City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. January 23, 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 January 23, 2023 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, Vice- Mayor Seth Gillespie, Ms. Jessie Foster, Mr. Bobby Davis, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney MINTUES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes for the January 9, 2023 meeting, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Richie Davis came before Council to express his concern about the renovations to Bobcat Stadium. He expressed that this was done primarily behind closed doors by the school board and the tearing out the concrete foundation is not the right way to renovate the iconic stadium. COUNCIL RESPONSE: Ms. Foster recommended Mr. Davis write a letter and visit school board to express his concerns, but thank you for bringing this to our attention as well all are community members and care about these renovations. Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Davis for coming out and brining this to Council’s attention Ms. Artrip thanked Mr. Davis for coming out and Mr. Davis said likewise. Mayor Horton echoed the same sentiments. Public Hearing: Transit Operating Budget SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The process requires that the public have an opportunity to provide comments on the application and proposed use of the $2,550,000 planned for Operating funding, $100,000 for Capital investment, as well as $70,000 for equipment in the F.Y. 2024 Budget. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. No Comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. *The public hearing has been advertised as required. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: An appointment by City Council to the Building code of appeals was needed. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to appoint Mr. William Hinson to the Building Code of Appeals, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: K&J Properties SUMMARY: K & J Properties had 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. The Application fees have been paid. K&J Properties has amended their application and removed the portion of the vacation that includes the 5ꞌ of alleyway. City Council scheduled a public hearing for January 9, 2023 at its meeting on December 8, 2023. The hearing has been advertised as required. Following the public hearing, the next step in the process is to appoint a 3-member Board of Viewers to look at the request to vacate an area of right-of-way approximately .087 acres and make a recommendation on the vacation’s impact to public convenience. The Board of Viewers met on January 20,2023 and found the right-of-way vacation creates no public inconvenience. A report is provided. Staff has also reviewed the request and does not see any issues with the vacation on the streets or public utilities. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion that Council accept the Board of Viewers Report, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion that Council Authorize the City attorney to draft an ordinance for vacation, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: F.Y. 2024 Radford Transit Operating Budget SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The budget has proposed use of the $2,550,000 planned for Operating funding, $100,000 for Capital investment, as well as $70,000 for equipment in the F.Y. 2024 Budget. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adopt the budget as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.21 SUMMARY: The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Justice in the amount of $129,410. The funds will be used to support the comprehensive services of the Victim Witness Coordinator located in Radford and a full-time person in Floyd (salary, benefits, travel and office supplies) that assists individuals who have been victims/witnesses of felony or misdemeanor crimes. The program has served the citizens of Radford and Floyd for the past 28 years and served over 550 victims. No local match is required. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.21 on the first reading, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1763.21, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance #1763.22: SUMMARY: The Police Department received a donation of $2,500 from Kollmorgan. The funds will be used to purchase an additional “Flock” Camera to be used for license plate reading to identify stolen plates and vehicles. Since the funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2023 annual budget, Appropriation is necessary for the expenditure. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1763.22 on the first reading, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1763.22, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath discussed upcoming projects including the work done on University Drive Bridge, the upcoming Polar Plunge, and spring cleanup. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Artrip said she was excited about the flock cameras, that she needs to do a little more research on the bobcat stadium, and she is happy to have Council all together healthy and happy. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to the 11 people who lost their lives in the Lunar New Year’s Celebration in California. Ms. Foster also asked about restriping of the lanes on East Main, for better visibility. Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Davis for expressing his concerns and expressed his interested in growing recreational tourism through tournament growth and investing in our facilities and infrastructure. Mr. Gillespie also asked if council could have a discussion on the Robert Allen Hall award next meeting. Mr. Davis expressed his gratitude to those citizens who came out tonight and spoke before Council, he stated he is excited for the flock cameras. Mayor Horton talked about upcoming events including the Polar Plunge. Heritage Foundation events, and Radford University games. Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. seconded by Mr. Davis. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk