City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. September 11, 2023 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 3 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2023-2024 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on September 11, 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. Ms. Artrip participated remotely. Ms. Artrip asked to participate remotely due to illness. Mr. Gillespie made a motion to allow her to participate remotely, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes for June 12, 2023 and August 14, 2023 as presented, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Mountain Trotter Craft and Draft SUMMARY: Michelle Beale, Executive Director for Mountain Trotter Arts, presented an overview of the “Craft and Draft” special event to be held on October 21, 2023. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Constitution Week SUMMARY: The week of September 17-23, 2023 is nationally recognized as “Constitution Week”. The Daughters of the American Revolution set aside the week to formally commemorate the importance of the document as a testament to liberty, freedom and inalienable rights. 2023 is the 236 anniversary of the drafting of the U. S. Constitution. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Patriot Day SUMMARY: Patriot Day, is a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia and those who perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. The proclamation recognizes the significance of this holiday and those lives lost. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS: SUBJECT: Right-of-Way Vacation – Price Williams – 110 Tyler Avenue SUMMARY: Price- Williams, LLC has requested the vacation of an unopened public right-of- way located at 110 Tyler Avenue between Pickett Street and East Main Street. The property has never been used for public access, nor utilities. The area is approximately 2,100 sq. ft. The application fee has been paid. A public hearing is required and scheduled for September 11, 2023. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:15. **The public hearing was advertised as required. SUBJECT: Right-of-Way Vacation – Price Williams – 52 Walker SUMMARY: Price Williams, LLC has requested the vacation of a portion of public right-of- way located at 52 Walker Street between West Main Street and Lenard Street. The request is for 1,485 sq. ft to resolve a building encroachment issue. There would be no impact on utilities or the existing open roadway. The application fee has been paid. A public hearing is required and scheduled for September 11, 2023. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:17. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:17. **The public hearing was advertised as required. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Right-of-Way Vacation – Price Williams – 110 Tyler Avenue SUMMARY: Price- Williams, LLC has requested the vacation of an unopened public right-of- way located at 110 Tyler Avenue between Pickett Street and East Main Street. The property has never been used for public access, nor utilities. The area is approximately 2,100 sq. ft. The application fee has been paid. The next step in the process is to appoint a Board of Viewers. SUBJECT: Right-of-Way Vacation – Price Williams – 52 Walker SUMMARY: Price Williams, LLC has requested the vacation of a portion of public right-of- way located at 52 Walker Street between West Main Street and Lenard Street. The request is for 1,485 sq. ft to resolve a building encroachment issue. There would be no impact on utilities or the existing open roadway. The application fee has been paid. The next step in the process is the appointment of a Board of Viewers. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to appoint Jennifer Bondurant, Scott Hill, Abram Williams to the Board of Viewers for both the Tyler Street and Walker Street Property, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Electoral Board Office Personnel Request SUMMARY: The Director of Elections and the Electrical Board have requested a new position in the Voter Registrar’s Office. The request is for a full-time “Deputy Director of Elections”. The position was not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2024 annual Budget and therefore, will require City Council approval of the concept. The cost is estimated at $50,824 – 56,923 for the salary and benefits. No state support is provided. The request is based on the workload of the General Registrar associated with new election laws, as well as office support. The office is currently supported by a full-time Director of Elections and a part-time Assistant Registrar. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve creation of the new position in the voter registrar’s office, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1792-Revenue Anticipation Note SUMMARY: The City of Radford has requested proposals, through Davenport and Company, from financial institution for a “Revenue Anticipation Note”. The funds will help bridge short- term cash flow gaps between revenues and expenditure for F.Y. 2023. The amount of the bond is $4 million and would be repaid in March, 2024. The loan will not impact tax nor utility rates. An Ordinance is required by City Council to authorize the note and related “Note Purchase Agreement”. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adopt Ordinance 1792 on the first reading, 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 to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1792, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: West Radford Commerce Park SUMMARY: The City of Radford purchased approximately 80 acres of property adjacent to Bolling Street, formally known as the Radford Foundry site/VCI Property. The property is planned for development and reuse as an industrial site to stimulate economic development, job creation and private investment. The City Council requested an agenda item to consider a name for the site. “West Radford Commerce Park” has been an option because of its location and business development vision. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to name the site West Radford Commerce Park, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Alternates are needed on the New River Resource Authority and the Peppers Ferry Regional Water Treatment Authority. Appointments are also need to the City/University Joint Advisory Commission. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Mr. Gillespie to the New River Resource Authority and Mr. Edwards to the Pepper’s Ferry Treatment Authority, Ms. Foster Gillespie, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CONSENSUS AGENDA: SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.09 SUMMARY: The Fire and EMS Department plans to purchase two Infusion Pumps for the ambulances. The devices are used by providers to administer medications through controlled settings with a preprogrammed pump. The cost of the pumps is $7,000 and can be funded from the designated Four-4-Life account. The purchase was not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2024 Budget and requires Appropriation for expenditure. The pumps are best practices in EMS care and technology. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.10 SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health has awarded a grant to the Radford Public Library. The $12,000 is to be used for food insecurity, mental health/wellness training, as well as support for the facility dog. The Library had initially received $20,450 for this program. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1763.35 SUMMARY: The City received a $4,350 grant from VRSA, Virginia Risk Sharing Association, our insurance provider. The funds will be used for training associated with confined spaces, trench excavation and general OSHA safety requirements. VRSA annually provides grants for projects, programs and equipment to keep insurance costs down by reducing risk. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinances 1787.09, 1787.10, 1763.35 on the first reading, Ms. Artrip 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 Appropriation Ordinances 1787.09, 1787.10, 1763.35, 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 commented on the upcoming concert, the recent rainy weather, and how busy the fall has been and will continue to be with visitors coming into town for special events. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mrs. Artrip spoke about an unfortunate accident that happened outside near the Brad’s barbershop 10th anniversary celebration. Mrs. Artrip comments on the professionalism of our public safety staff and how well they handled the incident. Mrs. Artrip expresses her thoughts and prayers for all those affected by 9/11 and reminded all we are best when we are together. Mrs. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to the Brunner Family. She also gave an overview of the heritage foundation meeting, her Department of Social Service meeting and the Chamber meeting. Mrs. Foster also commented on the HUB at RU what a wonderful meeting and incubator space it is. Mr. Gillespie commented on his tour of the New River Resource Authority, thanked public works and the recreation department for cleaning up the pathway and updated Council on zoning ordinance rewrite underway with the Planning Commission. Mr. Gillespie also commented on the professionalism of our public safety staff and congratulated coach Cormany on his retirement and hall of fame career. Mr. Davis commented on the daily heroes in our community and how impressed he is by the and Radford as a whole, he also expressed his thoughts and prayers for those impacted by 9/11 and that we are better together. Mayor Horton echoed the comments of everyone else and appreciates those who put their lives on the line to protect our community. Mayor Horton scheduled a retreat for the following Monday and commented on the improvements to Radford over the last 5 years and how so many of these wouldn’t have happened without grant money and investment in our community. Mayor Horton told folks to go to the source for information. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk