Blacksburg Town Council Work Session

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate this meeting occurred on June 18, 2024, but the user-provided date for this summary is June 24, 2024. The summary below uses the date specified by the user.

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on June 24, 2024, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 S. Main St., from 11:00 a.m. to 12:42 p.m. All council members were present, along with the town manager, town attorney, and town clerk. The session covered an award presentation, review of upcoming public hearings, infrastructure updates, and a water service request.

Discussion Items

• VDOT Salem District Locality of the Year Award: Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation presented the award to the Town, recognizing the Finance, Engineering, and Planning departments for their hard work, project management excellence, and commitment to delivering transportation projects.

• Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for July 9, 2024:

  • Ordinance 2052: Withdrawal of approximately 3 acres from the Agricultural and Forestal District to allow for a proposed subdivision. Interim Planning Director Kali Casper provided the explanation.
  • Ordinance 2051: Amendment to the 2019 rezoning of 33.87 acres at 520 Patrick Henry Drive. Senior Planner Kinsey O’Shea explained modifications, and Steve Semones of Balzer and Associates addressed council questions.
  • Ordinance 2055: Vacation of approximately 2.63 acres of Town-owned right-of-way at Progress Street, with dedication of new right-of-way for future roadway realignment as part of the Northside Park subdivision. Kali Casper provided background.
  • Ordinance 2054: Repeal of outdated Town Code sections 18-407 through 18-417 pertaining to Industrial Cost Recovery Charges, a repealed federal program. Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer explained the proposal.

• Harding Avenue Sewer Update: Town Engineer Shawn Veltman reported that Phase 1 is underway. A better route has been found that avoids excavating College Avenue, saving future costs and disruption. The new route runs from the Squires Student Center parking lot through the Armory parking lot, then north on Draper Road to College Avenue. This will also allow relocation of a public sewer line under 204 Draper Road.

• Water Line Inventory Process: This item was briefly mentioned during the Council/Staff Exchange. The town manager noted a Lead Inventory Grant related to the process.

• Montgomery County PSA Water Service Request: Town Manager Marc Verniel explained that a group of Montgomery County citizens requested an extension to the Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA), which in turn requested to connect to the town’s water system. Council agreed to consider the request upon receiving more information.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the work session was informational.
• The Town accepted the VDOT Locality of the Year Award.
• Council agreed to consider the Montgomery County PSA water service request pending further details.
• The public hearings for the four ordinances are scheduled for July 9, 2024, as noted.

Council/Staff Exchange

Town Manager Marc Verniel, Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer, and council members exchanged information on the Lead Inventory Grant, a new Opioid Settlement, and potential legislation on games of skill.