fire, and rescue.
  • Public hearing on the CIP scheduled for January 14, 2025, with a vote expected two weeks later. Council had no questions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with separate vote on Item E.
• CIP introduced; no action taken.
• Councilmembers Susan Anderson and Susan Mattingly announced upcoming community events: the 12th Annual Women's Conference in Roanoke, farmers market hours, free parking downtown for Small Business Week, and the Winter Lights Holiday Parade and Festival on December 6, 2024 (parade at 7:30 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m., Santa at 5:45 p.m., inclement weather date December 7).
• Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.