City Council

Mr. Gillespie made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davis to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property, for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3). VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Gillespie made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Gillespie made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the one time for which it was convened, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. November 13, 2023 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 6 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 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. Michael Bedsaul, City Attorney CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mrs. Vandergrifth came to Council to talk about her crosswalk safety concerns for the crosswalk at Second Avenue and George street for students walking to Belle Heth. COUNCIL RESPONSE: Council overall responded they would have staff look into the concerns and work to address the problem. MINUTES: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the minutes for October 23, 2023 as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Small Business Saturday SUMMARY: Saturday, November 25, 2023 is Nationally recognized as “Small Business Saturday”. The Proclamation is a local designation of the importance of small businesses to the local economy, jobs and quality of life. The Proclamation encourages our citizens to support and shop at local businesses. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: New River Valley Regional Commission SUMMARY: Kevin Byrd, the Executive Director of the New River Valley Regional Commission, made a presentation to City Council in appreciation and recognition of the City and the regional response to our collective efforts to address the Coronavirus Pandemic. He also updated City Council on the activities and work of the Regional Commission. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Economic Development Incentive Program-Highlander Hotel SUMMARY: The Radford University Foundation Hotel Land, LLC. Has constructed a 125 until hotel, restaurant and conference facilities at 604 Tyler Avenue to advance economic development and community offerings. The investment is assessed at $24.4 million and opened in April after two years of planning and construction. The Radford EDA has been underway on the details of the performance agreement with the Radford University Foundation. The EDA approved the performance agreement at its meeting on October 19, 2023. The Performance Agreement is based on the provisions of the Radford Economic Development Incentive Program established in 2018. The REDI generally provides annual calendar year relief on Real Property Taxes up to 80% of the payment over 10-years. The agreement provides operational expectations and “clawback” provisions, if the terms are not met. The taxes are paid by the Foundation and reimbursement within 30 days following the end of the calendar year. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to defer action on the resolution until December, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Mr. Gillespie Mr. Gillespie stated the following: 1. I am abstaining from the vote tonight on this matter due to a conflict of interest; 2. I provide accounting services to the Radford University Foundation, which is an affiliated business entity to the RUF Hotel Land, LLC; 3. The Foundation is located at 905 Tyler Avenue, Radford, VA 24141. CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinances 1787.17-1787.20 on the first reading, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinances 1787.17-1787.20, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.17 SUMMARY: The Police Department has requested the use of funds donated to the Department from private individuals and businesses. The funds would be used to support the Community Engagement Unit with crime prevention programming, training and community outreach. The amount requested is $4,779.00. Money requested for FY 23 is $2680 and for FY 24 $2099 and requires appropriation since it was not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2024 Annual City Budget. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.18 SUMMARY: The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Justice in the amount of $120,351. 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 29 years and served over 550 victims. No local match is required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.19 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $9,800. The funds will be used for selective enforcement associated with Alcohol safety. The grant supports overtime for officers. The grant is matched with existing budgeted funds and in-kind services. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.20 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $9,000. The funds will be used for selective enforcement associated with speeding and click-it or tick-it program. The grant supports overtime for officers. The grant is matched with existing budgeted funds and in-kind services. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath congratulated the Police Department on their CALEA accreditation and asked Chief Holdaway to give an overview of the process and award. Sergeant Hite also gave an overview of upcoming police events including, Feeding Southwest VA community food distribution and Santa’s Police Cruise. Mr. Ridpath discussed that the paving program is complete and that parade preparation is underway! Mr. Ridpath stated two actions are needed to initiation the process to vacate the unimproved right of ways for prospect hill property. A public hearing on the disposition of real property and a public hearing on proposed vacations of rights of ways are needed at the December 11, 2023 meeting. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to schedule both public hearings, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Ridpath ended by saying Happy Thanksgiving. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis thanked our Veterans and wished them all a happy Veterans Day. Mr. Davis commented on all the forest fires in the area, and expressed his prayers for senior citizens this time of year. Mr. Davis concluded by thanking Mr. Byrd for coming to the meeting. Mr. Gillespie reminded everyone to shop small on Small Business Saturday and all the time. Mr. Gillespie commented on the bobcat football team and their success this season and Mr. Gillespie wished the veterans a Happy Veterans Day and concluded commenting on what a fun time the Chamber gala was. Mrs. Artrip thanked Mrs. Vandergrifth for bringing forward her concerns and echoed the sentiments of her fellow council members regarding Veterans Day, the bobcats, and Chamber gala. Mrs. Artrip congratulated the PD on accreditation, wished Kennedy a happy first birthday, and thanked Council for working together to ensure everyone has an opportunity to do due diligence before voting. Mayor Horton said ditto to all the comments above and stated he is excited for what is happening in Radford and what is to come. Mayor Horton commented on how good Cooks Vault looks and stated if anyone has any questions regarding what Council talked about tonight to reach out and ask. Mayor Horton thanked Sgt. Hite for the update on her events and concluded by saying that positive energy as a community goes a long way and if we keep moving forward and finding solutions there is nothing we cannot do. Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the meeting 8:25 p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk