City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. November 14, 2016 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 7 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2016-2017 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00p.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. Robert Gropman, Dr. Richard Harshberger, and Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Mrs. Gail Cook DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mr. Donald Goodman, Chief of Police Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the invocation was led by Jim Henagar. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Marshall and seconded by Dr. Harshberger that the minutes for the October 24, 2016 Work Session are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the minutes for October 24, 2016 are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Small Business Saturday SUMMARY: Saturday, November 26, 2016 is nationally recognized as “Small Business Saturday”. The Proclamation is a local designation and recognition of the importance of small businesses to the local economy, jobs and quality of life. The Proclamation encourages our citizens to support and shop local businesses. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the proclamation, as presented, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 REPORTS: SUBJECT: Community Garden SUMMARY: The Community Garden is located on .87 acres of land adjacent to Pulaski Street. Project Volunteer, Jim Graham, has coordinated the site preparation and agreements with the thirty-eight gardeners. Jim provided a report to City Council on the Community Garden Project. SUBJECT: Help Save the Next Girl SUMMARY: Help Save the Next Girl has partnered with Radford City Police Department to enhance safety awareness. The program was begun in 2011, following the murder of Morgan Harrington to help end predatory violence in local communities and schools. Gill Harrington presented an overview of the program and future events. SUBJECT: Home Consortium SUMMARY: The Home Consortium was created in 2007 to promote the development of affordable housing. The members of the Consortium include all of the towns and counties in the New River Valley, as well as the City of Radford. 343 affordable homes and apartments have been constructed, rehabilitated or are in development over the past ten years. Elizabeth Willis, the Housing and Development Project Manager provided an activity report. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Bryce Nolan spoke about the benefits of the dog park and how his 7-month old yellow lab enjoys playing there. Mr. Nolan suggested that the City might look into get timed lightening for the dog park, so the park would still be usable in the evening during daylight savings time. He suggested this might help increase usage. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: New River Valley Health Department Agreement SUMMARY: The City of Radford provides a local appropriation to the Virginia Department of Health as required by the Code of Virginia to perform public health services. The local portion is provided in the development of the annual budget and is $95,639 for the F.Y. 2017 Budget. The funds are used to support the local Radford office of the Health Department with equipment, supplies and medical services. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to authorize Mr. Ridpath to sign the agreement, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointment to the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council SUMMARY: An Annual calendar appointment is needed for the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services. Rodney Haywood, Fire Chief currently serves on the board and has requested to continue serving. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to appoint Mr. Haywood to the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Board, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath commented that there will be a traffic signal study done for the light at the intersection of Eight Street and Wadsworth Street. The study will assess the value and need of the light or future need for a traffic signal at that intersection. Mr. Ridpath wished Council and citizens a Happy Thanksgiving! CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger asked Mr. Tracy Howard, the General Registrar of Voters to talk about the election, including the Radford University SGA voting action office. Mr. Howard then spoke to the fact that the SGA office on campus generated about 600 new voters. Mr. Howard sent a special thanks to the Officers of the Election. Mayor Brown closed by saying hats off to Mr. Howard and the Electoral Board, the election in Radford was seamless Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m., Mayor Brown seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, City Clerk of Council