City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. September 23, 2013 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 5 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2013-2014 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, Mr. Keith Marshall, and Mr. Robert Nicholson III. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Input Coordinator Mr. Donald Goodman, Police Chief Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss Mr. Lawrence Rice, Dir. of Water Treatment Facility The news media was represented by Radford News Journal. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Rev. McCandlish. OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider First reading of Ordinance # 1655 – Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention SUMMARY: The Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention program protects the public water supply from contaminates entering the system from low water pressure or improper service connections. The program is mandated by the Virginia Health Department. The proposed Ordinance replaces the existing program and conforms to modern requirements and practices pertaining to administration, enforcement, penalties, customer responsibility, as well as maintenance and inspection. The city has had a program since 1996. A public hearing was held on September 9, 2013, no comments were received. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to place Ordinance 1655 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Second Reading of Ordinance # 1656 – Reimbursement for expenses incurred from methamphetamine lab clean-up SUMMARY: Legislation was approved in the 2012 legislative session of the General Assembly enabling localities to seek reimbursement for the cost and expense related to methamphetamine lab cleanup, following conviction. Expenses eligible for recovery, cost associated with clean-up, removal or repair of the affected property and the replacement of personal protective equipment. A public hearing and first reading of the Ordinance was held on September 9, 2013. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to place Ordinance # 1656 on its second and final reading, seconded by Mr. Marshall. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITIZENS COMMENTS: Mr. David Knight, Radford citizen, thanked those who were responsible for the increased water pressure on 7th street, “we are really happy with it”. He also asked if City Council would consider acting upon Ordinance 1654- Guns and Weapons. Rob Gropman, Radford resident, shared an idea about having a sign or phrase be placed near or on the water tank that is visible from northbound Interstate 81. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.11: $20,171 for Public Works to purchase equipment. SUMMARY: The Public Works Department has requested funds to purchase chainsaws, blowers, two trailers to move equipment, along with training support for employee education. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.11 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, 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. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.12: $20,720 for Fire Department to replace bay door SUMMARY: The Fire Department has a request to replace the bay doors on the fire station located at 1500 Wadsworth Street. The current doors are thirty-three years old and their condition and reliability is becoming an issue in getting trucks out of the station. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.12 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to dispense with the second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.13: $2,097 for VML Management Grant SUMMARY: The City has received a grant from the Virginia Municipal League for use in our “risk management” program. The funds will be used to improve the walkways at the Water Plant and purchase accessory equipment for the Vactor truck used to maintain sanitary sewer lines. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.13 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to dispense with the second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.14: $6,328 for Litter Prevention and Recycling Program SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2014. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, purchase of receptacles, as well as promote environmental activities. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.14 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to dispense with the second and final reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Memorandum of Understanding – Radford Heritage Foundation SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation has provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y 2014. Activities include operation of the Glencoe Museum, conducting historical and cultural related special events, as well as identifying and expanding educational activities. They have also included a provision to write a document reflecting veteran’s accounts/stories of their service to our Nation and Community. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to approve the MOU, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment to Boards and Commission – Tourism Commission SUMMARY: A representative is needed to fill a vacancy on the Tourism Commission. A staff representative from the Recreation Department is recommended to liaison sports activities and special events to the commission. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to appoint Greg Holbrook to represent the Recreation Department on the Tourism Commission, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath commented that the Voter Registrar had provided Council information about the voting machines and we may end up having to purchase them but is hopeful that there will be grants to offset the cost. He shared that the Auditors have started and will have it completed in about 3 weeks. Mr. Ridpath also reminded Council and the audience of Riverfest that is coming up this weekend . CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Mrs. DeVilbiss commented that with her unexpected absence at the last meeting, it may cause a little bit of chaos, in particular to Ordinance 1654. She stated that she had provided a lot of information, and should have provided an additional option, that was to repeal what is currently in the code because what we currently have is incorrect. She recommends that Ordinance 1654 be brought back before Council and they repeal the current code. Mayor Brown responded, if repealing the current code cleans it up, then we would consider bringing it back before Council. Mr. Ridpath stated that the Ordinance will be placed on their October 28, 2013 agenda; because we do not have a quorum for the October 14th meeting. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Nicholson asked if Council needed a formal motion to cancel the October 14th meeting. Mr. Ridpath responded that it’s not a bad idea to formally cancel the meeting. Mr. Nicholson made a motion to cancel the October 14th meeting, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Mr. Marshall shared the he enjoyed going to Riverview Park to watch his son play football. He thanked all the staff, including the Recreation Department, Public Works and Electric department, all who have helped to revamp that little league football field. Mayor Brown added that it goes without saying all of us were kids and you remember those things like going and playing football under the lights. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:42, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _________________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk of Council