City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. September 14 , 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 7 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2020-2021 Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burress to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community 2.2-3711 (A) (5). VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 No action was taken in the closed meeting. Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mayor Horton made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM and streamed VIA Facebook Live. 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. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney SUBJECT: Ordinance 1738: COVID-19 Response SUMMARY: City Council approved Ordinance #1734 on August 4, 2020 that limited “gatherings” to no more than 50 people. The measure was taken to address concerns over the growing number of local positive Covid-19 tests, the return of the University students, as well as to help protect public health. The original Ordinance expired on August 31, 2020 and was extended with Ordinance #1737, which is set to expire on September 15, 2020. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Ordinance 1738 with a midnight on November 2, 2020 expiration date on the first reading, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1739 Continuity of Government SUMMARY: On March 30, 2020, Council adopted a Continuity of Government Ordinance pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1413 that provided authority for Council to hold virtual meetings on essential matters and other measures to support administrative tasks that may be impacted by COVID-19. The COG Ordinance was set to expire within 6 months of the declaration of local emergency—the declaration of local emergency was on March 18, 2020, which results in an expiration date of September 18, 2020. Unfortunately, the City's number of COVID-19 cases have grown, office closures are in place, and, at least for September, virtual meetings are necessary. The extension of the COG Ordinance is tied to the virtual public hearing scheduled for the McHarg bond financing on September 28th. Notices for the virtual public hearing are already being advertised as required by the Virginia Public Finance Act. Also, the COG Ordinance is just a good "tool to have in the toolbox" moving forward. It does not require Council to hold meetings virtually but gives you the authority to do so when needed. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Ordinance 1739 on the first reading, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: SUBJECT: CARES FUNDING Resolution SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received $3,184,310 from the state in federal pass through funding from the Cares Act in two rounds of distribution. The funds are to be used to specifically support COVID-19 on-going expenses, general funding categories include personal protective equipment, technology enhancements, work place modifications, facility cleaning and supplies, small business support, equipment for First Responders, support of regional efforts (with VDH, NRVCS and NRVRC), as well as hazardous duty pay for First Responders. The funds will enhance public and employee safety, broaden service reliability, as well as provide economic stability during the Coronavirus public health emergency for non-budgeted, non-reoccurring expenses. The program must close out by December 30, 2020. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1740 Renewable Energy Credits SUMMARY: The City of Radford is a member of the Blue Ridge Power Agency. It is an organization of the Virginia “independent” electric municipals. The organization assists with legislative, administrative and collective programmatic needs of its eight member localities. The agency has been approached by several groups interested in acquiring the “energy credits” resulting from the production of power by its members through environmentally favored methods…In our case, the power generated through the turbines at Little River Dam. The BRPA released a “Request for Proposals” for a consultant/agent to review the potential of selling the energy credits of the four municipals that have hydroelectric generation facilities. The group, Blue Delta was chosen to provide the services at a cost of 7.5% of the revenue value of the credits to develop a platform for the sale of the energy credits and review of the proposals. An overview of the credits was provided at a work session on August 10, 2020. If the sale advances, it would be for one year. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Ordinance 1740 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 Ordinance 1740, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.05 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Commission. The grant will be used to support technology needs, marketing development of a video and advertising materials, as well as a digital kiosk. The funds would help to broaden Radford’s tourism and recreational efforts. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.05 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.05, Ms. Huntington 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 the Drop Center is finally open and it is going well! Mr. Ridpath stated leaf collection should begin soon and that crews are beginning to winterize equipment. Mr. Ridpath stated there was a glitch with the lights at the Triangle Lot, but the new tables and umbrellas are installed. Ms. Wilder discussed the Be Committed. Be Well. Campaign that is going on throughout the community and region. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated that there is a mental health component of this pandemic and that there are resources available should you need them including NRVCS. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to her cousin who has COVID, as well as all those affected by the wildfires out west. Mrs. Foster put on the radar tours of industrial partners would be nice to start up again and see what they are up to and their current status. Ms. Foster would like to ride around the community and see what building are available for properties. Ms. Foster asked for patience from the community regarding the technology and streaming meetings. Mr. Burress thanked first responders for all they are doing for our community, Mr. Burress thanked the citizens for wearing masks and adhering to the COVID precautionary measures, Mr. Burress thanked the City staff and the school system for all the hard work everyone is doing in such a different time. Mayor Horton thank you Radford for your hard work to get through the pandemic together. Mayor Horton stated that there are a couple proclamations that he will be sharing information on after the meeting. Mayor Horton mentioned the Hearts in Unity arts contest. Mr. Hite made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. seconded by Mr. Burress. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk