City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. January 27 , 201 4 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 10 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: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mr. Donald Goodman, Police Chief Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Developer Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer 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. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Cox, that the minutes of January 13, 2014 are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Radford Transit SUMMARY: The 2010 Census resulted in the City of Radford being designated as an “urban” area by the Federal Government. This new designation required the City to become part of the “metropolitan statistical area” comprised of Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County in 2013. The designation has changed the way Radford receives funds for public transportation. Since 2011, funding for the planning, operation and capital needs to support Radford Transit have been provided by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). The new “urban” designation will require funding to come from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and all related planning be coordinated through the local MPO. A resolution is required by the FTA that recognizes the new allocation of funding and formally registers the City as a direct recipient of federal transit funds. FTA also requires an “Opinion of Counsel” which authorizes the City to apply for federal funding and that the City has no legal impediments to receive funds. Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss added that this funding is tied to money that has already been approved and not a new cycle of monies. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger, to approve the resolution and authorize Mayor Brown to sign and Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk to attest. Mr. Marshall thanked Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss for clarifying the resolution and wanted to take a moment to express his concerns. He shared that the original plan was approved by a previous Council, at a cost of about $ 85,000 to the City. In the last three years it has grown to about $126,000 and with having to join MPO, I’m worried about it s sustainability and the cost continuing to rise. He also commented that another concern he has is with the number of ridership in relation to the funding and would like to see Radford University contribute more since they are 80% of ridership. He is worried about that the current system and believes we need to take a hard look at the current routes and are there ways we can cut down the cost. VOTE: Mr. Cox Yes Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Marshall Yes Mr. Nicholson Yes Mayor Brown Yes ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger, to endorse the Opinion of Council. VOTE: Mr. Cox Yes Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Marshall Yes Mr. Nicholson Yes Mayor Brown Yes REPORT: Radford Transit Bus Shelter – James Hurt, City Engineer Jim Hurt, City Engineer and transit liaison, reported on the status of the project and the location of additional shelters throughout the City. He shared that the Department of Rail and Public Transportation had approved capital funding for twenty-one shelters for the bus stops related to Radford Transit operations. The first shelter has been ordered for the Jeffries Drive stop and will be installed in March. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Riverview Park Boat Ramp – Authorization for City Manager to sign agreement. SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a $50,000 grant from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to improve the boat ramp facilities at Riverview Park. The grant will be used for planning and design, grading, lighting, ramp construction and paving. Approval of the agreement between the City of Radford and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is necessary. Mr. Marshall asked if the improvements that the Recreation Department made can be used as in- kind. Mr. Ridpath responded that it can be used as in-kind. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to authorize the City Manager to sign Agreement between Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the City of Radford. Mr. Nicholson commented that the boat landing will have to open 24/7 and is adjacent to a residential neighborhood, granted the ball fields have lights but mainly all our parks close at night and feels we need to be aware of the possible increased activity at boat launch. Mr. Ridpath shared that the biggest challenge is to accommodate the required 10 boat trailers along with ball field parking. Mr. Edwards added that when the initial application was submitted, the neighborhood had a picnic and were all aware of the improvements and are in favor of them. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.24: $50,000 for Riverview Park Ramp Improvements Grant SUMMARY: This appropriation will be used for the planning and design, grading, lighting, ramp construction and paving at Riverview Park ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.24 on its first reading. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, 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, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITIZENS COMMENTS: No Comment NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1648.25: $8,119.08 – Commonwealth Attorney SUMMARY: The Commonwealths Attorney’s office has money in “Asset Forfeiture” funds from the State Attorney General. The funds will be used for training of personnel, security improvements, computer equipment and office equipment. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.25 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 Appropriation Ordinance 1648.26: $17, 901 for Postal meter SUMMARY: The postal meter located in the Treasurer’s office is in need of replacement. The current meter processes and average of 4,726 items of mail each month and many of the replacement parts are no longer available for repairs. Approval would allow Treasurer to sign contract ACTION: Mr. Cox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to place Appropriation Ordinance 1648.26 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. Nicholson, 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 closing Depot Street Parking Lot for Steam Train excursion SUMMARY: The Radford Visitor’s Center has requested that the “Depot Lot” located at East Main Street be closed to accommodate public use for a special event planned on April 5, 2014. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum plans to bring 750 passengers to Radford from Bristol aboard a vintage steam locomotive. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger, to close the Depot Lot on April 5, 2014 for the Steam Train Excursion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Mayor Brown asked Mr. Ridpath if the lot would need to be closed the day before or day of? Mr. Ridpath responded that notification of the closing would be done 24 hours ahead of time so people would know that it will be closed. What will be different than last year is the students will be here, so we will have a lot more traffic to deal with. Mr. Cox mentioned that last year Mr. Nicholson, his father and Marceline Hunter were proactive and got on the train in Abington and passed out local information to the passengers and asked if we are doing that again this year. Mrs. Deb Cooney, Tourism Director responded that they would be doing that this year as well. Mr. Nicholson added that the three of them covered each one of the cars, handing out information, answering questions about Radford and where to pick up the buses, and believes it was very effective. I think that by getting information out the folks who came into Radford, had a good feel of what was going on and where to go. Mr. Cox complimented Tourism for their efforts and for being proactive, it was very well received. Mr. Nicholson added that those we were detraining had talked to each one of us and was so appreciative of the packets of information. SUBJECT: Consider scheduling a joint public hearing to receive comments regarding Radford Church of God in Christ Special Use Permit SUMMARY: The Radford Church of God in Christ is planning significant renovations and improvements to its sanctuary and educational facility located at 206 Russell Avenue. The property is Zoned R-3 (residential) and requires a Special Use Permit to accommodate the modifications to the site. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to schedule a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission for February 24, 2014. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cox, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENT Mr. Ridpath stated that he never thought he would like see snow over this cold weather we’ve had. There have been 8 main water line breaks and 50 residential meters freezing. We are expecting another couple of cold nights and the biggest things are the street system, and having to repair all the potholes. He also shared some good news and that Radford is considered to be the 7th safest City by Farmers Insurance, and thanks to our all our safety officer for helping to make it so. The Recreation Department is really busy, they have 20 basketball teams signed up for a tournament this weekend, and next weekend will be the first volleyball tournament and have another one at the end of March. The Dudley’s landing project has about 2 weeks’ worth of work but just waiting on the weather to be cooperative. The New River Complex is still making progress and hoping we will have good weather to lay sod in the next couple weeks and hopefully it will be ready for spring play. The Second Avenue project is behind schedule and the substantial completion is expected to be November 27th. Fielder’s choice has assigned a new project manager Randy Collins. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Brown shared that Thursday evening is the kickoff meeting for Radford’s Relay for Life. If you’re interested in forming a team the meeting begins at 6:30 and will be held at the Recreation Department. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54, 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