Blacksburg Town Council Work Session: November 1, 2022

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on November 1, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:23 p.m. All council members were present, along with the town manager, town attorney, and town clerk. The session covered a review of an upcoming public hearing item, a presentation on the Huckleberry Trail Plan, discussions on sidewalk snow removal, police towing contract update, and the Sanitation Authority term contract. Staff also provided an update on year-end resolutions.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 1999 (Sewer Use Standards): Town Engineer Randy Formica and Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer provided an overview of the ordinance, which would repeal existing sewer use standards and adopt new sections incorporating the Pretreatment Rules and Regulations of the Blacksburg-Virginia Polytechnic Institute Sanitation Authority dated November 26, 2019. This item was scheduled for a public hearing on November 8, 2022.

• Huckleberry Trail Plan Presentation: Kathleen Armstrong and Elijah Sharp of the New River Valley Regional Commission presented a synopsis of the Huckleberry Trail Plan, including a graphic timeline, mapping tools, and opportunity areas along the trail. Council expressed appreciation to the presenters and Friends of the Huckleberry for their work.

• Sidewalk Snow Removal Discussion: Matt Hanratty reviewed the Town’s plans for weather events. Plans include updating the Town website to reflect Public Works services and remind citizens of their responsibility to clear sidewalks. Additionally, an option to use a local contractor for snow removal from key pedestrian areas was noted.

• Police Towing Contract Update: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer informed Council that the Police Towing Advisory Board will work on updating the agreement governing requested towing.

• Sanitation Authority Term Contract Discussion: Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence described the Blacksburg-Virginia Polytechnic Institute Sanitation Authority, formed by the Town and Virginia Tech for sewage treatment. The current contract is expiring, and Lawrence recommended that Council authorize the Town Manager to sign the new contract.

• Council/Staff Exchange: Town Manager Marc Verniel reviewed year-end resolutions, summarizing fund transfers for projects including street paving, audio/visual equipment for the new police building, replacement of town vehicles, softball field lighting, and the Prices Fork interchange study.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing for Ordinance 1999 will proceed on November 8, 2022.
• Council discussed the recommendation to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Sanitation Authority term contract; no formal vote was taken.
• The Police Towing Advisory Board will begin updating the towing agreement.
• Public Works will update the website and consider using a local contractor for sidewalk snow removal.