City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. December 9 , 2013 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 8 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. Timothy Cox, Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Keith Marshall, and Mr. Robert Nicholson III. Others present were as follows: Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mr. Donald Goodman, Police Chief Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Developer The news media was represented by Radford News Journal. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin James Henegar. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Marshall, that the minutes of November 25, 2013 are approved with corrections. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Girls Cross Country SUMMARY: The Radford High School Girl’s Cross Country Team had a very successful 2013 season winning the VHSL championship, the fist state win for the girl’s team in the history of Radford High School. The Proclamation recognizes the successes of the Bobcat Girls Cross Country Team by proclaiming the month of December 2013 as “Radford Bobcat Girl’s Cross Country Month”. Mr. Cox read the proclamation for the benefit of the audience. ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Bill Willis SUMMARY: Bill Willis has served the City of Radford and the Radford Electric Department since 1967. Under his leadership, the system has received major upgrades, the introduction of fiber communication, SCADA management technology and the relicensing of the hydro at Little River to become the efficient and reliable system it is today. The Resolution recognizes Bill’s 46 years of service to the City of Radford and his retirement at the end of December. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, seconded by Mr. Marshall. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Westside Crossing SUMMARY: The Westside Crossing development located at the intersection of Lawrence Street and Second Avenue received utility upgrades and relocations in an area of an old subdivision plat called “Yingling Heights”. The City Attorney has been working with the developer to clean up the legal aspects of the project, in accordance with the approved site plan. The resolution has been developed to accept the “Dedication of a Public Sanitary Sewer Easement”, as well as vacate all of the former easements and right-of-ways associated with the old subdivision. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 REPORTS SUBJECT: Tourism SUMMARY: The Radford Tourism Commission and our Tourism Director, Deb Cooney, will present Council with an overview of the “Tourism Strategic Plan” for the City of Radford . The presentation included the marketing analysis, tourism strengths/assets and proposed objectives to be accomplished by the Commission over the next several years. SUBJECT: State Storm Water program and City Ordinance Development, James Hurt, City Engineer SUMMARY: The Virginia Water Control Board has adopted stormwater management regulation, as a result of General Assembly Action to improve the quality of stormwater runoff under the Virginia Stormwater Management Act. All Virginia localities are required to adopt or update local Ordinances and fees to reflect the State plan by April 2014. The Ordinances must regulate land development activities, prevent water pollution, and stream channel erosion. The program will be overseen by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The City will also be required to file for a permit as a stormwater system operator by February 2014. CITIZENS COMMENTS: None NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.20: $59,670 for Asset Forfeiture Funds SUMMARY: The City Police Department has received additional funds from the State (Attorney General’s Office) related to “Asset Forfeiture”. The funds must be used for specific purposes related to communications and investigations. The Appropriation would support the purchase of an automated archiving system, four touch-screen monitors for communications and lighting improvements for investigations. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cox, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.20 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cox, 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 scheduling a public hearing regarding roll over encumbrances from FY13 to FY 14 for the January 13, 2014 meeting. SUMMARY: Each year an Appropriation Ordinance is required to “carry over” funds related to expenditures from the previous year. The funds ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to schedule a public hearing for January 13, 2014. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Hurt advised City Council and members of the audience that Santa is going to arrive during the parade on Saturday. Mr. Cox took a moment and recognized Chris and Heather Bell, as they were nominated as male and female business owners of the year. Mayor Brown shared that tonight’s meeting is the last one of the calendar year and he wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:52, seconded by Mr. Cox. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _________________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk of Council