City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. October 28, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 6 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 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 Ms. Huntington and seconded by Ms. Foster that the minutes for the October 14, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton ABSTAIN: Mr. Gropman NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Veterans Day SUMMARY: The Proclamation formally recognizes Veterans Day in Radford on November 11, 2019. The Proclamation recognizes the Men and Women who have served our Nation’s Armed Forces, represented our community, as well as protected the ideals of freedom, justice and liberty. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Small Business Saturday SUMMARY: Saturday, November 30, 2019 is Nationally recognized as “Small Business Saturday”. The Proclamation is a local designation of the importance of small businesses to the local economy, jobs and quality of life. The Proclamation encourages our citizens to support and shop at local businesses. 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: RHS Golf Team SUMMARY: The Radford High School Golf Team won the Virginia High School League, Class 2 State Golf championship for 2019. The title is the first for the Bobcats. Coach, Cody Roberts and several team members were present to accept the award. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: McHarg Elementary School SUMMARY: School Superintendent, Rob Graham and project coordinator, Jack Murphy with Thompson & Litton presented an overview of the progress and plans for the renovation and expansion of McHarg Elementary School. Planning and design have been underway for the past several months on the projected $15.7 million dollar project with construction planned by mid- 2020. PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1717-McHarg School Financing Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 8:10 No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 8:11 *The public hearing has been advertised as required. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Jeff Price wanted to give a special thanks to Mr. Gary Harris for not only buying the entire Golf Team’s and their families dinner at Sharkey’s, but also for his service and sacrifice for our country. Mr. Price stated that our Veterans truly are selfless people and they deserve credit and gratitude. Mr. Gary Harris stated that he grew up in black and gold and that while he was in Vietnam all he wanted was to be able to come home and live his life in Radford, buying the dinner of the state champions was the least he could do to congratulate them. Mr. Todd Gordon thanked Council for the opportunity to speak tonight and wanted to take a moment to speak on behalf of the Radford Farmer’s Market. Mr. Gordon expressed his concerns about the market moving to the East end of town and would love the opportunity to work with Council to figure out the possibility to move back to the West end. Mr. Gordon thanked the patrons of the market and looks forward to the opportunity to move the market in the right direction. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1717 McHarg Elementary Financing SUMMARY: The McHarg Elementary School renovation and expansion project has advanced to the planning and design phase as approved by City Council on September 9, 2019. The estimated $15.7 million project includes mechanical, structural and physical design associated with parking lots, new building construction for a gymnasium, cafeteria and kindergarten space, as well as new entrances. Thompson & Litton was selected as the architectural and engineering firm on the project at a cost not to exceed $880,000. A General Obligation Bond is planned to support the design and construction of the project. Project bidding is expected next Spring and construction to be underway next Summer. A Virginia Public Service Authority Loan is expected in the Fall of 2020 bond issuance pool. Since project design is underway and associated cost, interium financing is needed to support the design and engineering phase, as well as the first several months of construction, if the project is approved for bidding. A $4 million maximum interim financing bond has been solicited from banks by our Financial Advisor, Davenport and Company. Jimmy Sanderson, Davenport Specialist, presented and overview of the proposal by American National Bank and Trust. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1717 on the first reading, 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 dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1717, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1718-Controlled Burning SUMMARY: The Virginia Code, section 15.2 -922.1, allows communities to regulate the “making of fires”. The Ordinance regulates open burning on public and private property and sets controls in place for over sight by the City Manager and Fire Chief. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Ordinance 1718 on the first reading as amended, Ms. Huntington 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 Ordinance 1718, 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 allow the City Manager or his designee to manage the ordinance, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.13 SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has awarded a grant to the City of Radford, Police Department in the amount of $5,550. The grant is to specifically be used to support efforts to reduce alcohol violations. The grant requires a $2,775 local match, which can be managed in the departmental budget. Funds will be used for overtime associated with alcohol enforcement. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.13 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: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.13, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.14 SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has awarded a grant to the City of Radford, Police Department in the amount of $8,986. The grant is to specifically be used to support efforts to reduce speed violations. The grant requires a $4,493 local match which can be managed in the departmental budget. Funds will be used for overtime associated with speed enforcement. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.14 on the first reading, Mr. Gropman 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 1713.14, 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 stated that reassessment letters have gone out to residents and all questions and objections should be directed to the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster stated she attend the Conflict of Interest Training and that she learned how not to take bribes and that all her fellow council members need to attend the training by the end of the year. Ms. Foster stated her moment of silence was dedicated to Grover C. Odell. Ms. Foster encouraged all to shop at Glencoe Mansion because their gift shop is expanding. Ms. Foster also stated that the Department of Social Services is continuing to perform miracles at getting children adopted and asked if Onassis can come and talk about the status of the American Legion building at an upcoming meeting, as well as schedule a work session with the Farmer’s Market to discuss what they need from the City to get everything moving forward next season. Dr. Harshberger stated that when constructing McHarg we need to be cautious with security and make sure we use the right amount of security for the school. Mr. Gropman asked Mr. Ridpath if there is a ballpark number for what the reassessment might bring us. Mr. Gropman read a poem by Fuches Joana in recognition of Veterans Day. Ms. Huntington suggested that citizen brainstorm ideas about what big goals they would like to see come out of the Recreation Commission and let her know. Ms. Huntington also reminded citizens to be cautious of pedestrians during Halloween. Mayor Horton asked to get a report from all the Boards and Commissions for the December meeting. Mayor Horton asked Lynn Burris about working with the Police Department to figure out security for McHarg. Mayor Horton reiterated that there are a lot of good things happening in Radford and that we need to continue to tell our story to keep Radford moving forward. Ms. Huntington made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gropman 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 and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body. For the purposes of this subdivision, "probable litigation" means litigation that has been specifically threatened or on which the public body or its legal counsel has a reasonable basis to believe will be commenced by or against a known party. 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) (7). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, 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. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Huntington made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the items for which it was convened, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Gropman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 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