City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. June 8 , 201 5 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 19 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 Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin Hanager. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Turk, that the minutes for May 11, 2015 are approved as corrected. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk NAYES: None-0 ABTAIN: Mayor Brown RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Robert “Big Al” Hall Humanitarian Service-Above-Self Citizenship Award SUMMARY: The resolution recognizes the “Dana Palmer Scholarship” and it focused on the ideals of sportsmanship, courage and citizenship and reflects on the ideals of the Robert Allen Hall Humanitarian Service Award established by City council in 2011. Mayor Brown read the resolution for the benefit of the audience. City of Radford Resolution Honoring Dana Palmer Scholarship 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, Dana Palmer Scholarship was created in 2001 in Dana’s memory to give honor and respect to student athletes who exhibit a great attitude, courage, kindness, school spirit, and community service; and WHEREAS, Dana Palmer was a tremendous student athlete, but also hardworking, honest, kind and true; and WHEREAS, the Dana Palmer Scholarship is in its 15th year, with its purpose being to keep Dana’s name alive and give back to the community in a way that honors Dana’s memory and that impacts the recipients future; and WHEREAS, each year the $1,500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who displays sportsmanship, courage, and citizenship; and WHEREAS, the Dana Palmer Scholarship is a prestigious award given at the annual senior sports banquet and sets high standards, such as citizenship, benevolence, sportsmanship and courage, for student athletes to demonstrate. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Radford City Council does hereby honor the Dana Palmer Scholarship for dedication and service to the City of Radford, by presenting them with the Robert Allen “Big Al” Hall Humanitarian Service-Above-Self Citizenship Award. CITY OF RADFORD, VIRGINIA ________________________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor ATTESTED: ________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk Adopted on the 8th day of June, 2015 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to approve the Proclamation as presented, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: National Employee Well-Being Month SUMMARY: June 2015, is nationally recognized as “Employee Well-Being Month”. Studies show that healthy employees improve productivity and retention, reduce absenteeism and boost job performance. A City employee wellness committee has been established to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness programs for our employees. To kick off activities, which will include both education and special events, a Proclamation has been prepared to formally recognize the month of June as “National Emp0loyee Well-being Month”, locally.  PROCLAMATION June 2015 National Employee Well-Being Month WHEREAS, June 2015 is National Employee Well-Being Month and the health and wellness of Radford employees is key to a productive workplace; and WHEREAS, the City of Radford is encouraging healthy eating and active living among its employees; and WHEREAS, more than half of Virginia’s adults are overweight or obese and therefore at risk for many chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke and hyperextension; and WHEREAS, supporting the health and wellness programs are a proven strategy to decrease chronic disease and health care costs; and WHEREAS, all employees are encouraged to practice healthy living habits and employees should be motivated to make improvements in their health and well-being; and WHEREAS, the City of Radford can play a productive role in promoting the good health of its employees, by leadership at all levels promoting and supporting healthy activities in the workplace; and WHEREAS, the City of Radford has formed a Wellness Committee that is committed to continuing to advance the health and wellness of Radford’s employees, by creating new and innovative strategies to encourage wellness among staff. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Radford, Virginia does hereby proclaim the month of June 2015 as National Employee Well-Being Month, and does call upon all staff to encourage and promote healthy living among their fellow employees, thereby creating a healthier and more productive workforce. CITY OF RADFORD, VIRGINIA ________________________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor ATTESTED: ________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk Adopted on the 8th day of June, 2015. Dr. Harshberger read the proclamation for the benefit of the audience. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Proclamation as presented, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Carry Over Encumbered Expenditures and Capital Projects SUMMARY: This public hearing is required because the amount of outstanding purchase orders and capital projects exceeds 1% of our total budget. Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7:10 p.m. No Comment Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7:10 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. OLD BUSINESS: None CITIZENS COMMENTS: No Comments NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.20: $2,448,450 Encumbered expenses as of June 30, 2014 and 1660.22 for $1,951,624 Carryover of projects in progress. SUMMARY: The appropriation will formally carry the encumbered expenses and carryover projects into F.Y. 2015 satisfying expenditure and audit requirements. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place 1660.20 and 1660.22 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 1660.20 and 1660.22, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Consent Agenda SUBJECT: Consider Consent Agenda, Appropriation Ordinances 1660.21, 23-27: SUMMARY: Consent agenda consisted of the following AO’s 1660.21, $167,946 Carryover of grants in progress, 1660.23, $8,500 Animal Shelter floor coating, 1660.24, $592,254 School Board Budget, 1660.25, $7,500 EMPG Grant, 1660.26, $3,078 Restitution for Animal Control, and 1660.27, $4,225 K-9 donations. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place the consent agenda on its first reading, Mr. Marshall 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 the consent agenda, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Mr. Ridpath shared that we had originally advertised for the carryover of grants in progress portion but it wasn’t actually required because it didn’t exceed the 1% of the budget. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath shared that one of the best City wide paving jobs has just been completed and is very pleased with the results. You may have noticed that there are piles of block behind the gazebo and at the Recreation Center, they are for the donation planters and will be completed in the next few days. The Jubilee is this weekend and we have a number of Radford teams that will be playing, we are expecting large crowds. Mr. Ridpath informed everyone that we will have two train events this year; the first on June 26th and the second on the 28th with over 900 people on both trains. We will have a lot of visitors on those days. Dr. Harshberger added that on the Wednesday June 17th the ground breaking for the new Radford Child Center will take place. The new facility will accommodate over 126 children. Mayor Brown shared that he has seen on Facebook the rendering for the Child Care Center and it is a nice looking building. Mr. Ridpath mention that we won’t meet again before the launch of our new website on July 1st. It is a good clean site and will do something special to launch it off. Dr. Harshberger asked if there were any links to Radford University. Mrs. Wilder responded that we do have links to the University. Mayor Brown asked if we were indeed getting new email addressed. Mr. Ridpath responded that we are hoping the new email addresses will go live at the same time as the new website. Mr. Edwards shared that the new domain is Radford.va.gov. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Nicholson wanted to compliment what the community along with Council has been trying to support with the recognition of student athletes and the athletic programs. He shared he continues to support what we are doing with our ball fields and we are doing a fantastic job at recognizing them. He wanted to take a moment to mention some other things going on in Radford that pertaining to the arts, we have band groups, choral and theater groups that are performing on a regular basis within our community. There have been articles in the newspaper over the last few weeks on get to know your local Council Members and School Board Members . He had mentioned in his article the idea of “Focus on the Arts” and was asked by some people if he was serious and he share he was. The idea was to try to create a “Focus on the Arts” with the initial thought was to focus on the band, then the choir and then the theater group, then in conversation the idea that the focus on the arts as a composite, because each one event may overlap and complement one another. He knows some communities who have a week or a day when they recognize the Arts; maybe we can create a resolution to recognize our achievements with our high school group’s band, chorus, and theater. As an example the State of VA have recognized the Crooked Road and we find that people who travel the Blue ridge Parkway and come to Radford to listen to the music. People come from all around the world to enjoy the music here in Radford. The thought is to try to create a resolution that would show a focus on the arts and give compliment to our high school and hoped that by August we come up with a resolution to recognize the youth of our community. Mayor Brown shared he thinks it wound be a great idea and would like for Mr. Nicholson to head that up. He mentioned that both Mr. Frankenberger and Mr. Bondurant from the high school do a great job with the High School band. Mr. Nicholson shared if you have been to any event where Avery Davis has played it will bring tears to your eyes. Mr. Ridpath reminded everyone of our big Fourth of July event. Mayor Brown also shared that the Boy’s State will be held at Radford University on June 20th. And our annual employee picnic is on Wednesday. He mentioned that we have a number of boards and commissions that need to be filled so if you know of anyone who is interested in serving to please let us know. He asked the Council members if they would be opposed to him speaking with Mayor Barber from Christiansburg about partnering with them on their pool. CLOSED MEETING Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nicholson to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1). Discuss or consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, under Virginia Code Section 2.2- 3711 (A) (3). Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body; and consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (7) VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 No action was taken in the closed meeting. Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Mr. Marshall made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting. Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Marshall made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the three items for which it was convened. Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m., seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _________________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk of Council