City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 8, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 8 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 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 reflected on Fire Prevention week and the quality of services provided by our Fire Department. Mayor Horton then proceeded to thank Chief Goodman for his years of service to Blacksburg and Radford and congratulated him on his retirement. Mayor Horton empathized that we cannot thank Chief Goodman enough and called for a standing ovation. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Gropman and seconded Ms. Critterton that the minutes for the September 24, 2018 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMTION: SUBJECT: Arts and Humanities Month SUMMARY: The month of October is Nationally recognized as “Arts and Humanities Month”. The proposed Proclamation locally recognizes the significant contributions of art, music, stage and dance to our community, its citizens and our youth ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS Chief Goodman thanked the Mayor for the kind words. Chief Goodman then said he gets to serve with men and women of honor daily and he will miss that. Chief Goodman gave an overview of a week in the lift of Senior Police Officer Sean Weston. Chief Goodman stated that he did this because Officer Weston’s Sergeant wrote an e-mail about how proud he is of the work Officer Weston is doing. Chief Goodman stated that Officer Weston’s week could have been any other officer’s week and would have been an overwhelming week to anyone. Chief Goodman stated he wants people to see the humanity of the people who do this job and work for RCPD, he then presented Officer Weston with a Chief’s coin. Mayor Horton said this is what exemplifies the community spirit in Radford. Mr. Gropman thanked all the men and women of RCPD for all they do and encouraged citizens to participate in the citizen’s police academy and go on a ride along. Dr. Harshberger encouraged citizens to think of what it would be like to do what police do. Ms. Critterton stated she will be out riding along with the PD every three months and it is truly humbling to ride along with the police department. Ms. Huntington said that from the other side of the court room it is a pleasure to never have any degree about the professionalism she is going to have from the men and women of RCPD. Ms. Huntington stated that she is truly appreciative of the work RCPD does and we are lucky to have them serving the City. SUBJECT: CDBG-Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that a “Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report” (CAPER) for the City of Radford be available for public comment. The F.Y. 2017-2018 report has been prepared, as required and illustrates project funding for beautification, section 108 loan repayment, a housing study, sub- recipients as well as emergency housing needs. The comprehensive program was implemented with $283,420 in Community Development Block Grant funding. The CAPER is available for public inspection at the Library, City Administration Office and the City Website. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Critterton updated citizens on the progress of the work being done on the American Legion Building and thanked Mr. Onassis Burris for his contribution and help to make this project possible. She also thanked Home Depot and Crocket Home Improvement. Ms. Critterton stated that her moment of silence was dedicated to Colver W. Alderman, who is veteran who lost his life in war from Radford. Ms. Critterton proceeded to encourage citizens to come out to the Glencoe Museum 20th Anniversary Celebration Saturday and that Craft and Draft is still looking for volunteers for their event. Ms. Critterton also stated that she was sorted into the house tenacious at Belle Heth Elementary and it is amazing what they are doing at that school and all the schools and it would be nice to have the schools on the agenda once a month to highlight what one specific school is doing. There is an upcoming tour of the schools on the docket for Council. Ms. Critterton stated she will be participating on the Center for Gender Studies panel October 29. Mr. Gropman thanked everyone for all the efforts put into the Highlanders Festival and this coming Saturday there will be a 5K Run/Walk in honor of Nichole Smith and everyone should come out. Dr. Harshberger stated that the Agency on Aging is having a reduction in funding, but the benefit game at Calfee Park raised enough money for the coming year and there was also a gold tournament to raise money for the Early Childhood Learning Center These are both fun raise to fundraise Ms. Huntington encouraged everyone to come out to the Memorial Run. She also gave a brief update that the Sustainability Committee had its first meeting and it was a great brainstorming session, the next meeting they will narrow in on their goals, before inviting the public to attend those meetings. Mayor Horton stated that he attended the VML Conference and learned that every community has challenges and he would take Radford’s over many other localities. He also said there might be some money coming from the state to help with school renovation and this could be something that could benefit Radford. Mayor Horton that Radford received the Platinum award for Green Government. He also stated that he wants to focus on citizen centric budgeting in the upcoming budget cycle. Mayor Horton also commended the Highlander’s Festival Committee on an event well done. There are also many upcoming events in October and people should come out and support those events. Highlanders Festival Committee commendable event. Fire Prevention week is this week and Mayor Horton is glad we spent time talking about public service in the meeting and is thankful for the service of our public safety officials. Ms. Critterton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 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