City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. September 10, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 6 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2018-2019 Mr. Gropman 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). 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. 2.2-3711 (A) (3). 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: 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. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Gropman made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton 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, 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 The Pledge was led by the local veterans. The moment of reflection was led by Mayor Horton. Mayor Horton spoke about September 11 and all the heroes on that day and in the following days. Mayor Horton then asked Ms. Critterton to speak about the restoration of the local American Legion Building. Ms. Critterton spoke about the outpouring of community support to restore the building and that all those who have offered to help will be contacted as the project moves forward. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded Ms. Critterton that the minutes for the August 24, 2018 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Declaration of Local Emergency SUMMARY: Due to the impending storm Florence the City Manager has requested that Council declare a state of emergency. ACTION: Mayor Horton moved that Council declare a local state of emergency, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 REPORT: Voting Precinct Proposal SUMMARY: The “East” Radford precinct has twice as many voters as the “Central” and “West” Precincts and is expected to grow another 1,000 registered voters by the 2020 election. The Voter Registrar and the Electoral Board are looking at options to split the “East” Precinct to improve service, accessibility, as well as meet the expectations of Virginia Code requirements. The Voter Registrar provided an overview of the request for a new Precinct, the statutory requirements and Budget expectations. REPORT: Radford Heritage Foundation SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation will celebrate the Glencoe Mansion’s 20th Anniversary in October of this year. Activities include special exhibits, presentations and tours. The Foundation Executive Director, Scott Gardner, presented the highlights of the event and requested an additional $2,000 of financial support for the event and future events. ACTION: Ms. Critterton moved to endorse the plans of the Heritage Foundation, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Jim McCandlish asked a question about the Tyler Avenue boundary within the new voting precinct and how that would work the precinct being located on the other side of the boundary. Mr. Howard clarified that the precinct location just has to be within a mile of the precinct boundary. Ms. Janet Hann has lived in Radford for 39 years and is excited to see so many students who are willing to consider Radford their home enough to register to vote here. Chief Goodman announced that the Police Department is hosting a run on October 13 with the proceeds going to the American Heart Association. The run is in memorandum of Detective Smith’s wife, who recently passed away. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.14-Paving Program SUMMARY: The City awarded its 2018 Pavement Maintenance Contract to Adams Construction Company in July 9, 2018. The contract was tied to a purchase order carryover of $271,906 from F.Y. 2018 to F.Y. 2019. The funds need to be re-appropriated for use in the budget year of the expense. The “Paving Program” was delayed this spring due to weather and the timing of procurement ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.14, 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: Dr. Harshberger moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.14, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.15-Toursim Grant SUMMARY: The Tourism Department has received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in the amount of $3,825. The funds will be used to support an outdoor “sculpture” competition focused on Radford’s railroad history and the pieces displayed in the Business District. The Grant was not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2019 Budget, therefore requiring Appropriation. This is the third grant we have received to support the “sculpture” program ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.15, 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: Ms. Huntington moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.15, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.16-Crisis Intervention Center SUMMARY: The Sheriff’s Department has requested an Appropriation in the amount of $302,832 to continue efforts with New River Community Services for the Crisis Intervention Center. The State General Assembly her provided local funding for mental health crisis response and assessment centers. The New River Valley Community Services Board received funds to support officers, training, equipment and supplies for the Radford Sheriff’s Department who was tasked with the security detail for the Crisis Intervention Team Center. The “center” provides a secure location where individuals, who may be experiencing a mental health event, can be evaluated by a clinician to determine the need for hospitalization or release. The legislation and program was a result of mental health related incidents which occurred around the state. All costs are reimbursed 100% to the City of Radford for this service. An Appropriation is required to program the funds for the F.Y. 2019 City Budget. ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.16, on the first reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1702.16, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Radford City Public Schools SUMMARY: The City Council and the School Board meet jointly and discussed common objectives for the future of Radford City Public Schools including school funding needs and future planning. The two groups agreed to meet quarterly to continue planning for the future of Radford City Schools. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gropman stated that Highlanders Festival is October 6. Mayor Horton mentioned that with the start of the school year at Radford University and that there have been some challenges and that we are doing all we can to make sure all in Radford are safe. Activities coming up over the coming weeks are Bobcat Backpacks on Tuesday night and everyone be safe out there this weekend. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 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