Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - October 3, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on October 3, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Council discussed year-end budget resolutions, school zone traffic enforcement, a Habitat for Humanity development agreement, funding for bike infrastructure, and a public art update. Council also considered participation in an amicus brief regarding the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Discussion Items

• Year End Budget Resolutions Briefing: Finance Director Susan Kaiser presented three proposed year-end resolutions to transfer outstanding purchase orders, transfer funds between Capital Projects, transfer remaining funds back to fund balances, and transfer unexpended General Fund appropriations to the Capital Improvement Program. Kaiser reviewed revenue projections, unexpended appropriations, and fund project recommendations.

• School Zone Traffic Enforcement: Blacksburg Police Chief Brewster and Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer briefed Council on a proposed photo speed enforcement program for school zones, initially targeting the Prices Fork and Toms Creek areas. The Town would partner with a vendor to issue citations and collect fines to deter speeding. Council expressed interest in learning more and moving forward with gathering additional information.

• Habitat for Humanity Development Agreement: Housing and Community Connections Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed key points of the proposed ARPA Development Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley. The agreement would allow for eleven affordable homes in the New River Home Trust, with the developer responsible for ensuring affordability and energy efficiency. The tentative groundbreaking is spring 2025. (Councilmember Sutphin disqualified himself from this item from 11:32 a.m. to 11:43 a.m.)

• Funding to Support Improved Bike Infrastructure: Sustainability Manager Carol Davis presented federal funding through the Energy Efficient Community Block Grant for potential projects, such as bike lane marking improvements. Davis will bring the proposal to the Corridor Committee for feedback and add it to the Let’s Talk Blacksburg community forum for public engagement.

• Public Art Update: Planning Director Anne McClung updated Council on the Public Arts Committee, which has created bylaws, brainstormed project ideas, and provided input on private projects. The Committee’s first project will be decorating utility and traffic signal boxes. Sustainability Manager Carol Davis also introduced the Draper Road Community Coloring Book, a temporary art outline for children to color downtown, aimed at attracting families and engaging the community.

• Council/Staff Exchange: Town Council and the Town Attorney discussed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) litigation and potential participation in an amicus brief to be filed with other Virginia localities. Council was in favor of participating.

Key Outcomes

• Council directed staff to gather more information on photo speed enforcement in school zones.
• The Habitat for Humanity development agreement is moving forward with a target groundbreaking in spring 2025, pending final approval.
• Staff will seek community feedback on bike infrastructure funding through the Corridor Committee and Let’s Talk Blacksburg.
• The Public Arts Committee will proceed with decorating utility and signal boxes as its first project.
• Council supported participating in the RGGI amicus brief.