City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. January 12, 2015 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 10 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2014-2015 A work session 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 Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall, and Mr. Robert Nicholson III 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 Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police Mrs. Patricia Cox, Finance Director Ms. Chelista Linkous, Asst. Finance Director Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer Mr. Parker Mabe, Mrs. Janet Jones, Treasurer The following items were discussed during the workshop meeting:  Audit 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. 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, City Attorney Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin James Hanager. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Nicholson, seconded by Dr. Harshberger, that the minutes for November 10, 2014 are approved with corrections. Dr. Harshberger requested to be added as being present. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Marshall, that the minutes for December 8, 2014 are approved with corrections. Dr. Harshberger requested to be added as being present. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW PERSONNEL Police Department- Chief Goodman introduced the following: Mark Readnour, Police Officer Heather Ratcliffe, Communication Dispatch James Tuttle, Police Officer Pedro Salamanca, Police Officer Dustin Hammer, Police Officer Austin Cox, Police Officer Water Department – Mr. Ridpath introduced Ethan Walker, Line Techician Finance Department – Patricia Cox introduced Parker Mabe, Accounting Clerk Fire Department – Rodney Haywood introduced Randy Armbrister, Fire Engineer Electric Department – Mr. Ridpath introduced Nick Lawson, Line Technician Treasurer’s Office – Janet Jones introduced Shannon Linkous, Cashier PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Radford High School Girls Cross Country Team SUMMARY: The Radford High School Girls’ Cross Country Team had a very successful 2014 season, winning the State VHSL Championship in the class 1A division. Several team members also took top honors. The Proclamation recognizes the success of the Bobcat Girls’ Cross Country Team by proclaiming the month of January, 2015 as “Radford Bobcat Girls’ Cross Country Month”. Mr. Turk read the resolution for the benefit of the audience. CITY OF RADFORD PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the 2014 Radford High School Girls’ Varsity Cross Country Team was made up of: Mary Elliott Elliot Van Noy Laura Puckett Carly Porter Cameron Schafer Morgan Bishop Emily Jenkins Sarah Showalter Amelia Shaffer Head Coach: Mr. Michael Carrow Assistant Coach: Brian Dye WHEREAS, the RHS Cross Country Team showed endurance and perseverance while competing in several meets throughout the cross country season, including a first place finishes at the Blue Ridge Invitational and Walkers Run Invitational, a second place finish at the Maroon Invitational, a third place finish at the Blue Demon Invitational and a fourth place finish at the Metro Invitational; and WHEREAS, the team was victorious at the Conference 45 Championship, beating the runner-up by 33 points, with Mary Elliott and Elliot VanNoy, placing first and second at the meet. With Mary Elliott, Elliot VanNoy, Laura Puckett, Morgan Bishop, Carly Porter, and Cameron Schafer, earning All-Conference honors; and  WHEREAS, the team also won the Region 1A West Championship, by a landslide beating the second place team by 64 points and placing six runners in the top fifteen. With Mary Elliott, Elliot VanNoy, Laura Puckett Carly Porter, Cameron Schafer, and Emily Jenkins earning All-Regions Honors; and WHEREAS, Radford competed in the VHSL Class 1A State Championships at Great Meadows in The Plains, Virginia, finishing in first place and taking the Class 1A Championship. With Mary Elliott, Elliot VanNoy, and Laura Puckett earning All-State honors; and WHEREAS, the Bobcat Girls’ Cross Country Team earned Radford High School’s second consecutive Girls’ State Cross Country Title. NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor and Council of the City of Radford do hereby proclaim the month of January 2015 to be Radford Bobcat Girls’ Cross Country Month _________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Adopted: January 12, 2015. ACTION: Mr. Turk made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Constitutional Officer’s Week Dr. Harshberger read the Resolution for the benefit of the audience. City of Radford Resolution CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER WEEK WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 1, of the Virginia Constitution provides for the direct election of local officials charged with the critically important duties of maintenance of public records, operation of the circuit courts, prosecution of criminals, protection of public safety, and the administration and collection of local revenues; and WHEREAS, the City of Radford’s Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff and Treasurer continue a tradition of local administration of government functions that predates the American Revolution; and WHEREAS, these Constitutional Officers, their deputies and employees who serve in their offices provide the people of Radford with a direct link to their government at the local level, unfiltered by bureaucracy and responsive to citizen’s needs; and WHEREAS, the Constitutional Officers embody Thomas Jefferson’s ideal form of representative democracy which provides for direct accountability to the people by virtue of the people’s right to vote for their Constitutional Officers; and WHEREAS, the Constitutional Officers in Radford are setting new standards of customer service, innovative service delivery, and responsiveness that fellow officers and other public servants in the Commonwealth would do well to emulate. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Radford City Council, that the week of January 18-January 24, 2015 be designated as Constitutional Officer Week in Radford to coincide with the Commonwealth’s designation of Constitutional Officer Week in Virginia. _________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Adopted: January 12, 2015. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Electronic Summons SUMMARY: The Code of Virginia, Section 17.1-279.1 permits localities to adopt provisions to improve electronic summons and assess a fee not to exceed $5.00 for criminal and traffic related court cases. The Commonwealth Attorney, City Attorney and Police Department have reviewed the merits of an Ordinance that would efficiency, reduce paperwork and decrease “radio” traffic. A public hearing is required. Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7:25 p.m. No Comment Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7:25 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. OLD BUSINESS None CITIZEN COMMENTS: Rebecca Barker, Radford resident, shared her concerns about two properties adjacent to hers, it appears one property has ongoing business activities along with commercial vehicles in the yard, poor property maintenance and cutting wood late at night. She would also like to have the police keep an eye on the building on the opposite corner. Issues there relate to overall property conditions and doors being found open. The property has been vacant for a while and questions whether the code can be enforced for the property is run down. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.13: $13,471 for Police Department State Asset Forfeiture Funds. SUMMARY: The Police Department received Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds in the amount of $13,471. The Funds will be used to supplement the F. Y. 2015 departmental budget for police supplies and training. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to place 1660.13 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. Marshall made a motion to dispense with the second and final readings and approve Appropriations 1660.13, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.14: $21,500 for renovations to Judge’s chambers. SUMMARY: Significant renovations were required to the Circuit Court Judge’s office to improve efficiency, meet technology requirements, upgrade the duct-work related to the heating and air-conditioning system, as well as improve overall aesthetics. Funds are available in the “Courthouse Maintenance Fund” account, which is held in reserves. ACTION: Mr. Turk made a motion to place 1660.14 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 1660.14, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance #1668 – Electronic Summons SUMMARY: This Ordinance permits Radford to adopt provisions to improve electronic summons and assess a fee not to exceed $5.00 for criminal and traffic related court cases as stated in The Code of Virginia, Section 17.1-279.1. The Commonwealth Attorney, City Attorney and Police Department have reviewed the merits of an Ordinance that would efficiency, reduce paperwork and decrease “radio” traffic. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place Ordinance #1668 on its first reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Schedule a public hearing to receive comments regarding the transfer of City property for the January 26, 2015 meeting. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, to schedule a public hearing regarding the transfer of City property to the IDA, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENT: No Comments COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Mayor Brown reinforced how thankful they are that the students from Mr. Pridgen and Mrs. Argabrite come to the meetings. Please don’t come just because you are made to, we need to listen to them so we know what it will take to bring them back to our community after college. He reminded the audience that one of Council’s initiatives was to pursue was having Rocking R’s on High Schools and Middle School, I know the School Board looked into it and the cost was very high. But he suggested that all we had to do was go to 4th street to see how it could be done cost effectively. He shared that over the holiday’s Mr. Nicholson had made a display, showing his bobcat pride, of the Rocking R on his home with Christmas lights. Mayor Brown shared that he relocated to Radford in 1993 and his daughter benefited greatly from the school system and am personally proud of being part of Bobcat nation, Hokie Nation and Highlander Nation. Our schools teach more subjects, they do more than coach athletic and academic teams, do more than direct plays, concert choir and conduct championship band performances, they through time and talents instill a sense pride that comes from the successes and joy during their time in Radford city schools, at our last council meeting we were honored to have two of the finest educators, Norm and JoAnn Lineberg here to be recognized. Joann’s May day events demonstrated to the community the passion and pride the teachers, administrators and citizens have in their schools and that should never be maligned or not be addressed when someone suggests that we inbreed. Tonight as we introduced the new employees, when you have talent that’s learned through the system there is nothing wrong with that. I had a whole lot more to say and to write but as Mayor, a parent and a citizen I welcome you all and the pride you instill through in the school system. And I see it extremely fitting as we recognize citizens I encourage you all to let us know who should be on the plaque that make Radford a community. Mr. Marshall added that he wants to let everyone know how much we appreciate all the hard work the School Board does. In many ways it’s a much harder job than what we have. I know how kids were raised in Radford because I was and we were taught to respect parent and administrator’s, doesn’t mean we always believe they were right but always showed respect. It was a shame to pick up your newspaper and see another news origination use their paper to disparage good people. We have a great City and don’t have to answer to anyone we do the best we can with what we have; bobcat pride runs deeper than where you were born. Mayor Brown informed the audience that Laurie Buchwald announced her candidacy for House of Delegates. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45p.m., Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, City Clerk