City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. July 12, 2021 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 1 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on August 9, 2021 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, Mr. Forrest Hite, and Ms. Huntington. Ms. Foster participated remotely. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to allow Ms. Foster to participate remotely, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. Ms. Foster stated she was out of town for family vacation. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 MINUTES APPROVAL: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Garrett’s and Meg’s SUMMARY: Garrett’s and Meg’s was founded in 1986 and is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary on East Main Street. The Resolution recognizes the accomplishments of this successful homegrown business and Meg and Gary Weddle’s investment in our community. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to move the resolution to the second meeting in August, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1754-EDA Property Transfer SUMMARY: The EDA acquired the property at 330 West Main Street in 2019. The structure was removed and the site developed as an outdoor venue for dining, open space and entertainment, as well as perimeter parking and site aesthetics constructed. The EDA would like to transfer the .12 acre parcel, known as the “Triangle Lot”, to the City now that the development is complete to provide ongoing maintenance and insurance coverage. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Ordinance 1754 on its first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commission SUMMARY: Appointments are needed for the Library and the New River Resource Authority. The vacancies have been posted. These were the remaining appointments not filled at the June 28, 2021 meeting. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Ms. Stapleton and Ms. Semones to the Agency on Aging, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. Mayor Horton made the motion to appoint Mr. Weltons to the Economic Development Authority to the New River Resource Authority, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinances 1749.01-1749.07 SUMMARY: The Department of Social Services has received additional funding in the amount of $83,879. Seven Appropriation Ordinances #1749.01 through #1749.07 amended the Budget to support DSS staff cost and overhead associated with Medicaid expansion, DSS administrations and VHDA administration, as well as programs associated with prevention services, independent living, adult protection services and youth and foster services. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinances 1749.01-1749.07 on the first reading, Ms. Foster 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 dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinances 1749.01-1749.07, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.08- West Main Street Sidewalk Improvements SUMMARY: The City has a Capital Project planned to replace 1,700ꞌ of sidewalk along West Main Street from Ingles Street to Forest Avenue. The project area walkways will be much improved with a 5ꞌ width, as well as provide 8 ADA Ramps at each of the four intersections. The price of the project including equipment, labor, materials, removal of the old sidewalk and traffic control is $166,830. The project meets all VDOT standards and is eligible for funding from our Urban Highway Maintenance Reserves. The work will be done by a private contractor, Extreme Concrete Construction, with good experience with the City. There were no other project proposers. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.08 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: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.08, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.09- Water Craft Funding SUMMARY: The demand on river rescue has increased for the Radford Fire and EMS Department with more use of the New River for outdoor water sports and recreation. Maintaining safe waterways for our citizens and tourism, as well as providing mutual aid, requires additional investment in more modern and larger watercraft. The Department would like to acquire a 2022 River Raptor Jet Boat. The boat has many amenities including large size, speed, stability for diving operations and the ability to operate in shallow water conditions. The cost of the equipment is $77,995 and can be purchased using our restricted “Aid to Localities” funding. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.09 on the first reading, Mr. Hite 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 1749.09, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: East Main Street Transportation Enhancements SUMMARY: The City received three proposals for services to plan, design, inspect and bid transportation enhancements from University Drive to Jefferson Street. The project was approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation under the “smart-scale” program to enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety. The project includes 900ꞌ of sidewalk, improved ADA accommodations, enhanced roadway lightning, intersection improvements at Jefferson Street and stormwater mitigation. The project is estimated to cost $476,924 and was supported by a City Council resolution September 9, 2019. After review of the proposals, it is recommended that the engineering project be awarded to Hurt & Proffitt due to their transportation experience and familiarity with the project needs. The engineering and oversite is budgeted at $153,000. The City portion is 20% of the project ($30,600). ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to award the contract to Hurt and Proffitt, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntingotn made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.10 on the first reading, Mr. Hite 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 dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.10, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Water Plant Chemical Bids SUMMARY: The Water Treatment Plant has received bids for one of the significant chemicals, Poly Aluminum Chloride, used in our treatment process of portable water. Suppliers of this chemical are very limited. We received three bids from Kemira for $0.221/liquid pound, and USALCO for $0.205/liquid pound and control Equip for $0.256/liquid pound. The City uses 118 tons of the chemical each year. The total cost is $50,000, which was programmed in the F.Y. 2022 annual budget. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to award the bid to USALCO, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Vacation of Right of Way SUMMARY: Kevin Entrekin, a property owner at 300 Ninth Street, has requested that Harvey Street be vacated from Eight Street to Ninth Street. This section of Street was never opened due to the steep slope on the southern end. A public hearing is required and planned for September 13, 2021. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to schedule the public hearing for September 13, 2021, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Opioid Litigation SUMMARY: The firm representing the City in the “Opioid” Litigation, Sanford, Heisler, Sharp, LLP, have advanced a settlement plan in light of the Purdue Bankruptcy. The plan has moved rapidly with a settlement expected by July 14, 2021. Our attorneys are recommending that City Council advance a Resolution to authorize them to vote and act on the City’s behalf in consideration of the Purdue bankruptcy settlement. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.37-Ecumbrances SUMMARY: The City of Radford had several encumbrances/purchase orders outstanding at the end of the F.Y. 2020 fiscal year. The purchase order totals $176,875 and relate to Electric Department equipment, Water Plant improvements, Information Technology, the Tyler to East Main Capital Project, and various small General Fund departmental planned expenses. To carry the funds into F.Y. 2021 an Appropriation is needed. The funds are less than 1% of the total City Budget, so no public hearing is required. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.37 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington 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 dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.37 Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Burress commented on what a great event July 4th was. Mayor Horton mentioned that the July 4th program was great, but in the future we need to work on building a more diverse lineup early on. It might be time to create a committee and expand how the event is programmed. Mayor Horton also mentioned that on August 28 Bisset Park would be full of events including Potter in the Park and Renew the New. Mayor Horton concluded by reminding citizens of the Christiansburg Institute and expressing his support for their organization. Mayor Horton mentioned using incoming revenue to invest in our citizens and to look into investing in broadband. Mr. Burress made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. seconded by Ms. Huntington VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk