City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. July 8, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 1 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2019-2020 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. Others present were as follows: Mr. Basil Edwards, Director of Operations Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Dr. Harshberger led citizens in a moment of reflection. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Ms. Foster that the minutes for the June 10, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as amended. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1715 SUMMARY: The Radford Electoral Board requested that City Council consider relocating the Central Voting Precinct currently located at the Fire Station on Wadsworth Street. The increased demand on the station with the rescue services and additional employees are impacting access, availability and parking needs on voting days. The Electoral Board and the Voter Register have identified a new location nearby, at 555 West Rock Road, at First Baptist Church. The church leadership is agreeable with the potential relocation. The facility provides good access, parking to serve voter needs and storage. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:14. No Comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:15. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Special Use Permit-Recreational Vehicle Park SUMMARY: Islands on the New, LLC. has requested a Special Use Permit to construct and operate a Recreational Vehicle Park on Tax Parcel #24-1-8. The 36-acre site is adjacent to the New River and West Main Street at the Westward City Limits at 3080 Little River Road. The Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval at its meeting on April 15, 2019. They considered public comments associated with traffic, litter and smoke, noise and overall impact on the New River. 195 spaces are proposed. The property is zoned CD (conservation) and M-1 (industrial) and requires a Special Use Permit for a Recreational Vehicle Park. A public hearing was held at the March 25, 2019 City Council meeting. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to defer the Resolution to the August 12, 2019 meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. John McCandlish stated that he believes City Council needs a policy to govern the naming of public property, to make sure that all who are deserving of having something named after them get considered. Ms. Renie Price came to announce that Radford High School is having a mega reunion for the classes of 1966-1971 on August 9 and August 10. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1715-Voting Precinct Relocation SUMMARY: The Radford Electoral Board requested that City Council consider relocating the Central Voting Precinct currently located at the Fire Station on Wadsworth Street. The increased demand on the station with the rescue services and additional employees are impacting access, availability and parking needs on voting days. The Electoral Board and the Voter Register have identified a new location nearby, at 555 West Rock Road, at First Baptist Church. The church leadership is agreeable with the potential relocation. The facility provides good access, parking to serve voter needs and storage. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1715 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1715, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Street Naming Proposal SUMMARY: City Council received two proposals to name a Street “Richard “Dick” Davis Lane”. Proposal-one is the section of “Scott Street” from Sixth Street” to the back of the High School received from Mark Armentrout. Proposal-two is to rename “Second Avenue Extended” submitted by Bruce Brown. City staff has reviewed both proposals and determined that residential street addresses are impacted on both proposals. A third proposal was also looked at by staff to re- name the portion of “Scott Street” from Sixth Street to the Armory. The Armory would be the only address affected. The alternative proposal eliminates the issues of changing private addresses, maintains the “Scott” name and honors the interest of the requestors. A public hearing would be required. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to schedule a public hearing for the August 12, 2019 meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: McHarg Elementary School SUMMARY: City Council and the Radford City School Board have held several work sessions over the past ten months to discuss and plan for capital related school expenditures. The reconstruction and additions to McHarg Elementary School located at 700 Twelfth Street was high priority in the discussions. The consensus from the meetings was to advance the solicitation of architectural and engineering proposals for the design phase of the $14,820,000 construction estimate for the school project. Elements of the proposal would include planning, design, project renderings, construction documents, advertising, project construction, bidding and award. These services are estimated at $880,000 for a total project cost estimated at $15,700,000. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Award Bid for Water Plant Chemicals SUMMARY: The Water Treatment Plant received bids for one of the significant chemicals, Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAX XL8), used in our treatment process of portable water. Suppliers for this chemical are very limited. Two bids were received from Kemira for $0.231/liquid pound, and USALCO for $0.19/liquid pound. The City uses 118 tons of the chemical each year. The total cost is $52,990, which was programmed in the F.Y. 2020 annual budget. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to award the bid to USALCO, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: First Street Properties LLC Easement Dedication SUMMARY: The City of Radford and First Street Properties LLC collaborated on the improvement of sanitary sewer along the section of Leonard and Walker Streets, behind the Sonic building. A 8” sanitary sewer line was constructed across the property owned by First Street Properties LLC. A permanent and perpetual variable width sanitary sewer easement, and a twenty-foot-wide permanent utility easement containing a combined area of approximately 0.18 Acre over, under and across a portion of the property. The Resolution outlines the acceptance of the easement dedication by Radford City Council and authorizes the City Manager’s signature. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.01 SUMMARY: The Department of Social Services has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $119,520 to assist with child adoption services. The “Extreme Recruiters Grant”, developed by the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, focuses on intensive recruitment for permanent placement for youth who have parental rights terminated, have been in the system a long time for an adoptive family, or are at risk of aging out of the foster care system. The City receives 100% reimbursement for all cost associated with the program. The only local requirement of the City is to provide a computer for the program. This award is the third renewal of a possible 3-year grant. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.01 on the first reading, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.01, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.02 SUMMARY: The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Justice in the amount of $129,410. The funds will be used to support the comprehensive services of the Victim Witness Coordinator located in Radford and a full-time person in Floyd (salary, benefits, travel and office supplies) that assists individuals who have been victims/witnesses of felony or misdemeanor crimes. The program has served the citizens of Radford and Floyd for the past 25 years and served over 550 victims. No local match is required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.02 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.02, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.03 SUMMARY: The Department of social Services has received an additional $4000 to support child substance abuse and supplemental services. A $620 match in local funds is required and will be provided from the existing budget. This is an increase in the department budget for F.Y. 2020 therefore requires appropriation. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.03 on the first reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.03, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: City Council approved the following slate of appointments: Board/Commission Member Appointed Beautification Commission *3 year term Pat Fluke Sondra Yore Recreation Commission *3 year term Joseph Johnson Mark Layne Social Services Board Gina Rhea Board of Zoning Appeals *5 year term Bart Castleberry Building Code Board of Appeals Laura Kimball George Williams Chris Quesenberry Planning Commission *4 year term Janiele Hamden  Andrew Watson City/University Joint Commission *1 year term Robert Towle Business Rep (2 year term) Jeff Martin Real Estate Rep (2 year term) Mark Williams Tourism *2 year term Bryan Ward Marceline Hunter Marty Woodard Constance Cook ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the Beautification Commission, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the Recreation Commission, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the member listed in the table above to the Social Services Board, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the member listed in the table above to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the Building Code of Appeals, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the Planning Commission, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the City/University Joint Commission, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the members listed in the table above to the Tourism Commission, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster stated that she was impressed with the level of commitment from citizens wanting to serve on Boards and Commissions and that if you were not selected this time let this be the beginning of opportunity for you to continue to serve. Ms. Foster stated that the Fourth of July event was wonderful and her moment of reflection was dedicated to Leonard Matlavich. Dr. Harshberger stated that Sunday is the opening of the Walk to Freedom and there will be a reunion of all the former actors. Tickets are available online and at Radford Drug. Mayor Horton stated that the Fourth of July was amazing and that citizens have many opportunities for events including the Walk to Freedom, Moon Landing Celebration and many more. Mr. Gropman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m., seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council