City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. April 23, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 17 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2017-2018 Mr. Marshall made a motion, seconded by Mr. Turk 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; and evaluation of performance of departments, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1). VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, 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, 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 Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Coordinator, City Clerk Mr. Don Goodman, Chief of Police Mrs. Patricia Cox, Finance Director Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by local Veterans, Rev. McCandlish led the invocation. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Marshall and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the minutes for the March 26, April 4, April 9 and April 16, 2018 meetings are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown ABSTAIN: Dr. Harshberger-April 16, 2018 NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION SUBJECT: “If I Were Mayor” SUMMARY: The Virginia Municipal League held its annual “If I were Mayor” essay contest. One of the winners was a Dalton Intermediate School Student, Kaydence Addison. Sandy Harrington representing the Virginia Municipal League presented the award. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Mental Health Awareness Month SUMMARY: The month of May, 2018 is Mental Health Month in the Commonwealth. The New River Valley Community Services requested that City Council consider a Proclamation to help broaden public awareness and understanding of mental health conditions, as well as the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation as presented, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance #1702 F.Y. 2019 Budget SUMMARY: The Budget for F.Y. 2019 has been delivered to City Council from the City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $58,189,863. The proposed budget provides sufficient revenues to pay for expenditures, maintains positive fund balances, provides resources for maintenance and improvements to infrastructure, supports core customer services and equipment replacement, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows:  General Funds $25,606,019 Street Maintenance Fund 2,785,571 Water/Wastewater Fund 4,948,270 Electric Fund 20,121,535 Solid Waste Fund 1,394,050 Transit Fund 3,334,418 Internal Services Fund 745,909 In addition to the City Budget, the City Council is also considering the F.Y. 2019 Radford City School Board Budget. The $18,583,558 budget was approved by the school board on March 20, 2018. The funds are summarized as follows: Operating Fund $15,936,833 Food Service Fund 663,442 Grants Fund 1,321,762 Textbook Fund 441,521 Capital Projects Fund 220, 000 City Council approved the first reading on April 16, 2018 following the public hearing. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to approve Ordinance # 1702 on its second reading, seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: Mr. Gropman: Yes Dr. Harshberger: No Mr. Marshall: Yes Mr. Turk: Yes Mayor Brown: Yes SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance #1703: Establishes the 2018 Tax Rate SUMMARY: This ordinance will approve the 2018 Tax Rate with Real Estate Tax Rate of $0.76, Personal Property at $2.44, Machinery and Tools at $1.76, and other personal property at $1.76. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Ordinance #1703 on its second reading, seconded by Mr. Marshall. VOTE: Mr. Gropman: Yes Dr. Harshberger No Mr. Marshall: Yes Mr. Turk: Yes Mayor Brown: Yes SUBJECT: Rate Resolution SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2019 Budget is supported by utility rates and fees. Utility and fees are proposed to remain level for the water/wastewater and sanitation funds. The Electric Fund rate needs to increase 1.5% to support operations and transfers. A Stormwater Management Fee is proposed, but will be considered in an amendment in June or July. All other fees and permits will remain level for F.Y. 2019. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Rate Resolution as presented, seconded by Mr. Gropman. VOTE: Mr. Gropman: Yes Dr. Harshberger Yes Mr. Marshall: Yes Mr. Turk: Yes Mayor Brown: Yes CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. David Horton, the Chair of the Municipal Beautification and Forestry Commission mentioned that Arbor Day is Friday and that there will be tree planting to celebrate. Mr. Horton also invited everyone to come out to the dedication of the Lois Carr Memorial in Bisset Park on Sunday. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Special Use Permit SUMMARY: Rohit Sansoa has requested consideration of a Special Use Permit to convert the second level of his property at 212 Third Avenue into apartments. The property is zoned B-3, Business District, and requires a Special Use Permit for residential uses above the first floor. The building was the location of the former Health Department and is currently vacant. The first floor would be a commercial/business use. A public hearing was held on March 23, 2018 with the Planning Commission. There were no objections on the Special Use Permit. The Planning Commission met on April 10, 2018 to consider the request. The Commission voted (Yes-4, No-1) to recommend to the City Council to approve the Special Use Permit. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to receive the recommendation of the Planning Commission, seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Resolution approving the Special Use Permit as presented, seconded by Mr. Gropman. Mr. Gropman had a question concerning the parking spaces available, how much of the parking lot is Mr. Sansoa, there is ample parking for his residents. Mr. Gropman also cautioned him about trash in that neighborhood. Mr. Turk was hoping that the building would be used for all business. This is excess capacity for student housing and until the university can up the enrollment, he has to be against extra housing. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Brown NAYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk SUBJECT: Easement-First Street Properties SUMMARY: The City is replacing the 10” sanitary sewer line along the unopened portion of Lenard Street. The line is necessary due to its condition and age, as well as support future development. The line location has been adjusted requiring a new easement footprint. The adjacent property owners, First Street Properties has approved the location. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the Easement for First Street Properties, seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1691.26-VML Security Grant SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a grant from the Virginia Municipal League to purchase safety equipment and advance safety training. The $3,960 grant would be used to install a security system at the Animal Control facility. No local match is required. The funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2018 Budget, therefore requiring appropriation. ACTION: Mr. Marshall moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1691.26 on the first reading Mr. Turk, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Marshall moved to approve and adopt Appropriation Ordinance 1691.26 on the second reading Dr. Harshberger, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 City Manager Comments: Mr. Ridpath stated that Radford has been nominated to be an opportunity zone by the Governor and the food truck rodeo is this weekend. Council Member Comments: Dr. Harshberger wanted to make it clear why he voted no on the budget. The vote is not a reflection of city staff; we win awards on our budget. Dr. Harshberger stated that he is looking Radford City Schools’ request for more money over the next year, as well as how low our reserves are and is concerned that Council is not looking far enough ahead when forming the budget. Dr. Harshberger gave a factoid: Radford citizens have a lower premium on fire insurance than others in the NRV because of Radford’s Fire Department and Water Distribution System. Mr. Gropman stated that Radford receiving the Pathways for the American Dream funding to pay for training for the EMS hires. Mr. Gropman also would like the City to look into creating the Mental Health Training Center, where people can receive a degree in Crisis Intervention Training and law enforcement can also use the facility to train. Mayor Brown expressed his appreciation to public safety and public works for their work through the rough spring. Please remember to buy a cow pie bingo ticket to support the ACCE program. Mr. Turk made a motion, seconded by Mr. Marshall 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; and evaluation of performance of departments, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1). Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to permit the closure of a meeting merely because an attorney representing the public body is in attendance or is consulted on a matter Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (8). VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, 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, 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 re-convene the regular meeting, 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 Mr. Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, City Clerk