Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - September 5, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on September 5, 2023, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street. The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:33 a.m. Present were Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, Vice Mayor Susan Anderson, Councilmembers John Bush, Susan Mattingly, and Michael Sutphin. Councilmembers Lauren Colliver and Jerry Ford, Jr. were absent. Town Manager Marc A. Verniel, Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer, Jr., and Town Clerk Lorraine S. Spaulding were also present.

Discussion Items

Emergency Medical Services Revenue Recovery Update

Blacksburg Rescue Chief David English provided an update on the proposed EMS revenue recovery program. The County is finalizing the contract for billing services with the selected vendor. Once that contract is complete, the Town will be ready to introduce its revenue recovery ordinance. The tentative start date for the program is January 2024.

Update to Written Policy Regarding Participation in Electronic Council Meetings

Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer reminded Council that the Town has a policy on electronic participation in meetings, which has never been used. He presented a draft document with minor updates for Council to review.

Proposed Transfer of $1,500,000 Between Water and Sewer Fund to Capital Projects Fund for Cedar Run Sewer Line Replacement

Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence reminded Council of two sewer projects ready to start construction, with an expected eighteen-month timeline. The budgeted cost was lower than the proposed bids, so a transfer of $1,500,000 from the Water and Sewer Fund is necessary to fund the construction contract.

Professional Services Contract for Prices Fork Interchange Study

Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence reviewed the proposed interchange study, which will assess pedestrian and bicycle access along the Prices Fork corridor. The project will ultimately be a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project, but the Town must complete the design and proposed improvements before VDOT can consider accepting it into their 2024 cycle.

Key Outcomes

• The Town will introduce an EMS revenue recovery ordinance after the County finalizes the billing services contract, with a target start date of January 2024.
• Council will review the draft policy updates for electronic meeting participation.
• A $1,500,000 fund transfer from the Water and Sewer Fund to the Capital Projects Fund was discussed as necessary for the Cedar Run Sewer Line Replacement project.
• The Town will proceed with a professional services contract for the Prices Fork Interchange Study to prepare for VDOT submission in the 2024 cycle.