City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 10, 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 October 10, 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, Ms. Naomi Huntington, 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: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the minutes amended from September 26, 2022, as presented Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Ms. Huntington PRESENTATIONS SUBJECT: HIPS SUMMARY: HIPS, “Hidden in Plain Sight”, is a community awareness program to educate adults on the signs of risky behavior in our youth. The program is a hands on learning experience that allows parents to experience current trends and issues. Thad Beasley, School Resource Officer, gave an overview of the program. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: 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. All application fees have been paid. The Sowers have maintained the property for decades. A public hearing was scheduled at the September 12, 2022 meeting for September 26, 2022 and advertised as required. There were no comments or objections. A 3-member Board of Viewers was appointed to evaluate the request. The Board of Viewers met on October 5, 2022 and found no conflicts or inconveniences that would result from the vacation. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to accept the Board of Viewers Report Dr. Harshberger second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to authorize the City Attorney to draft the ordinance, Dr. Cosmato second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Board and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments to Boards and Commissions is needed for the Beautification Commission. No action taken. 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 approve the Ordinance 1773 on the second reading, Ms. Huntington seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Opioid Working Group Resolution 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 discussed the “Creation of a Commission” at its meeting on September 22, 2022. Council requested that the City Attorney draft an outline of the Commission’s mission and bylaws. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance #1763.10 – Asset Forfeiture SUMMARY: The Police Department has requested use of some of its asset forfeiture funding to be programmed for investigations, training and career development for Officers, equipment and community education. The Appropriation is for $77,221 from the “restricted” account. The use of the funds is regulated by the Code of Virginia and the Department of Criminal Justice Services. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.10 as presented, Mr. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that the leaf collection schedule will be posted in the next week or so. The Oakley Park renovations are moving along, as well as the East Main Street project, lightening and the Triangle park, the pickle ball courts will be done in the spring, and the renovations at the Municipal Building are underway. Mr. Ridpath also said we received at $7,000 grant for a mural on East Main Street. There are many other events as well from Tourism to the construction of the skate park and paving, there is a lot of work underway in Radford. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington thanked Council and the community for the support and well wishes regarding the birth of her daughter Hunter. Ms. Huntington also wished her other daughter Rory Happy Birthday and thanked Community Life Church for the notes. Ms. Foster mentioned the events surrounding the Radford University President Inauguration and how great it is going to be to collaborate with the University at a greater level. Ms. Foster also asked about a bike repair station for the Triangle Park and mentioned the Craft and Draft is coming up on October 22. Dr. Harshberger gave a recap of attending the VML Conference and mentioned that Radford is actually a leader in the way we conduct Council meetings. Mr. Cosmato gave a shout out to the Apostolic Church for packing the house at the previous meeting and he is happy to put property we have to good use. Mayor Horton said he was excited for all the things happening in Radford and thanked Council for all their collective work to make these things happen in our community. Mayor Horton said the Tree Vote has ended and the vote is the Eastern Redbud, Mayor Horton also mentioned that the Appalachian Symposium at Radford University will take place October 22 at Radford University. Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Dr. Harshberger 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). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, 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 one item for which it was convened, Dr. Harshberger seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. seconded by Ms. Foster. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk