City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. February 25, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 16 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 Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Horton reflected on all the exciting things happening in Radford, including new economic growth. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Ms. Huntington that the minutes for the February11, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Tourism SUMMARY: Deb Cooney, Tourism Director, presented an overview of Tourism related activities over the past year, as well as accomplishments related to the work plan and decade of successes. SUBJECT: Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facility Authority SUMMARY: The City of Radford is a member of the Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority along with thirteen other member jurisdiction throughout the New River Valley and Roanoke area. The Authority was formed in 1998 from State enabling legislation to promote regional economic development and investment. The Authority owns the Commerce Park in Pulaski. Radford contributes $28,858 to the Authority. Danny Wilson, Executive Director, presented an overview of the Authority and its activities. SUBJECT: Community Canopy SUMMARY: The Arbor Day Foundation offers a program to provide trees to communities to promote the environment, homeowner education, energy conservation, sustainability and tree replacement. Carly Dove, City Horticulturist, presented an overview of the program being considered by the Beautification Commission. RESOLUTION: Memorial Bridge Right-of-Way SUMMARY: City Council approved Appropriation Ordinance #1702.24 at its meeting on January 28, 2019 supporting a donation that will be used to acquire flag holders and American flags for nine street lights along Memorial Bridge. The City is making formal application with the Virginia Department of Transportation for approval of the flags on VDOT Right-of-way. A Resolution is required by VDOT that formalizes the permit, the installation, insurance and maintenance along the state highway system, US Route 11. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Trading LLC, Special Use Permit SUMMARY: Radford Trading, LLC. has 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 for the proposed use. City Council scheduled a public hearing for its meeting on March 11, 2019. Tommy Bishop, representing Radford Trading, LLC, presented an overview of the project as requested by City Council for informational purposes. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Sam Zeakous expressed some concerns about the Radford Trading LLC Special Use Permit and the processes behind the recycling of the materials. Mr. Bobby Phillips of New River Recycling invited Council to come to their site to see how a recycling center operates and that you cannot keep the waste and materials inside. Mr. Phillips stated council can come see his center to get an idea of what this future development would be like. Mr. Bill Fleischer asked about the electronic recycling and what it entails, as well as if it will become a resale and wholesale facility. He expressed his concerns of processing of the materials. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Contract Amendment SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Transportation requires the inspection of bridges every two years. The University Drive Bridge has been inspected by Schwartz and Associates, Inc. and given a “satisfactory”, classification rating of “6”. The report has recommended repairs to the joints, deck repairs, improvements to the approaches and several other general maintenance items. The City Council awarded a contract to Whitman, Requardt & Associates on September 24, 2018 to provide design, bidding and contract administration to implement elements noted in the inspection. The cost of the engineering is $117,310. The Bridge is an important component to Radford University in its transportation link by vehicles and pedestrians to their sports complex, parking lots and facilities. The University wants to participate in the design and ultimate construction associated with bridge amenities such as lighting, fencing and design elements. The additional cost for this work is $11,359. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the contract amendment, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger moved to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1702.26 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntington to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1702.26, Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Refresh Radford SUMMARY: Mayor Horton outlined his plan to help Refresh Radford this spring. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to support Refresh Radford, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that this weekend there was flooding that crews have begun to clean up. There is a lot happening in Radford as we approach Spring and staff is about to enter full budget mode. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Critterton dedicated her moment of silence to Edward Kenneth Cox and expressed she recently had a wonderful meeting with the Heritage Foundation. Dr. Harshberger thanked Mr. Ridpath for staying on top of the weather this past weekend with all the updates sent to Council. Mr. Gropman thanked Council for their support of the Memorial Bridge flag project. Mayor Horton discussed the continued need for peanut butter for Bobcat Backpacks. He also invited everyone to dine out for shelter, on Wednesday Mayor Horton discussed his visit to Richmond and talked about how as a community we can have more opportunities to generate revenue. Mayor Horton also discussed tasking each Council member with a work group: Mr. Gropman will lead a Tax Relief group, Ms. Foster will lead a Diversity Group, and Dr. Harshberger will lead a Quality of Life group. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m., seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council