City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. January 13, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 9 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 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 Ms. Huntington that the minutes for the December 9, 2019 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: VFW SUMMARY: The VFW has raised funds for the purchase of ten “Armed Forces” flags for Memorial Bridge. The flags can be spaced with the American Flags on the Bridge or placed on the poles where West and East Main Street intersects on the south side of the Bridge. INTRODUCTIONS: SUBJECT: Radford Police Department SUMMARY: Our new Police Chief, Jeff Dodson, was introduced as well as all of the new Communications Officers that have joined the Department over the past fourteen months. PUBLIC HEARING: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.21 SUMMARY: City Council approved a General Obligation Bond for “interium” financing associated with the McHarg Elementary School renovation and addition. The $4 Million maximum financing is planned to be used for engineering and design, as well as the first few months of construction. An Engineering/Architectural design contract was approved with Thompson on September 9, 2019 for an amount not to exceed $880,000. An Appropriation Ordinance is necessary to reflect the additional revenue to the City F.Y. 2020 Budget from the bond proceeds for the Engineering phase, as well as the associated increase in the Radford City School’s Budget. A public hearing is required because the amount of the change is more than 1% of the total City Budget. The Public Hearing has been advertised, as required. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:11. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:12. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: City Council appointments are needed to the Recreation Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Barbra VanDyke thanked Council and the City of Radford for their support of the Chase the Chill Project, where over 100 handmade hats, 30 scarves and gloves and many more items were knit and hung on the fence outside the New River Valley Rental for those in need. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.21 SUMMARY: City Council approved a General Obligation Bond for “interium” financing associated with the McHarg Elementary School renovation and addition. The $4 Million maximum financing is planned to be used for engineering and design, as well as the first few months of construction. An Engineering/Architectural design contract was approved with Thompson on September 9, 2019 for an amount not to exceed $880,000. An Appropriation Ordinance is necessary to reflect the additional revenue to the City F.Y. 2020 Budget from the bond proceeds for the Engineering phase, as well as the associated increase in the Radford City School’s Budget. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.21 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: 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 1713.21, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.22 SUMMARY: The Radford City Schools requested an amendment to the F.Y. 2020 Budget in the amount of $267,097. The amendment adjusts line items associated with the Capital Reserve Fund needed to support the Radford High School Stadium lightning Project ($73,000) and the Dalton Intermediate School Active Learning Classroom ($194,097). ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.22 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.22, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.23 SUMMARY: A priority of City Council is to evaluate the potential of an Amphitheater facility for the City of Radford. A study is planned to determine facility needs and size, parking as well as amenities and appropriate location. A feasibility study is projected to cost $15,290. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.23 on the first reading, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: 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 1713.23, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: F.Y. 2021 Radford Transit Operating Study SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The process requires that the public have an opportunity to provide comments on the application and proposed use of the $1,664,776 for Operating, $1,201,000 for Capital and $140,785 for New Service Connectors in the F.Y. 2021 Budget. A public hearing is needed at the January 27, 2020 Council meeting. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to schedule the public hearing for January 27, 2020, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Facility Lease-Radford Visitors Center SUMMARY: Additional Office space is needed to support City needs. Several locations were considered that would provide office space, conference room and ample parking. First Street Properties has provided a proposal for 1,100sq.feet of space that can serve our Tourism Office and Visitor’s Center needs. The space is located at West Main Street and is convenient to the City Administration Building, Glencoe and the Municipal Building. The lease rate proposal is a fixed rate of $2,000/month for five years. The City Attorney has received the lease. The proposal supports the continued economic development and revitalization of West Main Street, frees up space for exhibit and Heritage Foundation needs at Glencoe, as well as provides additional parking to support municipal interests. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the lease as presented, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-Memorial Bridge Right of Way SUMMARY: The City of Radford is required to file an application for use of the right of way along Memorial Bridge to support the flag project. The application covers both the Radford and Pulaski County portions of the bridge. The sixteen poles will be used to display the American Flags donated in January 2019, as well as the Armed Forces Flags donated by the VFW in January, 2020. The application is required annually and the flags will be installed from April to November to encompass Memorial and Veterans Days. 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: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that crews are using this week of warmer weather to trimming up trees, pick up leaves and cleanup Radford. Mr. Ridpath stated that this spring will bring an extensive paving program and that currently the Triangle Lot is abbot to get topsoil and sod put in and is beginning to look good and near completion. Mr. Ridpath stated the City’s rebrand is rolling out and that the City is still looking for a drop center facility or solutions to the problems at the drop center. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger suggested installing new lights up Arlington Street to tie it into the lighting at the Triangle lot. Ms. Huntington stated that the Tourism Commission needs the communities help to vote for Radford in the Best of Living in Virginia competition. Ms. Huntington also mentioned the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Shaffer Memorial Baptist in Montgomery County. Mayor Horton seconded Ms. Huntington’s comment about the MLK Celebration and that Radford University is also doing an MLK Day of Service. Mayor Horton invited the community to attend the Census event on Wednesday at the Library from 4-6 p.m. Mayor Horton also reassured the community that Council and Staff are not ignoring the issues with the drop center, but are continuing to work to find solutions. Mayor Horton concluded by thanking Councilman Gropman for his service on City Council. Mayor Horton told Councilman Gropman he has done a great job serving on Council and went about getting elected the right way, he continues to do the hard work and practical work of gathering information and reflecting to provide a good role on Council. Dr. Harshberger mentioned the Census event from 4-6 at the Radford Public Library. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting 7:47 p.m. seconded by Ms. Huntington. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council