City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. February 9 , 2015 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 12 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2014-2015 A work session meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 6:15 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 Mr. James Hurt, City Engineer The following items were discussed during the workshop meeting:  Summit Ridge Development “Right-of-Way” Vacation Summit Development, Co has requested that the City vacate 1.6 acres of public right-of-way adjacent to property they own on Tyler Avenue to accommodate future development of the site, as well as reduce complications associated with setbacks and site use. City Council discussed the vacation of the right-of-way along with a value that the right-of-way is worth. 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, City Attorney Mr. James Hurt, City Engineer Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin Jim Hanagar. RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Robert “Big Al” Hall Humanitarian Service-Above-Self Citizenship Award SUMMARY: The resolution recognizes Marceline Hunter and Robert “Nick” Nicholson for their overall service, dedication and contributions to our community. The Resolution reflects the ideals of the Robert Allen Hall Humanitarian Service Award established by City Council in 2011. Mayor Brown read the resolutions for the benefit of the audience. City of Radford Resolution Honoring Marceline Hunter Recipient of the Robert Allen Hall Humanitarian Service-Above Self Citizenship Award WHEREAS, the City of Radford wished to honor Robert Allen “Big Al” Hall by establishing a Humanitarian Service- Above- Self Citizenship Award in 2011, and WHEREAS, the establishment of this award recognizes unsung heroes that contribute to making the City of Radford a better place, and WHEREAS, a humanitarian is recognized as one who extends benevolence and kindness, by putting others before one’s self, and WHEREAS, Marceline Hunter made Radford her home raising her family in the City and became active in service organizations, business opportunities, and civic engagement, and WHEREAS, Marceline founded and managed a long time business in the City of Radford, known as Hunter Wholesale Snack Foods, and WHEREAS, Marceline chose to give back to the community she loves in numerous capacities, including serving on the Radford Festival of Lights Committee and the Radford Fall Festival Decorations at Memorial Bridge Committee, decorating Radford for Fall and the Christmas Holiday season, and WHEREAS, the decorations Marceline invested in, always bringing joy to citizens and visitors alike during the holiday season, and WHEREAS, Marceline is a constant champion for the City of Radford, engaging in all the community has to offer through service on the Bring Mary Home Committee, Chamber of Commerce, and as an active member of Grove United Methodist Church, and WHEREAS, Marceline helped to establish Glencoe as the Radford History Museum promoting and sharing the vast history of Radford to citizens and visitors, and WHEREAS, Marceline is known throughout Radford for her friendly, can do attitude and service to the community. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Radford City Council does hereby honor Marceline Hunter for dedication and service to the City of Radford, by presenting her with the Robert Allen “Big Al” Hall Humanitarian Service-Above-Self Citizenship Award. ______________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk Adopted: February 9, 2015 City of Radford Resolution Honoring Robert L. Nicholson Jr. Recipient of the Robert Allen Hall Humanitarian Service-Above Self Citizenship Award WHEREAS, the City of Radford wished to honor Robert Allen “Big Al” Hall by establishing a Humanitarian Service- Above- Self Citizenship Award in 2011, and WHEREAS, the establishment of this award recognizes unsung heroes that contribute to making the City of Radford a better place, and WHEREAS, a humanitarian is recognized as one who extends benevolence and kindness, by putting others before one’s self, and WHEREAS, Robert L. Nicholson Jr. was born in Sparta, North Carolina and met his future wife, Evelyn, after moving to Radford in 1941; together they made Radford home, raising their four children in the City, and WHEREAS, Nick is a member of the “Greatest Generation” and a war hero, serving in General Patton’s Third Army during World War II, and WHEREAS, upon returning to Radford in 1945, Nick began working at Martin Motor Co. Chrysler Dealership, later becoming part owner, followed by a successful career at RAAP Hercules, retiring in 1992, and WHEREAS, Nick chose to give back to the community he loves in numerous capacities, including serving on the Radford Festival of Lights Committee and the Radford Fall Festival Decorations at Memorial Bridge Committee, decorating Radford for Fall and the Christmas Holidays, and WHEREAS, the decorations Nick invested in, always bringing joy to citizens and visitors alike during the holiday season, and WHEREAS, Nick is a past commander and current member of the VFW Post 776 and constantly recognizes others before himself working on various community projects, and WHEREAS, Nick is an active member of Grove United Methodist Church and the Radford Kiwanis Club, where he previously served as president, and WHEREAS, Nick follows the honor code of putting others before oneself in his daily life, remaining an unsung influence and community volunteer throughout Radford. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Radford City Council does hereby honor Robert L. Nicholson Jr. for dedication and service to the City of Radford, by presenting him with the Robert Allen “Big Al” Hall Humanitarian Service- Above-Self Citizenship Award. ______________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk Adopted: February 9, 2015 ACTION: Mayor Brown made a motion to approve the Resolutions as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Second Reading of Ordinance #1664 – Collegiate Development-Special Use Permit SUMMARY: Collegiate Development has requested a Special Use Permit to develop a twenty- five unit townhome development on East Main Street near the corporate limits. The property is zoned MU (Mixed Use) and requires a Special Use Permit for townhomes. The 3.28 acre tract is identified as tax parcel 4-(1)-2B. City Council received the Planning Commission’s recommendation as well as approved the first reading of the ordinance at their January 26, 2015 meeting. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, to place Ordinance #1664 on its second and final reading, Dr. Harshberger, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger - Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance #1669 -Transfer of Property to Industrial Development Authority of Radford SUMMARY: The City owns just over one acre of land at the intersection of Wadsworth Street and Rock Road. The property was acquired in 2007 when looking at sites for a new public safety building. The City has no plans to use the site for public purpose and proposes to surplus it to the Industrial Development Authority for marketing. The property is zoned B-1, limited business and is vacant. A public hearing was held on January 26, 2015 with no objections or comments. City Council approved it on its first reading. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion, to place Ordinance #1669 on its second and final reading, Mr. Nicholson, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger - Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider disposition of Right-of-Way Vacation Request from Summit Development. SUMMARY: Summit Development, Co has requested that the City vacate 1.6 acres of public right-of-way adjacent to property they own on Tyler Avenue to accommodate future development of the site, as well as reduce complications associated with setbacks and site use. City Council held a public hearing on February 14, 2011 as well as appointed a Board of Viewers. The Viewers reviewed the application and found no inconveniences associated with the request, provided the city had no future utility needs. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, for the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to vacate the right-of-way to Summit Development, Mr. Marshall, seconded the motion. VOTE: Dr. Harshberger: Yes Mr. Marshall: Yes Mr. Nicholson: Yes Mr. Turk: Yes Mayor Brown: Yes Mr. Nicholson shared that the property was purchase in 2010 at which time a request for the right-of-way vacation was made and it has been a delay in process on behalf o the City and not the property owner and since the value has had a substantial increase he believes the value should go back to the fair appraisal figure from 2010. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, recommended that the value of vacation of property be placed at $32,000, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. Mr. Marshall stated that the City paid a professional group, Lucas Real estate Appraisal Service, to have this property appraised to set a value on it. They set the value at $205,000 on this property, they took 40% off this value due to work that Summit Development did to this property which lowered it to $123,000. He shared that he understands the benefits to the City putting it back on the tax roll but believes we may be short changing the City by only asking for $32,000 and suggested setting the value at $75,000. Mayor Brown thanked Mr. Marshall for his comments and stated he will be working with the motion that was put on the floor to follow Roberts Rules. Mr. Nicholson said Mr. Marshall' s previous comments are well receive and don't want to rebuttal his motion, but the challenge he has is as we look at development along Tyler Avenue and Rock Road there were a number of properties when VDOT developed it years ago, and set the right-of-way from top of slope to bottom, if they had used a slope easement verses the a purchase and ownership, we wouldn't even be having this discussion because the property would have been sold to Summit Development for the $25,000 an acre. But VDOT chose and uses owning the method of owning the slope verses having a slope easement agreement with the property owners. We are going to be challenged as we move forward with the other side of Tyler Avenue with the Turner Property and out on Rock Road we going have similar situation because VDOT used the same method of owning the slope. He said he goes back to his comment about 2010 and believes the value should be set at the time the request came in. He shared he understands where Mr. Marshall is coming from but wants to see property being put back on the tax roll, we have taken a lot off and this is one way of doing it. Mr. Marshall agreed about vacating the property and putting it back on the tax roll, we just disagree on the value that should be put on it. Mayor Brown shared that some of the things that they researched and struggled with while going over the appraisal, when we looked at the appraisal by Lucas most of the comparables that were thrown in there were things that you could throw a building on that would make it be of value. The reason this right-of-way was there initially because the slope was so high and needed it to expand the road and we are not at the particular point in time. Based on the information and advice that we have been given, that figure seems to be reflective of the value when it was purchase and that is where we are coming from. Mr. Turk believes they should go with the appraised value. We took time to get appraisal why just throw their recommendation out the window. Dr. Harshberger disagreed with the appraised value and feels they didn't go about the right way. What we are selling them would have been a steep slope if they had not improved it. The slope would not have been worth that and thinks $32,000 it's a fair price. Mr. Turk stated that the developer took that rock and created value someplace else and said he holds firm with the appraisal assessment. Mr. Marshall added that it’s not the City’s fault the property has been improved. VOTE: Dr. Harshberger: Yes Mr. Marshall: No Mr. Nicholson: Yes Mr. Turk: No Mayor Brown: Yes CITIZEN COMMENTS: No Comments NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.15: $3,710 for FY 2015 VML Risk Management Grant SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant award in the amount of $3,710 from Virginia Municipal League Insurance Program. The program distributes $250,000 annually to members expanding their risk management programs. The City has requested that the grant be used to purchase two body cameras for the Police Department, as well as install glass door inserts at the Department of Social Services. No matching funds required. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to place Appropriation Ordinance 1660.15 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 reading and approve Appropriation Ordinance 1660.15, 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 informed Council that in response to a comment at their last meeting, staff has been looking around at all crosswalks in the City to assess visibility and have been trimming trees where necessary. He also informed them that the budget season is ramping up fast and they are working on getting the most current information. His goal is to have a budget worksession at their March 9, 2015 meeting. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Mr. Marshall shared that one of his favorite things about campaigning was going door to door which allows you to meet people in the community and get exposed to different situations that you didn't know existed. This idea he has stemmed from going door to door. He recalled a conversation that he had with a homeowner on Dundee Drive and she shared with him that she is a widow and that she had just been down to City Hall to apply for real estate tax relief for seniors and how she didn't qualifying and over the last four years he has had a number of elder citizens approach h i m about the same issue. Mr. Marshall shared that he would like for us to look to see if there was something we can do to help them. Currently if you live in City and own your home and if your income is more t h a n $20,000 you don't qualify for any tax relief. He shared he is not for handouts, but believes we all come a point in life where we have peaked and we can't do a whole lot with $20,000. Mr. Marshall went on to provide scenario showing if how your assets exceed a certain limit you do not qualify for tax relief. He asked the Mayor and fellow Council members if they would work with him on considering some changes that would help the elderly who are struggling. He suggested raising the income limit, or making the assets higher. Some of these people are missing it by a couple hundred dollars and really hope that we can come up with a solution. Dr. Harshberger shared; we may want to use the federal income guideline as a guide for relief. Mr. Ridpath said he would have Cathy Flinchum, Commissioner of Revenue look into it and send formal information about it. Mayor Brown share that the School Board has put out a survey looking for what the candidate as the next Superintendent should be and encourages everyone to fill it out, because the survey will help the School Board determine who then next Superintendant will be. He also shared that he and James Hurt have represented the City on a New River Valley Passenger Rail Committee for the past three years and the objective is that passenger rail would be in the Valley by 2020 and there is work that has been done and initiatives being taken and wanted everyone to be aware of. He told Mr. Farmer it was good to see him here tonight. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.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