City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. December 12, 2022 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 8 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2021-2022 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on December 12, 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. Bobby Davis, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Lynn Burris welcomed the new Council members and said goodbye and good job to the old. He spoke about what a pleasure it has been working with them as a member of the school board and he would still be around, just no longer as a school board member. SPECIAL RECOGNITION: SUBJECT: Welcome New Council SUMMARY: The remainder of the terms of the City Council members that have resigned in the past year have been filled by Kellie Artrip and Bobby Davis in the November election. Both members have been sworn in and are eligible to begin their terms. Seth Gillespie was also elected and will begin serving January 1, 2023 in the seat of retiring Council Member, Naomi Huntington. Welcome to all three new members. SUBJECT: Outgoing Council SUMMARY: Dick Harshberger and Charlie Cosmoto have served as “Interim” City Council Members for the seats vacated by Forest Hite and Onassis Burris. Naomi Huntington will be vacating her seat December 31, 2022 after serving since 2018. Thank you to all three City Council members. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to accept the Proclamation as presented recognizing Vice- Mayor Huntington, Mayor Horton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Ken Goodyear SUMMARY: Ken Goodyear, Director of Radford Parks and Recreation will be retiring December 31, 2022 after 44 years of service. His career has included significant growth in the City Parks, a new Recreation Center and expansion of service offerings and programs, as well as special events. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to accept the Resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION SUBJECT: Lamours SUMMARY: Radford business, Lamours, on East Main Street is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. The business has specialized in retail apparel and gifts. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to accept the Proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Taylor Office Supply SUMMARY: Radford Business, Taylor Office Supply, on Third Avenue is celebrating its 80th Anniversary. The business has specialized in office supplies and furnishings ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to accept the Proclamation as presented, Ms. Artrip second the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Board and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments to Boards and Commissions is needed for the Recreation Commission and Planning Commission ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion that Council appoint Mark Layne to the Recreation Commission and Charley Cosmato to the Planning Commission. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: New River Resource Authority SUMMARY: The New River Resource Authority has received a request from Patrick 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: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Radford Heritage Foundation Annual Report and MOU SUMMARY: The Radford Heritage Foundation has provided a Memorandum of Understanding for F.Y. 2023. The MOU covers contract services expected between the City and the RHF which includes support of the Executive Director’s salary and RHF operations. In exchange for funding support, the RHF will promote historic tourism, operate the museum at Glencoe Mansion, oversee the appropriate use of the mansion and surrounding grounds, hold special events, provide educational research, as well as oversee the cultural Heritage Park. Scott Gardner, Executive Director, presented an overview of accomplishments for F.Y. 2022 and plans for F.Y. 2023. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.14 SUMMARY: The Radford Public Library has received a grant from the Virginia State Office of Rural Health in the amount of $20,450. The funds will be used to improve food security, provide stress relief and mental health support, as well as training to Library patrons and staff. No match is required. Funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2023 Budget, therefore requiring appropriation for expenditure. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.14 as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 DISPENSE: Ms. Huntington made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Schedule a Public Hearing-K&J Properties SUMMARY: K & J Properties has requested the vacation of three excess public right-of-ways to expand their property at 1925 Second Street to support the development of six townhomes. The right-of-ways include 12ꞌ of Second Street between Custis Street and Ingles Street, 15ꞌ of Custis Street between West Main Street and Second Street, as well as 5ꞌ of the alleyway between Custis Street and Ingles Street. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to schedule a public hearing for January 9, 2023, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath wished the new Council members welcome and gave best wishes to the outgoing members. Mr. Ridpath stated University Drive will be closed all week and the parade has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Huntington said the following, “Some people, growing up, dream of becoming a professional athlete, or a famous singer…. for me, it was always running for office. And when election time came in 2018, my then fiancé, now husband, Michael encouraged me to consider running for city council. He has always believed in me, and supported me, and I am lucky to say that we bring out the best in each other. I am very proud to share that earlier this year, he graduated with a master’s in health administration from George Washington University. That launched him to a new position at Carilion in Roanoke. As we start this new chapter of our lives, we will be moving. But! We are already looking forward to coming back. I have already planned a day kayaking in the New River, grabbing a pizza at Sal’s, having a beer or two at Long Way, and spending the night in our brand new hotel at the University. And you can tell that I have served for many years on the tourism commission – because that really is the dream! I cannot wait to see the way the work that we have started will continue to unfold. I would like to take a few minutes to express my gratitude. First of all, to the new council members who are joining us tonight, Kelly and Bobby, and soon to be Seth, I would like to say welcome, and I wish you the very best of luck and success as you join a very small club of citizens who know what it means to feel the weight of a city on your shoulders. I hope that you feel the uplifting support from friends and neighbors that I did to help you carry the load. I would also like to thank my fellow council members. Dr. Harshberger, Rob Gropman, Forrest Hite, Jessie Foster, and David Horton. It has been an honor to serve along side of you. We have not always agreed, but we have respected each other, and challenged each other through civil discourse, and in doing so, we have made a great team. David, your commitment to this city is unparalleled, and Jessie, you are a force to be reckoned with; your determination and grit are gifts to Radford. David, Melissa, Jenni, Alvin, Jeff, and everyone who works for the city: thank you for choosing careers devoted to ensuring that our city is a wonderful place to live. David, I am grateful that you have been at the helm over the last four years. We have encountered some enormous and unforeseeable obstacles, and I do not know where we would be without your leadership. It has truly been an honor to work with you. To the people of Radford, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude that I have been permitted the honor of serving for the last four years. Thank you for your kindness; thank you for supporting our visions of pushing Radford to be the best version of itself. You gave me a gift, and I will carry this community in my heart for the rest of my life. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my family. I would not be here if it weren’t for you. Thank you to my parents, who have taught me that living a full life means giving of yourself to others. To my daughters, Rory and Hunter, I hope that my time on council will some day inspire you to reach for your own dreams. And to my husband Michael, thank you, for helping me to achieve one of my own. Goodnight.” Ms. Foster thanked Ms. Huntington for her service and said that she always helped bring out the best in everyone in the room. She welcomed the new members and said she is excited to serve with Mayor Horton again. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to a friend’s son who tried to take his own life and reminded all that the holidays can be hard and to be kind to one another. Ms. Foster spoke about the 5-year celebration of bringing EMS in house and participating in the parade tomorrow. Ms. Artrip stated she enjoyed the meeting and thanks for all the encouragement, she has big shoes to fill. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Ms. Davis said he is privileged to be here and live here and has big shoes to fill, but let’s get started. Mayor Horton spoke to the EMS celebration and that there are more miles to go and more work to be done. Mayor Horton spoke about the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day and commented on how well done the Tree Lighting at the Library was. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New year to all. Ms. Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Huntington, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk