City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. October 13 , 201 4 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 6 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2014-2015 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 Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall, Mr. Robert Nicholson and Mr. David Michael Turk. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Developer Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Rev. John McClandlish. PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Special Use Permit – Scott & Angela Hill for 106 Sullivan Street SUMMARY: Scott and Angel Hill have requested a Special Use Permit to allow the construction of a duplex on their property at 106 Sullivan Street, and identified as tax parcel numbers 6-(1)-25&26. The property is zoned R-3 (residential) and requires a Special Use Permit to develop a duplex. The existing house on the property would be removed to accommodate the proposed new structure. A public hearing had been previously held on the project on September 8, 2014, however an error occurred in identifying the tax parcel numbers voiding the hearing. Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7: 01p.m. No Comment Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7: 01 p.m. Ms. Skelton informed Council that she did receive one comment from a property owner. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Paula Caldwell, Radford citizen, commented that she has tried to find Council minutes online regarding concerns of arousal spraying and chemical fields and is wonder if anyone has discussed this in Radford and if not, is there any interested in having this discussion. She shared she has been documenting tree die-off in Radford and would be willing to share the documents she has been collecting. She asked who she would talk to see if our water is being tested for aluminums and barium in our water system. She shared that there are big arguments about the trails across the sky and it blocking sunlight and she is very concerned and willing to show anyone who will listen. Mayor Brown shared that we have a couple of commissions that would be viable alternative that you can provide them with the issues. Mr. Ridpath stated that the City tests for everything that is required from the Virginia Health Department and if you go onto the City’s website under Water Department section the City’s water quality report is located there. Mrs. DeVilbiss shared that the minutes and code are on Municode and that the clerk will assist her in finding them online. Clerks note: Council recording didn’t begin until 8 minutes into meeting. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.08: $6,357 for Litter Grant SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2015. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, purchase of receptacles, as well as promote environmentally friendly activities. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place 1660.08 on its first reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to dispense with the second and final readings and approve Appropriations 1660.08, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.09: $5,800 for Veteran’s Recognition SUMMARY: This is the same A.O. approved by Council last year for the bronze plagues recognizing Radford's fallen heroes. The plagues were delivered a few weeks ago and the bill just received. Since the delivery and billing occurred in the FY 2015 budget year, a new appropriation is required by Council. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to place 1660.09 on its first reading, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to dispense with the second and final readings and approve Appropriations 1660.09, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution: Radford High School Foundation, Inc lease extension SUMMARY: The City of Radford has leased the property on George Street, adjacent to the Radford Recreation Center, to the Radford High School Foundation, Inc. since 2003. The agreement was established to help foster support, private donations and construction of a baseball field on the 5+ acre site. The lease was established in 2003 for a five year term and renewed in September, 2008 for another five year term, which has now expired. The foundation has requested an additional renewal term with the City through December 31, 2015, to continue its fund raising and project development. Mr. Marshall asked about the additional document that was presented tonight. Mrs. DeVilbiss responded that she added a P.O. Box to the address as requested by Mr. Williams. Mr. Brown asked about the fourth “whereas” within the resolution that addresses at the end of the term of the lease, all of the improvements made by the foundation to the premises, inures to the benefit of the city, at no expense to the City, that doesn’t imply that if we wanted to contribute to the improvement that we would be unable to. Mrs. DeVilbiss responded no sir. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution: Cross Country Trail lease agreement SUMMARY: Radford High School is proposing a trail that would be approximately two miles long to support Cross Country team training and events. The trail made of natural materials, would cross property at Belle Heth School, the Recreation Center and Wildwood Park. Thompson Litton has developed the design on the project. The project has been endorsed by the Recreation Commission, School Board and the Cross Country coaches. City Council endorsed the concept on August 11, 2014, subject to approval by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and development of a use agreement with the school system. The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has approval of the portion of the trail that crosses Wildwood Park. Mr. Graham, Asst. Superintendent shared they have spoken with their insurance and there is no liability with using the course on City property. They are waiting for the MOU and land disturbing permit to begin. He mentioned that Dr. Mogan who heads our cross country fundraising committee is here and they have agreed to work to raising funds for maintenance of the course. Mr. Ridpath added that we have checked on our insurance as well and there are no issues on our side. Mrs. DeVilbiss commented that we are agreeing to set forth the terms and the school board is going to have to work together and get the appropriate forms together. This is agreeing that we will share the use of the land. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Surplus Property List SUMMARY: The Public Works Department is coordinating an auction of the City’s surplus vehicles and equipment. The last auction was held in 2012 and was very successful. The surplus items have been evaluated based on their age, safety, and service to the department. The list includes trucks, sedans, trailers and a school bus. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion, to approve surplus list and auction of the vehicles, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENT: Mr. Ridpath mentioned that at the next meeting the Boards and Commissions have been invited to attend so we can provide them with expectation for the upcoming year. Mayor Brown asked Mrs. DeVilbiss if she was going to provide them with the expectations. Mrs. DeVilbiss responded that she was. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Mr. Nicholson briefly shared about VML meeting that was held in Roanoke last week. It was a very informative session and worthwhile going to, William Haul house of representative opened up the meeting with a good speech. The next day Loyal Cutlet gave a presentation on merging technologies and the challenges in future. Also took part in a session called changing infrastructure which looked into future, once the infrastructure is built you have to take care of it. Another session was tools for Mix Use and Mix Incomes and revitalization and adaptive reuse. At the end session, they introduced a new program that they may all find interesting and that is to encourage 7th grade level to start teaching them what it would be like to be Mayor for the day. It sounds very familiar to what we do here with Student in Government Day. The closing banquet had a singing group from Winston Salem, two ladies who dress in time-period clothing and their mission is to visit with Veterans and sing and story tell. Their presentation was very good and very well received and may want to consider inviting them to one of our events. Dr. Harshberger added that Roanoke did a great job at hosting this year’s VML conference and we should all be proud. Mayor Brown commented that they had all received an email requesting to move Halloween from Friday October 31st to Saturday November 1st. The person making the requests rational was that there is a big football game against Glenvar on Friday evening. He asked if there was any sentiment to change it to Saturday. Dr. Harshberger mentioned that a lot has already been planned for the day. Mayor Brown commented that the date falls when it falls and unless there is overwhelming sentiment to change it, then he would respond on behalf of the Council that they would not be changing the date. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30p.m., Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, City Clerk