City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. January 10, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 10 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2022 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, Mr. Forrest Hite, and Ms. Huntington. Dr. Richard Harshberger participated remotely. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk Ms. Huntington made a motion to allow Dr. Harshberger to participate remotely, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. Dr. Harshberger stated his reasoning for participating remotely was because he is home with COVID19. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve minutes from November 8, November 15, November 29, and December 14 as amended, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: VACP Life Saving Awards SUMMARY: The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police has recognized several Radford Police Department Officers with its “Lifesaving Award”. The recipients are Sergeant Hite, Sergeant Coffey and Police Officer Benson. The Award recognizes the heroic efforts of Police Officers putting their lives in harms way to save others in dangerous situations. The Police Chief made special presentations. PROCLAMATION: Terry Smusz SUMMARY: Terry Smusz has served as the Executive Director of New River Community Action for thirty-two years. Terry announced her retirement in June and NRCA has requested that the local jurisdictions and the General Assembly recognize her years of leadership, program successes and dedication to improving our communities and helping its people. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1762-Scott Hill Vacation Extension SUMMARY: Scott Hill requested the vacation of an unopened portion of Sixth Street adjacent to property he owns between 604 and 504 Robertson Street. The right-of-way is topographically challenged and would not be opened as a street and it does not contain any utilities per our staff evaluation. Following a public hearing on February 24, 2020 and considering a recommendation of a Board of Viewers, City Council voted to vacate the right-of-way at its meeting on February 22, 2021 by Ordinance 1747. Ridpath Properties, LLC provided an objection to the vacation request citing access needs to their property located on the unopened portion of Staples Street and Sixth Street. The property is not considered an adjacent property to the vacation area since it is located about 50’ away. The portion of the Sixth Street right-of-way adjoining their property is not impacted by the vacation request. Ridpath Properties, LLC has appealed the action preventing the Hills from recording the vacation. Ordinance #1762 has been prepared for consideration by City Council, which would extend the 12-month vacation and associated recordation with the terms of the Ordinance to 60 days following the notice by the City that the appeal has been finalized. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1762 as presented, Dr. Harhsberger 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 1762, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Gloria Villas SUMMARY: Golden Triangle Development, LLC plans to develop 15 “single family” patio homes on a 3.44 acre parcel of property located at the intersection at West Main Street and Rock Road. The development will be subdivided and the homes sold. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the Homeowners Association, Mr. Hite 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 Development Agreement, Ms. Foster 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 approve the subdivision plat, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.33-COPS Hiring Program Grant SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has received a $375,000 grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The grant provides funding support for personnel for a new “Community Engagement Unit” to focus on community policing and crime prevention. The program runs from 2021 to 2026. Funding specifically provides the salary and benefits for three police officers for 36 months. The local match is $232,392 over the period and would be accommodated through the existing Police Department budget. The grant covers the middle 36 months and the City provides the first 12 months for recruitment and the last 12-months for retention. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.33 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington 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 1749.33, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.34-Officer Wellness Program SUMMARY: The Police Department received a $23,175 grant from the Department of Criminal Justice Service. The funds are to provide and support an officer wellness program with gym equipment. A local match is required of $7,725 and can be accommodated from the existing Police Department Budget. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.34 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 1749.34, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.35-WatchGuard In Car Video SUMMARY: The Police Department received a $18,741 grant from the Department of Criminal Justice Service. The funds are to provide four in-car video camera systems. A local match is required of $6,247 is required and can be accommodated from the existing Police Department Budget. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.35 on the first reading, Ms. Foster 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 dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.35, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated happy New Year to everyone, there is a lot to look forward moving into 2022, including many development projects, economic development growth and more. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger stated he is happy to back involved and as soon as he feels better he looks forward to meeting with the Chamber, Joint Commission and members of Council. He plans to keep Council informed on how those meetings go. Ms. Huntington asked if there is a wellness program for employees as a whole, not just police and gave a brief recap and follow up on the legislative items discussed at the last meeting. Ms. Foster spoke up about how aggressive the Police Department is with grants and suggested that other departments follow suit. Mr. Hite commended City staff on all they are doing during a tough COVID time. Mayor Horton stated the battle in COVID is not over, but great job be our community in staff in fighting the fight. Ms. Huntington made a motion, seconded by Ms. Foster to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; and evaluation of performance of departments, under Virginia Code Section 2.2- 3711 (A) (1). "Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel; specifically, to discuss collective bargaining request and legal requirements." . 2.2-3711 (A) (8). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Hite made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Dr. Harshberger 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, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Ms. Huntington made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items 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 10:07 seconded by Ms. Foster VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk