Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - June 20, 2023

The Town Council held a work session on June 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. to review upcoming public hearings, discuss proposed changes to green burial ordinances, and consider a request for a sidewalk closure fee waiver. Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith presided with Councilmembers John Bush, Lauren Colliver, Susan Mattingly, and Michael Sutphin present. Vice Mayor Susan Anderson and Councilmember Jerry Ford Jr. were absent.

Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for July 11, 2023

• Ordinance 2026: Town Manager Marc Verniel summarized a proposed lease with the Montgomery County Tourism Development Council for office space at 200 Clay Street, S.W., formerly occupied by the Blacksburg Police Department. The lease would be similar to those previously granted to local community groups at Old Town Hall.
• Ordinance 2027: Finance Director Susan Kaiser explained the ordinance to reappropriate prior year CDBG entitlement funds and prior year HOME Consortium funds that lapsed in fiscal year 2021/2022, increasing revenues and appropriations in the respective funds. Funds will be spent per the Annual Action Plans.
• Ordinance 2028: Town Manager Marc Verniel and Deputy Chief Brian Roe presented the ordinance to appropriate $255,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services ARPA Law Enforcement Grant to the Police Grant Expenditure line item in the General Fund, to be used for technical equipment for law enforcement officers.

Green Burial Ordinance Review

Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer provided an overview of housekeeping changes to the Westview Cemetery ordinances in the Town Code and reviewed proposed changes to cemetery rules and regulations to permit green burials.

Discussion of Request for Sidewalk Closure Fee Waiver (Midtown Redevelopment)

Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence informed the Council about ongoing reconstruction of the sidewalk at Eheart Street. Midtown Redevelopment requested that the $45 per day closure fee be waived, citing that the long-term project would not affect Main Street pedestrian activity.

Council/Staff Exchange

Council and staff discussed the Advanced Spending Resolution, including language review by the Town Attorney. They also discussed the Blacksburg Museum and Odd Fellows Hall regarding maintenance and use of the facilities.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearings for Ordinances 2026, 2027, and 2028 are scheduled for July 11, 2023.
• The green burial ordinance changes were presented for review; further action may be taken at a future meeting.
• The sidewalk closure fee waiver request was discussed; no formal decision was recorded.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:06 p.m.

Note: The raw transcript was unavailable; this summary is based solely on the agenda and minutes.