City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. April 25, 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 25, 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, 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: Laurie Buchwald mentioned the Pathways for Radford tree planting along Sundell Avenue, as well as the upcoming Ride of Silence and invited the community to join in on May 18, 6:30 at Sals lot. COUNCIL RESPONSE: Council thanked Laurie for the reminders of the upcoming events. MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the minutes from April 11, 2022, as presented, Mr. Hite second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS: SUBJECT: Special Use Permit 644 W. Man Street SUMMARY: Oakmont Atlantic, LLC has requested a Special Use Permit for 644 West Main Street. The property is zoned B-2 General Business District and requires a SUP for upper floor residential use. The owner plans to renovate the second and third floor into three studio apartments. The ground floor will be used for a commercial/business use. A public hearing is required and was scheduled for April 25, 2022 with the Planning Commission. *The public hearing has been advertised as required* *The Planning Commission established a quorum and opened their meeting at 7:09. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:19. Mr. Doud asked how much rent was going to be, the owner spoke to the fact that the units will not be marketed to college students. Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:23. Planning Commission closed their meeting at 7:23. SUBJECT: CDBG Consolidated Plan SUMMARY: The City of Radford receives funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development as an Entitlement Community to support low and moderate income projects and reduce slum and blight conditions. Every five years, the City is required to develop a “Consolidated Action Plan” identifying housing and community development priorities under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). *The public hearing has been advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:32 No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:33 OLD 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: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Ordinance 1763 on the second reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: 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: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve Ordinance 1764 on the second reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: F.Y. 2023 Rate Resolution SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2023 Budget is supported by utility rates and fees. Utility and fee rates are proposed to remain level for the Water/Wastewater, Electric and Sanitation operations. All other fees are generally level to reflect actual cost for services. There are two rate changes related to Animal Control fees, as well as the addition of a Recreation Department 3-month membership option. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the F.Y. 2023 Rate Resolution, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: CDBG Consolidated Plan/Program Plan SUMMARY: The City of Radford receives funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development as an Entitlement Community to support low and moderate income projects and reduce slum and blight conditions. Every five years, the City is required to develop a “Consolidated Action Plan” identifying housing and community development priorities under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The 2022 Plan year, our F.Y. 2023 fiscal year, has a projected allocation of $185,184 with an additional $26,000 in carry over funds from the previous year. Projects proposed support emergency home repairs, beautification, upgrades to Bisset Park Tennis Courts, façade improvements, Third Avenue parking lot improvements, general administration of the program, as well as agency support for the Women’s Resource Center, New River Community action, Beans and Rice, August Kids, Bobcat Back Pack Program, Radical Change Commission, and Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to endorse the CDBG Consolidated Plan and P.Y. 2022 Action Plan, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: F.Y. 2022 Budget Amendment-School Board SUMMARY: The Radford School Board has requested an amendment to the F.Y. 2022 Budget. The amendment adjusts both revenues and expenses related to the Textbook Fund $78,766, the Operating Fund $7,256,320, Grants Fund $925,000 and the McHarg Fund $300,000. The amended F.Y. 2022 Budget total would be $41,705,232. Specific projects relate to improvements to facilities, security upgrades, maintenance needs, educational supplies, as well salary and benefits adjustments. The amendment was approved by the School Board on April 12, 2022. The amount of the total amendment to the School Board F.Y. 2022 Budget is $8,560,086. Since the amount exceeds 1% of the total original City Budget appropriation, a public hearing is required. The hearing can be accommodated on May 9, 2022. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to schedule the public hearing for May 9, 2022, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Atmos Energy Franchise Renewal SUMMARY: The City of Radford has a Franchise grant with Atmos Energy Corporation to conduct, maintain, replace, repair and operate a system of natural gas mains, services and transmission within the City of Radford along roadways, easements, alleyways and on public grounds. The agreement was last renewed June 10, 2002, Ordinance #1407 for a period of 20 Years and is set to expire on June 10, 2022. Atmos has requested that the City extend the franchise for an additional 30 years. The Company operates under the regulations provided by the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The City receives a 1.5% of the gross revenues from the Atmos Energy business operations ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to schedule the public hearing for June 13, 2022 and open the proposals at that meeting, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that April was an active month full of activities, clean ups, plantings, and getting Radford looking good for spring. The City still has several projects underway including the East Main project, University Drive, and more. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington stated she is looking forward to the Highlander 5k this weekend and the Spring Wing Ding! Mayor Horton stated the Farmer’s Market opened the past weekend and was a great opening weekend. Mayor Horton said he also participated in the National Crime Victim Right’s Week 5K, unity fest and a cleanup at the American Legion, as well as the Earth Day Tree Planting. Mayor Horton reminded everyone about the Arbor Day Tree planting at the Round About on Friday and all the events coming up this weekend. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm seconded by Ms. Huntington. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk