Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - August 31, 2026

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on August 31, 2026 per the provided timestamp; the agenda and minutes instead list the date as September 1, 2026. The agenda lists the location as Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street, while the minutes indicate the Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St. The session covered community branding, ARPA-funded program updates, potential town code amendments, meeting recording, and a closed meeting on real property acquisition.

Community Branding Update

• Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates presented Blacksburg's new brand system, including updated colors, typography, graphics, and a new brand mark. Brand resources and materials have been developed for the Town and partner organizations. Implementation will begin with digital materials and expand over time to signage, banners, and wayfinding.

ARPA Updates

Strengthening Blacksburg's Childcare Workforce

• Jessica Wirgau of the Community Foundation provided an update on the ARPA childcare project, which has provided significant support to local childcare centers through staffing, professional development, and recruitment initiatives. Enrollment and staffing have improved, but ongoing needs include infant care, affordability, and experienced teachers. The Community Foundation plans to continue supporting childcare through scholarships, training, and provider assistance after ARPA funding ends.

Food Security Network

• Laina Schnieder of Live, Work, Eat, Grow (LWEG) explained that the Food Security Network used approximately $87,000 in ARPA funding to strengthen collaboration among local food assistance organizations and expand services. More than 5,000 people were served, with programs reporting increased food access, SNAP participation, and operational savings. The network will continue its work through the Thrive Network, with plans to strengthen volunteer support, data collection, and long-term food security efforts.

Potential Town Code Amendments

• Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer proposed changes to the homestay ordinance for short-term rentals, including moving the regulations into the zoning ordinance and changing violations from criminal to civil penalties. Council discussed ways to strengthen enforcement of unregistered rentals, including defining violations by day or rental stay, but noted challenges in obtaining information from rental platforms.
• Spencer also proposed modernizing the meals tax ordinance to address current food service practices, clarify taxable prepared foods, and align exemptions with state law. Council supported exploring additional monthly penalties for late-remitted meals taxes to encourage timely payment while allowing flexibility for hardship cases.
• Spencer proposed an update to the Town Charter due to the recent corporate boundaries amendment last fall. The process requires a public hearing and action by the General Assembly.
• Spencer proposed a state code change to exempt certain temporary event licenses from unnecessary criminal background checks for municipal staff. Staff will work with state representatives and the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) to pursue the amendment.

Meeting Recording Discussion

• The Council discussed recording work sessions and posting them within 24 hours as a more feasible alternative to live streaming. Concerns included the impact on candid discussion and the potential for comments to be taken out of context. There was general support for maintaining the informal, in-person format of work sessions, while understanding that recording would be ideal for citizens who cannot attend in person. Staff will gather further information regarding recording sessions.

Closed Meeting and Resolution 9-A-26

• At 12:48 p.m., Council unanimously voted to adjourn to a Closed Meeting under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) for discussion of the potential acquisition of real property in central Blacksburg for a public purpose. The roll call vote was yes: Anderson, Campbell, Colliver, Ford, Goodhart, Kassoff, and Sutphin; none opposed; none absent.
• Council reconvened in Open Meeting at 1:18 p.m. Vice Mayor Anderson moved to adopt Resolution 9-A-26, certifying the propriety of the Closed Meeting; Councilmember Ford seconded. The roll call vote was yes: Anderson, Campbell, Ford, Goodhart, Kassoff, and Sutphin; none opposed; Councilmember Colliver was absent after leaving during the closed meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Received the community branding update; implementation will begin with digital materials and later expand to signage, banners, and wayfinding.
• Received ARPA progress updates for childcare workforce and food security; both programs will continue through other funding or organizational structures.
• Discussed potential code amendments for homestay regulations, meals tax modernization, Town Charter update, and a state code change on temporary event license background checks; staff will continue work on these items.
• Discussed recording work sessions without live streaming; staff will gather additional information.
• Voted unanimously to enter a closed meeting and, with Councilmember Colliver absent, unanimously adopted Resolution 9-A-26 certifying the closed meeting.