City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. February 11, 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 Foster, 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, Dr. Harshberger led the moment of reflection. He reflected on education in Radford and how to provide the best education for Radford’s youth in the future. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Ms. Huntington and seconded by Dr. Harshberger that the minutes for the January 28, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as amended. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Bobcats of Wheels SUMMARY: Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread has partnered with Radford City Schools to provide meal delivery to the residents of vulnerable home-bound community members during hazardous weather. Daily Bread Manager, Dora Butler, presented an overview of the program. SUBJECT: New River Valley Health District SUMMARY: Dr. Noell Bissell, Director of the New River Valley Health District, presented an overview of local trends and issues, as well as department services and educational programming. The City contributes $100,822 to support the service of the Health Department. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Barbara Vandyke stated should would like to start a program similar to that of the Chase the Chill in the City of Lynchburg. She asked for Council’s support and requested their assistance in getting staff approval. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Transit SUMMARY: Radford Transit has placed eight new buses into service replacing those that have reached their useful life. The buses that have been replaced, range from eight to seventeen years old. The buses must be locally declared to be “surplus”. They will be sold at public auction through PublicSurplus.com. Alexandria Transit Company, Dash, has a need for one of the surplus buses for several months while area Metro lines are closed for improvements. They have requested to use bus #3504 and will be paying $500/month to lease it from us. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to declare the eight buses as “surplus items”, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to endorse the lease of bus #3504 to Alexandria Transit Company, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Critterton, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Radford Trading LLC SUMMARY: Radford Trading, LLC. submitted a request to operate a recycling, resource recovery and reclamation operation at 1501 West Main Street. The proposed use would be located in the facility formerly used by New River Castings and would accommodate the processing of electronic and other related materials, including a copper wire chopping line and ferrous and non- ferrous bulk scrap recycling. The property is zoned M-2 Industrial and a Special Use Permit is required and is in the process of being considered by the Planning Commission. A public hearing is required by City Council. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to schedule the public hearing for the March 11, 2019 City Council Meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1702.25-Animal Shelter SUMMARY: Animal Control requested the use of funds from the designated “donation” account for use with medical services associated with the cost of pet microchips. The chips are used to help locate lost or stolen pets. The Appropriation is for $4,821. ACTION: Mr. Gropman moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.25 on the first reading, Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1702.25, Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated the Little River Dam has been operating for a couple of weeks now and we will look to do a ribbon cutting in the early Spring. The Work Session with Davenport will be on February 25 and the flags have been ordered for Memorial D=Bridge, with the bronze plaque getting ready for installation on the Historic Figures project any day now. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster stated her moment of silence was dedicated to Emmit Lee Covey. She also stated she attended the art exhibit at Glencoe and the Belle Heth Fundraiser, fun was had by all. Dr. Harshberger stated there was a good article on the Dam in the Roanoke Times and the City should have a ribbon cutting gala. Ms. Huntington thanked everyone for coming out this evening and stated that as we approach the heart of budget season to continue to send ideas to her. Mayor Horton stated they need to set some goals for the February 25 work session and that tonight’s meeting with the school was productive. Congrats to the Boys Basketball team on their undefeated regular season. Everyone go to Radford Coffee Company for Fiddle and Banjo Jam on Monday nights. Mayor Horton Concluded by challenging Council to participate in the Polar Plunge on February 23. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 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