City Council

/The New River City 10 Robertson St. March 9, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 16 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 Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk Mr. Chris Childress, Building Official Mr. Terry Nicholson, Code Enforcement 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 Mrs. Foster that the minutes for the February 24, 2020 Regular Meeting are approved with correction. Mrs. Huntington shared there was a misspelling in a name within her comment and will forward the correct spelling via email. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Red Cross Month SUMMARY: March is American Red Cross Month. The Red Cross requested that the City consider a local proclamation to help recognize those who volunteer, donate blood, take life- saving courses or provide financial donations to help support the Red Cross and its mission. The Proclamation formally recognizes the Month of March as “Red Cross Month”. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING 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. The public hearing was scheduled during the February 24 meeting and has been advertised, as required. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:11 No Comments were made. Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:11 REPORTS: SUBJECT: McHarg Elementary SUMMARY: Mr. Ridpath shared that the Superintendent will provide a report at the next council meeting. Tonight the school board held a meeting and were unavailable to provide an update. SUBJECT: Holiday Pop-up Market: SUMMARY: Laurie Murphy, coordinator of the Holiday Pop-up Market, provided a report on the market success for 2019 and plans for 2020. She shared that they estimated that 200+ attended and vendors did well financially and the Brick and mortar businesses had a successful day. Ms. Murphy also provided some feedback she received regarding the market, one was signage promoting the event didn’t appear to help with whole district, and she hoped moving forward that they get additional help through the City and Visitors Center to push out awareness to the community. Mayor Horton, shared it was a great event and hopefully have the Triangle open next year and expand the event. She shared that all the businesses involved were looking forward to next year. Ms. Murphy made an official announced that West End Wednesdays are scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month and will have a rain date on the fourth Wednesday of the month. SUBJECT: Drug Court SUMMARY: Lori Trail, an Advocate for New River Valley Community Services presented an overview of the Drug Court Program on January 2, 2019. The Circuit Court Judge had been discussing the implementation of the program. The Drug Treatment Court Program is designed as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders with substance abuse related charges. It is a voluntary program requiring substance abuse treatment, judicial supervision and drug testing. Participants pay program cost, perform community service and become employed or pursue educational goals. Naomi Huntington, City Council’s representative to the program committee gave program update. Shared they have first participant in drug court and start small and focus on a successful program. Provide services and treatment for someone who would otherwise go to jail. The structure will have bi-monthly meetings OLD 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: Mrs. Huntington made a motion to approve the MOU, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 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) at the February 24, 2020 meeting before Council approved the Ordinances on the “first reading: with a modification to the hearing provision of Ordinance 1724. Chris Childress, Building Official, took a moment to introduced Terry Nicholson to City Council. He has about 90 plus cases that he has handled since he started in December. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1723,1724, 1725, and 1726 as a consent agenda on the second reading, Mrs. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: No Citizen comments SUBJECT: Radford Heritage Foundation SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation provided a proposed contract for services to the City of Radford for F.Y. 2020. Activities include operation of the Glencoe Museum, conducting historical and cultural related special events, as well as identifying and expanding educational activities and opportunities. The amount of the request is $10,000. Scott Gardner, Executive Director of the Heritage Foundation, reported the accomplishments over the past year, as well as planned activities for F.Y. 2021. Mrs. Foster asked for an additional $2,000 to provide Scott Gardner’s a salary raise due to extended hours that he is there, additional events and oversite in volunteers. She also shared that they are preparing a maintenance list of things that need to addressed. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve the MOU and to increase the budget to $12,000 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: Mrs. Foster made a motion to have staff assist to find people to serve on the Board of Viewers, with a payment of $50 each, Mrs. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath shared that we are moving fast on Park Road, the incinerator has been torn down and will be moving the drop center there. It will be manned and hold regular hours, and hopefully opened in April. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gropman asked if it was possible get additional fill material to add behind Sonic? Dr. Harshberger reminded everyone that May 5th is the election. Mrs. Foster wanted to follow up to see if we had equipment for Frisbee golf. Mr. Ridpath responded that we have never had any equipment for Frisbee golf. Mrs. Foster also shared that the CPMT board had a lot of foster children that were adopted, but recently received more kids that are in need of foster homes. Mayor Horton provided an update on the Corona virus and that the city manager and response team are working with the commonwealth and CDC to keep on top of it. Currently there are no recommendation from agencies at this time and will pass along information as we get it. Mayor Horton informed the audience that the Radford Bobcats boys basketball were playing in the state semi-finals against Gate City tomorrow, at the Dedmon Center. And RU Women’s basketball are playing big south starting Thursday, Friday and hopefully on Sunday. He said that there are lots of positive things happening in our community and to continue moving forward. Mr. Ridpath added that the City is taking all necessary precautions and will be providing hand sanitizer stations within city buildings. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 seconded by Mrs. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Melissa A. Skelton, Deputy Clerk of Council