City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. November 12, 2019 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 7 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 Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Mr. Gropman that the minutes for the October 28, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 REPORT: SUBJECT: Radford Heritage Foundation SUMMARY: City Council requested a report from the Radford Heritage Foundation at its meeting on September 23, 2019. Scott Gardner, Executive Director, reported on the activities of the Foundation and special events that have occurred, as well as those planned in the coming months. REPORT: SUBJECT: Radford Fire Department SUMMARY: The Radford Fire Department presented an update on the “Wildfire Safety and Prevention” program. The report is a follow-up to the August presentation and the pilot program in High Meadows. The goal is to better educate the public since the devastating wildfires in California and Tennessee over the past three years, as well as and introduce preventative measures. PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Radford High School Art Department SUMMARY: The Radford High School Art Department has been creating ornaments to represent the City of Radford with other localities on the Virginia State Christmas Tree on public display at the Governor’s Mansion. The ornaments will adorn the tree throughout the holidays. This is the fifth year of this state tradition. The Art Department has also created a City Christmas Card, the fourth in the series. Savanah Leeman, the Art Teacher, and her students presented both projects to City Council. PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: 2020 United States Census SUMMARY: A presentation was made by Janielle 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. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Laurie Murphey came to thank Council for their support of Craft and Draft. Ms. Murphey gave Council a brief summary of the statistics of the event and invited everyone to attend the Holiday Popup Market on December 15. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1719 SUMMARY: The Virginia General Assembly enacted new legislation regulating motorized skateboard, bicycles and scooters on public property. The legislation was predicated on the growth of the “Pedestrian Motorized Transportation” business sector. Ordinance 1719 helps update current City Code regarding pedestrian motorized transportation. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to table Ordinance 1719 to the future, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1720 DISCUSSION: Mr. Gropman began the discussion by asking how many companies will be allowed to operate in Radford at one time. He also wanted to know the effects this will have on city staff and law enforcement and how the City of going to enforce the Ordinance. Mr. Gropman also expressed his concerns about DUI laws and how those could be regulated. Ms. Huntington stated that she wanted more time before voting on this Ordinance to discuss all of the implications in more detail. Ms. Foster stated that the City needs to get something in place because if not there will be a serious liability component. Mr. Gropman expressed more concerns about the Ordinance including the speed limit, age requirements, lighting requirements and use of city resources to enforce this policy. Ms. Foster commented on how at the VML conference representatives from the Motorized Pedestrian Transpiration Companies as well as various localities spoke on the use of the scooters and other form of motorized pedestrian transportation and that possibly someone would be able to come and explain in more details how these programs are working in other jurisdictions throughout the country. SUMMARY: The Virginia General Assembly enacted new legislation regulating motorized skateboard, bicycles and scooters on public property. The ordinance regulates motorized skateboards, bicycles and scooters “for hire”. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to table Ordinance 1720 to allow for more time to discuss the specifics in detail, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Ms. Huntington NAYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 1720, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: Mr. Gropman, Ms. Huntington DISCUSSION: Mayor Horton suggested scheduling a Work Session for December 4 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the Ordinance in more detail. Council agreed. SUBJECT: Ordinance 1721 SUMMARY: The City Auditors recommended that the City establish formal guidelines for delinquent utility accounts. The State provides limitations on Real Estate and Personal Property but leaves the flexibility of other accounts at the discretion of the locality. The Treasurer recommended a five-year duration on accounts associated with water, sanitary sewer, electric and sanitation accounts. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1721 on the first reading as amended, 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 Ordinance 1721, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Radford’s appointments a representative to the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Service Council. The term is for two years and expires in December, 2020. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to appoint Rodney Haywood to the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Board, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Award Contract-Fire and EMS Planning and Feasibility Study SUMMARY: The City Fire Station on Wadsworth Street was constructed in 1980 and expanded in 1981 to meet the demands of a growing community, service requirements and facility demands. The Fire Department expanded in 2018 to include Emergency Medical Services. The expanded service has required additional equipment, personnel and facility needs. A Request for Proposal was extended to design and engineering firms to assist with study, planning, evaluation and preliminary design for the existing site on Wadsworth Street, as well as potential concepts and need for a second station in the populated area near East Main Street at the University. Five proposals were received and evaluated. The best proposal was submitted by Stewart Cooper Newell with Thompson & Litton. The firm has extensive experience in Fire & EMS station design and construction, as well as offered the best approach to addressing Radford’s facility needs and future growth. The cost of the evaluation phase of the project is $49,805. Additional work may be required related to hazardous materials, evaluation, site survey and Geotechnical Investigation. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to award the contract to Stewart Cooper Newell and for the City Manager to execute that contract, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-Board of Equalization SUMMARY: The City is required to complete reassessments of its Real Estate every four years. The firm of Wampler Eanes was chosen to conduct the 2020 assessment. Generally, the process involves conducting the reassessment, notifying property owners of their new assessed value and allowing interested parties the opportunity to meet with the assessor. A Board of Equalization is established to give property owners an “appeal process” if they are not satisfied with the assessor’s final valuation. City Council is required to recommend a three to five-member board, consisting of one realtor, for consideration and appointment by the Circuit Court Judge. The Commissioner has spoken to several people about appointments including Larry Humphrey, Guy Gilmore, Mike Johnston and Jonny Buttler. Larry Humphrey served in the last reassessment and brings experience and a real estate background. Compensation is required and recommended at $32.00/hour. ACTION: Ms. Huntington 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 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.15 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant in the amount of $4,871 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2020. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, as well as promotion of environmentally friendly activities and education. No matching funds are required. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.15 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. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.15, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.16 SUMMARY: The Police Department has been awarded a Federal Grant from the Byrne Justice Assistance Program in the amount of $85,000. The funds will be used for technology upgrades to increase officer efficiency and safety. The grant will provide body cameras, laptop computers and in-car camera and related technical assistance. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.16 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: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.16, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.17 SUMMARY: The Police Department has been awarded a program in the amount of $21,000. The funds will be used for technology upgrades to increase officer efficiency and safety. The grant will provide body cameras, charging stations, a server and related technical assistance. A match of $10,500 is required and can be accommodated from the Asset Forfeiture Fund. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.17 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 1713.17, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.18 SUMMARY: The Sheriff’s Department requested $19,709 from Court Security Fund. The Funds are specifically designated for use in enhancing safety and security needs in the Sheriff’s Office and Municipal Building. The funds will be used for improvements to the Sheriff’s Office and safety enhancements in the building. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.18 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. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.18, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-Opioid Litigation SUMMARY: The City of Radford has entered into a contract with Sanford Heisher Sharp, LLP and Kaufman & Canoles, PC to investigate and prosecute claims on the City’s behalf associated with Opioid Litigation. A Resolution is required for the City to consider “opting in” or “opting out” in the “federal negotiating class” of litigators. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath states that public improvements are underway throughout the City, including upgrades to University Drive Bridge, Carson’s Courtyard and the Triangle Lot. Holiday Decorations are going up this week and budget season is approaching fast. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger stated that asphalt plants will be closing soon and because of this food City will not be opening until the Spring. Mr. Gropman cautioned Council about the ride sharing companies and to make sure we look into user agreements for ridership, make sure that costs of ambulance services will not go up for the City. Ms. Foster stated her moment of silence was dedicated to all Veterans tonight. Mayor Horton stated that safety is paramount in the City of Radford and that everyone should be paying attention to events happening the first week of December in Radford including the Tree lightening and Holiday Parade. Horton Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m., seconded by Ms. Huntington. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council