Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - November 19, 2024

On November 19, 2024, the Blacksburg Town Council held a work session at the Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St. Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin, and Councilmembers Susan Anderson, Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford Jr., Susan Mattingly, and Liam Watson were present. Also in attendance were Town Manager Marc Verniel, Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer, and Town Clerk Lorraine S. Spaulding. No members were absent. The meeting adjourned at 1:14 p.m.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Project Update

• Community Foundation - Childcare: Jessica Wirgau and Margaret Hurst of the Community Foundation explained early childhood education goals in Montgomery County and efforts to grow and retain the profession. They described using incentive programs and adding education initiatives at local colleges to make the field more readily available to the community.
• Live, Work, Eat, Grow - Food Security: Laina Schneider of Live, Work, Eat, Grow (LWEG) provided an overview of collaborative efforts to improve food accessibility for Blacksburg residents. Schneider explained that LWEG has partnered with organizations throughout the New River Valley, including Montgomery County Christmas Store and Interfaith Food Pantry, and has added initiatives with Friends of the Farmers Market and Micah's Backpack to serve the community more efficiently.
• Town Capital Project Update: Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty explained budget implications from the removal of the Glade Springs Crossing Development as an ARPA project, noting the funds will now need to be re-allocated. The current plan is to move those funds to other ARPA projects, including Legacy, Meadowbrook Place, North Main trail, the retail incubator, and the Huckleberry Trail paving.

Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for December 10, 2024: Ordinance 2067

Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer reviewed the proposed ordinance. Ordinance 2067 will repeal Town Code § 5-105 related to the keeping of hogs because the Zoning Ordinance already regulates this topic. It will also amend Town Code to exempt falcons, hawks, and owls from dangerous animal status, as possession of these birds is regulated by the state. The amendment to Town Code § 5-200 clarifies that electronic leashes cannot be used as a substitute for physical leashes.

Town Speed Limit Initiative

Town Planner Maeve Gould gave Council an overview of guidelines for reduced speed limits throughout Town. Working with Blacksburg Transit, Public Works, Engineering, and the Police Department, the Downtown and nearby areas were identified as having the most need due to high bicycle and pedestrian volume, high vehicular volume, many businesses, crossings, and narrower streets. The goal is to begin this initiative in the spring of 2025.

Town of Blacksburg Sanitary Sewer System Standards and Specifications

Town Engineer Shawn Veltman reviewed proposed changes to the Sanitary Sewer System Standards and Specifications related to grinder pumps, macerating toilets, and ejector pumps. Veltman explained that providing developers with the option to use these systems, subject to reasonable conditions, can benefit both the Town and the developer.

Capital Project Priorities

Town Manager Marc Verniel explained that staff is currently assembling the recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP). He noted that a multi-story parking garage in the Progress Street parking lot is listed in the current CIP as a top priority at a cost of over $24 million. He added that recent community survey results and citizen feedback at Town Council meetings have indicated a need to invest in youth and adult athletic facilities. Verniel offered the option of doing both: a smaller over-under parking deck and significant improvements to recreation facilities. Council overall was in agreement with this new option. Verniel indicated that staff would reflect the results of the discussion in the upcoming recommended CIP.

Council/Staff Exchange

Mayor Hager-Smith asked that staff begin gathering information related to police response to noise complaints and sleeping in public. These topics will be addressed at a later work session.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or binding decisions were taken at this work session.
• Council reached consensus on the capital project priorities option of pursuing both a smaller over-under parking deck and significant recreation facility improvements.
• Staff was directed to reflect the capital project discussion in the upcoming recommended CIP.
• Staff was asked to gather information on police responses to noise complaints and sleeping in public for a future work session.
• The meeting was adjourned at 1:14 p.m.