City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. September 26, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 3 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on September 26, 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. Charlee Cosmato, and Dr. Richard Harshberger. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the minutes amended. from September 12, 2022, as presented Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATIONS SUBJECT: New River Resource Authority SUMMARY: The New River Resource Authority, the regional solid waste authority made up of Pulaski and Giles Counties, the towns of Dublin and Pulaski, as well as the City of Radford was present to give an overview of current operations. Joe Levine gave the presentation. SUBJECT: Beautification Commission SUMMARY: The Beautification and Forestry Commission presented an overview and recommendations from its recent citizen survey on Radford trees. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Public Power Week SUMMARY: The week of October 2, 2022 through October 8, 2022 is Public Power Week. The week is established nationally to recognize our electric employees, the importance of power in building strong communities, the 2000 community-owned utilities across the country, as well as the significance of reliable power. ACTION: Mr. Cosmato made a motion to approve the Public Power Week Proclamation, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Fire Prevention Week SUMMARY: The week of October 9, 2022 through October 15, 2022 is Nationally recognized as “Fire Prevention Week”. The proposed Proclamation locally endorses “Fire Prevention Week in Radford”. The proposed Proclamation encourages recognition of this important week by promoting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as fire safety at home, at work, in our schools and in our forests. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the Fire Prevention Week Proclamation, Mr. Cosmato seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Arts and Humanities Month SUMMARY: The Month of October is nationally designated as “Arts and Humanities Month”. The designation recognizes the importance of the arts in the economy, quality of life, civic life, tourism, education and entertainment. The local proclamation recognizes this importance the arts and humanities have on our community. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Arts and Humanities Month Proclamation, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: SUBEJCT: Sowers Property Vacation of Right of Way SUMMARY: The Trustees for the Clarence E. Sowers estate have requested the vacation of an alleyway between Oakland Avenue and Forest Avenue. The unimproved alleyway is 20ꞌ wide and approximately 175ꞌ long and separates two parcels of the Sowers estate at 300 Oakland Avenue. There are no utilities located in the right-of-way. The Sowers have maintained the property. *the public hearing was advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 8:08 No comments Mayor Horton Closed the Public Hearing at 8:09 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Bill Fleischer, Jen Bondurant and Jerry Wyms to the Board of Viewers, Dr. Harhsberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Board and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments to Boards and Commissions is needed for the Beautification Commission, Virginia Work Force, and the Board of Zoning Appeals for the Planning Commission Appointment. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to appoint Annie Pearce to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Kim Repass Workforce Development Board Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Ordinance 1773-Apostolic Church SUMMARY: The Apostolic Church has acquired a portion of property located at 10 Forest Avenue from ConMat Group, Inc. to construct a church facility. The 9-acre parcel is zoned M-2, Heavy industrial, and requires rezoning to B-1, limited Business, to support church related uses. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to receive the report from the planning commission, accepting the right of way, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Ordinance 1773 on the first reading, Ms. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Opioid Working Group SUMMARY: The City of Radford will be receiving distributions associated with the settlements from the Opioid Litigation awards. The funds will be held in a “restricted” account and are to be primarily used for “opioid remediation”. City Council requested that the “Creation of a Commission” be placed on the agenda for discussion. Discussion surrounding the makeup of the commission and bylaws, as well as individuals who might be willing to serve was has, there was no Action taken. SUBJECT: CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation and Report SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that a “Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report” (CAPER) for the City of Radford be available for public comment. The F.Y. 2021-2022 report has been prepared, as required and illustrates project funding for a water infrastructure improvement project, Recreational facility improvements, sub-recipients, beautification enhancements, as well as homeless investing programs. The comprehensive program was implemented with $230,184 in Community Development Block Grant funding. The CAPER is available for public inspection at the Library, City Administration Office and the City Website. SUBJECT: Tennis Court Project SUMMARY: Proposals were requested to improve the Tennis Courts located in Bisset Park. The Project would include the renovation and improvements of the courts to provide 3 tennis courts and 8 pickle ball courts. The City received three proposals to resurface and repair the playing area, provide new netting and markings. The best proposal was received from Superior Tennis Courts in the amount of $59,400. No appropriation is required since funds were included in the F.Y. 2023 Budget. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to award the bid to Superior Tennis Courts, Mr. Cosmato seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance #1749.55 – DSS Grant SUMMARY: The Department of Social Services has received a grant from the State Auxiliary Grant Program in the amount of $5,309. The funds will be used for administration payments to qualifying individuals who are aged, blind or disabled and living in a licensed assisted living facility or approved foster home. The payments may be used for room and board, maintenance and care, as well as a personal needs allowance. A 20% match of $1,062 is required and will be accommodated with existing departmental funding. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinances 1749.55 as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance #1763.10 – DMV Alcohol Grant SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $7,640. The funds will be used for selective enforcement associated with Alcohol safety. The grant supports overtime for officers. The grant is matched with $3,820 existing budget funds. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.10 as presented, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second readings, Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated the skate park is under construction, Dobbins park is still undergoing renovations and will be completed soon, and the municipal building will get improvements in the coming weeks. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster gave a shout out to the men that manage the drop center and shouted out the fabulous Farmer’s Market! Ms. Foster also told everyone to save the date for Craft and Draft. Dr. Harshberger said he will be attending the VML Conference and will give a report at the next meeting. Mr. Cosmato said he learned a lot from his Recreation Commission meeting, including all about Pickle ball. Mayor Horton stated that we are doing a lot to make enhancements to Radford and invest throughout the City. Mayor Horton reminded everyone of upcoming events including RHS Homecoming, Radford University Homecoming, Inauguration week, and the Highlanders Festival. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 pm seconded by Dr. Harshberger. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk