City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. September 25, 2023 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 4 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 25, 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. Michael Bedsaul, City Attorney CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE REPORT: SUBJECT: Homeless Outreach SUMMARY: The Police Department, in conjunction with the New River Valley Community Services and other partners, are working to engage homeless outreach in our community. Chief Holdaway presented and overview on the program. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Public Power Week SUMMARY: The week of October 1, 2022 through October 7, 2023 is Public Power Week. The week is established nationally to recognize our electric employees, the importance of power in building strong communities, the 2000 community-owned utilities across the country, as well as the significance of reliable power. The Proclamation recognizes the significance of the week locally. 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: Fire Prevention Week SUMMARY: The week of October 8, 2023 through October 14, 2023 is Nationally recognized as “Fire Prevention Week”. The Proclamation locally endorses “Fire Prevention Week in Radford”. The Proclamation encourages recognition of this important week by promoting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as fire safety at home, at work, in our schools and in our forests. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Arts and Humanities Month SUMMARY: The Month of October is nationally designated as “Arts and Humanities Month”. The designation recognizes the importance of the arts in the economy, quality of life, civic life, tourism, education and entertainment. The local proclamation recognizes this importance the arts and humanities have on our community. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 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. A public hearing was held on September 11, 2023. There were no public comments. A Board of Viewers was appointed and has recommended that the right-of- way be vacated. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to receive the Board of Viewers report, Mr. Gillespie 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 authorize the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 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 was held as required on September 11, 2023. There were no public comments. A Board of Viewers was appointed and has recommended that the right-of-way be vacated. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to receive the Board of Viewers report, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to authorize the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: CDBG CAPER SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that a “Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report” (CAPER) for the City of Radford be available for public comment. The F.Y. 2022-2023 report has been prepared, as required and illustrates project funding for emerging home repairs, recreational facility improvements, sub- recipients, beautification enhancements, homeless intervention programs, as well as economic development enhancement. The comprehensive program was implemented with $209,174 in Community Development Block Grant funding. The CAPER is available for public inspection at the Library, City Administration Office and the City Website. SUBJECT: Ordinance 1793 SUMMARY: The City has a guyed wire communications tower on Prospect Street adjacent to Wildwood Park. U.S. Cellular has requested equipment upgrades to the tower, however the engineering evaluation did not support the upgrade due to structural issues related to the tower. U.S. Cellular has agreed to replace the 60 year old tower with a monopole that will support the needed equipment replacement for the company. The tower will be turned over to the City once the new facility is installed and the old tower removed by Network Building and Consulting, the engineer and contractor. The City approved the agreement in September, 2022 by Ordinance #1770. A new Ordinance is required because of changes in some lease terms. The general provisions of the lease include a ground area of 1,800 sq ft, 5 year terms with renewals that include 10% escalations, 40-year term, an initial lease rate of $1,573/mo, an access easement and liability insurance. The ownership of the tower would transfer immediately to the City following completion and the lease abated for 14.5 years to account for the $299,362 investment by US Cellular for construction and demolition costs. The rent would be $1,904/mo after the abatement period with 10% escalations every 5-years till the term is completed. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the lease provisions. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1793 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 Ordinance 1793, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.11 SUMMARY: The Police Department has requested use of some of its asset forfeiture funding to be programmed for investigations, training and career development for Officers, equipment and community education. The Appropriation is for $70,125 from the “restricted” account. The use of the funds is regulated by the Code of Virginia and the Department of Criminal Justice Services. There is no cost or match. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.11 on the first reading, Mr. Gillespie 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 Ordinance 1787.11, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: West Main Street Special Event SUMMARY: The Radford Coffee Company located at 333 West Main Street has requested that the Triangle Plaza and a portion of Kent Street from Arlington Avenue and West Main Street be closed on Sunday, October 1, 2023. The request is to accommodate a “Makers Market” from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are planning on 27 Vendors. There are no public issues with the event since many of the businesses are closed on Sunday. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the special event and related uses of Tringle Plaza and Kent Street, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mrs. Artrip thanked Kim for all her work with the concerts this summer, she also comments on the upcoming Fall Makers Market, and gave an update on a Joint Commission. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to Avis K Wilson and gave updates on her CPMT meeting, crackers neck meeting, as well as the Heritage Foundation meeting, which outlined several events coming up through the fall and holiday season. Mr. Gillespie gave an update on the Cracker’s Neck Property meeting and how the site might be best used as a recreational property. Mr. Gillespie asked if NRV Express Café could have a handicap spot in front of their restaurant. Mr. Davis commented on the recent football game and how good the bobcats appear to be this season. Mr. Davis thanked Chief Holdaway for the presentation and Kim Repass for the concert series. Mayor Horton spoke about Radford gives back happening this Wednesday and how much support this program gives bobcat backpacks. Mayor Horton also spoke about upcoming fall events from High School homecoming to Highlanders Festival and Craft and Draft. Mayor Horton highlighted the new facility at NRVCS and the impact it is going to have in people’s lives who are in crisis. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk