City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. June 8, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 20 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2019-2020 The special meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA. The Mayor of the City, Raymond David Horton, as well as all other members of City Council were present VIA ZOOM were Mrs. Jessie Foster, Mr. Robert Gropman, Ms. Naomi Huntington, and Dr. Richard Harshberger. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy City Clerk Mr. Michael Bedsaul, City Attorney Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Horton led citizens in a moment of reflection. MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Gropman and seconded by Dr. Harshberger that the minutes for the May 11, 2020 Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Huntington PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1732: Transient Lodging Tax SUMMARY: The Transient Lodging Tax was established in 2007 by Ordinance #1554 based on Virginia Code Section 58.1-3840. The rate has been 6%. City Council requested that a rate increase to 8% be developed for consideration during the F.Y. 2021 Budget review process. Ordinance #1732 updates the provisions of the tax on hotels, motels and other lodging facilities, as well as increases the tax imposed on these facilities from 6% to 8%. The proposed Ordinance has been forward to the local motels. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 5:19 p.m. No Public Comments were received into the Clerk of Council office by the deadline; however, Mr. Patel joined the zoom to comment against increase in the lodging tax and stated that because of COVID we are already in a recession and taxes should be lowered if anything. Mr. Hemel also joined the zoom and expressed his concern about the raise in the lodging tax. Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 5:22 p.m. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1732: Transient Lodging Tax SUMMARY: The Transient Lodging Tax was established in 2007 by Ordinance #1554 based on Virginia Code Section 58.1-3840. The rate has been 6%. City Council requested that a rate increase to 8% be developed for consideration during the F.Y. 2021 Budget review process. Ordinance #1732 updates the provisions of the tax on hotels, motels and other lodging facilities, as well as increases the tax imposed on these facilities from 6% to 8%. The proposed Ordinance has been forward to the local motels. DISCUSSION: Mr. Gropman stated that he is aware we are currently dealing with COVID right now, but as a Council we need to think about the future and moving forward. This increase will help with that. Dr. Harshberger stated that this tax is similar or lower than surrounding localities. Ms. Huntington stated that we needed to start somewhere. We need revenue to create programs that will bring people in and this is a starting point for that revenue. Ms. Foster stated that this really is a marginal difference when booking a hotel and she does not believe that people will spend the gas money to stay 20 minutes away for a lower tax rate. To move forward together we are going to have to share the burden. Mayor Horton asked about the revenue numbers the lodging tax would generate. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to amend the definition of Hotel to mean any licensed public or private hotel, inn, hostelry, tourist home or house, boardinghouse, motel, rooming house, short-term rental, travel campground, RV park, or other lodging place within the city offering lodging for compensation to any transient and Lodging means any room or space, or pad or space at a travel campground or RV park, that is suitable or intended for occupancy by transients for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Ordinance 1732 on the first reading as amended, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated that there will be new procedures at the Recreation Center to reopen due to COVID19. Some of these include limitations on the number of people allowed in the facility, as well as the number of people walking on the track. Ms. Huntington reminded everyone that uses the facility to clean up after themselves. Ms. Huntington gave a special thanks to Mr. Joe Johnson and members of the Radford rattlers for cleaning up Veteran’s Field after the recent flooding. Ms. Huntington then spoke on the social justice wave that is currently spreading across the county. Ms. Huntington stated that she has been listening to people and trying to educate herself on the realities of systemic racism. Ms. Huntington committed to taking action addressing the lack of diversity within city staff and that as a City we have room to grow. Ms. Huntington concluded by stating that Black Lives do matter and said she wanted our city to hear her say that. Ms. Foster stated her remarks will follow a similar tone to Ms. Huntington’s. Her moment of silence was dedicated to George Floyd, his family and friends. Ms. Foster gave a special mention to all the officers who every day go out, put their lives on the line and honor their oath to serve and protect. Ms. Foster challenged all to think about our own personal bias and stereotypes and find ways to live outside of those, be kind to one another. Ms. Foster asked Ms. Huntington to join her as a cochairperson on the Diverse Our City Committee because of her passion for others. Ms. Foster stated she is glad the drop center is finally moving forward and looks forward to sending in her glamour shot from 1986 for the new website. Mr. Gropman echoed the sentiments about the drop center and stated he is going to have more time to do chores around the house soon. “It has not been easy trying to figure out what I wanted to say tonight. Jefferson may have summed up my emotions the best. He wrote “in a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow citizens. My great pain is, lest my poor endeavors should fall short of the kind of expectations of my country” It has been my high honor to serve the citizens of this city for the past 4 years. There are too many people to thank, but just know that it has been a pleasure working with each and every one of you. I would like to wish Dr. Harshberger a wonderful next chapter in his life. You have been an integral part of Radford’s leadership, history and your insight will be missed. I also wanted to thank my wife Janet, who has been in this journey with me the entire time. Throughout all of the highs and lows of politics, the sounding board for speeches and her constant calming hand on my shoulder. I cannot thank you enough Janet, for being so supportive of me and the City of Radford. I will close with a favorite quote that I read 2 years ago with the changing of leadership which I hope someone will continue this tradition to read every election cycle since it captures the feeling who run for public office- “The Man in the Arena”- Teddy Roosevelt It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.” Dr. Harshberger commented on the Community Panel Discussion which was held virtually with Ms. Deborah Travis, Chief Dodson, Mayor Horton, and Sheriff Armentrout. Dr. Harshberger commented that he is excited Adams Construction will be doing our paving and that the program is getting started. Mayor Horton stated that 2020 has been quite the year, but Radford remains strong. Mayor Horton commented on the various marches and protests throughout the City and he has attended them to make sure that as a city we are going about things in a way that is peaceful and positive. Mayor Horton stated that we have challenges ahead, but with each challenge there is an opportunity. Mayor Horton also commented on the Diverse Our City Working Group and that is a great stating point to get us moving forward together. Diverse out city working group is a great starting point to get us there. Mayor Horton concluded by stating there are a lot of good things happening in Radford, and that in the coming weeks there will be announcements surrounding some summertime favorites and what opening up looks like. Mayor Horton concluded by thanking staff for all their hard work during the COVID19 crisis. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 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