City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. February 28, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 13 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on February 28, 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, Vice- Mayor Huntington, Mr. Forrest Hite, Ms. Jessie Foster, and Dr. Richard Harshberger. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy Clerk Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney Ms. Dawn Diamond, Human Resources Director Ms. Chelista Linkous, Finance Director Mr. Jeffery Dodson, Chief of Police CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Elizabeth Sensabaugh spoke about upcoming Library programs in the month of April. Including their partnership with Radford University to bring author Daniel Nayeri to Radford. COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the minutes from February 14, 2022, as presented, Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 RECOGNITION: Radford Police Department SUMMARY: The Radford Police Department recognized several citizens and businesses that have supported its employee “wellness” initiatives. Lieutenant, Ben Mullins, made the presentations. NEW BUSSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Transit Service Contract SUMMARY: After competitive solicitation for proposals, the City of Radford received two proposals from New River Valley Community Services, as well as RTW Management to provide fixed base route service operations for Radford Transit. The best responsive proposal based on the operational plan and cost, was received from RTW Management. The Utah based Company has 20 years of experience, as well as has the management capabilities, safety history and financial resources expected to be the service provider. The cost is projected at $2,601,855 with a $95,583/month fixed fee. The buses and equipment are owned by the City of Radford. The RFP was reviewed by a committee made up of City Staff, Radford University and the Regional MPO. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented authorizing the City to proceed with the contract with RTW Management, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.42-Radford Public Library SUMMARY: The Radford Public Library received a grant in the amount of $21,129 from the Library of Virginia. The funds will be used to purchase furniture, digital services, as well as provide support of the Saint Francis Service Dog. The funding source is the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.42 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.42, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Fire and EMS Station Improvements Appropriation Ordinance 1749.43-Fire Department SUMMARY: The Radford Fire and EMS Department has been expanded to accommodate improved and move individualized living space, as well as to mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dormitory style living quarters were obtained from Mobile Modular that included nine bedrooms, laundry area, storage and a kitchenette. The City has evaluated leasing the facilities or ownership and concluded it more economical to own the facility at a cost of $241,000. The improvements were planned by using the City’s American Resource Plan Act Funding. The facility will accommodate employee residential needs until a station expansion can be designed and constructed in the future. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.43 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.43, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: No comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster’s moment of silence was dedicated to Ukraine. Ms. Foster is still working with Glencoe on a grant to create more handicap accessibility. Ms. Foster also spoke about her visit to the jail and that they are down on staff by about 75 positions. Ms. Foster mentioned she is still meeting with the shifts and the Fire Department and is happy to see a clock in the back of the room. Dr. Harshberger mentioned the Joint Commission will meet on March 15 at the Recreation Center. Mayor Horton complimented the organizers and all who came out to support and participate in the annual Polar Plunge, the event raised more than $56,000 for Special Olympics., Mayor Horton mentioned that for April there might be a clean up day at the American Legion Building and that the month of March is Women’s History Month and Glencoe has an exhibit all month long. . Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hite 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). 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 employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (8). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, 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, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mayor Horton made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the three items for which it was convened, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mr. Hite made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 p.m. seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk