City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 26, 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 10 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2020-2021 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. Ms. Huntington participated remotely. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton Mr. Michael Bedsaul Ms. Huntington is participating electronically due to having a newborn. Mayor Horton made a motion to allow her to participate by electronic means, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. CONSENT AGENDA: MINUTES APPROVAL: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 12, 2020 Meeting, August 24, the motion was seconded by Mr. Hite. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Huntington CITIZEN COMMENTS Ms. Anise Levy explained her background as a pediatric nurse and that she is attendance tonight to speak in support of the Radford Change Commission and their program for youth after school.in the City of Radford. Ms. Levy stated that Council should take into consideration that all children deserve and need this program adequate supervised care. Mr. Caleb Krisley came to speak in favor of the Radical Change Commission. Mr. Krisley stated that many students in Radford need a place to go after to school to engage in structured programming to keep them out of trouble. Mr. Krisley stated that we are only as strong as our most vulnerable population as a community. Mr. Gordon Crosland is a father of four and he discussed the importance of an after school program and how growing up an after school program saved his life growing up. COUNCIL RESPONSE Mr. Hite and Mayor Horton both thanked the citizens for coming forward to speak. PRESENTATION SUBJECT: RADical Change Commission SUMMARY The private group the RADical Change Commission, presented a youth program concept to Council. Several members of the group presented and Council and the group engaged in dialogue about the program and the most effective routes to make the program happen. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Veteran’s Day SUMMARY: A Proclamation was prepared formally recognizing “Veterans Day” in Radford on November 11, 2020. The Proclamation recognizes the Men and Women who have served our Nation’s Armed Forces, represented our community, as well as protected the ideals of freedom, justice and liberty. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: CARES ACT-Hazard Duty Pay for First Responder’s SUMMARY: The Cares Act funding provides relief associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Act permits the payment of “hazardous” duty to first responders in local Police, Sheriff and Emergency Medical Service Personnel based on the extra responsibilities, safety expectations, uninterrupted service requirements and risk exposures resulting from COVID-19. The Appropriation provides $103,000 to all full-time and part-time personnel in the amount of a one- time payment of $1,500 each with proportional funding for part-time personnel based on hours worked. ACTION: Mr. Horton made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.13 on the first reading, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.13, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Property Maintenance SUMMARY: The Building Official, Property Maintenance Inspector and City Attorney have been working diligently over the past several months on Ordinance modifications and enhancements associated with property maintenance. Elements of their work have included researching and reviewing our City and State Code sections, practical and successful enforcement procedures, necessary modifications as they apply to property maintenance and site conditions, as well as additional follow up discussion from City Council from the meeting back in Spring. Four Ordinances were proposed that strengthen and restructure the “service” process, clarify terminology and enhance penalties as they relate to weeds, snow removal, litter and debris, as well as inoperative vehicles. The class of fines is restructured with increases from $250 to a maximum of $2,500. The Ordinances were proposed to enhance our property maintenance program, processes and results to improve our neighborhoods and community. City Council approved all four Ordinances on March 9, 2020. Additional study and research proceeded associated with the adoption of the “Virginia Maintenance Code” and related enforcement. Ordinance #1743 would provide authority to enforce the Virginia Maintenance Code locally. Ordinance #1744 provides the appeals and penalties necessary for the enforcement of the Ordinance. The City Attorney and Building Official presented a brief overview. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1743 on the first reading as presented, 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 approve Ordinance 1744 on the first reading as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1745-Extend Ordinance 1737-Gatherings Ordinance 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 was extended on September 10, 2020 with Ordinance #1737, which is set to expire on November 1, 2020. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Ordinance 1745 on the first reading with the date of expiration as December 2, at midnight, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Mr. B made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1745, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Amendment-Telecommunications Facilities SUMMARY: City Council approved a Franchise Agreement with AT&T Mobility on April 8, 2019, Ordinance #1711. The agreement allows AT&T to provide infrastructure improvements for enhanced wireless and internet service. The Virginia Code required approval of a franchise agreement within community borders. The Ordinance addressed right-of-way use, facilities, maintenance, insurance, infrastructure removal and fees. The Zoning Ordinance provides the permitted activities for telecommunications providers. Structure and equipment are allowed in public right-of-way or by co-location by permit. The last Ordinance update was in 2007 and provides limited control over the structure and location. With the expected growth of the wireless telecommunications industry, Zoning consideration may be necessary. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to refer the matter to the Planning Commission to consider Ordinance updates, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.14 SUMMARY: The Department of Social Services has received $2,500 from the Virginia Housing Development Authority resulting from COVID-19. The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides decent, affordable housing to low income individuals and families. The funds will be used to purchase office supplies and printing supplies for VHDA agents to work COVID safe from home. This is the third award for this program. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.14 on the first reading, Mr. Hite 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 1726.14, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.31 SUMMARY: The Sheriff’s Department has requested an Appropriation in the amount of $341,997 to continue efforts with New River Community Services for the Crisis Intervention Center. The State General Assembly her provided local funding for mental health crisis response and assessment centers. The New River Valley Community Services Board received funds to support officers, training, equipment and supplies for the Radford Sheriff’s Department who was tasked with the security detail for the Crisis Intervention Team Center. The “center” provides a secure location where individuals, who may be experiencing a mental health event, can be evaluated by a clinician to determine the need for hospitalization or release. The legislation and program was a result of mental health related incidents which occurred around the state. All costs are reimbursed 100% to the City of Radford for this service. An Appropriation is required to program the funds for the F.Y. 2020 City Budget. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.31 on the first reading, Ms. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Mr. Hite ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1713.31, Ms. Foster the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ABSTAIN: Mr. Hite SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1713.32 SUMMARY: The Sheriff’s Department has requested that $5,978 be appropriated from the “Courtroom Security Fund”. The funds are used to support staff support associated with security needs in the courtrooms. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1713.32 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 1713.32, 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 the City has a COVID safe Halloween event at the Recreation Center, the leaf collection is now underway and the F.Y. 2020 audit will be beginning in the coming weeks. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington thanked the community and Council for all the congratulations and they cannot wait to introduce Rory to the community. Ms. Foster dedicated her Moment of Silence to Howard R. Tutor and she stated she got to lay her eyes on Rory and she is precious. Ms. Foster read about a program that is available from DSS through the Neighbor to Neighbor program for citizens who are at risk of getting their utilities cut off. Ms. Janet Jones came up to comment on the upcoming disconnects and all the available options to citizens to help pay their utilities. Mayor Horton mentioned the upcoming Drive-Boo and encouraged all to practice safe habits while celebrating Halloween. Mr. Burress made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m. seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk