Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - August 5, 2025

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on August 5, 2025, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street. The meeting began at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Council discussed the New River Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan, reviewed an upcoming public hearing for Ordinance 2078 (procurement code updates), considered budget amendments for traffic signal controllers and police equipment, and reviewed proposed affordable housing utility fee waivers. No formal votes were taken; the session focused on discussion and consensus building.

Discussion Items

• New River Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan: Christy Straight of the New River Valley Regional Commission presented the plan, which was developed over a 24-month planning process. She explained the goal is to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property by identifying hazard ratings and informing the Town's CIP and Zoning methods. Council received the information without a vote.
• Review of Public Hearing for Ordinance 2078: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer summarized the proposed amendments to the Town Procurement Code (Sections 16-116, 16-200, 16-203, 16-204, 16-207, and 16-506, adding new Section 16-123). Key changes include contract authorization process, incorporation of state law on procurement methods (sole source, emergency procurement), and addition of state code language for IT contracts. The public hearing is scheduled for August 12, 2025.
• Budget Amendment – Traffic Signal Controllers: Public Works Director John Boyer requested funds to modernize traffic controllers across town, noting that several current controllers are incompatible with newer models. The upgrade would enable live streaming, remote access, and traffic count capabilities on all signals.
• Budget Amendment – Police Department Equipment Grant: Town Manager Marc Verniel summarized the proposed amendment to the FY25/26 Operating Budget, appropriating $55,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Equipment Grant to the Police Grant Expenditure line item in the General Fund for public safety equipment.
• Proposed Affordable Housing Utility Fee Waivers: Housing and Community Connections Manager Kim Thurlow reviewed two upcoming affordable housing projects: Stroubles Ridge Project and Airport Road Project. She explained that waivers are based on income eligibility, affordability terms, financing sources, and Council discretion. Council expressed overall agreement with the proposed fee waivers for both projects.

Key Outcomes

• Council reached consensus to support the affordable housing utility fee waivers for Stroubles Ridge and Airport Road projects.
• No formal decisions were made on the hazard mitigation plan, procurement ordinance, or budget amendments; these items were discussed as informational or preparatory for future action.
• During the Staff/Council Discussion segment, Council and staff exchanged information on speaker time limits at work sessions, speed limit signage, and allowable enforcement of smoking at the Farmers Market.