City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. April 8 , 2013 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 19 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2012-2013 A workshop meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 6:00 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. Tim 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 Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Director Mrs. Patricia Cox, Finance Director Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police The news media was represented by Radford News Journal. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the FY 2014 Budget. No action was taken related to the above-mention item. 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 Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Director Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police Mrs. Patricia Cox, Finance Director The news media was represented by Radford News Journal. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin Jim Hanagar. MINUTES APPROVAL: On a motion by Mr. Nicholson, seconded by Dr. Harshberger that the minutes of March 20, 2013, March 25, 2013 and April 3, 2013 are approved as presented. With minor edits. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CONSENT AGENDA PROCLAMATIONS SUBJECT: Powertalk 21 Day - MADD SUMMARY: The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) organizations encourages the importance of parents in talking to their teens about the risks and dangers of alcohol. April 21st has been nationally recognized as “Power Talk 21 Day”, to raise awareness of the importance role that parents have in influencing America’s youth hand their decisions about drinking alcohol. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, to approve the proclamations as presented and authorize Mayor Brown to sign and Melissa A. Skelton to Attest, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: National Library Week SUMMARY: April 14th thru April 20th, 2013 is National Library Week. The week recognizes the significant contributions that libraries make in meeting the Communities’ economic needs, providing a place for education, opportunity and life-lone learning, as well as offering a host of community services for citizens of all ages. The Proclamation recognizes the event locally, as well as encourages our residents to visit the Radford Public Library. Toni Cox, Library Director, thanked the Council for all their support. Mr. Marshall read the Proclamation for the benefit of the audience and presented the proclamation to Toni Cox, Library Director. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, to approve the proclamations as presented and authorize Mayor Brown to sign and Melissa A. Skelton to Attest, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Week of the Young Child SUMMARY: April 14th thru April 20th, 2013 is nationally recognized as “Week of the Young Child”. The National Association for the Education of Young Children is working to improve early learning opportunities which are crucial to the growth and development of America’s young children. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, to approve the proclamations as presented and authorize Mayor Brown to sign and Melissa A. Skelton to Attest, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: F.Y. 2013-14 Budget SUMMARY: A public hearing was scheduled to consider comments from the public regarding the F.Y. 2013-14 Budget Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7:37 p.m. Preston Beamer asked Mr. Ridpath if we are currently getting any funds from Walmart since the Transit system is bringing them so many students. He shared that it’s his opinion that we should address them with that proposal since they are making so much money from the students. Mr. Ridpath responded that no private contributions are being provided. Mayor Brown shared that there’s not much we can do to make them. Mr. Ridpath shared that an additional revenue source that we are looking into is advertisement on the buses to help generate money. Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7:40 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. SUBJECT: Consider second reading of Ordinance 1647 – Catholic Diocese of Richmond – Pregnancy Resource Center SUMMARY: The Pregnancy Resource Center of the New River Valley has requested a Special Use Permit to operate a “clinic” at 1016 Fairfax Street. The property is owned by Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The site is zoned R-4, “multi-family residential” and requires approval of a special use permit. A joint public hearing was held on February 25, 2013 with the Planning Commission. First reading of Ordinance 1647 as approved on March 18, 2013. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to place Ordinance # 1647 on its second and final reading, seconded Dr. Harshberger VOTE: Mr. Cox Yes Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Marshall Yes Mr. Nicholson Yes Mayor Brown Yes CITIZENS COMMENTS: No Comments NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance 1648: FY 2014 Budget SUMMARY: This ordinance will approve the F.Y.13-14 annual budget for the City of Radford and Radford City School Board. As proposed, the total budget will be $65,155,581. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place Ordinance 1648 on its first reading, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: Mr. Cox Yes Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Marshall Yes Mr. Nicholson Yes Mayor Brown Yes SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1634.27: $34,638, Water Treatment Plant Screen repair. SUMMARY: The water treatment process begins with water drawn from the New River at the “intake” located at the Water Treatment Plant. The intake is constructed with a system called a “traveling screen” that initially filters large particles and debris from the water entering the plant for processing. This year’s high water and the recent flooding of the New River has damaged the screen warranting immediate repair. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1634.27: $34,638 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 SUBJECT: Consider membership in the New River Valley Benefits Consortium. SUMMARY: The City of Radford has been a member of the NRV Benefits Consortium since 1999. The Consortium recently reviewed proposals for health insurance; as a result, Radford’s rates as an individual member were substantially better than the Consortium rate proposals. Montgomery County, Pulaski County and Pulaski Schools have withdrawn membership effective July 1, 2013. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to withdraw from the consortium, Mr. Cox seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS: Reminded everyone that this is Environmental Awareness month and to look at the website, we have a lot going on. Mr. Cox asked about the recycling bin which has been moved from behind the High School. Mr. Ridpath responded that it wasn’t being used as we had hoped and we moved it to the parking lot at the old Police Station Mayor Brown asked David to share about the upcoming Native American Heritage Festival Mr. Ridpath responded that the Festival is this Saturday from 11-5. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger encouraged everyone to go to the Native American Heritage Day. Mayor Brown asked Mr. Ridpath to clarify on a picture that was in the paper of the Second Avenue project and it was his understanding that the electric poles would be moved back. Mr. Ridpath responded that the light poles would be moved back slightly and spread out more. Mayor Brown stated that he would like to see a public hearing scheduled to dedicate the bridge honoring John Ripley at University Drive Bridge. There is Veterans initiative and recently dedicated April 2 as John Ripley Day and the next phase is honoring his memory by dedicating the bridge and we want to do that publically and we have a naming policy that we have to follow and believe the community would be interested do so. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm, 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