City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. July 2, 2012 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 1 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2012-2013 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA. The Mayor of the City, Dr. Bruce Brown, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Mr. Keith Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Richard Harshberger and Mr. Robert Nicholson III. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy City Clerk Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Developer Mrs. Patricia Cox, Finance Director Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Endorsement of Local Declaration of Emergency SUMMARY: This proclaims that the City Council of Radford City consents to the declaration of emergency by the Director of Emergency Management and the emergency now exists throughout the City of Radford, due to severe weather, conditions of extreme peril to life and property necessitates the proclamation of the existence of an emergency. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to approve the Local Declaration of Emergency, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson asked if we had to be specific with the date. Mr. Ridpath responded that we followed VDEM requirements. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION SUBJECT: F.Y. 2013 City Rates/Fees SUMMARY: This resolution sets the fees relating to services reflected in the F.Y. Budget relating to utilities, building permits, recreation, library and miscellaneous fees. Mayor Brown stated that he believes that the fees for the Dog Park should be taken under advisement and that this is a work in progress and can make adjustments as we go. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the resolution with exception of dog park be taken under advisement and authorize the Mayor to sign and Ms. Skelton to attest, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: Mr. Marshall Yes Mr. Cox Yes  Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Nicholson, Yes Mayor Brown Yes OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1628.31: $11,136.50 for Wireless Authority SUMMARY: This Appropriation Ordinance accounts for the revenue and the expense to the Authority. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cox, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1628.31: $11,136.50 on its second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None - 0 ABSTAIN: Mr. Marshall Councilman Marshall abstains due to conflict of interest. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1634.01: $225,136 VRS SUMMARY: This appropriation amends the F.Y. 2013 City Budget to account for salary line items to increase $526,451 and the benefits adjustments resulting in a decrease of $300,833, to reflect the impact of the VRS Resolution approved June 11, 2012. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1634.01: $225,136 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to dispense with the second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Vice-Mayor Mayor Brown shared that he would like for Council, in the future, to look at different ways in determining the Vice Mayor position. Mr. Nicholson stated that he has served on council for a number of years and knows that the previous City Council would appointment the Vice Mayor position to whoever was the top vote getter. He shared that he feels comfortable serving as Council member and not as Vice Mayor and believes Dr. Harshberger does a great job as Vice Mayor. He believes that we should see what other communities are doing and have different guidelines for 2014. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson nominated Dr. Harshberger for the position of Vice-Mayor for the next two years, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: Mr. Marshall Dr. Harshberger thanked them for the appointment and would be happy to serve on a group to find different scenerios for the 2014 Council to consider. He shared that I’m not looking for self grandizing and believes it’s a tool to futher help the city. SUBJECT: Appointment of City Clerk of Council Mr. Ridpath asked Council to switch his and Melissa Skelton position for clerk. Mayor Brown responded that he thinks it’s very appropriate for us to switch. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to appoint Melissa A. Skelton as City Clerk for Fiscal Year 2012-2014. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment of Deputy City Clerk of Council ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to appoint David Ridpath as Deputy City Clerk for Fiscal Year 2012-2014. Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment of City Attorney ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to appoint Gail Cook-Devilbiss as City Attorney for Fiscal Year 2012-2014. Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: City Council had a number of openings on Boards and Commissions to fill. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to reappoint RL Nicholson and Mary Ann Semones to the Agency on Aging. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint Lynn Cunningham and Edith Carter to the Radford Beautification and Forestry Commission. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Rev. John McClandish to New River Community Action Board. Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Bruce Chase and Richie Davis to Radford IDA, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint Tracy Howard to the Radford Planning Commission. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Doyle Barton to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to reappoint Greg Ridpath and Mandy Martin, and to newly appoint Kenneth Cox to the Radford Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. Mayor Brown suggested that Peggy Phillips be appointed as an ex-officio to the commission. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to reappoint Annyce Levy and newly appoint Alaa Ragab as the Teen Representative to the Library Board. Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Lee Carter-Smith to the NRV Alcohol Safety Program, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Lawrence Rice and Doyle Barton to the Pepper’s Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint Mr. Asbury and newly appoint Jack Brockway as the alternate to the New River Resource Authority, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint Lee Simpkins to the Western VA EMS Council, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to reappoint Emily Alderman, Nelda Pearson, Scott Gardner, Martin Riding, Susan Lockwood, Karen Shaver and Linda Bernick to the Tourism Commission, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint David Ridpath, Rob Gropman, Deb Cooney and Becky Haupt to the Highlander Festival Committee, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to reappoint Gary Young and Larry Humphrey to the NRV Regional Jail Board, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to reappoint Tim Logwood to the Blue Ridge Power Agency, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to reappoint Dennis Overdorf to the NRV Economic Alliance, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to newly appoint Greg Hedge to the NRV Criminal Justice Board, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to reappoint Renie Price and Rob Gropman to the City/University Joint Advisory Commission on Public Affairs, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Council members chose to be on the following Boards and Commissions. Current Council Boards and Commission APPOINTED New River Community Services Board Mr. Nicholson NRV Planning District Commission Mr. Cox Radford Planning Commission Mr. Nicholson Recreation Commission Mr. Marshall Social Services Board of Directors Mr. Nicholson Fire Dept Board of Trustees Mr. Marshall New River Development Corp Mr. Nicholson Fairview District Home Board Dr. Harshberger New River Valley Economic Development Mayor Brown VA First Regional Industrial Development Mr. Cox Chief Elected Official Board Mayor Brown City/Univ Joint Advisory Commission Dr. Harshberger Radford Bridges Dr. Harshberger Chamber of Commerce Mr. Cox Radford Heritage Foundation Dr. Harshberger Highlander Festival Commission Mr. Marshall Tourism Commission Dr. Harshberger Community Policy and Management Team Mr. Cox MPO Mayor Brown PDC Floating elected official Mr. Nicholson ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to approve appointments to Boards and Commissions. Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Council Calendar for F.Y. 2012-2013 SUMMARY: Council considered the following calendar REGULAR RADFORD CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 2012-2013 July 2, 2012 July 23, 2012 August 13, 2012 August 27, 2012 September 10, 2012 October 8, 2012 October 22, 2012 November 26, 2012 December 10, 2012 January 14, 2013 January 28, 2013 February 11, 2013 February 25, 2013 March 11, 2013 March 25, 2013 April 8, 2013 April 22, 2013 May 13, 2013 June 10, 2013 June 24, 2013 All meetings are scheduled at 7:00 P.M. to be held in the Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, Virginia 24141. Infrequently, Radford City Council holds an early meeting prior to the regularly scheduled meeting time in which case the time and subject of the meeting will be announced in the agenda for the meeting. Notification will be provided for all special or emergency meetings prior to the meetings. ACTION: Mr. Marhshall made a motion that Council to adopt the calendar with changes Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENT: No Comment COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Mr. Nicholson shared that there are not enough words that can be expressed towards the workers who all responded this past weekend storm; no one expected the storm to be so severe. In addition to that it was very moving to observe neighbors helping neighbors clean up each other’s yards. Mr. Marshall added that for someone who works for a utility company, he is able to brag about how well Radford responded. I know when working long hours people tend to let safety go and is very happy to hear no one got hurt and very impressed by our response. Dr. Harshberger shared that someone asked him how the City was able to get all the electric back up so quickly and he responded that we have our own team who worked together to help restore power. Mayor Brown shared that it was a privilege to represent council at a staff meeting that was held Saturday and what struck him the most was how functional this team was. He stated that Police Officers were using their own chain saws to clear streets, family members came in to help, Officer Crowder came down with his baby and Det. Caldwell came in to answer phones. He shared that council made a recommendation to authorize a paid day leave recognizing the work they all did. Mayor Brown took a moment to ask everyone to keep Gail DeVilbiss and family in their prayers for the passing of their mother, along with Dr. Minnie Dean’s friends and family, also passed away. These were two people who deeply care about Radford. Mr. Ridpath thanked Council for all their support and if they hear anything how we could have handled this past weekend differently, to please let him know. I put our folks up with any major City. There was no divisional line within departments and they all worked together, this says a lot for our community. Mr. Cox made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:10p.m., Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, City Clerk