City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. July 30, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 3 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2018-2019 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, Raymond David Horton, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Ms. Jessie Critterton, Mr. Robert P. Gropman, Dr. Richard Harshberger, Ms. Naomi Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk Ms. Blair Hoke, Economic Developer Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk The Pledge was led by the local veterans. Dr. Harshberger led the moment of reflection, he reflected on the Mary Draper Ingles story, as well as the play which highlighted her walk to freedom. Dr. Harshberger stated that he story is an inspiration and encouraged all to remember her heroism and to be inspired to keep going. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Ms. Critterton and seconded by Ms. Huntington that the minutes for the July 9, 2018 meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Walk to Freedom SUMMARY: The resolution recognized the cast, directors and playwrights of the “Walk to Freedom Play” which wrapped up production on July 29, 2018. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion approve the resolution as presented. Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Appointment to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: City Council made appointments to Boards and Commissions at its “Organizational” meeting on July 2, 2018. The Metropolitan Planning Organization was not on the list for appointments. The MPO is the planning organization and policy board for the New River Valley for transportation system initiatives. Radford serves as a member organization. Radford has two positions on the Board that includes an elected representative and the other, a member from the City Manager’s Staff. Melissa Skelton serves as the staff representative. The elected member was the former Mayor and needs to be filled by a Council representative. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion appoint Mayor Horton to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Ms. Critterton seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS NONE NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Valley to Valley Committee SUMMARY: Montgomery County has solicited the interest of the local governments in our region to discuss a trail system that would link the New River Valley and the Roanoke Valley. The concept is to create a Bike/Walking trail from Roanoke to Galax. The County is forming a committee and has asked for a representative from Radford. The committee would discuss conceptual planning, public and private funding opportunities, assistance from regional organizations and citizens, as well as utilization of existing plans. The Valley to Valley committee would result in a recommendation to the localities for the location of the trail(s), as well as types of construction. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to appoint Ms. Huntington to the Valley to Valley Committee. Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. Dr. Harshberger nominated private citizen Ms. Laurie Buchwald to serve on Valley to Valley Committee, the motion was seconded by Ms. Critterton. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.03-VDOT FUNDING SUMMARY: The City receives State support for its Urban Highway Maintenance program. The assistance is based on a formula associated with lane miles, as well as General Assembly funding levels. The City will receive $2,307,227 for F.Y. 2019, an increase of $65,858. Since the funds increased after the City Budget was approved in April, Appropriation of the additional funding is required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.03, on the first reading, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.03, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.04-Library State Aid SUMMARY: The City receives State support for the Library. The Library will receive $146,606 in State Aid for F.Y. 2019, an increase of $1,579. Since the funds increased after the City Budget was approved in April, Appropriation of the additional funding is required. The funds will be used for books, furniture or equipment needs. ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.04, on the first reading, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.04, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.05-Historic Figures Project SUMMARY: Radford citizen, Jack Ratcliffe, has requested that “Radford’s People in History” be recognized. He has raised about $3,100 in private funds, to date, 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, plaque with stand and patio area. LISTEN TO AUDIO: ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.05, on the first reading, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: Dr. Harshberger ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.05, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 FOCUS TOPIC: Economic Development SUMMARY: Blair Hoke, Economic Development Director, presented a 5-year overview of economic development initiatives related to business retention and recruitment. The presentation focused on objectives, partners and resources, trends, marketing strategies, business relocation factors and Main Street opportunities. Ms. Critterton asked if we were looking into business incubators and how to sue our residential property for businesses. Dr. Harshberger mentioned that joining the Main Street Program is a great idea because they facilitate workshops and provide a proactive approach to Economic Development. Ms. Huntington mentioned that she loved the video done by Ms. Hoke and that the Main Street Program sounds like a wonderful program, but she wonders what the costs will be going into the future. Mayor Horton stated that the City is going to start and Economic Development advisory group and there will also be a Main Street Board that helps direct activity. These two groups would mesh perfectly. Mayor Horton opened up citizen comments on Ms. Hoke’s presentation: Mr. Jordan McKinney asked if there is currently a plan to retain Radford University students and if not there needs to be one that encourages students to stay in Radford. Mr. Lynn Burris suggested taking the video camera up toe the schools and get footage of all the good things happening in Radford City Schools because that will also help attract businesses and people to the area. Ms. Kathleen Harshberger stated that there are about six or seven businesses downtown how have been in business for over twenty years, but there are also a lot that open and close, which can make our downtown look pathetic at times. She then asked if there are any plans to address this. Mr. Nishant Grover asked if Radford has plans or is currently working with GoVirginia. Ms. Marceline Hunter suggested that the City do a better job of recognizing businesses that have been around for many years. Mr. Belinda Blodgett stated that she has worked many years with Dr. Harshberger and Mayor Horton and they have wonderful, grandiose ideas for Radford. She also noted that it is important to distinguish the differences between the Chamber and Main Street. Brooke Love asked how does the Farmer’s Market come into play with the addition of Main Street. SUBJECT: Virginia Main Street Program Resolution ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the resolution to become a Main Street affiliate, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that we are less than 48 hours away from August and the focus is now on back to school. Crews are working to restripe the crosswalks and make sure everything is ready for the students return. Mayor Horton emphasized that the cleanup and fix up is not just for public property, but also private property and now is a good time to get properties looking nice for the fall. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated she is excited to be heading up the Sustainability Work Group and ask that for the next meeting we get the scope of the committee narrowed and begin to appoint committee members to get involved. Ms. Huntington hopes for the group to begin working in September. Mr. Gropman ask if we could start putting the minutes up for the various Boards and Commissions on the City’s Website. Mr. Gropman also thanked Blair for her presentation and to let Council know what tools she needs in her tool belt. Ms. Critterton mentioned that when she was on School Board a student representative would come and speak to the Board, she would like to extend that invitation to that same student to come and speak to Council. Ms. Critterton also suggested looking into Geocaching at historical sites in Radford, where people could collect a piece of history. Ms. Critterton stated that Council is still looking at how to do community meetings and how to take their meetings out into the community. Mr. Horton stated that the Radford Farmers Market is moving to the former Wade’s parking lot. This is a relaunch of the market and all should come out and support the vendors. Mr. Horton mentioned Pazar’s reopening and said that he loved to celebrate what our businesses are doing. Dr. Harshberger commented on how nice the inside of Pazar looks. Dr. Harshberger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gropman to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of 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: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Dr. Harshberger made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 p.m., seconded by Mr. Gropman. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk