City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 9, 2023 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 5 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2023-2024 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on October 9, 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 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL RESPONSE: NONE MINUTES: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the minutes for September 11, 2023 and September 25, 2023 as presented, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Rick Cormany SUMMARY: A Proclamation was prepared to recognize Rick Cormany. Rick has served as a coach and counselor of Radford High School. The proclamation recognizes his winning basketball history, dedication to children and the community. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie 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 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. The report of the Board of Viewers was received on September 24, 2024 and the City Attorney asked to prepare an Ordinance. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance 1794 on the first reading, Ms. Artrip seconded the 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 1794, Mr. Davis 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. The report of the Board of Viewers was received on September 24, 2024 and the City Attorney asked to prepare an Ordinance ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Ordinance 1795, 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 1795, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments were needed to the City/University Joint Advisory Commission. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to appoint BT’s owner Kelsey Jones as the business rep, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Surplus Vehicles and Equipment SUMMARY: The Public Works Department is coordinating an auction of the City’s surplus vehicles and equipment. The last auction was in September, 2018 and was very successful. The surplus items come from all departments and have been evaluated based on their age, safety, operational cost and service to the departments. The list includes vehicles, equipment and retired transit buses. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to endorse the equipment surplus list, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.12 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received funding from the Virginia State Police to focus on and eliminate auto theft. The program “Help Eliminate Auto Theft” (HEAT) assists local law enforcement agencies with enforcement, prevention and education related to motor vehicle theft. The $12,000 grant will be used for maintenance support of the 5 flock cameras installed throughout the City. No local match is required. The grant was not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2024 annual budget, therefore requiring appropriation. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.12 on the first reading, 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 Appropriation Ordinance 1787.12, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.13 SUMMARY: The Radford Public Library has received an increase in its State Aid for F.Y. 2024. The increase requires appropriation to be programmed in the City budget for expenditure. The funds will be used for computers, collection expansion, supplies, furniture and training. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.13 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 1787.13, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.14 SUMMARY: The City of Radford received $204,683 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds follow the “2023 Action Plan” approval by City Council on April 24, 2023. The funds will support Planning and Administration, Emergency Home Repair, Façade Improvements, Beautification efforts, planning and improvements to the East Main Street and Third Avenue Parking Lots, as well as continued support of our sub recipient’s programs. The sub recipients include New River Community Action, the Women’s Resource Center, the Bobcat Backpack Program, Radford Daily Bread and Radford Clothing Bank. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.14 on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip 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 1787.14, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that Highlanders Festival is coming up this weekend, paving is finally completed and Mr. Ridpath provided an update to Council on the finances of the City. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis thanked Mr. Ridpath and the City team for all their hard work. Mr. Davis gave a shout out to the undefeated bobcat football team and commended Mr. Cormany for a job well done over the years. Mr. Gillespie stated the paving looks great and commended Coach Cormany on his accomplishments and all he has meant to the Radford community. Mr. Gillespie stated he is excited to have students in town for the Highlanders Festival this year and excited to attend on Saturday. Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Ridpath for the financial report and updates and assured citizens this is something Council and staff are taking seriously. Ms. Foster dedicated her moment of silence to Charlies Marion Wilson. Ms. Foster mentioned the upcoming Chamber of Commerce gala and gave an update on her last meetings from the Heritage Foundation to Department of Social Services, as well as a meeting with Delegate Ballard. Ms. Artrip echoed the sentiments of the rest of Council, she spoke about attending the Highlanders Festival, congratulated Coach Cormany, and said go bobcats! Mayor Horton spoke about the success of the High School homecoming parade. Mayor Horton also congratulated Coach Cormany, the bobcats on their season so far, and gave a rundown of upcoming October events. Mayor Horton outlined a couple of agenda items for the next few meetings. Ms. Foster made a motion to adjourn the meeting 7:49 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk