City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. July 1 3, 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 2 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2020-2021 The special organizational 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, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Mr. Onassis Burress, Ms. Jessie Foster, Mr. Forrest Hite, Ms. Naomi Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Mr. Jeffery Dodson, Chief of Police Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney MINUTES APPROVAL: On a motion by Mr. Hite, seconded by Ms. Huntington the minutes for July 1, 2020 were approved as presented. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Karen Gerlach and Ms. Lucinda McDarment came to speak on behalf of Mountain Trotter Arts which is going to be putting on a pandemic perspectives art event beginning July 20, 2020 at the Central Courtyard. Mr. Kevin Hite spoke on the decision to have a moment of silence instead of rotating the moment of reflection between City Council members. Mr. Hite stated that a moment of reflection gives constituents time to get to know each Council member at the meetings and has more intentionality than a moment of silence. An invocation has been standard in government and a nebulous moment of silence will never accomplish anything. Mr. Jerry Wyms came to address Council about the street he lives on. He stated there are cars that speed down the street and that there are trees hanging out over the road, because of the overgrowth law enforcement isn’t even able to sit and run radar. The trees are on City property and need to be maintained. COUNCIL RESPONSE: Ms. Huntington thanked the representatives from Mountain Trotter Arts for their presentation, and Council will discuss getting them on the art trail. Ms. Huntington thanked Mr. Hite for his concerns and stated there are many ways to get to know Council other than a moment of reflection and Ms. Huntington asked that Mr. Wyms let Council know where he lives so that the issues can be addressed. Ms. Foster thanked citizens for coming out to speak and bring concerns to Council and she encouraged citizens to continue to do so. Mr. Burress thanked all for speaking tonight and for your sentiments, thoughts, and concerns. Mr. Hite thanked Karen and Lucinda for their presentation and willingness to invest in Radford. Mr. Hite then thanked Mr. Hite and knows how difficult it is for him to speak publicly and he appreciates his sentiments. thank you for you r presentation and willingness to invest in the city. Mr. Hite concluded by saying he will ride out and look into the issue presented by Mr. Wyms. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: American Legion SUMMARY: The American Legion is 100 years old. It is a non-partisan Veteran’s organization with the mission devoted to mutual helpfulness, sponsoring community programs advocating patriotism and honor. The Proclamation recognized America Legion Post #30 Harvey-Howe- Carper located in Radford. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commission SUMMARY: There were several Boards and Commissions appointments that were deferred from the July 1st organizational meeting that need to be completed. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to appoint the following to Boards and Commission, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. Tourism Scott Dunn Krisy Aiken Adam Schaeffer Workforce Development Board Jeff Martin New River Valley Regional Commission Jeff Martin Building Code Board of Appeals Seth Gillespie VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Right of Way Vacation-Scott Hill SUMMARY: Scott Hill requested the vacation of an unopened portion of Sixth Street adjacent to property he owns between 604 and 504 Robertson Street. The right-of-way is topographically challenged and would not be opened as a street. It does not contain any utilities. The applicant has paid the $800 application fee and City Staff has received the application. A public hearing was held on February 24, 2020 with no comments or objections. Action has been on hold during the COVID-19 outbreak. The next step in the process was to appoint a three- member Board of Viewers to review the request and make a recommendation. The amount of payment to the viewers is $50 each. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to appoint the follow individuals Guy Gilmore, Doyle Barton, Abram Williams to the Board of Viewers, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Rezoning-Radford University Foundation Hotel Project SUMMARY: The Radford University Foundation is planning to develop a hotel on 2 acres of property on the corner of the 600 block of Tyler Avenue at Calhoun Street. The project will include 125 guest rooms, conference center, restaurant and guest amenities. The property is zoned R-4 Multi-family residential and requires rezoning to B-2 General Business to accommodate the development. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to schedule the Public Hearing for August 10. 2020, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Rezoning-JW Radford Townhouse Project SUMMARY: J.W. Radford Contracting, LLC is planning to construct a seven-unit townhouse project on a 1.03-acre site on Duncan Lane. The property is zoned R-3 single family residential and requires rezoning to R-4 multi-family residential to accommodate the development. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to schedule the public hearing for August 10. 2020, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Special Use Permit-Radford Development SUMMARY: Radford Development is planning to develop apartment units on the second and third floor of the building at 1143 East Main Street. The property is zoned B-3 Central Business and requires a special use permit for apartments on the upper floors. The lower floor would be used as retail, restaurant or office space. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to schedule the public hearing for August 10. 2020, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: CDBG-P.Y. Action Plan SUMMARY: The City of Radford receives funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development as an Entitlement Community to support low and moderate income projects and reduce slum and blight conditions. Every five years, the City is required to develop a “Consolidated Action Plan” identifying housing and community development priorities under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The 2020 Plan year, our F.Y. 2021 fiscal year, has a projected allocation of $179,253 with an additional $20,785 in carry over funds from the previous year. Projects proposed support emergency home repairs, beautification, façade improvements, water/sewer improvements, general administration of the program, as well as agency support for the Women’s Resource Center, New River Community action, Beans and Rice, August Kids, Bobcat Back Pack Program and Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion that Council to adopt the program year 2020 program plan, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.01-Building Department SUMMARY: The Department of Housing and Community Development provided a $690 Grant to the City of Radford through the Virginia Building Code Academy. The funds will be used to purchase an electronic set of state building codes to assist with virtual training and inspections. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.01 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.01, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.02-COVID VHDA Grant SUMMARY: The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) provides support through the “Housing Choice Voucher” program to provide affordable housing to low income individuals and families. VHDA has authorized $6,500 in funding to support technology needs, personal protective equipment and office supplies. The grant will help allow our local VHDA agent to work safely from home due to COVID-19 challenges. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.02 on the first reading, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.02, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.03-COVID VHDA Grant SUMMARY: The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) provides support through the “Housing Choice Voucher” program to provide affordable housing to low income individuals and families. VHDA has authorized $6,500 in funding to support technology needs, personal protective equipment and office supplies. The grant will help allow our local VHDA agent to work safely from home due to COVID-19 challenges. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.03 on the first reading, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.03, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that several projects have been completed including the paving of the trail in Bisset between Shelter 2 and Shelter 3. The new paving will be striped soon, there are new speed reminders going in and the Drop Center is nearing completion. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington asked about how scheduling at the Radford Recreation Center has gone with the new opening regulations pertaining to COVID-19. Mr. Hite gave a special thanks for the fantastic July 4 fireworks show. Ms. Foster reported on active COVID-19 cases and addressed Mr. Wyms concern and said Mr. Ridpath will be quick to send someone out and encouraged all citizens to let us know if you see something let Council know. Ms. Foster congratulated the American Legion on the 100th Anniversary and that now is a good time to highlight the building and that project. Mr. Burress thanked Ms. Foster and Council for moving forward with some funds to help move the American Legion forward. Mayor Horton thanked all the citizens for speaking this evening and assured Mr. Wyms that he would looking his concerns, thanked Mr. Hite for his comments. Mayor Horton stated that as a city we are doing great keeping Covid-19 until control and we all need to continue to do our part as the students begin to return. Mr. Burress made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25p.m., seconded by Mr. Hite VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk