City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. January 28, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 14 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. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Blair Hoke, Economic Development Director Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director Ms. Angie Frye, Interim Chief of Police Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Horton led the moment of reflection and briefly discussed the homicide that occurred in Radford the week before. Mayor Horton mentioned that our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Alexa Cannon and that he is appreciative of our first responders which help make Radford a safe place to live. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Ms. Huntington that the minutes for the January 14, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as amended. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: F.Y. 2020 Transit Operating Budget SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The process requires that the public have an opportunity to provide comments on the application and proposed use of the $1,605,000 for Operating, $220,000 for Capital and $65,000 for New Service Connectors of the F.Y. 2020 Budget. A public hearing was scheduled at the January 14, 2019 Council meeting, as required. All advertising and notification processes have been met. Melissa Skelton, Transit Coordinator, presented the Budget. Mayor Horton opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 No Comments Mayor Horton closed the Public Hearing at 7:11 *The Budget has been advertised as required* PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Department Reaccreditation SUMMARY: The Radford Sheriff’s Department has been “Re-accredited” by the State Accrediting Agency. The process involves many hours of Departmental inspections and review associated with procedures, equipment, paperwork and reporting, as well as facilities review, ride- a-longs and officer interviews. The review and award reflects the departments overall best practices in Sheriff’s operations and programming. Chief Roche from the Pulaski Police Department serves on the Accreditation Committee and presented the award to Mark and the Sheriff’s Department. SUBJECT: Drug Court SUMMARY: The Circuit Court Judge is considering the implementation of “Drug Court”. Generally, the Drug Treatment Court Program is designed as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders with substance abuse related charges. It is a voluntary program requiring substance abuse treatment, judicial supervision and drug testing. Participants pay program cost, perform community service and become employed or pursue educational goals. Lori Trail, an Advocate for New River Valley Community Services, made the presentation on the program. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1709-Erosion and Sediment Control SUMMARY: The Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance has been rewritten to update the language to match current state code. The Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance was previously updated in 2008. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve the Ordinance 1709 on the second reading, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Ordinance 1710-Stormwater Management SUMMARY: The Stormwater Management Ordinance has been rewritten to update the language to match current state code. The Stormwater Management Ordinance was originally written in 2014, when Radford became a part of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). ACTION: Ms. Critteron moved to approve the Ordinance 1710 on the second reading, Ms. Huntington second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Radford Heritage Foundation SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y. 2019. Activities include operation of the Glencoe Museum, conducting historical and cultural related special events, as well as identifying and expanding educational activities and opportunities. The amount of the request is $10,000. SUBJECT: Chamber of Commerce SUMMARY: The Radford Chamber of Commerce has provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y. 2019. Generally, services include assistance in economic development, involvement in local government initiatives, fostering of communication, “Festival of Lights” support, promotion of Radford Tourism and business, and increased marketing. A report and presentation by a representative of the Chamber of Commerce occurred at the January 14, 2019 meeting. ACTION: Mayor Horton moved to table the discussion of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Radford Chamber and Heritage Foundation until the City Council has time to discuss the details with both organizations, Ms. Critterton second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: There are vacancies on the New River Valley Jail Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Beautification Commission. ACTION: Ms. Critterton moved to appoint Oneida Huntington and David Winston to the Beautification Commission, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Huntington ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to appoint Josh Smith to the NRV Jail Board, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger NAYES: Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton ACTION: Ms. Critterton moved to appoint Jenny Rife to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Radford Transit – F.Y. 2020 Budget: SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The process requires that the public have an opportunity to provide comments on the application and proposed use of the $1,605,000 for Operating, $220,000 for Capital and $65,000 for New Service Connectors of the F.Y. 2020 Budget. A public hearing was scheduled at the January 14, 2019 Council meeting, as required. All advertising and notification processes have been met. Melissa Skelton, Transit Coordinator, presented the Budget. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the F.Y. 2020 Transit Budget, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Radford Transit-Transportation Development Plan: SUMMARY: The Transportation Development Plan (TDP) was begun by consultants for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation in 2017. The consultants, Michael Baker International and Four-Square, in conjunction with the local MPO and the City of Radford, studied, reviewed and summarized route planning, short and long term bus service as well as, capital improvements associated with public transportation systems. Council was provided the plan in December. Melissa Skelton, Transit Coordinator, presented the (TDP). ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adopt the Radford Transportation Development Plan, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Lauri Murphy stated that Green Heron Arts has officially closed and she appreciates all the business people have given her in Radford over the years. Ms. Murphy stated that there are about thirty artists who need to still come and pick up their goods and listed the times which they could do that. Ms. Murphy concluded by saying Radford can be a hard place to do business based on the fact that our downtown is not walkable, but she believes incentives to business and property owners would help keep small businesses in Radford. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: AT&T Franchise Agreement SUMMARY: AT&T Mobility Corporation is planning and designing infrastructure improvements associated with the need for 5-G wireless service. The request will include new construction and possible co-location of transmission equipment, wireless support structures and related maintenance. The Virginia Code requires approval of a Franchise agreement within the corporate boundaries. City Staff and the City Attorney have been working on the request details with AT&T. The Franchise addresses right-of-way use, facility expectations, maintenance, insurance, infrastructure removal and fees. An Ordinance is required associated with the Franchise Agreement. A public hearing is required on the Ordinance and can be accommodated on February 11, 2019. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for the February 11, 2019 meeting, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.24-Memorial Bridge Flags SUMMARY: American Flags for Memorial Bridge have been considered for ten light poles. The holders have been evaluated by VDOT and the proposal is acceptable for wind load and safety. A formal Right-of-way application to VDOT will be required, holder equipment and flags ordered and installation by the Electric Department. The flags are 18” x 34”. The funds for the project have been raised from private donations. The Appropriation recognizes and places into City operating Budget the $1,400 donation. The flags will be installed by Memorial Day. ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.24 on the first reading, Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Huntington mentioned that she would really like to see a process developed for these types of projects and collecting these funds. Dr. Harshberger agreed and stated a foundation of some sort would be a great idea. ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1702.24, Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath mentioned that the Hydro facility at the Little River Dam has been up and running for six days now. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gropman discussed international Holocaust remembrance day and read the following two paragraphs from an article in the New York Times called Holocaust Is Fading From Memory, Study Finds: “For seven decades, “never forget” has been a rallying cry of the Holocaust remembrance movement. But a survey released Thursday, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, found that many adults lack basic knowledge of what happened — and this lack of knowledge is more pronounced among millennials, whom the survey defined as people ages 18 to 34. Thirty-one percent of Americans, and 41 percent of millennials, believe that two million or fewer Jews were killed in the Holocaust; the actual number is around six million. Forty-one percent of Americans, and 66 percent of millennials, cannot say what Auschwitz was. And 52 percent of Americans wrongly think Hitler came to power through force.” Ms. Critterton thanked everyone for their donations of peanut butter and stated that her moment of silence was dedicated to Alexa Cannon and Joseph Walker an unaccompanied Veteran. Ms. Critterton proceeded to provided Council and citizens with some facts regarding the Department of Social Services and foster care, which she had learned at her most recent meeting. She stated she would provide Council with copies of the report. Mayor Horton concluded the meeting by stating there are many great things happening in Radford including the rebrand and all the excitement surrounding Boards and Commission. Radford is a great community to be a part of. Dr. Harshberger made a motion, seconded by Ms. Critterton to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of 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, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3). 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 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: 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, Ms. Critterton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Critterton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m., seconded by Ms. Huntington. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council