City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. September 28, 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 8 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2020-2021 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 PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance 1741 SUMMARY: The City of Radford will issue $16 million (Par Value $16.8 million) in bonds through the Virginia Public Financing Authority to support the additions and renovations to McHarg Elementary School. The bonds will have a 25 year amortization and an expected interest rate of just under 3%. The forecast tax rate is an increase of 10.13 cents with 4 cents already implemented to support the debt service payments. The project includes a 49,200 sq. ft. renovation and 26,400 sq. ft. in additions to its 1959 structure located on Wadsworth Street. The project contractor is Avis Construction. The public hearing on the bond was scheduled at the August 10, 2020 meeting. The hearing has been advertised as required. There were no comments received. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1741 SUMMARY: The City of Radford will issue $16 million (Par Value $16.8 million) in bonds through the Virginia Public Financing Authority to support the additions and renovations to McHarg Elementary School. The bonds will have a 25 year amortization and an expected interest rate of just under 3%. The forecast tax rate is an increase of 10.13 cents with 4 cents already implemented to support the debt service payments. The project includes a 49,200 sq. ft. renovation and 26,400 sq. ft. in additions to its 1959 structure located on Wadsworth Street. The project contractor is Avis Construction. The public hearing on the bond was scheduled at the August 10, 2020 meeting. The hearing has been advertised as required. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Ordinance 1741 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. Burress made a motion to approve the Resolution as amended., Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.06- SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has awarded a grant to the City of Radford, Police Department in the amount of $7,600. The grant is to specifically be used to support efforts to reduce alcohol violations. The grant requires a $3,800 local match, which can be managed in the departmental budget. Funds will be used for overtime associated with alcohol enforcement. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.06 on the first reading, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.06, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.07 SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has awarded a grant to the City of Radford, Police Department in the amount of $6,750. The grant is to specifically be used to support efforts to reduce speed violations. The grant requires a $3,375 local match which can be managed in the departmental budget. Funds will be used for overtime associated with speed enforcement. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.07 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.07, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.08 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received an additional $1,592,155 from the state in Federal pass through funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus Act, CARES. The funds will be used for office modifications, protective equipment, business grants, regional COVID-19 related initiatives, HVAC enhancements, cleaning supplies and equipment for first responders. The City received an equal payment that was awarded in June. The expenditures were designated in the Resolution approved at the September 14, 2020 meeting. The revenue was not planned in the development of the F.Y. 2021 Budget, requiring the Appropriation. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.08 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.08, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.09 SUMMARY: The City Treasurer has requested that funds be appropriated from the DMV reserves to the department’s “salary” account. The funds would be used for a bonus as “hazardous” pay for the six office employees during the Coronavirus pandemic. The amount of the request is $24,552. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.09 on the first reading, Mr. Burress 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 1726.09, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.10 SUMMARY: The Voter Registrar has received a grant in the amount of $54,933. The funds provided from the CARES Act, through the Virginia Department of Elections, will support security cameras, office modifications, a drop box, PPE and other election related expenses impacted by COVID-19. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.10 on the first reading, Mr. Burress 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 1726.10, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.30 SUMMARY: The bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act provided relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. Payments are being distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration. HHS has announced allocation payments which includes; Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and dental providers. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.30 on the first reading, Ms. Foster 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 1713.30, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath explained Appropriations and why the City has so many this time of year. Mr. Ridpath stated that there are a number of capital projects moving forward including replacement of a water line on Grand View Drive. Mr. Ridpath stated that we are starting to spend down the CARES Act funding. Mr. Ridpath also discussed the numbers are trending down for COVID in our area and that the numbers continue to go down. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Huntington reminded everyone that Renew the New has moved to a virtual event this year and also reminded everyone that the Welcome Center is now open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00-2:00. Mr. Hite reminded everyone of the several options for voting and that there are two proposed amendments for the Virginia Constitution on the ballot this year. Mrs. Foster dedicate her moment of silence to Palmer Lee Thompson and told everyone that she has already voted and that there are several options for voting. Mrs. Foster stated that the Radford Elf Shelf didn’t have as much participation this year and provided information to citizens on how to participate. Mr. Burress echoed Mr. Hite and Mrs. Foster about voting. Mr. Burress commended the Chamber for pulling off the Golf Tournament and Mr. Burress concluded by saying Go State for Mississippi State’s win over LSU. Mayor Horton told everyone to go to Mr. Howard regarding the voting for this year and they he will answer all your questions. Mayor Horton stated they were happy to support the members of the treasurer’s office and that Council will continue to look at the budget to figure out anything that is possible to honor and recognize our employees. Mayor Horton stated there are a few more days left in the Hearts and Unity Arts contest. Mayor Horton addressed Halloween and that more guidance and best practices will follow. 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