City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. May 8, 2023 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 18 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2022-2023 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on May 8, 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 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes for April 24, 2023 as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Police Week SUMMARY: The week of May 15-21, 2023 has been nationally designated as “Police Week”, to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put their lives in danger each day protecting and serving our communities ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Emergency Medical Services Week SUMMARY: The week of May 21 - 27 2023 has been nationally designated as “Emergency Medical Services Week”, to honor the men and women who serve in the field of Emergency Medical Services, as well as recognize the importance of out of hospital care, lifesaving skills, training and education. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Public Works Week SUMMARY: The Week of May 21-27, 2023 is nationally designated as “Public Works Week” to honor the men and women who serve in the Public Works sector as Engineers, Directors, Supervisors and employees. The theme for 2023 is “Connecting the World”. The week highlights the Public Works services and preparedness related to day to day operational duties and needs associated with repairing and improving transportation facilities, solid waste collection, maintaining public buildings, infrastructure oversight, treating and supplying water and waste water services, as well as maintaining public places, structures and facilities essential to our citizens for public health, quality of life and overall wellbeing. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: David Young SUMMARY: David Young has served the City of Radford for fifty years. His roles have included the Recreation Department, Water Department, Electric Department, as well as the Utility Billing and Service Department. The Resolution recognizes his contributions to the City of Radford and his retirement in June, 2003 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 RECOGNITION: SUBJECT: Water Treatment Plant Award SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health has awarded the Water Treatment Plant a “Gold” award for calendar year 2022. The award recognizes best practices in water filtration, clarification and filter backwash. This is our 8th Gold award. INTRODUCTION: SUBJECT: Voter Registrar SUMMARY: Lindsey Williams was appointed by the local Board of Elections as the Voter Registrar earlier this year. She replaced Tracey Howard who retired in March. Lindsey provided a brief introduction and goals as Registrar. REPORTS: SUBJECT: Radford on the New SUMMARY: Radford on the New owner, Paul Pallante provided his operational plans and services for water recreational activities on the New River. The Business was selected by the Parks & Recreation Commission to provide Summer, 2023 services in Bisset Park. SUBJECT: Emergency Home Repair SUMMARY: Emergency Home Repair is a component of the annual Community Development Block Grant program. Eligible applicants, who meet the criteria of low and moderate income, as well as own their home are able to request assistance for vital home improvements such as new roofing, bathroom and kitchen remodeling, windows and accessibility enhancements. Melissa Skelton gave an overview of the program. PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1790 F.Y. 2024 Water and Waste Water Rates SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2024 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Water and Sanitary Sewer rate revisions are needed to support the approved Budget. Water rates are programmed to increase from $16.32 to $20.32 for 4,000 gallons of usage and waste water rates are programmed to increase from $12.21 to $14.24 for 2,000 gallons of usage. The rate increases are to support the cost of operations, Capital Improvements, as well as increases in the treatment of sanitary sewer at the regional Peppers Ferry facility. Mayor Horton opened the Public Hearing at 7:37pm. No Comments Mayor Horton closed the Public Hearing at 7:38pm. *The Public Hearing was advertised as required* PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: RCPS Budget Amendment SUMMARY: The Radford City Schools have requested a Budget amendment for the FY 2023 approved budget in the amount of $11,690,529. The original budget amount was $33,896,048…The new budget amount is $45,586,577. The amendment generally accommodates the following revenues and expenses…Additional state funding, tuition payments, donations and grants associated with revenue, new programed expenditures, Capital Improvements to the RHS stadium and McHarg renovation project, as well as a transfer from the School’s Restricted Capital account with the City in the amount of $584,879. The following is the summary of the accounts: Textbook Fund $679,544 School Board Operating Fund $32,909,609 School Nutrition Fund $771,344 Grants fund $4,860,577 School Health Insurance fund $2,635,398 School Capital Projects Fund $1,977,815  McHarg Renovation Project Fund $1,589,576 Region 7 Virtual Academy Fund $162,714 Total $45,589,577 The amount of the amendment exceeds 1% of the total City budget, therefore a public hearing is required and has been advertised. Mayor Horton opened the Public Hearing at 7:39 None Mayor Horton closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 *The Public Hearing was advertised as required* SUBJECT: Ordinance 1790 F.Y. 2024 Water and Waste Water Rates SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2024 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Water and Sanitary Sewer rate revisions are needed to support the approved Budget. Water rates are programmed to increase from $16.32 to $20.32 for 4,000 gallons of usage and waste water rates are programmed to increase from $12.21 to $14.24 for 2,000 gallons of usage. The rate increases are to support the cost of operations, Capital Improvements, as well as increases in the treatment of sanitary sewer at the regional Peppers Ferry facility. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1790 on the first reading as presented, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1790, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: RCPS Budget Amendment SUMMARY: The Radford City Schools have requested a Budget amendment for the FY 2023 approved budget in the amount of $11,690,529. The original budget amount was $33,896,048…The new budget amount is $45,586,577. The amendment generally accommodates the following revenues and expenses…Additional state funding, tuition payments, donations and grants associated with revenue, new programed expenditures, Capital Improvements to the RHS stadium and McHarg renovation project, as well as a transfer from the School’s Restricted Capital account with the City in the amount of $584,879. The following is the summary of the accounts: Textbook Fund $679,544  School Board Operating Fund $32,909,609 School Nutrition Fund $771,344 Grants fund $4,860,577 School Health Insurance fund $2,635,398 School Capital Projects Fund $1,977,815 McHarg Renovation Project Fund $1,589,576 Region 7 Virtual Academy Fund $162,714 Total $45,589,577 The amount of the amendment exceeds 1% of the total City budget, therefore a public hearing is required and has been advertised. The School Superintendent will present an overview at the meeting. The School Board approved the amendment at their meeting on April 4, 2023. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the RCPS Budget Amendment, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Emergency Operations Plan SUMMARY: The Emergency Operations Plan is developed in response to the protocols established by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and as required by the Virginia Emergency Service and Disaster Law of the Code of Virginia. The local plan ensures the effective allocation of resources during an emergency to protect life, property and the environment. The overall goal of emergency management is the planning mitigation, preparedness, training, respond and recovery actions required related to emergencies, natural and manmade disasters, as well as threats. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Ridpath spoke to the busyness of summer. The City is in the process of repairing sinkholes, spring cleanup and preparing for all of summers upcoming events. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis expressed best wishes to Mr. David Young, as well as faith in Lindsey Williams, and congrats on the gold award. Mr. Davis stated he will be using Radford on the River this Summer! Mr. Gillespie echoed the comments of Mr. Davis and added his gratitude for Police, EMS and Public Works. Mr. Gillespie reminded people of West End Weekend this coming weekend. Ms. Foster dedicated her Moment of Silence to Leah Patterson and is sending love to her family and friends. Ms. Foster outlined many of her committee meetings including the firehouse leadership, Heritage Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and CPMT. Ms. Foster talked about upcoming events including the flags on the Glencoe Ground, Chamber Golf Tournament, the Ride of Silence and Memorial Day Ceremony. Ms. Artrip thanked all of City staff for all they do to make the community a better place, but echoed the comments of her colleagues in recognizing public works, police, ems and Mr. Young. Ms. Artrip gave her condolences to the Patterson family and wished a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommas. Mayor Horton spoke about the ride of silence, the upcoming concert, Memorial Day service, and the Field of Honor. Mayor Horton expressed how excited he is to bring people to the community this summer. Mayor Horton thanked all staff and recognized David Young for his years of dedication and service. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk