City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. October 12 , 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 9 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, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 No action was taken in the closed meeting. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Buress made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, 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, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on October 12, 2020 in the Radford City Council Chambers, located at 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, and Mr. Forrest Hite. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk CONSENT AGENDA: MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the minutes for the August 4, 2020 Special Meeting, August 24, 2020 Regular Meeting, August 26, 2020 Work Session, September 14, 2020 Regular Meeting, September 28, 2020 Regular Meeting, as amended, the motion was seconded by Mr. Hite. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS The Radical Change Commission presented the McCauley Family with the Hearts in Unity art contest award and the McCauley’s spoke to why they entered the challenge and the meaning behind their art work. COUNCIL RESPONSE REPORT SUBJECT: Coronavirus SUMMARY: Dr. Noelle Bissell, Executive Director of the New River Valley Health District, presented an update on the impact of the Coronavirus on the district, as well as Public Health Task Force activities and “gatherings” guidance for the holidays. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Arts and Humanities Month SUMMARY: The month of October is Nationally recognized as “Arts and Humanities Month”. The Proclamation locally recognizes the significant contributions of art, music, stage and dance to our community, its citizens and our youth. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Utility Deposit and Fee Waivers SUMMARY: The City Code requires that customers that are delinquent on their utility accounts pay a deposit. To improve collections and reduce the burden on account holders, during these COVID times, an Ordinance has been provided to temporary suspend this code provision, as well as suspend the delinquent collection of fees in the event of disconnection of the service. The Ordinance would be in effect until December 31, 2020. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Ordinance 1742 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Resolution-Radford High School Foundation Lease SUMMARY: The City of Radford has leased the property on George Street, adjacent to the Radford Recreation Center, to the Radford High School Foundation, Inc. since 2004. The agreement was established to help foster support, private donations and construction of the baseball field on the 5+ acre City owned site. The original lease was established in 2004 for a five-year term. It was renewed in September, 2008 under new conditions for another five-year term, renewed in October, 2014 for one year, renewed in October, 2015 for a two-year term and renewal October, 2017 for another three years which expires December 31, 2020. The Foundation has requested an additional renewal term with the City through December 31, 2021 to continue its fund raising and project development. The Coronavirus impacted this past year’s plans. The ongoing lease has worked out well in the management, maintenance and development of the facility. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: SUBJECT: Resolution-CARES Act-Small Business Grants (Round 2) SUMMARY: The CARES Act, “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security”, has provided federal funding to the states for use on unexpected costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commonwealth has issued a portion of the funding to localities, based on population, for support of this effort. The guidelines permit the use of funds to support businesses struggling from the impact of the Coronavirus as one of the components. The City has developed a grant program that helps qualifying small businesses with expenses associated with cleaning costs, personal protective equipment, technology improvements, alternatives for service delivery, utilities, as well as increased cost for delivery, to name a few. The Phase I POWER, “Pressing Onward with Economic Resiliency”, initiative approval in August, has provided $200,000 to thirty-four Radford businesses with 1 to 50 employees with valid business licenses. Grants range from $1,000 - $5,000. The grants and the related application have been coordinated by the Economic Development Department and Economic Development Authority. Funds are available to support a Phase II program under the same terms. The amount proposed is $150,000. Kim Repass, Economic Development Director, provided a report on the program and COVID response to assist businesses. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.12 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.12, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: CDBG Allocation SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received Community Development Block Grant funding in the amount of $179,253 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds will be used to support the 2020 CDBG Action Plan approved by City Council on July 9, 2020. Projects will include funding to support water/sewer improvements, emergency home repair. Planning and Administration, as well as support beautification and improvements to slum and blighted areas. The funds will also continue to provide funding for several agency partners including New River Community Action, Women’s Resource Center, Beans and Rice, Radford Clothing Bank, Radford Daily Bread and The Bobcat Backpack Program. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.11 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.11, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath spoke about the sink hole and then referred to Ms. Wilder to discuss upcoming Halloween safety protocol and the continued Be Committed. Be Well. Campaign. He then referred to Chief Dodson to discuss the National Night Out event, which was recently sponsored by the department. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to a family friend who contracted COVID and the mother passed away last week from COVID. Ms. Foster stated National Night Out was wonderful and congratulated Ms. Huntington on her new bundle of joy! Ms. Foster reminded everyone that election season is coming and that early voting is simple and easy and she highly recommends it. Mr. Burress said that with it being Arts and Humanities month, Craft and Draft will be held virtually this year so everyone should participate virtually. Mr. Hite congratulated Ms. Huntington on the birth of her daughter. Mayor Horton mentioned the Bobcat Backpack drive this month is for canned fruit. Mayor Horton said that even during the tough days Radford is doing a great job and finding ways to make a difference. Mr. Burress made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk