City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. May 9, 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 May 9, 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, Ms. Jessie Foster, 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: Mr. Fleischer commented on the recent power outage and downed power pole at the high school. Mr. Fleischer commended the Electric Department for their speedy response and repair of the line. COUNCIL RESPONSE: MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the minutes from April 25, 2022, as presented, Mr. Hite second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Foster PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: National Police Week SUMMARY: The week of May 11-17, 2022 has been nationally designated as “Police Week”, to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put their lives in danger each day protecting and serving our communities. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Police Week Proclamation, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: National Emergency Medical Services Week SUMMARY: The week of May 15 - 21 2022 has been nationally designated as “Emergency Medical Services Week”, to honor the men and women who serve in the field of emergency medical services, as well as recognize the importance of out of hospital care, lifesaving skills, training and education. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the EMS Week Proclamation, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: National Public Works Week SUMMARY: The Week of May 15-21, 2022 is nationally designated as “Public Works Week” to honor the men and women who serve in the Public Works sector as Engineers, Directors, Supervisors and employees. The theme for 2022 is “ready and resilient”. The week highlights the Public Works services and preparedness related to day to day operational duties and needs associated with repairing and improving transportation facilities, solid waste collection, maintaining public buildings, infrastructure oversight, treating and supplying water and waste water services, as well as maintaining public places, structures and facilities essential to our citizens for public health, quality of life and overall wellbeing. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to approve the Public Works Week Proclamation, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Bondurant Realty Corporation SUMMARY: Bondurant Realty Corporation is celebrating its 75th year in business. A Proclamation recognizing the significant accomplishments of this business and its contributions to our community over the decades related to development and growth was presented. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the Bondurant Realty Proclamation, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: Radford City Schools Budget Amendment 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. Mayor Horton Opened the Public Hearing at 7:37. No comments Mayor Horton Closed the public hearing at 7:38. *The public hearing was advertised as required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the School Board Budget Amendment for F.Y. 2022, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: West Voting Precinct Relocation SUMMARY: The Radford City Electoral Board has recommended to City Council, the relocation of the “polling place” for the West Precinct, from Carter Street United Methodist Church to Compassion Church Radford at 1820 Second Street. The West precinct is approaching 3000 registered voters. This growth in the West precinct necessitates the need for accessible vehicular ingress and egress, additional parking, and a larger voting area. The relocation of a polling place requires a public hearing with a forty-five day advertising period. ACTION: Mr. Hite made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for July 11, 2022, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Right-Of-Way Vacations SUMMARY: Price Williams has requested the vacation of public parcels of the property adjacent to several of their properties throughout the City. The locations include five parcels along Tyler Avenue, Berkley Street and Arlington Avenue. All fees have been paid to initiate the process. The first step in the process is to schedule a public hearing on each of the requests at the June 13, 2022 meeting. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to schedule the Public Hearing for the June 11, 2022 meeting, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.47 SUMMARY: The Fire and EMS Department has requested an Appropriation from the “Four-4- Life Fund” to support enhancements to the EMS protocols. EMS uses the “Standards of Care” provided by the Western Virginia EMS Council which are in written form. The Standards have been broadened and require a Smart Phone App to access the protocols. The Appropriation will provide $11,000 to purchase the license needed to support the App. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.47 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: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1749.47, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.48 SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has provided a $7,500 grant to the Fire and EMS Department to support our Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The funds will be used to enhance the facility located at the Station on Wadsworth Street with a conference table and chairs. The grant requires a 50% match and can be accommodated in the existing Department Budget and through in-kind opportunities. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.48 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 1749.48, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.49 SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry in the amount of $3,900. The funds were used to plant trees along the right-of-way on West Main Street from Forest Avenue to Denby Street. No match is required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.49 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 1749.49, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.50 SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation, through the City of Radford, received a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry in the amount of $3,000. The funds were used to plant trees in the Mary Draper Ingles Cultural Park located on Unruh Drive, as well as on the grounds of the Glencoe Mansion. No match is required. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.50 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 1749.50, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Dr. Harshberger, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated there is a lot of capital projects going on with ARPA funding. Mr. Ridpath also thanked the Police Department employees, EMS, employees, and Public Works employees for all they do. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington spoke on the new tourism website to be more in line with google searching. Ms. Huntington also mentioned the summer concert series and wished all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to first responders. Ms. Foster spoke to the fact that Mr. Gary Harris donated supplies of puppy chow to the Radford Animal Shelter and that West End Wednesday’s returns this week. Mr. Hite thanked public works for all the good quick work. Dr. Harshberger spoke to the quality of service both police and fire provide to our citizens. Dr. Harshberger stated to go out and take mom out to one of our local restaurants for Mother’s Day. Mayor Horton wished all the moms Happy Mother’s Day, thanked the Radford Electric Department for their quick, reliable work. Mayor Horton also commented on all the upcoming events and activities around Radford in the month of May. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15pm seconded by Mr. Hite. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk