City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 24, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 5 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 24, 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 as presented from October 24, 2022, as presented Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Veterans Day SUMMARY: A Proclamation has been prepared formally recognizing “Veterans Day” in Radford on November 11, 2022. The Proclamation recognizes the Men and Women who have served our Nation’s Armed Forces, represented our community, as well as have protected the ideals of freedom, justice and liberty. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to accept the Proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 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. City Council received the report at its meeting on October 10, 2022. Ordinance #1772 has been prepared by the City Attorney to advance the Right-of-Way Vacation as requested by City Council. City Staff sees no conflict with the proposal. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1772 on the first reading Ms. Huntington second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Ms. Huntington 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. ACTION: Mayor Horton Made a motion to appoint Jessica Johnson and Kelly Whitaker to the beautification commission, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Ordinance 1774-1777-Vacation Price Williams SUMMARY: Price Williams, LLC 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, one on Berkley Street and one on Arlington Avenue. All fees have been paid to initiate the process. A public hearing was held at the June 13, 2022 meeting. There were no objections or comments. The staff does not see a conflict with the request or need to retain the excess right-of-ways. A 3-member Board of Viewers was appointed at the Council meeting on June 8, 2022. The Board reviewed the Right-of-Way Vacations on August 19, 2022 and found no conflicts or inconveniences that would result from the vacations. Easements should be retained where utilities exist. City Council received the report on September 12, 2022. The City Attorney has drafted four Ordinances to vacate the right-of-ways and included the tax valuation associated with the sale price. The vacated parcels are assigned to several LLCs of Price Williams as follows:  Ordinance #1774 – Tall Oaks Venture, LLC #1A. The Ordinance includes a vacated area of .782 acres and .522 acres along Tyler Avenue   Ordinance #1775 – Summit Development Company, LLC. The Ordinance includes a vacated area of .426 acers, .875 acres and .503 acres along Tyler Avenue  Ordinance #1776 – Westside 431, LLC. The Ordinance includes a vacated area of .034 acers along Berkley Street  Ordinance #1777 – Westside 106. LLC. The Ordinance includes a vacated area of .029 acers along Arlington Avenue ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the Ordinances 1774-1777 on the first reading, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinances 1774-1777, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Gloria Villas SUMMARY: Golden Triangle Development, LLC plans to develop 27 “single family” patio homes on a 5.49 acre parcel of property located at the intersection of Jefferies Drive and Rock Road. The Phase II development will be subdivided and the homes sold. The Homeowner Association Agreement included both Phase I and Phase II of the development which was approved by City Council on January 10,2022. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Gloria Villas Phase II Subdivision Plat, as well as the Development Plan at its meeting on September 17, 2022. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to consider the subdivision plat as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to consider the development plan as presented, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Lovely Mount Rezoning SUMMARY: Jeffery Stump is planning to construct 30 townhomes adjacent to Lovely Mount Drive. The 10.63 acres of property is zoned R-3 (Single Family Residential) and requires rezoning to R-4 (Multi-Family Residential) to permit the development. Balzer and Associates will serve as the agent and engineer for the project. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to schedule a public hearing for November 14, Ms. Huntington seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Cooperative Agreement SUMMARY: The City of Radford and the Town of Blacksburg have been working on a Cooperative Agreement pertaining to Law Enforcement. The agreement goes beyond the existing “mutual Aid Agreement” by providing the legal authority to assist each other in times of incidents, share resources, as well as jointly work on investigations. Radford and Blacksburg have experienced criminal activity that is common to both communities. The agreement advances the sharing of resources and personnel in investigations and resolving problems. Both localities work well together and can mutually benefit from the cooperation agreement in its authority and flexibility. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Cooperative Agreement, Ms. Huntington seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Resolution VDOT Paving SUMMARY: The City has received approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation for a grant from its “State of Good Repair” program. The SGR program helps support roadway needs in communities with primary roadways such as US Route 11, US Route 177 and US Route 232. The F.Y. 2023 Program would provide milling and pavement upgrades on East Main Street (US Route 11) from Bisset Park to Whitehall Street. The project would be bid and administrated by VDOT. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution, Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.56 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in the amount of $91,070. The funds were used to support two school Resource Officers. A local match was required of $29,586 which was accommodated from the Police Department Budget. The total appropriation is $120,656. This is an F.Y. 2022 Appropriation. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.56 as presented, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1749.57 SUMMARY: The Virginia Risk Sharing Association has approved a grant in the amount of $2,624 for the City of Radford. The grants are used to expand risk management programs to promote safety, education and training. The funds were used to purchase twelve back-up cameras and monitors for the Electric Department. This is an F.Y. 2022 Appropriation. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1749.57 as presented, Ms. Huntington seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Ms. Foster 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: NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Harshberger spoke and reminisced about his time on City Council. Dr. Harshberger thanked Council for the opportunity to come back and do the work for the City. Dr. Harshberger left Radford with a few words be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Have apathy, empathy, and transparency. Thank you Radford, for allowing me to serve you! Ms. Huntington stated thank you Dr. Harshberger for your wisdom and guidance, you accomplish what is difficult because you live by the words you preach. It is a great privilege to serve with you and learn something from you every step of the way. Ms. Foster stated she was emotional, but she hopes that this City is fortunate enough to have those serving it that love the city as much as Dr. Harshberger has, thank you for your service. Mr. Cosmato stated he has nothing that can follow that, but thank you Dr. Harshberger for your service and if the City is ever in need it can call on you. Mayor Horton thanked Dr. Harshberger and Mr. Cosmato for stepping up and serving the city. Mayor Horton explained the upcoming election process. Mayor Horton stated that this Council’s investment in this community has been unsurpassed in the last four years and summarized Craft and Draft and the Farmer’s Market ending the season. Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Ms. Huntington 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). Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. 2.2-3711 (A) (3). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 Dr. Harshberger 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: Ms. Foster made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the two items for which it was convened, Mr. Cosmato 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 8:43 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