City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. July 13 , 201 5 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 1 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2015-2016 The work session meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA. The Vice-Mayor of the City, Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Dr. Richard Harshberger, 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. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer Mr. Tim Logwood, Director of Electric Utilities Little River Dam No action was taken related to the above-mentioned item The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA. The Vice-Mayor of the City, Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Dr. Richard Harshberger, 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 Vice-Mayor Marshall, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin Hanager. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, that the minutes for June 8, 2015 are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION SUBJECT: Water Treatment Plant “Gold” Award SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health has selected the City of Radford Water Treatment Plant to receive an award for “Excellence in Water Works Operation”. The City has won the “silver” designation for the past three years. This year’s award is “Gold”. Lawrence Rice, Director of the Water Treatment plant accepted the award. OLD BUSINESS: None CITIZENS COMMENTS: Tim Cox, Radford resident, shared that he has been approached by several individuals about an aquatic center within the City. He stated that they recently had a public interest meeting that was well attended and he has 2 requests that came from that meeting. The first request is that the aquatic center be put back on the capital improvement project list. And the second request is to put a survey together to see what the citizens want, possibly send them out with the utility bill. He shared that most aquatic centers operate in the red, but those that a public/private partnership run in the black. But first we have to see if public truly supports this; his next step is to get to Mr. Ridpath the numbers to show how this could be done. He doesn’t want it to be a hardship to the community and believes it won’t be. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1660.28: $6,317 Memorial Donation for Johnson and Carr. SUMMARY: The Radford Commission Municipal Forest and Beautification has been collecting funds from donations for use on memorial flower beds. The beds have been constructed and are ready for planting. The donations need to be appropriated by City Council for expenditure. The funds are specifically related to the flower beds recognizing Olivia Ferrell Johnson (Recreation Center Sign) and Lois Domazet Carr (Gazebo Planter). ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to place 1660.28 on its first reading, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to dispense with the second and final reading and approve Appropriation 1660.28, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appropriation Ordinance 1673.01: $26,930 for additional funding for State Highway Maintenance. SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Transportation is providing additional funding to the City of Radford for its street maintenance e program for F.Y 2016. The funding is based on the total lane miles of City roads. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to place 1073.01 on its first reading, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second and final reading and approve Appropriation 1673.01, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding for Radford Chamber of Commerce SUMMARY: The Radford Chamber of Commerce provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y 2016. Services include assistance in economic development, involvement in local government activities, “Festival of Lights” support, promotion of Radford Tourism and business, increased marketing, coordination of the farmer’s market and partner the summer concert series. Lisa Davis and Dave Horton from Radford Chamber of Commerce spoke about how wonderful the relationship with the City of Radford has been. Lisa Davis shared where the Chamber is and what they are looking forward in the upcoming year. She thanked Council for considering their request for funding. Vice-Mayor Marshall asked Lisa Davis to share what their major accomplishments were this past year, she responded that their membership has grown substantially with 250 members. That is a 15% growth in the past year. She informed them that the Farmers Market is another accomplishment they are very proud of. Dr. Harshberger stated that the Farmer’s Market is a good example, it’s like an event. They have the vendors and people playing music. They are averaging 20 vendors compared to the 8 they had in previous years. Vice-Mayor Marshall asked how the Chamber was getting along with store vendors. Lisa Davis responded they are getting along fine. Dave Horton added that they are being sensitive to the store owners especially on the day that the Farmer’s Market takes place. Vice-Mayor Marshall asked how about business recruitment, Dave Horton responded that one of their goals is they have been working with Radford University Small Business Development Center to help assist business become successful. Vice- Mayor stated that they are showing them that they are doing what is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, and this is necessary in order for Council to justify giving the Chamber money. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding in the amount of $12,000, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Calendar of Council Meetings for F.Y. 2015-2016 SUMMARY: Each year City Council receives and approves its proposed fiscal year meeting schedule. The F.Y 2016 calendar reflects one meeting a month during the summer (May, June, July, August) and eliminates the second meeting n December around the Christmas holiday. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to approve the meeting schedule, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments are due to several Boards and Commission for the F.Y 2016 year. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to appoint the following people to board/commission, Mr. Turk seconded the motion. Board/Commission Current Members Status Council Appointed Agency on Aging Mary Ann Semones reappointed Sally Anna Stapleton reappointed Beautification Commission Lynn Cunningham Vacant Edith Carter reappointed Open position Vacant New River Community Action Lura Ann Pitchford Vacant Library Board Alaa Ragab reappointed NRV Economic Alliance Larry Sams reappointed Board of Zoning Appeals Adam DeVries reappointed Radford Planning Commission Ryan Watson reappointed Guy Gilmore reappointed Recreation Commission Greg Ridpath reappointed Kenneth Cox reappointed  Mandy Martin reappointed Tourism Marceline Hunter reappointed Debbie Brown reappointed Heather Bell reappointed Hotel Rep Vacant Restaurant Rep Vacant Retail Rep Vacant R.U. Rep Vacant NRV Juvenile Detention Home James Armentrout reappointed City/University Joint Advisory Mark Williams reappointed Social Services Board Jenny Alexander reappointed Katherine Martin reappointed Highlander Festival- non staff Gropeman reappointed Ninth District Dev' Financing, Inc New Board Vacant NR Community Services Board Robert Nicholson reappointed Western VA EMS Council Lee Simpkins Resigned Rodney Haywood VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 CLOSED MEETING Mr. Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion, 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. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 No action was taken in the closed meeting. Mr. Nicholson made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 Mr. Nicholson made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Nicholson made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened. Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: None CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: None Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m., seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Vice-Mayor Marshall NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _________________________________ Melissa A. Skelton, City Clerk of Council