City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. February 25, 2013 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 14 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2012-2013 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 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. Cox, Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Keith Marshall, and Mr. Robert Nicholson III. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Director Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, a moment of silence was led by Mayor Brown. MINUTES APPROVAL: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Cox that the minutes of February 11, 2013 were approved with corrections, both Rob Gropman and Linda Bernick names are misspelled. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Special Use Permit – Pregnancy Resource Center SUMMARY: The Pregnancy Resource Center of the New River Valley has requested a special use permit to operate a “medical clinic” at 1016 Fairfax Street. The property is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The site is zoned R-4, multi-family residential” and requires approval of a special use permit to operate a “clinic” in that district. Mr. Howard called the meeting of the Radford City Planning Commission to order. Vote: Mr. Gilmore - present Mr. Nicholson - present Mr. Shelor - present Mr. Turk - present Mr. Watson - present Mr. Howard - present Thomas Dubusk, Pregnancy Resource Center Board of Directors, Chair, shared they are a nonprofit clinic with limited medical services, that includes pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. All services are charged at no cost and no discrimination of services. Currently the Pregnancy Resource Center has a location in Blacksburg and they believe there is a need here in Radford. Overall in Virginia, 18 % of pregnancies end in abortion and in Montgomery County that percentage is 13%, but here in Radford, 31% of pregnancies end in abortion. Many times we are the first stop for someone who thinks they are pregnant and we are able to help them with how far along they are. He shared that he is also an attorney representing the Catholic Diocese. Dr. Harshberger asked what the staffing consists of. is there a medical doctor. Mr. Dubusk responded that there is an onsite trained nurse, but are under the supervision of a medical doctor. Mrs. DeVilbiss asked if they are a separate nonprofit entity from the church. Mr. Dubusk responded that we are not connected to church. Mrs. DeVilbiss asked if they are leasing from the church. Mr. Dubusk responded yes we would be a tenant of the Catholic Diocese. Mayor Brown asked if this would primarily be a counseling center, and you are not going to perform abortions. Mr. Dubusk responded that no, they do not do those procedures. Mayor Brown shared he was just addressing the 800lb elephant that was in the room, just so everyone knows that. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Betty Jones, Radford resident, shared that the University district holds a special place in her heart and asked Council to consider not allowing the request in this area. She shared this is a high stressed area and to add a business that will increase that causes her concern. There is no parking. The alley way that has access to this place, is already stressed out and rescue vehicles can’t even get through that alley. So, I urge you to think about adding something to a already stressed out area, when there are unfortunately a lot of vacant buildings in our business district. we are all for having new businesses to come in, but I asked you all to encourage new businesses to locate in an area that is already zoned for this and accommodate the extra traffic. Debbie Christian, Pregnancy Resource Center CEO, thanked Mrs. Jones for her concern, and to shared that this was certainly a concern for us as well and we don’t even want our clients for feel that their in a stressed out place. And think the location is ideal for what they do; the foot traffic is a plus for us. We have resolved some of the parking issues, as far as staff we are a small clinic with a small staff. We do offer pregnancy and parenting classes at the same time, our client load at any hour is at the most 3 clients. For staff and volunteer we have made arrangements with Wesleyan Church for them to park there and with the clients, we anticipate provided 3 spaces in that back lot for them. We feel we have tried to resolve some of those issued and tried to make it less stressful for that area. Karen Melendez, Director of Catholic Campus Ministries, shared that she has worked at this location, 1016 Fairfax Street, for the last 6 years in the daylight hours and never had an issue with the back alley being blocked. It is mostly foot traffic that goes back and forth which would be such an ideal location for the PRC to give for young ladies a choice to find out what is going on. Mayor Brown closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing was duly advertised. Mr. Gilmore moved that the Planning Commission meeting be adjourned; Mr. Turk seconded the motion. The meeting of the Radford City Planning Commission adjourned at 7:20 P.M. OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Receive recommendation from Planning Commission for Special Use Permit for International Church of the Four Square Gospel – New Horizon’s ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, to receive the Planning Commission’s recommendation relative to Ordinance 1644, seconded by Mr. Marshall. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1644 – International Church of the Four Square Gospel – New Horizon’s SUMMARY: New Horizon’s Church has requested a Special Use Permit to expand its church facilities at 1014 Tyler Avenue. The specific request is to construct additional parking spaces on a portion of property that is under option with Scott and Angie Hill, adjacent to the church. The 3.8 acre site is zoned R-1, “single family residential”, and requires a Special Use Permit for “church related activities”. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to approve Ordinance # 1644 and place it on its first reading, seconded Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: No comments NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1634.23: $22,895.20 – Emergency Medical Services SUMMARY: Emergency Medical Services is in need of some equipment upgrades. FCC regulations are requiring “narrow banding” on communication equipment making necessary the purchase of six pagers. Also, an eight year old heart monitor has become unreliable and needs replacing. The purchase of the equipment can be accommodated from the “Four-for-Life” fund. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1634.23: $22,895.20 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to dispense with the second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath thanked our Public Works crew for all their hard work on the parks; they are reopened as the result from the flooding, with the exception of Veterans Field and River View Park. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Brown informed the audience that this upcoming weekend is the annual Polar Plunge. Also, Relay for Life is coming up in early May and this year we are having separate relays from the City and University. We have challenged the churches, attorneys and businesses, currently we only have 9 teams signed up and would like to get more people involved. He also wanted to recognized the High School Scholastic Bowl team who traveled to William and Mary this past Saturday to compete in the State Competition and placed 3rd out of the State which says a lot about our schools and boys basketball won region championship and will be in Salem this weekend for the quarterfinals in the Sate single A basketball. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:31, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _________________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk of Council