City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. August 27, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 4 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 Mr. Don Goodman, Chief of Police Dr. Harshberger was out of town on personal business. ACTION: City Council unanimously voted to allow Dr. Harshberger to remotely participate in the meeting. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger was then called and joined the meeting through phone. The Pledge was led by the local veterans. The moment of reflection was led by Mayor Horton. Mayor Horton spoke about the starting of the school year. Mayor Horton spoke about how Radford is well known for our education and proceeded to read a storm called a Moment of Clarity, by Less Brown. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded Mr. Gropman that the minutes for the August 13, 2018 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Radford City Schools SUMMARY: The Virginia Board of Education establishes an “Index of Performance” to provide incentives and recognition to public schools for advanced performance in reading, math, science, history and social studies. McHarg Elementary School and Belle Heth Elementary School have been recognized by the Commonwealth for academic excellence in education in receiving the 2018 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award. A Resolution has been prepared to recognize the State designation, as well as the school system’s outstanding work with students and its dedicated teachers and staff. ACTION: On a motion by Ms. Critterton and seconded Ms. Huntington that the Radford City Schools Proclamation is approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 REPORT: Delegate Chris Hurst SUMMARY: Delegate Hurst gave a report on the General Assembly discussing the Budget and Legislation that has been or is coming up in the Virginia General Assembly. Mayor Horton thanked Delegate Hurst for his hard work in Richmond and mentioned the City needing funding for new schools and broadband connectivity. Ms. Huntington talked about Radford being an outdoorsy community and asked that Delegate Hurst keep the expansion of the bike trails across Southwest Virginia on his radar. Mr. Gropman asked Delegate Hurst about unfunded mandates from the state, as well as grandfathering in reimbursement to schools who have already begun school hardening and infrastructure improvements. Mr. Gropman concluded by mentioning the need for funding for his idea of the CIT institute in Radford. Ms. Critterton talked about balancing funding for schools across the state and funding for the development of the innovation center, which would provide Radford with the workforce needed. Dr. Harshberger thanked Delegate Hurst for providing the City with the inspiration and challenges that he did tonight and is excited to see what the Main Street program can become. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Steve Frye asked Delegate Hurst about the possibility of Boards of Cooperative Education, which could come together to jointly fund a program. SUBJECT: 2020 Reassessment SUMMARY: The City of Radford has requested proposals from professional firms to conduct the 2020 citywide property reassessment. The City received one proposal from Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group in the amount of $89,743. The company met all of the specification requirements, provided many recommendations and has experience in Radford by conducting the 2008, and 2012 and 2016 reassessments. The assessment cost was included in the development of the F.Y. 2019 Budget. An independent reassessment is required by code every four years to determine the valuation of real estate in the City of Radford for tax assessments. A lower price “Drive by” option was provided, but is not as accurate as the “on site” visit. ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to award the reassessment contract to Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.12-DMV Alcohol Grant SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant in the amount of $7,750 from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for “enhanced alcohol enforcement”. The grant will be used for overtime associated with reducing alcohol violations. A $3,875 match is required and can be accommodated in the Police Department budget. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.12, 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 1702.12, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.13-DMV Speeding SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant in the amount of $6,750 from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to support efforts to reduce speeding violations. The grant will be used for overtime associated with program enforcement. A $3,375 match is required and can be accommodated in the Police Department Budget. ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.13, on the first reading, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.13, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Blair Hoke spoke about the upcoming Community Engagement sessions for the Virginia Main Street Program. The session will be on Tuesday, September 18 with the Public Report on September 19. Both sessions are from 5:30-7 p.m. at the NRVCS Training Room. Go Virginia Region 2 Council approved funding for the Small Business Development Center. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath discussed the Renew the New Event, which took place this past weekend. Mr. Ridpath stated that schools are back in and improvements to crosswalks are still occurring. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Horton stated that the Beautification Commission did an assessment of the City and took a look at the trees, creating a plan for tree removal and new trees to be planted. Ms. Huntington has a more somber statement this evening. I want to make citizens aware there will be a candlelight vigil in Bisset Park on August 31. It is hosted by NRVCS to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. NRVCS is sponsoring this event, and they are wonderful resource for those in need, addiction can be overcome and no one is a lost cause. Mr. Gropman wished his wife happy birthday. Dr. Harshberger spoke about how Wildwood Park is under a conservation easement and will remain as a natural park for eternity because of that. Ms. Critterton discussed a collaborative meeting Mayor Horton and her had with BAE and is looking forward to them increasing their participation in Radford. Ms. Critterton also mentioned that an art contest for the City Logo Redesign could be a fun idea. Ms. Critterton mentioned the poor condition of the American Legion building and ask if the City could look into helping them with that building or grants to help with the building. Ms. Critterton concluded by saying she is learning a lot and is excited about all the groups and committees she is serving on, as the Council representative, they all have big plans and ideas. Mayor Horton stated that the Hall of Fame Football game is this weekend and that Belle Heth night at Sals in this Wednesday. Mayor Horton also discussed how this is a new beginning for the Main Street program in Radford and the program did a lot of good and looks to do that again. Mayor Horton commended Blair and the team on her work. Ms. Huntington made a motion, seconded by Ms. Critterton to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of 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 2.2-3711 (A) (5). 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. 2.2-3711 (A) (8). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 No action was taken in the closed meeting. Mr. Gropman made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Huntington made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Ms. Huntington made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:32 p.m., seconded by Ms. Critterton. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk