Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - May 21, 2024

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on May 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Blacksburg Motor Company building. The session covered a review of a pending public hearing, a behavioral health co-response program update, a zoning ordinance discussion, and a financial quarterly report. A closed meeting was held to discuss legal matters regarding a property acquisition on Harding Avenue, followed by a resolution certifying the closed meeting.

Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for June 11, 2024

• Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer offered to answer Council questions regarding Ordinance 2056, which would authorize photo speed monitoring devices in school crossing zones by adding Section 12-114 to the Town Code. Council had no questions.

Behavioral Health Co-Response

• Patrick Halpern and Joey Thacker from New River Valley Community Services presented on the Marcus Alert System and its implementation in Montgomery County and the Town. They described system developments and state and local components integrating behavioral health with law enforcement. The goal is to reduce reliance on law enforcement in behavioral health emergencies and create a response geared directly toward behavioral health.

Zoning Ordinance Discussion

• Town Manager Marc Verniel initiated a discussion to gather general Council thoughts on the existing Zoning Ordinance. He noted that staff plans to be proactive and encourage community engagement. Any changes must be based on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. He provided examples of other localities that made significant zoning changes. Council discussed concerns about housing, office use, and transit and trail systems.

March 2024 Financial Quarterly Report

• Finance Director Susan Kaiser provided an overview of the Town’s quarterly financial report for the period ending March 30, 2024.

Closed Meeting and Resolution

• The Council adjourned to a Closed Meeting at 12:44 p.m. under Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711 (A) (3) and (A) (11) for advice from the Town Attorney on legal issues related to the acquisition of property on Harding Avenue for a public improvement project.
• The Council reconvened to an Open Meeting at 1:22 p.m. Vice Mayor Sutphin moved to adopt Resolution 5-B-24 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting. Councilmember Anderson seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Councilmembers Anderson, Ford, Hager-Smith, Mattingly, and Sutphin voted yes; none voted no. Councilmembers Colliver and Watson were absent.