City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. February 10, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 14 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 Mrs. Jessie Foster, Mr. Robert Gropman, Dr. Richard Harshberger, and Ms. Naomi Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. 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. Foster and seconded by Dr. Harshberger that the minutes for the January 27, 2020 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION: Healthy Relationships Week SUMMARY: The Women’s Resource Center requested that City Council consider a Resolution supporting “Healthy Relationship Week” January 27-31, 2020 and “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” for February, 2020. The Resolution encourages people of all ages to recognize and encourage the prevention of violence of any type. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Radford Transit SUMMARY: A report on the programming, service activity and routes associated with Radford Transit was presented by Trevor Sakry, Transportation General Manager for New River Valley Community Services. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Jeff Martin stated that he would like City Council to express to Delegate Hurst how disappointed many of his constituents are in his recent actions of driving under the influence. Ms. Tawnie Booth expressed her frustration with the Oxford House moving into Forest Park, as well as the house going by the name Willow Woods. Ms. Booth expressed her concern with the house in the neighborhood, as well as her concern that city staff cannot do anything to regulate the home itself. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Agreement Opioid Litigation SUMMARY: The City's legal Counsel, related to Opioid Litigation, Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP and Kaufman & Canoles is planning to begin monthly teleconferences to provide updates, answer questions, and discuss strategies relating to the opioid litigation. These teleconferences will be held jointly between Outside Counsel and the city and county attorneys. As part of this process, Counsel has asked that the City Attorney sign a “Common Interest Litigation Agreement”. The purpose of the Agreement is to provide protections from an inadvertent waiver of the attorney- client privilege and work product doctrine (information gathered in anticipation of litigation) due to disclosure to third parties. The City Attorney, Michael Bedsaul will execute the agreement on behalf of the City. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to allow Mr. Bedsaul to execute on the agreement on behalf of the City, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that there was minor damage including some silt and debris from the rain and flooding over the weekend and cleanup is now underway. This year there will be a major paving project throughout Radford on many major roads in the city. Thursday a valve will be installed to help with water system issues on Grove Avenue. Next meeting Kim Repass will be here to present on all that has been happening in Economic Development. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington thanked staff for all their hard work during the flooding and put a call out for those who might be interested in running the running and recreation services on the New River this summer. Dr. Harshberger mentioned that he is running for reelection and that while he has been out getting signatures it brought to mind how many people who work for the City that live outside of Radford and that because of that we in Radford need to do more to develop affordable housing in Radford. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to James E. Ratcliff. Ms. Foster invited everyone to attend her Diverse Our City meeting and think and talk about ways to improve upon Radford’s diversity. Ms. Foster discussed her trip reading to the students at McHarg and their concern for their move to Belle Heth and the renovations in their school. Ms. Foster detailed her ride along with Radford PD and encouraged everyone to take time to go on a ride along and learn all that RCPD is doing during a normal shift. Ms. Foster concluded by saying it looks like Chief Dodson has hit the ground running and requested having a work session or presentation from Radford University on all they are working towards on campus and in the community. Mayor Horton stated that Superintendent Rob Graham will be giving a brief update at each of Council’s following meetings on the McHarg school project. Mayor Horton addressed the concerns around Oxford House and explained that the house is regulated by the Commonwealth, not locality, the expectation is that those who move into this house will be good neighbors. Mayor Horton stated that Council had a great work session on February 1 talking about building of an amphitheater and what that might bring to Radford. Mayor Horton emphasized that the amphitheater will bring people into Radford and that is a type of economic development that this council is trying to achieve. Mayor Horton concluded by saying that at the next meeting there will be a discussion on Economic Development and that the housing study should be presented to Council this spring. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 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