City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. February 24, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 15 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 February 10. 2020 Regular Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. James Barnett spoke to Council about the quality of the Recreational Playing Fields for Radford’s Youth. Mr. Barnett addressed specific concerns regarding, Veterans Field, the 17th Street Field and Riverview Park. Mr. Barnett suggested updating some of the fields Radford’s kids are playing on before discussing building a skate park. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Chamber of Commerce MOU SUMMARY: The Radford Chamber of Commerce provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y. 2020. Generally, services include assistance in economic development, involvement in local government initiatives, fostering of communication, “Festival of Lights” support, promotion of Radford Tourism and business, and increased marketing. A report and presentation by a representative of the Chamber of Commerce was given. ACTION was deferred on the MOU until after Council holds a work session on March 9. SUBJECT: Property Maintenance Ordinance 1723, 1724, 1725, 1726 SUMMARY: The Building Official, Property Maintenance Inspector and City Attorney have been working diligently over the past several months on Ordinance modifications and enhancements associated with property maintenance. Elements of their work have included researching and reviewing City and State Code sections, practical and successful enforcement procedures, necessary modifications as they apply to property maintenance and site conditions as well as discussion from the Fall work session. Four Ordinances were proposed that strengthen and restructure the “service” process, clarify terminology and enhance penalties as they relate to weeds, snow removal, litter and debris, as well as inoperative vehicles. The class of fines is restructured with increases from $250 to a maximum of $2,500. These proposed Ordinances will greatly enhance the property maintenance program, processes and results to improve neighborhoods and community. The City Attorney, Mike Bedsaul and the Building Official, Chris Childress presented an overview of the Ordinances as they relate to Trash and Weeds (Ordinance #1723), Inoperable Vehicles (Ordinance #1724), Litter and Debris (Ordinance #1725) and Snow and Ice (Ordinance #1726). ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1723,1724, 1725, and 1726 as a consent agenda on the first reading, subject to addition of a twostep hearing component in Ordinance 1724 Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Vacation of Right of Way SUMMARY: Scott Hill requested the vacation of an unopened portion of Sixth Street adjacent to property between 604 and 504 Robertson Street. The right-of-way is topographically challenged and would not be opened as a street and it does not contain any utilities. The applicant has paid the $800 application fee and City Staff has received the application. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to schedule a public hearing for the March 9, 2020 meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: McHarg Elementary School Project SUMMARY: Planning and designing are underway for the proposed additions sand renovations to McHarg Elementary School located on Wadsworth Street. City Council has endorsed a contract between the School Board and Thompson Litton to do the project engineering and architecture. Interim financing has also been approved and in place for an amount up to $4 million to support project planning, bidding and start-up related to construction. Rob Graham, Superintendent, provided an update on the project. The School Board decided to advance the relocation of several grades from McHarg to a shared site at Belle Heth Elementary School located on George Street as mentioned in work sessions. The School Board will contract with Mobile Modular Management Corporation, a company in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specializes in modular classrooms to provide 11,830 sq ft of classroom space, site preparation, delivery and removal. The facilities will be related for twelve months at a total cost of $316,411. Since the contract between the School Board and Mobile Modular Management Corporation extends more than one fiscal year, City Council endorsement of the contract with a moral obligation pledge was needed. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.24-POP Program SUMMARY: The City received an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant to support economic development related business district enhancements. The funds will be used to support the Paint, Optimize, Plant (POP) program administered by the Economic Development Authority, specifically related to the “facade” improvement program. No local match is required. The additional funds will support project applications currently underway by the EDA. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.24 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. 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 1713.24, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.25-Lucas Device SUMMARY: The Fire and EMS Department acquired a two machines to enhance service delivery techniques, a Lucas device and Stair Chair. The “Lucas” device performs chest compressions mechanically on cardiac arrest patients. A “Stair Chair” has also been acquired for use to improve patient care and improve access to the ambulance in cases where stains are present. The Department has a Lucas device and Stair Chair now that is shared between two ambulances. The additional equipment will fully equip two ambulances. The funds will be allocated from the Four-4-Life, “restricted” fund at a cost of $15,000. The equipment will promote patient care, improve safety of the EMS personnel and protects and enhance lifesaving equipment. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.25 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. 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 1713.25, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Special Use Permit SUMMARY: The Planning Commission received a request from Radford Development of Virginia, to convert the second and third floors of 1143 East Main Street into apartments. The property is zoned B-3, Central Business District, and requires a Special Use Permit for apartments. The Planning Commission requested that City Council schedule a joint public hearing, along with the Planning Commission, at the March 23, 2020 meeting. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to schedule a public hearing for the March 23, 2020 meeting, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath mentioned that the Park Road drop site will be closed temporarily and that residents can have no collection charge while the site is closed. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster stated her moment of silence was dedicated to James H. Hall. Ms. Foster mentioned that she gave Ms. Wilder a copy of the Department of Social Services statistics for Council’s review. Ms. Foster stated her Diverse Our City meeting was well attended and that the committee is going to have to figure out how to use and manage that great flow of energy. Ms. Foster concluded by saying all of Council is going to hold themselves accountable and those of us in the city need to do so as well to maintain and clean up properties to keep Radford looking good. Mr. Gropman reported on the tax reported on the tax relief committee and said he had a bit of a late start for this tax year, but hopes to have something in place for the next year. Mr. Gropman also asked to see information regarding the sale of Radford branded clothing and how that process is going to work and be paid for. Ms. Huntington updated everyone on the Valley to Valley bike trail study funded by VDOT this trail would go from Roanoke to Galax and help with our regional tourism efforts. Ms. Huntington thanked Mr. Barnett for sticking around and apologized that the City’s efforts to alleviate the problem at 17th Street, but reassured him that the City is working on it and will look into his concerns. Ms. Huntington read an e mail from an eight grade student Gabi Castio talking about the trash and recycling problem in the City. Ms. Huntington said that she hopes the City’s budget can provide for some sort of a piolet program for curbside recycling. Mayor Horton stated that Radford is on the move towards growing the economy. Building permits are on the rise, the housing study should be back soon with results, and that education is a selling point for our community. Mayor Horton stated Council doesn’t have all the answers so if you have an idea or thought please pass those along to us. Mayor Horton expressed his appreciation of all those who are engaging in activity to move Radford forward. Mayor Horton concluded by asking citizens to pledge to participate in the Census and get the work out as the Census Day draws near. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15p.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