City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. November 14, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 6 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on November 14, 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: Mr. Zachary Willy spoke to the man in Bisset Park who had been prowling in the dark behind female runners. He said he hoped something was being done to address this and that he would be in the park monitoring to make sure the situation was under control. Council comments: Mayor Horton thanked Mr. Willy for coming and stated that he is aware and the departments that need to be aware are handling the situation. 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: Small Business Saturday SUMMARY: Saturday, November 26, 2022 is Nationally recognized as “Small Business Saturday”. The Proclamation is a local designation of the importance of small businesses to the local economy, jobs and quality of life. The Proclamation encourages our citizens to support and shop at local businesses. ACTION: Mr. Cosmato made a motion to accept the Proclamation as presented, Ms. Huntington second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Board and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments to Boards and Commissions is needed for the Opioid Commission. ACTION: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: Lovely Mount Townhomes 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. A public hearing is required. The Planning Commission had requested that City Council schedule a Joint Public Hearing. Planning Commission opened their meeting 7:10 and closed the meeting at 7:56. Public Hearing Opened at 7:34 p.m. Ms. Hamden and Mr. Collier were absent from the Planning Commission. Beverly Zilinski stated that the development is wonderful looking, but would like to know how water for 70-80 percent more development than what is there now is going to be maintained. Ms. Zilinski also would like to know the historical sites locations such as the Lovely Mount Tavern, as she would like to make sure no historical sites are being unearthed during this development process and if a hydro electrical study of the land has been completed. Mr. no name is one of the owners who sold his land to Mr. Stump and believes that this development is the market we are looking for, in Radford we want people to buy and take ownership of their properties. HE did express his concerns regarding the density and number of people that will be in that area, but that this should help increase property values. He also stated there is plenty of water in the area already and that the tavern will not be disturbed in the process. Michael Quesenberry is a Charmount Drive homeowner and also expressed concern about density in the area. Jim Tynan stated that as Charmount Drive homeowner he felt ambushed tonight by this public hearing and development. He also stated that those living at the base of Lovely Mount will affect those who live up on Charmount. Their neighborhood is not one where those purchasing homes would want high density homes, they enjoy space and air to breathe. He stated he would like to know the process moving forward and would like to be better notified in the future. Kenneth Cox stated he lives on the backside of lovely mount and not going to rehas everything everyone else has stated but he is concerned about the traffic and road conditions. Adding 30 townhomes and 60 more vehicles is a lot for that road. Wendy Davis stated she knew nothing about these townhomes until tonight, she is concerned with the traffic safety and turning into and off of Rock Road. Zen Grey lives on Charmount and said it is nice to meet some of his neighbors. He believes this is a good development and that seems economically feasible and needed for Radford. He asked if the zoning needed to change to accommodate this project and if there was a way to build single family homes instead of townhouses. Public hearing closed at 7:55p.m. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford High School Foundation Lease SUMMARY: The City of Radford has leased the property on George Street, adjacent to the Radford Recreation Center, to the Radford High School Foundation, Inc. since 2004. The agreement was established to help foster support, private donations and construction of the baseball field on the 5+ acre City owned site. The original lease was established for a five year term. It was renewed in September, 2008 under new conditions for another five year term, renewed in October, 2014 for one year, renewed in October, 2015 for a two-year term and renewal October, 2017 for another three years which expired December 31, 2020. The Foundation has been requesting additional renewal terms of one year since 2020 to continue its fund raising and project development. The Foundation has requested another extension to December, 2023. The ongoing lease has worked out well in the management, maintenance and development of the facility. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the Radford High School Foundation Lease, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: New River Resource Authority SUMMARY: The New River Resource Authority has received a request from Smyth County to join the Authority’s service area in the case of an emergency. The Authority requires that all of the member jurisdiction give their consent to expand the service area. The Authority has reviewed and approved the request subject to local endorsement. Authority members include Pulaski County, Giles County, The Town of Dublin and Pulaski, The Montgomery County Regional Solid Waste Authority and the City of Radford. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: VA 250 SUMMARY: The Virginia Tourism Commission, in Association with the Virginia 250 Commission and local tourism organizations across the state, is preparing to celebrate American’s 250th Anniversary. The program will make grants available for interpretive signage, special events. marketing and programing. The Resolution is a requirement by the VA 250 Commission to be eligible for grants and local advertising. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the resolution s presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Ordinance 1779 SUMMARY: Ordinance #1779 authorizes a bonus to recognize the hardwork, dedication, safety considerations and performance of our employees over the past year in keeping costs down, providing high quality service, meeting corporate goals, and providing essential work to the citizens of Radford. The bonus would provide $500 to full-time employees. Part-time employees will receive $100. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Ordinance 1779, 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 1779 Mr. Cosmato seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.11 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant from the Virginia 911 Services Board, in the amount of $3,000. The funds will be used for Emergency Medical Dispatch training in the 911 Communications Center. No local match is required. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.11 as presented, Ms. Foster 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 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.12 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received $1,196 from assets obtained during a regional investigation with the Town of Christiansburg. The Court considering the case awarded the money seized to the agencies involved. The funds will be used to provide improvements to the ‘Records Room”, specifically new shelving. The funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2023 Budget and therefore require Appropriation. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.12 as presented, Ms. Huntington 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, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.13 SUMMARY: The Police Department is planning improvements to the “Records Room”, as well as provide career development and training. The department would like to use $4,774 of its donations for these purposes. The funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2023 Budget and therefore require Appropriation. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.13 as presented, Dr. Harshberger seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None DISPENSE: Mr. Cosmato made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Ms. Huntington seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: F.Y. 2022 Budget Amendment SUMMARY: The City of Radford received $4,114,196 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds need to be recognized as “revenue” in the F.Y. 2022 Budget for auditing purposes. The receipt of the funding can be by simple motion to amend the revenue side of the budget. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to approve the budget amendment as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath had Chief Dodson speak to the installation of the Flock Cameras. Mr. Ridpath also spoke on closing out projects as we end the year and all the upcoming holiday events. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington thanked Zach for coming and sharing his concerns about Bisset Park. Ms. Huntington also sent her thoughts to Charlottesville after such a senseless act of violence. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to those who lost their lives in Charlottesville. She also spoke about her recent visit to McHarg and encouraged all of Council to take a tour. Ms. Foster encouraged all to shop locally this season and thanked the city for entrusting her with 4 more years of service. Dr. Harshberger stated he gave his farewell last meeting, but gave an overview of the jobs he has had throughout his life and how they helped him in service to the City. He concluded by stating it has been his pleasure to honor and serve the city. Mr. Cosmato gave a parting farewell to Dr. Harshberger and said do not go too far because you never know when you will be called back into service. He gave a parting thought on the Opioid Commission needing to be someone who has experience in the field because there are so many acronyms to sort through. Mayor Horton thanked the citizens for reelecting him to serve. He thanked Mr. Cosmato and Dr. Harshberger for stepping up to serve in a time of need. Mayor Horton wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and encouraged citizens to attend meetings and make their voices heard. Mayor Horton concluded by thanking the people who get up trying to make a difference. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. seconded by Mr. Cosmato. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Foster, Mr. Cosmato, Ms. Huntington, Dr. Harshberger, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk