City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. April 11, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 15 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on April 11, 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 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the minutes from March 28, 2022, as presented, Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Huntington PROCLAMATION: National Crime Victim Rights Week SUMMARY: The week of April 24-30 2022 is recognized as “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.” A local proclamation has been requested by our Victim Witness Office. The Proclamation calls on our citizens to recognize the emotional, physical, psychological and financial effects of crime on its victims, as well as highlights the programs, service providers and criminal justice professionals who respond to the needs of victims of crime. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1763-F.Y. 2023 Budget SUMMARY: The Budget for F.Y. 2023 has been delivered to City Council from the City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $66,999,753. The proposed budget provides sufficient revenues to pay for expenditures, maintains positive fund balances, provides resources for maintenance and improvements to infrastructure, supports core customer services and equipment replacement, acknowledges the impact of inflation, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows: General Funds $32,007,041 Street Maintenance Fund 2,406,565 Water/Wastewater Fund 5,315,340 Electric Fund 21,258,021 Solid Waste Fund 1,725,693 Transit Fund 3,380,793 Internal Services Fund 906,300 In addition to the City Budget, the City Council is also considering the F.Y. 2023 Radford City School Board Budget. The $33,896,048 budget was approved by the School Board on March 28, 2022. The funds are summarized as follows: Operating Fund $24,258,866 School Nutrtion Fund 771,344 Grants Fund 4,293,650 Textbook Fund 560,144 Capital Projects Fund 220,000 Health Insurance Fund 2,635,398 McHarg School Project 1,004,697 Region 7 Virtual Academy Fund 151,949 *The public hearing has been advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. SUBJECT: Ordinance 1764- Tax Rate 2022 SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2023 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1764 is an Ordinance to establish the tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery and Tools for the 2022 calendar year. The proposed F.Y. 2023 Budget reflects a tax rate of .84 for real property. The rate is level to calendar year 2021 and supports the debt service payment for the McHarg Elementary School additions and renovations. The tax rates are as follows:  Real Property tax would remain at $0.84 per $100 of assessed value  Machinery and Tools tax remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value  Tangible Personal Property remains at $2.44 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Personal Property, vehicles, etc.)  Tangible Personal Property remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Business Personal Property) *The public hearing has been advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. SUBJECT: Ordinance 1765- Disposition of Real Property SUMMARY: The City of Radford is the apparent owner of Lot #10 Section 12, Plan A, located adjacent to property at 300 Oakland Avenue. The property is part of the Trust of Clarence E. Sowers and Charles Goodell. There is a Clerk’s error in the deed that goes back to 1895 that passed with the title. The property has a driveway and garage partially located on the City property. It is a very small lot the City did not know it owned. To remedy the issue a public hearing is required for the City to dispose of its interest in the lot. The public hearing has been advertised, as required. *The public hearing has been advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1763-F.Y. 2023 Budget SUMMARY: The Budget for F.Y. 2023 has been delivered to City Council from the City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $66,999,753. The proposed budget provides sufficient revenues to pay for expenditures, maintains positive fund balances, provides resources for maintenance and improvements to infrastructure, supports core customer services and equipment replacement, acknowledges the impact of inflation, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows: General Funds $32,007,041 Street Maintenance Fund 2,406,565 Water/Wastewater Fund 5,315,340 Electric Fund 21,258,021 Solid Waste Fund 1,725,693 Transit Fund 3,380,793 Internal Services Fund 906,300 In addition to the City Budget, the City Council is also considering the F.Y. 2023 Radford City School Board Budget. The $33,896,048 budget was approved by the School Board on March 28, 2022. The funds are summarized as follows: Operating Fund $24,258,866 School Nutrtion Fund 771,344 Grants Fund 4,293,650 Textbook Fund 560,144 Capital Projects Fund 220,000  Health Insurance Fund 2,635,398 McHarg School Project 1,004,697 Region 7 Virtual Academy Fund 151,949 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1763 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Ordinance 1764-Tax Rate 2022 SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2023 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1764 is an Ordinance to establish the tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery and Tools for the 2022 calendar year. The proposed F.Y. 2023 Budget reflects a tax rate of .84 for real property. The rate is level to calendar year 2021 and supports the debt service payment for the McHarg Elementary School additions and renovations. The tax rates are as follows:  Real Property tax would remain at $0.84 per $100 of assessed value  Machinery and Tools tax remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value  Tangible Personal Property remains at $2.44 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Personal Property, vehicles, etc.)  Tangible Personal Property remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Business Personal Property) ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Ordinance 1764 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Ordinance 1765-Disposition of Real Property SUMMARY: The City of Radford is the apparent owner of Lot #10 Section 12, Plan A, located adjacent to property at 300 Oakland Avenue. The property is part of the Trust of Clarence E. Sowers and Charles Goodell. There is a Clerk’s error in the deed that goes back to 1895 that passed with the title. The property has a driveway and garage partially located on the City property. The Sowers have agreed to pay the City cost related to this matter of $6,260 and the City will execute a Quitclaim deed for the property to the Sowers/Quesenberry Trustees. It is a very small lot the City did not know it owned. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1765 on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1765, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Water Plant Improvements SUMMARY: The roof at the Water Treatment Plant is 25 years old and needs replacement. A “Request for Proposals” generated interest from three companies. The most responsive proposal was received from Roanoke Roofing and Sheet Metal. The Proposal cost to remove the old roof and replace it with a complete roof covering, flashing and porch overlay is $174,200. The roof would carry a 30-year warrantee. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to award the contract to Roanoke Roofing for the Water Plant Roof improvements, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Employee Retirement Incentive SUMMARY: An Employee Retirement Incentive Program is being implemented to help reduce annual payroll cost. The program would be offered to employees who qualify for “retirement” or “unreduced retirement” benefits as of June 1, 2022, as defined by the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The program would be a one-time offer to employees who are governed by the City of Radford Employee Handbook. The program provides up to five years of “employee only” health insurance coverage until the employee is eligible for Medicare, as well as a one- time 10% salary stipend. The retirement date of the employee would need to be before January 1, 2023. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated spring-cleaning is underway and don’t forget about half price collection this month. Mr. Ridpath stated that the East Main project is moving forward with the median, which begin after the university dismisses in May. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington promoted the car seat program that the Radford City Police Department just launched. Mr. Hite wished everyone a Happy Good Friday and Easter. Dr. Harshberger stated the Joint Commission will be meeting tomorrow to go over goals/objectives for the commission moving forward. Ms. Foster thanked the schools for their budget and she would like to read and volunteer in the class again. Ms. Foster also mentioned the Fire Department has free smoke detectors. Mayor Horton thanked all for their help in the budget process and stated he is proud of our achievements as a city. Mayor Horton also promoted the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt and the American Legion Clean up. Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55pm seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk