City Council

The New River City 10 Robertson St. June 22, 2020 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 21 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: Mrs. Jenni Wilder, 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 Dr. Harshberger and seconded by Ms. Huntington that the minutes for the June 8, 2020 Meeting are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 PROCLAMATIONS: SUMMARY: There are eleven Proclamations that were read on social media for public recognitions pertaining to Environmental Awareness, Library Week, Public Responders Week, Victim Witness, and the Arts that occurred in April, May and June. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve all the proclamations as a consent agenda, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 OLD 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. ACTION: Mr. Gropman made a motion to approve Ordinance 1732 on the second reading as amended, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: None NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: F.Y. 2020 Paving Program SUMMARY: The City procured bids for the F.Y. 2020 Paving Program. Only one bid was received from Adams Construction Company for both paving and milling at a cost of $534,856. Adams was released to do the work and ratification by City Council is requested. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to award the paving contract to Adams Construction Company 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 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.26 SUMMARY: The project will be funded by a combination of F.Y. 2020 Budget Appropriation, as well as a transfer from revenues. The planned transfer from the Urban Highway Maintenance Fund reserve is $164.252. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.26 on the first reading, 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 Appropriation Ordinance 1713.26 on the second reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.27 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received $1,592,155 from the state in federal pass through funding from the Cares Act. The funds will be used to support COVID-19 on-going expenses for personal protective equipment, technology enhancement, New River Valley Business Continuity Team, facility cleaning, personal hygiene such as hand sanitizing stations, office modifications, expand VDH testing, small business support through the Regional Commission, as well as United Way human services support. The funds will enhance public and employee safety during the coronavirus public health emergency for non-budgeted, non-reoccurring expenses. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.27 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington 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 Appropriation Ordinance 1713.27 on the second reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.28 SUMMARY: The City of Radford had several encumbrances/purchase orders outstanding at the end of the F.Y. 2019 fiscal year. The purchase order total is $284,042 and relates to Electric Department needs for substations and lines, Water Plant improvements, Information Technology and various small General Fund departmental planned expenses. To carry the funds into F.Y. 2020 an Appropriation is needed. The funds are less than 1% of the total City Budget, so no public hearing is required. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.28 on the first reading, 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 Appropriation Ordinance 1713.28 on the second reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.29 SUMMARY: The Virginia Housing Development Authority has awarded Radford’s Rental Assistance Program with a COVID-19 grant to cover the cost of expenses related to working from home. The total amount is $3,900 and can be used to purchase laptops, PPE, and other working from home related expenses. There is no local match required. ACTION Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.29 on the first reading, Mr. Gropman seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.29 on the second reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Retiring City Council members, Rob Gropman and Dick Harshberger were recognized for their service and dedication to the City of Radford. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington commended Chief Dodson on the recent work accomplished by the Police Department. She also noted she is expecting a baby girl in October. Mr. Gropman thanked everyone for their comments and their continued service to Radford. Dr. Harshberger thanked the community and reflected upon his time on City council. Mayor Horton commended the Radical Change March and said we need to continue to move forward together. Mr. Gropman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20p.m. seconded by Dr. Harshberger VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Gropman, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: Jennifer G. Wilder, Clerk of Council