Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - August 18, 2025

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on August 18, 2025, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:03 p.m. Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith presided, with Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin and Councilmembers Susan Anderson, Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford, Jr., Susan Mattingly, and Liam Watson present. Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty, Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer, and Town Clerk Lorraine S. Spaulding also attended. Town Manager Marc Verniel was absent. The agenda included a solar proposal for Blacksburg Transit, review of a public hearing scheduled for September 9, 2025 (covering budget amendments and a conditional use permit), a financial update, fall semester preparations, student housing policy, and capital project priorities.

Blacksburg Transit Solar Request for Proposals

Sustainability Manager Carol Davis presented opportunities for solar power on Town buildings. She noted that a 2015 study identified technically suitable sites that were not financially feasible. In 2021, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) pilot program clarified eligibility and raised project limits. A re-evaluation in February 2025 identified the Blacksburg Transit facility as the best candidate. An accelerated timeline is in effect: requests for proposals will be issued in late August 2025, with solar completion targeted for December 2026.

Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for September 9, 2025

Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed three items scheduled for a public hearing on September 9, 2025:

• Ordinance 2092: Appropriates $175,000 from General Fund Balance to purchase and install 28 traffic signal controllers and associated software. Council had no questions.
• Ordinance 2093: Appropriates $55,000 from a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Equipment Grant to the Police Grant Expenditure line item for public safety equipment. Council had no questions.
• CUP-25-1: A Conditional Use Permit request for an outdoor educational and recreational camp at 2190 Merrimac Road (historic Linkous-Kipps House). The applicant proposes short-term overnight stays, with the existing house as the main lodge and outbuildings/pastures for outdoor gatherings, events, recreation, and education. Town Planner Caroline Collins presented. Council had no questions.

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Update

Finance Director Jeff Lazenby provided an overview of various funds and key revenue trends. He noted the numbers were consistent with prior years, indicating the Town is in a stable financial condition and continuing to meet targets. Staff will continue to monitor the financial position.

Fall Semester Updates

Planning and Building Director Andrew Warren described collaboration across departments on neighborhood issues: Housing and Community Connections handles code enforcement for tall grass and parking on grass violations, while Planning and Building addresses over-occupancy code enforcement. Police Chief John Clair reported on meetings with student groups and property owners to prepare for fall football games.

Student Housing Discussion

Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer reviewed a draft resolution stating that the Town plans to be selective about student housing locations, noting that the comprehensive plan already addresses this. Staff believed an amendment to the comprehensive plan would suffice, but Council felt the resolution should be placed on the next consent agenda for formal adoption.

Capital Project Priorities Discussion

Mayor Hager-Smith led a review of current and previous Capital Improvement Projects and requested more detailed information on projects as part of the CIP process. Extensive Council discussion resulted in overall agreement with the Mayor’s recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• The solar RFP process will proceed with late August 2025 issuance and a December 2026 completion target.
• The three public hearing items (Ordinances 2092, 2093, and CUP-25-1) will be heard on September 9, 2025 as scheduled.
• The student housing resolution will be placed on the next Council consent agenda.
• Council agreed to the Mayor’s recommendation to enhance information provided for Capital Improvement Projects.

Note: The official agenda and minutes list the meeting date as August 19, 2025, but the instruction for this summary specifies August 18, 2025.