Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - December 31, 2025

Note: The meeting agenda and minutes indicate the meeting occurred on January 6, 2026; however, the summary uses the date provided (December 31, 2025) as instructed. This discrepancy is noted for accuracy.

The work session covered several administrative and policy items including a lease relocation for SEEDS Nature Center, review of upcoming public hearings, updates on façade improvement grants, a farmers market license renewal, and a five-year capital improvement program discussion. The meeting also included a closed session to consider candidates for two Town Council vacancies, followed by a unanimous resolution certifying the closed meeting.

Discussion Items

• Bennett House Lease – SEEDS: Parks and Recreation Director Dean Crane introduced SEEDS Nature Center Director Mike Rosenzweig. SEEDS seeks to relocate from the Price House to the larger Bennett House, with a proposed timeline of early summer. All Council members expressed agreement with the relocation.

• Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for January 13, 2026:

  • Ordinance 2107 (Brush Mountain Property): Town Manager Marc Verniel and Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer reported that the New River Land Trust plans to convey approximately 238 acres on Brush Mountain near Meadowbrook Drive to the Town. The Town will preserve the land through an open-space easement conveyed to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
  • CUP-25-3 (Dance Hall Use in DC-Downtown Commercial): Planning & Building Director Andrew Warren and Zoning Administrator Paul Patterson briefly reviewed the request; Council had no questions. Town Attorney Spencer noted staff had been waiting for required permits. Blacksburg Police Chief John Clair added that the permit can be regulated and updated as needed.

• Façade Improvement Grants Update: Business Solutions Manager Angie Marcolini presented the 2025 Downtown Façade Improvement Program awards, including before-and-after photos. The plan is to re-launch the program in the spring, allowing owners to make improvements over the summer.

• Farmers Market License Renewal: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer requested a five-year license agreement between the Town of Blacksburg and Friends of the Farmers Market, Inc., effective February 1, 2026. The proposed agreement includes permitted market activities and hours, a $10 annual fee, one-year notice for termination (with immediate suspension for health or safety concerns), and requires Town approval for assignments or modifications.

• Capital Improvement Program Discussion: The Town Manager summarized the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program, noting rising costs, strong revenue growth, and conservative financial projections. The five-year plan includes approximately $78 million in General Fund projects focused on parks and trails, downtown improvements, pedestrian and bicycle safety, Public Works renovations, and public safety investments.

Key Outcomes

• Council agreed to the SEEDS relocation to the Bennett House (no formal vote taken, consensus noted).
• For the public hearings, no decisions were made; they were reviewed in advance of the January 13, 2026 meeting.
• The Façade Improvement Grants update was informational; the program will relaunch in spring 2026.
• The Farmers Market license renewal request was presented; no vote was taken, but staff will proceed with the proposed agreement.
• The Capital Improvement Program discussion was informational; further deliberation will occur.
• Closed Meeting: Councilmember Anderson moved to adjourn to a Closed Meeting under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) to discuss candidates for two Town Council vacancies. The closed meeting was held.
• Resolution 1-A-26: After reconvening, Councilmember Anderson moved to adopt the resolution certifying the propriety of the closed meeting. Councilmember Ford seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote: Anderson, Campbell, Colliver, Ford, and Sutphin voted yes; none opposed; none absent.