City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 25 2021 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 6 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on October 25, 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, Ms. Jessie Foster, Mr. Forrest Hite and Ms. Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE JOINT PUBLIC HEARING REZONING GIBSONDALE DRIVE SUMMARY: A rezoning has been requested by Jones Real Estate Investment to accommodate the development of nine townhomes on Gibsondale Drive. The property is zoned partially industrial (M-1) and requires rezoning to multi-family (R-4) to accommodate the 9 unit townhome development. The Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was scheduled at the September 27, 2021 meeting for October 25, 2021. Mr. Ryan Watson stated the Planning Commission has a quorum and opened their meeting. Ms. Melissa Skelton presented an overview of the project. Mayor Horton opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. Mr. Brian Handy spoke out against the project stating there are several reasons this would not be good to the surrounding neighborhood, including vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. OLD BUSSINESS: SUBJECT: Vacation of Right of Way-Harvey Street SUMMARY: Kevin Entrekin, a property owner at 300 Ninth Street, has requested a 60’ x 150’ section of Harvey Street be vacated from Ninth Street to Tenth Street. This .206-acre section of Street was never opened due to the steep slope on the southern end. The applicant has paid the processing fee. A public hearing was held by City Council at its September 13, 2021 meeting. There were three objections to the vacation. No utilities are impacted by the proposed vacation. A 3-member Board of Viewers was appointed by City Council at the September 27, 20121 meeting. The Board of Viewers met on October 11, 2021 and has recommended the vacation of 30’ of the requested 60’ of the right-of-way width. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to receive the Board of Viewers Report, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to table discussion until the next meeting, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Transit Feasibility Study SUMMARY: A Request for Proposals has been developed to seek firms who can provide a feasibility study associated with the need for a “transit” facility. Elements of the study include identifying facility needs, potential sites and the cost of a transit facility within the City of Radford to house Radford Transit. The facility is currently in leased space in the Industrial Park provided by our contract service provider, NRVCS. Two consultants submitted proposals in response to the RFP. The successful proposer was Kimley-Horn from Reston, VA with much project experience, understanding of the scope of work, as well as vision for facility needs. The project cost is $49,800 and funded by DRPT and a City Match previously approved. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to award contract to Kimley-Horn, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to sign the agreement and serve as the City representatives on the project, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1756-Local Elections SUMMARY: The General Assembly directed that all elections in the Commonwealth be moved from May to November. The process was discussed on April 8, 2021. A local Ordinance is required to formally change the City Charter provisions to match state requirements. The local elections include Mayor, City Council and School Board. Mr. Hite made sure to indicate he is not happy with this decision, but at this point this is just a technicality. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1756 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: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1756, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Opioid Litigation SUMMARY: The City of Radford has participated in the global law suit associated with the opioid epidemic and its impact on the local communities. The opioid substance abuse has impacted cost associated with emergency response, criminal justice, mental health and agency services. The City’s legal Counsel has recommended the participation in a settlement with opioid providers including Mckesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The settlement would provide recovery of a portion of public funds spent on the consequences of the opioid epidemic. The amount to the City is estimated at $501,410 to be received over 18 years. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the resolution as presented Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.24-Library SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant from the Library Board of Virginia in the amount of $4,000. The funds will be used for a ‘fellowship” program for a Library employee to advance our education in Library Science. No match is required. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.24 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 a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.24, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.25- ARC SUMMARY: The City of Radford received $35,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support a study of the East Radford Business District. Elements of the study conducted by the NRV Regional Commission, included work sessions, public input surveys, streetscape evaluation, Beautification and signage, utility options, and façade recommendations. The study began in 2019, but was delayed due to COVID. The project is matched with $45,000 in CDBG funding, as well as City in-kind support. The Appropriation is necessary to recognize the revenue and amend the F.Y. 2021 Budget ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.25 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. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.25, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.26- Victim Witness SUMMARY: The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Justice in the amount of $129,410. The funds will be used to support the comprehensive services of the Victim Witness Coordinator located in Radford and a full-time person in Floyd (salary, benefits, travel and office supplies) that assists individuals who have been victims/witnesses of felony or misdemeanor crimes. The program has served the citizens of Radford and Floyd for the past 27 years and served over 550 victims. No local match is required. ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.26 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. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.26, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1726.40- SRO SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to support our ongoing School Resource Officer funding. The grant is for $91,270 and includes a $29,650 local match, which will be accommodated from the existing Police Department budget. An Appropriation is required, since the funds were not programmed in the development of the FY 2021 City Budget. The DCJS grant supports two SRO positions. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1726.40 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 dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1726.40, 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 stated that leaf collection has begun and there is a busy weekend ahead with all things Halloween and the International Food Festival. City crews are ramping up for the holidays, with more details to come! COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated her excitement for the East Main Project and reminded everyone of the International Food Festival this weekend. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to Billy Kinder. She also stated she toured McHarg and there is still work to be done, but it is coming along. Ms. Foster also spoke about her ride along with Officer Brewster and how on each ride a long she has a new respect for all our officers encounter. Mr. Burress stated he is excited about the potential improvements for our Downtown East Main Street. Mr. Burress stated to come out to the International Food Festival, but also celebrate our local diverse restaurants in town. Mr. Hite stated he will be getting a tour of McHarg in the coming week and that Election Day is next week, make sure to get out and vote Mayor Horton also encouraged everyone to vote and attend the International Food Festival. Mayor Horton also expressed his excited about the East Main Plan and all that is happening in Radford. Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burress to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property, for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3). Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body. For the purposes of this subdivision, "probable litigation" means litigation that has been specifically threatened or on which the public body or its legal counsel has a reasonable basis to believe will be commenced by or against a known party. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to permit the closure of a meeting merely because an attorney representing the public body is in attendance or is consulted on a matter. 2.2-3711 (A) (7). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Burress seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Burress made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Ms. Foster 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: Ms. Foster, Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Hite made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18p.m., seconded by Mr. Burress. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk