City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 22, 2018 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 9 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 The Pledge was led by the local veterans. The moment of reflection was led by Mayor Horton. He reflected on the loss of one of Radford’s Veterans Luther Dickens and all that Luther did for the City of Radford. Mayor Horton states that Radford is all about community and great people who do great things. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Ms. Critterton and seconded Dr. Harshberger that the minutes for the October 8, 2018 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMTION: SUBJECT: Veterans Day SUMMARY: The Proclamation formally recognizes Veterans Day in Radford on November 11, 2018. The Proclamation recognizes the Men and Women who have served our Nation and represented our community, as well as protected the ideals of freedom, justice and liberty. ACTION: Ms. Critterton 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 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: BT’S SUMMARY: A Resolution was presented recognizing BT’S. The restaurant, owned by Tom Whitehead, is celebrating its thirty-fifth year of business. The Resolution reflects the local roots of the business, its impact on the local economy, tourism and job creation. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Economic Development Incentive Program SUMMARY: An incentive program has been established that will enhance Radford economic development efforts in order to spur investment. The incentive encourages private investment in land and structures. The program consists of an incentive plan for grants made by the Economic Development Authority to eligible businesses based upon real estate tax payments made by the business after an investment in real property. The plan is intended to promote higher levels of investment and development in new and existing real property. The tax rebate amounts will be based on the properties’ assessed value and are tiered in structure to encourage additional investment. The incentive plan would be an effective tool for the Economic Development Director and the EDA to use in marketing the City. The EDA unanimously endorsed the incentive plan at its meeting on October 18, 2018. ACTION: Mayor Horton moved to approve the resolution as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Pat Fluke invited everyone to attend the Wildwood Park Clean up on November 3. Corporal Hite and Corporal Martin recapped the Nichole Smith Memorial Run, which was on October 13. There were over 150 participants and they raised a little over $10,000 for the American Heart Association. They gave a special thanks to Radford High School for the use of th the rack and stated they hope to grow the event next year! Mr. Lynn Burris stated he found twenty dollars in his broken washer and he used it to buy lottery tickets and he is donating one to the City for the Mega Millions. Ms. Samantha is the owner of Pazar and she received incentives through the City for her restaurant and it was really a great help. She also stated the BT’S is an inspiration. Mr. Ashley thanked Council for their recognition of the Veterans and stated he is here to talk about the Police Department’s mishandling of custody of his child. Mr. Ashely said he had filed numerous complaints over 10 years and just wants answers to all his questions. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1706-Voting Precinct Proposal SUMMARY: The East Radford Precinct has twice as many voters as the Central and West Precinct and is expected to grow another 1,000 registered voters by the 2020 election. The Voter Registrar and the Radford Electoral Board have recommended a split in the East Precinct to improve service, accessibility, as well as meet the statutory requirements of the Virginia Code. The Registrar made a presentation at the City Council meeting on September 10, 2018. Dividing the East Precinct into two precincts will require two ordinances: 1) to create a new precinct with defined boundaries and a polling place; and 2) to redefine the boundaries of the existing East Precinct. Currently, the proposal is to name the new precinct the “New River Precinct” and use Grove United Methodist Church as its polling place. The redefined “East Precinct” shall maintain the Radford Recreational Building as its polling place. Public hearings are required on the two proposed Ordinances and can be accommodated at the November 13, 2018 City Council meeting. ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to approve schedule a public hearing for the November 13, 2018 meeting, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1707-Voting Precinct Proposal SUMMARY: The East Radford Precinct has twice as many voters as the Central and West Precinct and is expected to grow another 1,000 registered voters by the 2020 election. The Voter Registrar and the Radford Electoral Board have recommended a split in the East Precinct to improve service, accessibility, as well as meet the statutory requirements of the Virginia Code. The Registrar made a presentation at the City Council meeting on September 10, 2018. Dividing the East Precinct into two precincts will require two ordinances: 1) to create a new precinct with defined boundaries and a polling place; and 2) to redefine the boundaries of the existing East Precinct. Currently, the proposal is to name the new precinct the “New River Precinct” and use Grove United Methodist Church as its polling place. The redefined “East Precinct” shall maintain the Radford Recreational Building as its polling place. Public hearings are required on the two proposed Ordinances and can be accommodated at the November 13, 2018 City Council meeting. ACTION: Ms. Huntington moved to approve schedule a public hearing for the November 13, 2018 meeting, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated that she had the opportunity to sit in on Dr. Pearce’s class and talk with City Staff to show the students all that is going on around Radford. She also got to participate in the Bobcat Backpacks program and the Nichole Smith Memorial Run. Ms. Huntington said she is proud of Radford and that we have a community that comes together in the good and bad. sit in on Mr. Gropman said he went to the Community Services Board Meeting and stated that they are going to lose money from the State; however, SANASA has given them a 4-million-dollar grant, which will help. Also, everyone needs to vote for K9 Max to win the Aftermath Grant. Dr. Harshberger stated he is pleased with how Radford University homecoming went this year, with the combo of events from the City and University and the Walk to Freedom Committee has already begun planning for next year’s play. Ms. Critterton gave an update on American Legion building and gave a special thanks to Onassis for his help. Ms. Critterton also discussed her recent ride along with RCPD and how she is excited for her upcoming ride along with the Fire Department. She also stated that craft and Draft was a huge success, as was the Heritage Foundation anniversary event. Ms. Critterton mentioned that she dedicated her moment of silence to Mr. Jacob Carper and invited everyone to attend the women in politics session at RU on October 29. Mayor Horton stated that there are bigger things in the bear future for Radford and we need all citizens to be a champion for the City. Mayor Horton then commended public works and public safety staff for all their work through the flooding and recent power outages. Mr. Gropman made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body. For the purposes of this subdivision, "probable litigation" means litigation that has been specifically threatened or on which the public body or its legal counsel has a reasonable basis to believe will be commenced by or against a known party. 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) (7). 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 Dr. Harshberger 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 Mr. Gropman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 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