City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. May 14, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 18 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2017-2018 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 Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by local Veterans, Jim Henagar led the invocation. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the minutes for the April 23, 2018 meeting is approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 INTRODUCTION SUBJECT: Police Department Promotions SUMMARY: The Police Department recently promoted several officers to new positions. The Police Chief introduced the officers. PROCLAMATIONS SUBJECT: National Police Week SUMMARY: The week of May 13-19, 2018 has been nationally designated as “Police Week”, to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put their lives in danger each day protecting and serving our communities. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the National Police Week Proclamation as presented, seconded by Mr. Marshall. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Emergency Services Week SUMMARY: The week of May 20-26, 2018 has been nationally designated as “Emergency Medical Services Week”, to honor the men and women who serve in the field of emergency medical services, as well as recognize the importance of out of hospital care, lifesaving skills, training and education. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to approve the Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation as presented, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATIONS SUBJECT: Water Treatment Plant Award SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health has selected the City of Radford Water Treatment Plant to receive a “Gold” award for “Excellence in Water Works Operations”. The City has won the “Silver” designation, as well as received a “Bronze’ designation during the past six years. This is our third “Gold”. SUBJECT: Belle Heth Science Project SUMMARY: Belle Heth Elementary School children have been studying water quality at Connelly’s Run. Elements of the project have included water and air temperature, turbidity, water depth, ph and macroinvertebrates. Georgeanne Lavery, a sixth grade science teacher, introduced the students and an overview of the project. PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Real Estate Transfers SUMMARY: The City of Radford owns 4.10 acres of property adjacent to lot 10 in the Radford Industrial Center. A portion of the property, .28 acres, has been used to support parking for the industry that is located in that building. The City of Radford owns a .42 acre parcel of property on the West side of Memorial Bridge. The property has been leased to the King Corporation to support the adjacent business for many years. Both properties are being transferred to the EDA. Clerks note: The Public Hearing has been advertised as required. Mayor Brown opened the Public hearing at 7:28 p.m. No comments Mayor Brown closed the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Laurie Buchwald stated that the Ride of Silence is Wednesday, May 16 at is in its eleventh year. The event begins at 6:30 from the Sals parking lot. Ms. Buchwald also invited everyone to attend the Memorial Day program in Bisset Park, which is in its twentieth year. The program starts at 11 a.m. at the Gazebo. Ms. Kathryn Daily asked questions surrounding the latest embezzlement news release to come out of Radford City Schools. Ms. Daily had concerns that this is the third embezzlement in three years and believes there needs to be something done to prevent this from happening again. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: CDBG Action Plan SUMMARY: Each year, an “Action Plan” is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to expenditures by communities under the Community Development Block Grant program. The “Action Plan” for the F.Y. 2018-2019 Community Development Block Grant program is proposed to include funding for five service organizations, project planning and administration related to conducting zoning ordinance research, funding for beautification, slum and blight removal, as well as increased section 108 loan repayment. Funding is anticipated at $211,018 which includes the 2019 allocation of $165,992 and a 2018 “carryover” of $45,026. All of the proposed projects meet federal CDBG requirements and overall City objectives. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the CDBG Action Plan, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 Consent Agenda SUBJECT: Ordinance 1704-Industrial Park Property SUMMARY: The City of Radford owns 4.10 acres of property adjacent to lot 10 in the Radford Industrial Center. A portion of the property, .28 acres, has been used to support parking for the industry that is located in that building. The owners, L&M Properties, have requested to purchase the property. The residual property in the Industrial Park was turned over to the Economic Development Authority to market and manage several years ago, however this parcel was overlooked. The recommendation is to transfer the property (.28 acres of lot 10 A) to the EDA to negotiate details and convey to the property L&M Properties to enhance the marketing potential of the building and site. SUBJECT: Ordinance 1705-Memorial Bridge Property SUMMARY: The City of Radford owns a .42 acre parcel of property on the West side of Memorial Bridge. The property has been leased to the King Corporation to support the adjacent business for many years. The parcel is used for parking. The lease has expired and City Council is considering transferring the property over to the Economic Development Authority to market for economic development purposes. A public hearing and ordinance are required to transfer the property to the EDA. The hearing has been advertised as required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1704 and Ordinance 1705, seconded by Mr. Turk. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve and adopt Ordinance 1704 and Ordinance 1705 on the second reading Mr. Turk, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Historic Figures Project SUMMARY: Radford citizen, Jack Ratcliffe, has requested that “Radford’s People in History” be recognized. He has raised about $3,000 in private funds to construct a monument recognizing Radford’s Historic Figures such as Governor’s Dalton and Tyler. The project is proposed for the Glencoe grounds and includes a bench, monument and patio area. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the Historic Figure Project, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. Dr. Harshberger cautioned staff and Council about fundraising for such a project. Dr. Harshberger believes there needs to be a foundation to raise funds for projects like this. Mr. Ratcliffe stated that the people were selected to be on the plaque because they hadn’t been recognized before in Radford and deserve to be. Dr. Harshberger stated there needs to be a way to determine how to select future names for the plaque. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1691.27- Grants SUMMARY: The City of Radford has several grants that were not concluded at the end of the 2017 fiscal year. These grants include CDBG, Neighbor to Neighbor and DMV Selective Enforcement. The funds are related to litter control, professional services, maintenance and repair, construction contracts, engineering services and computer equipment. The outstanding grants total $155,600. ACTION: Mr. Marshall moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1691.27 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 1691.27 on the second reading Mr. Turk seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1691.28- Encumbrances SUMMARY: The City of Radford had several encumbrances/ purchase orders outstanding at the end of the F.Y. 2017 fiscal year. The purchase orders, totaling $2,114,345, relate to public safety needs and technology in the General Fund, transit operations, the renovations at the Little River Dam and Public Works needs. To carry the funds into F.Y. 2018 an Appropriation is needed. Since the amount exceeds 1% of the total City budget, mainly because of the $1,560,608 for the hydroelectric repairs, a public hearing is required. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to schedule a public hearing on June 11, 2018, seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 City Manager Comments: Mr. Ridpath stated he is proud of the public safety team and appreciates all they do for Radford, as well as the Water Department for all they have done to move Radford forward in water quality. Crews are continuing to work collecting brush by moving from East to West and they will get there! Mr. Ridpath introduced Ms. Blair Hoke the new Economic Development Director. Council Member Comments: Dr. Harshberger said that in the City we should stop drinking bottled water because out water quality is so good here in Radford. Dr. Harshberger mentioned that Ms. Hoke has a lot of good things to sell about Radford. Mr. Gropman stated that Council made the unanimous decision to hire Ms. Hoke and that she is a motivated, self-starter who will look to drive business into the City. Mr. Gropman quoted Teddy Roosevelt, the man in the arena quote in reference to the election. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Mr. Gropman asked for a Work Session on Parking for Downtown at the next meeting. Citizen Comment: Ms. Peggy Huber stated that Radford has a lot of good and exceptional services that often go underappreciated. Mayor Brown stated that today has been a tough day in the City, with the information released about the embezzlement. 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). 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, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, City Clerk