City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. December 13, 2021 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 9 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 Ms. Foster made a motion, seconded by Ms. Huntington to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected. Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (6). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Ms. Foster made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Dr. Harshberger made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the one item for which it was convened, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Hite made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on December 13, 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, Ms. Jessie Foster, Dr. Richard Harshberger, 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 OLD BUSSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1760-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, southeast to the alleyway. 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 siting pedestrian access and drainage concerns. 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 recommended the vacation of 30’ of the requested 60’ of the right-of-way width. City Council received the report at its October 25, 2021 meeting. Development of an Ordinance by the City Attorney was requested at the November 4, 20121 meeting including the Board recommendations. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1760 as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1760, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: University Drive Bridge Project SUMMARY: Design work got underway in the Spring 2019 by our project engineers, Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP. for engineering design associated with the “University Drive Bridge” improvements. The project, generally includes replacing and/or removing the expansion joints, deck repairs and sealing, as well as improvements to the vehicular approaches. The work will improve bridge safety and extend the useful life of the structure. The design contract was expanded in February 2019 to include additional amenities and some aesthetic improvements requested by Radford University. Project elements include replacing the chain link fencing with architectural fencing, upgrading and providing additional lighting, widening the sidewalk and including “Radford University” demarcation, since the roadway accesses the Dedmon Center and other University facilities. The University is funding these additions to the project and related engineering. Design work was completed in the Fall, 2020. The project was bid in the Spring of 2021, however bids exceed the engineers estimate and project funding. The project was rebid in September, 2021 in an improved bidding climate with some redesign and removal of some of the amenities. The project came in much lower at $1,414,301. All structural and safety aspects remained as originally bid. There were two bidders, Fairfield Echols, LLC and Crossroads Bridge, Inc. The bid includes all materials, labor, Norfolk Southern oversight, project mobilization and inspection. The City portion is $725,919 and the University portion is $775,160. The City portion will be funded with our Urban Highway Maintenance Fund Reserves. The University will reimburse the City its portion by agreement. Total project cost is $1,501,079. Three actions are required by City Council…Award the contract to the low bidder, Fairfield Echols, LLC in the amount of $1,414,301. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance #1749.32 in the amount of $1,501,079 and approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Radford University related to project participation. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to award contract to Fairfeild Echols, LLC, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the Appropriation Ordinance 1749.32 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.32, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the MOU with Radford University, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1762: Gibsondale Drive Rezoning: 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. A Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was held, at the October 25, 2021 meeting. The adjacent property owner expressed concerns over increased traffic. The Planning Commission met on November 15, 2021 and recommended the approval of the rezoning. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1762 on the first reading Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1762, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments to Boards and Commissions related to Pepper’s Ferry, the New River Resource Authority, as well as the Boards vacated by Onassis Burris were required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to appoint Tom Starnes to the New River Resource Authority, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Current Council Boards and Commission Newly Appointed New River Community Services Board Hite NRV Regional Commission Horton Radford Planning Commission Huntington Social Services Board of Directors Foster Fairview District Home Board Harshberger VA First Regional Industrial Development Horton Chief Elected Official Board Horton City/Univ Joint Advisory Commission Harshberger Chamber of Commerce Harshberger  Radford Heritage Foundation Foster Highlander Festival Commission Huntington Tourism Commission Huntington Recreation Commission Hite CPMT Foster Beautification Commission Horton ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the above slate for Council Boards and Commissions. Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1761: Employee Bonus SUMMARY: Ordinance #1761 authorizes a bonus to recognize the hard work, dedication, safety considerations and performance of our employees over the past year in keeping costs down, providing high quality service, meeting corporate goals, as well as mitigating, responding and providing essential work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The bonus would provide $3,000 to Public Safety personnel, $1,000 to all other full-time and a pro-rated amount for each of our part-time public safety employees depending on their hours worked. Part-time employees will receive $250. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Ordinance 1761 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1761, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.31: Litter Grant SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant in the amount of $6,655 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2022. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, as well as promotion of environmentally friendly activities and education. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.31 on the first reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.31, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Legislative Discussion SUMMARY: As the year ends council had a discussion related to legislative items to bring forward to the general assembly. These include Mental Health and the impact that has our local law enforcement personnel, minimum standards to address structures within the building maintenance code, and the opioid litigation money. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated projects have continued to advance. Mr. Ridpath stated it has been a good year and summarized some of the good projects that occurred during 2021 and will roll into 2022. Mr. Ridpath stated all the holiday events were a success and special thanks to all the staff who made those happen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington welcome back to Dr. Harshberger we are delighted to have you serving again and thanks to all who did apply to serve on City Council and there will so many wonderful candidates. Happy holidays to everyone, the events over the last few weeks have been delightful. Ms. Foster gave an update on the American Legion and the progress made on the project. Ms. Foster discusses the CPMT budget and the problems presented currently, and stated the parade was just wonderful. Dr. Harshberger thanked Council for the opportunity to be back. Agency on Aging is having a fundraising in better weather a flyover raffle. Merry Christmas! Mr. Hite sated the parade was fantastic, welcome and thank you to Dr. Harshberger and thanks to all that stepped forward to serve. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mayor Horton thanked Council for all they accomplished this year. Mayor Horton called for citizens to tell Council what we need to do to continue to improve Radford. Mayor Horton highlighted the events that occurred around the holidays and stated going into the new year there are some projects we should work on including the neighborhood project and how to dispense the opioid litigation money. Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:36p.m., seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk