City Council
Regular MeetingRadford, VA · October 9, 2017
Minutes
The New River City
10 Robertson St. October 9, 2017 Radford, Virginia
Regular Meeting Number 5 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2017-2018
CLOSED SESSION: 5:15 P.M.
Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Turk to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of
Discussion or consideration of 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).
Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or
industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating
or expanding its facilities in the community. (To review a proposal for an economic development project.)
Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (5)
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Turk seconded the motion.
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
Mr. Marshall made a motion to convene the regular meeting, at 7:00 p.m., Mr. Turk seconded the motion.
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, 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
two items for which it was convened, Mr. Turk seconded the motion.
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
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. Robert Gropman, Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Daniel
Keith Marshall, and Mr. Michael Turk.
Others present were as follows:
Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager
Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk
Mr. Don Goodman, Chief of Police
Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by local Veterans, there was a moment of silence.
MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the
minutes for the September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting are approved as presented.
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
PROCLAMATIONS:
SUBJECT: Grace Episcopal Church
SUMMARY: Dr. Harshberger requested that City Council consider recognizing Grace Episcopal Church
on October 15, 2017, commemorating its 125th Anniversary. Grace Episcopal Church had its first service
on May 8, 1842 and has spent the past 125 years dedicated to missions and community activities in
Radford and beyond. The proclamation has been requested to recognize the Church and its members and
congratulate Grace Episcopal Church on their 125-year celebration.
ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve the Grace Episcopal Church Proclamation as presented,
Mr. Turk seconded the motion.
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
REPORT:
SUBJECT: Radford Transit
SUMMARY: A service report for Radford Transit was provided by Trevor Sakry: the system manager
for New River Valley Community Services. The report included system usage, service trends, and capital
improvements.
PUBLIC HEARING:
SUBJECT: Special Use Permit-Forest Avenue
SUMMARY: The NRV Group, LLC and Betty L. Radford have requested a Special Use Permit to
construct a duplex on three parcels (lot 16, 17 and portion of 18) of property adjacent to Forest Avenue.
The .264 acre parcel is zoned R-3 (single-family residential) and requires approval of a special use permit
for a duplex.
City Council scheduled a joint public hearing at the request of the Planning Commission at the September
11, 2017 meeting. The public hearing has been advertised, as required, and the adjacent property owners
notified. Melissa Skelton presented the request.
The Planning Commission will consider the request at its meeting on October 16, 2017.
Mayor Brown asked Tracy Howard, Planning Commission Chair if the Planning Commission has a
quorum.
Mr. Howard responded that the Planning Commission indeed has a quorum.
Mayor Brown opened the Public hearing at 7:3.
Mr. Steve Semones of Balzer and Associates went over the Special Use Permit Application and fielded
questions from Mr. Marshall and Mr. Gropman.
Mayor Brown closed the Public Hearing at 7:33.
Clerks note: Notice of the Joint Public hearing has been duly advertised.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Mr. David Horton encouraged everyone to come out to the Radford Craft and Frat on October 14, and the
Radford Highlanders Festival on October 21.
CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS:
Mr. Ridpath stated that the City made it through Nate with no significant issues and flooding and damage
were minimized.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Mr. Marshall stated that he tried the new restaurant in town The Golden Bowl and it was good.
Dr. Harshberger stated there is another new restaurant in town called The Dented Pot and it is located at
The Best Western Hotel.
Mr. Gropman thanked the citizens for allowing him to go to the VML conference in Williamsburg. The
main take away from the conference is that Virginia is out of money and cannot borrow any more money.
Mayor Brown thanked Ms. Elizabeth Sensabaugh the Library Director for being a champion and
innovator at the library and asked if she would pass that along to her staff.
Mayor Brown stated he has canvased the members of council and there is unanimous agreement that we
move and coordinate the Christmas Parade. Mayor Brown would like the City to coordinate and to
leverage downtown business to decorate and create dining specials to encourage residents to get out on
Main Street.
Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m., seconded by Mr. Turk
VOTE:
AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown
NAYES: None-0
ATTEST:
Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council
Agenda
City of Radford Council Agenda October 9, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Number 5 of F.Y. 2017-2018 10 Robertson St., Radford, VA
5:15 Closed Session: Discussion or consideration of 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).
Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry
where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its
facilities in the community. Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (5)
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
MINUTES APPROVAL: September 25, 2017 – regular meeting
PROCLAMATION: Grace Episcopal Church
REPORT: Radford Transit
PUBLIC HEARING: Joint Public Hearing with Planning Commission-Special Use Permit
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON PUBLIC MATTERS:
(Please state your name for the record – Please limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Adjourn
Future Meetings:
October 23, 2017 – Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm
November 13, 2017 –Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm
PROCLAMATION
“Grace Episcopal Church 125th Anniversary”
WHEREAS, Grace Episcopal Church is Commemorating its 125th Anniversary on October 15,
2017; and
WHEREAS, the Episcopal Church has had a continual presence in Radford Virginia since the
1830’s, and
WHEREAS, the first Episcopal service in Radford Virginia was held at Dr. Radford’s residence,
Arnheim, before 1842, and
WHEREAS, Grace Episcopal Church was built at its current location and had its first service
May 8, 1842, and
WHEREAS, for the past 125 years, the missions and activities of Grace Episcopal Church have
been maintained by its committed and dedicated members and
WHEREAS, through the years, as the church continued to grow in members, a new education
building and parish hall were constructed, and
WHEREAS, Grace Episcopal Church continues to have an active congregation committed to
discipleship and mission, and
WHEREAS, we give pause to honor and praise this day for the deep and abiding Christian
commitment of those who in faith began this work, and for all who have given so unselfishly
during these many years to help the church family to grow and thrive, providing a valuable
contribution to our community, and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Radford, Virginia
does hereby proclaim October 15, 2017 as the 125th Anniversary of Grace Episcopal Church and
does hereby recognize and congratulate Grace Episcopal Church on this celebration.
___________________________
Bruce E. Brown, Mayor
City of Radford
Adopted: October 9, 2017
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