City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. September 23, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 4 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, and Ms. Naomi Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Horton led citizens in a moment of reflection. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the minutes for the September 9, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Public Power Week SUMMARY: The week of October 6, 2019 through October 12, 2019 is Public Power Week. The week is established nationally to recognize our electric employees, the importance of power in building strong communities, the 2000 community-owned utilities across the country, as well as the significance of reliable power. The Proclamation recognized the significance of the week locally. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Fire Prevention Week SUMMARY: The week of October 6, 2019 through October 12, 2019 is Nationally recognized as “Fire Prevention Week”. The Proclamation locally endorses “Fire Prevention Week in Radford”. The Proclamation encourages recognition of this important week by promoting fire safety at home, at work, in our schools and in our forests. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Bill Bondurant SUMMARY: The Radford High School Board is planning a celebration and reunion with band Director Bill Bondurant. The Resolution honored Bill’s dedication, talent and service to music and the City of Radford. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 RECOGNITION: SUBJECT: Mike Goad SUMMARY: The Electric Department publicly recognized Mike Goad, Electric Utilities Engineer, for his leadership, passion and expert knowledge that was significant in the renovation of the Little River Dam Hydro-electric project. Tim Logwood, Director of Electric Utilities, provided the recognition. PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Radford Chamber of Commerce SUMMARY: The Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Ciara Harris, and the President, Onassis Burris, presented an overview of Chamber accomplishments and activities since January, 2019. The City contributes $18,000 to the Chamber of Commerce and the Festival of Lights. SUBJECT: Adopt-A-Spot SUMMARY: Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer, presented an update and overview of the Adopt-a-Spot program. CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Norwood Square Lot Closure SUMMARY: Oasis Church requested that the Norwood Square parking lot, located at the intersection of Virginia Street and East Main Street, be closed to accommodate a “carnival” associated with the annual “Trick or Treat Trail”, sponsored by the Radford Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held on, October 31, 2019. The lot will be closed from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate children’s activities, including games, inflatables, music and face painting. Access to the businesses through the lot will not be impacted by the special event. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve closure of the Norwood Square Lot, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: University Drive Bridge SUMMARY: Design work got underway this Spring by our consultant Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP. for engineering design associated with the “University Drive Bridge” improvements. The project, generally includes replacing and/or removing the expansion joints, deck repairs, as well as improvements to the vehicular approaches. The work will improve bridge safety and extend the useful life of the structure. Design is anticipated to be completed this Winter with Spring bidding and Summer 2020 construction. The design contract was expanded on February 25, 2019 to include additional amenities and some aesthetic improvements requested by Radford University. Project elements include replacing the chain link fencing with railing, upgrading and providing additional lighting, widening the sidewalk and including “Radford University” demarcation, since the roadway accesses the Dedmon Center and other University facilities. The University is funding these additions to the project and related engineering. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to endorse the design concept, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to amend the engineering contract with Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.10 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.10, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-McHarg Elementary Sidewalk Improvements SUMMARY: The City submitted an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for consideration of enhancements to the City transportation network under its “Smart-Scale” program. The project would provide sidewalk construction adjacent to McHarg Elementary School that extends into the surrounding neighborhoods and will enhance the planned school construction. The project has had some preliminary planning, is Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvements Plan based, enhances our pedestrian network and safety, as well as possesses geographic benefits and quality of life attributes. The application requests funds for planning, surveying, design and construction costs. The project design includes 1,750’ of sidewalks, crosswalks, stop bars, signage, ADA requirements, lighting, asphalt and stormwater controls. The pedestrian enhancement is estimated to cost $497,348 and will require a local 20% match, if funded by VDOT in F.Y. 2021. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-Sidewalk Improvements East Main Street SUMMARY: The City submitted an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for consideration of enhancements to the City transportation network under its “Smart-Scale” program. The project would provide sidewalk construction on the north side of East Main Street from University Drive to Jefferson Street. The project has had some preliminary planning, is Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvements plan based, enhances our pedestrian network and safety, as well as possesses geographic benefits and quality of life attributes. It also eliminates the mid-block crosswalk, as well as provides improved intersection equipment that will reduce conflicts at the Jefferson Street intersection. The application requests funds for planning, surveying, design and construction cost. The project design includes 900’ of sidewalks, crosswalks, stop bars, signage, ADA requirements, lightning, asphalt and stormwater controls. The pedestrian enhancement is estimated to cost $428,193 and will require a local 20% match if funded by VDOT in F.Y. 2021. 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, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: United States 2020 Census Kick Off Proclamation SUMMARY: The Partnership Specialist for the United States Census requested that City Council consider a Proclamation to “kick-off” count activities in the City of Radford. The Proclamation highlights the importance of the Census, its impact on growth, as well as its overall process. The kick off date is October 7, 2019 through October 11, 2019. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: United States 2020 Census Complete Count Committee SUMMARY: A presentation was made by Janiele Hamden, Partnership Specialist for the United States Census at the September 9, 2019 meeting. The presentation focused on specific local efforts, census importance, promotion and outreach, as well as the overall count process. A local “Complete Count Committee” was recommended by the Census organizers to assist in the discharge of the Radford Count. DISCUSSION: Mayor Horton, mentioned that he has asked Mark Armentrout and Anthony White to be a part of the committee. Mayor Horton recommended to appoint these two members to the committee and that Council come with recommendations to the October 14 meeting. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to appoint the above members to the complete count committee, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.11 SUMMARY: One of the City Police Vehicles was in an accident last winter that totaled the vehicle. The City received $17,775 in insurance proceeds from the accident in F.Y. 2017. To replace the vehicle, an Appropriation is needed in the amount of $30,020 in the F.Y. 2020 Budget that was not programed. The balance of funds is available in the Police Department Budget. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.11 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.11, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath mentioned that the Triangle Property was about to be purchased by the EDA and then torn down and made into a public space. Mr. Ridpath mentioned that there are many upcoming events including Craft and Draft and the Highlanders Festival and that staff will be reviewing the Fire House proposals and bringing a recommendation to Council at one of the coming meetings. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington mentioned how wonderful and well attended of an event the train viewing platform was. Ms. Huntington discussed her meeting with regional local government officials and Carilion about the impacts the school of medicine will have on the area. Ms. Huntington stated that the Community Night for the McHarg school was last week and that now is the time to get information and give input into the project. Mr. Gropman asked if the City needed to issue a burn ban and mentioned that he is beginning to look for individuals who might be interested in serving on his tax relief committee. Mr. Gropman mentioned that he will not be here next meeting. Dr. Harshberger mentioned that he attended the Guns and Hoses softball game in Calfee Park. He mentioned that it was a great fundraiser, that raised a good bit of money Ms. Foster stated that her moment of silence was dedicated to Erwin G. Hall and also mentioned that she is going to see if Onassis can create an online donation platform for the American Legion Building. The building is in the process of still needing skilled laborers, but will need volunteers soon. Ms. Foster requested a presentation from the Heritage Foundation on all the awesome events and happenings occurring. Ms. Foster mentioned the passing of Mrs. Betsy Graham and remarked on what an incredible teacher and individual she was. Ms. Foster mentioned that the Farmer’s Market is still occurring, but that once the season is over it might be something for Council to revisit. Mayor Horton reiterated what a loss the passing of Betsy Graham was for the City of Radford. He stated she was the hallmark of who we are as a community. Mayor Horton mentioned that Craft and Draft is on Saturday right here at Glencoe grounds and that John and Mary Watt donated beautiful prints to the Heritage Foundation for sale to raise money. Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 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