City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. January 8, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 10 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2023-2024 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on January 8, 2024 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, M. Jessie Foster, Mr. Bobby Davis, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Others present were as follows: Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mrs. Carol Andrews addressed City Council concerning the recent Real Estate assessment and the timing of the notice/timing to appeal. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Radford High School Football Team-State Champions SUMMARY: The Radford High School Varsity Football Team won the Region’s Class 2C State football championship for 2023. It was an undefeated season and the first football championship title in 51 years. The Proclamation recognizes this great accomplishment by our school sports team and proclaims the month of January, 2024 as “Bobcat Football Month”. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Radford High School State Championships for 2023 SUMMARY: City Council wished to recognize of all “state” level championship awards for 2023 by Radford High School teams and programs. The Proclamations recognize a wide variety of activities. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the Radford High School Forensics team as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the Radford High School Yearbook as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the Radford High School Indoor Track team as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the Radford High School Swim and Dive team as presented, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the Radford High Marching Band as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Service Above Self Award SUMMARY: City Council requested the recognition of Debra Effler Taylor for the Service Above Self Citizenship Award for her dedicated to sharing the recent football season, as well as other Radford High School games and events on social media. The Resolution reflects the ideas of the “Robert Allen Hall Humanitarian Service Award”, established by City Council in 2011. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: REDI Program Agreement 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 negotiating the details of the performance agreement with the Radford University Foundation for several months to reflect the economic benefits. 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. The Resolution was approved by City Council at the December 11, 2023 meeting. Two members abstained from voting. ACTION: There was consensus of Council to proceed with the second reading of the resolution as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip NAYES: NONE-0 ABSTAIN: Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton 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.” Mayor Horton stated the following: "This matter involves a Performance Agreement with the RUF Hotel Land, LLC that is subject to approval by City Council. The RUF Hotel Land, LLC is the owner of the real property where the Highlander Hotel is located. I have been advised that Radford University loaned the RUF Hotel Land, LLC $2 million to support the construction of the Hotel. I am employed by the University and receive a salary of more than $5,000 annually. Due to the fact that approval of the Performance Agreement may directly or indirectly affect the RUF Hotel Land, LLC’s ability to repay the loan to the University, I have a personal interest in this matter. I, however, am a member of a business, profession, occupation, or group that may be affected by Council's decision and, therefore, am able to participate pursuant to Sections 2.2-3112(B)(1) and 2.2- 3115(H) of the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act. I am also able to participate in this matter fairly, objectively, and in the public interest." SUBJECT: Vacation of Right of Way: Oakland, Elmwood, Alleyway SUMMARY: There are several unopened and unimproved right-of-ways existing on the property known as Prospect Hill. Vacation is needed on several excess right-of-ways to help make the property more marketable for development. They include portions of Elmwood Street, Prospect Street and Oakland Avenue. A public hearing was held on December 11, 2023 with no comments or objections. A Board of Viewers was appointed. The Board of Viewers reviewed the vacation requests on January 2, 2023 and found no inconvenience or public need existed. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to receive the report of the Board of Viewers, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to authorize the City Attorney to draft and Ordinance for the vacation of the properties, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Resolution Board of Equalization SUMMARY: The City is required to complete reassessments of its Real Estate every four years. The firm of Wampler Eanes was chosen to conduct the 2024 assessment. Generally, the process involves conducting the reassessment, notifying property owners of their new assessed value and allowing interested parties the opportunity to meet with the assessor. A Board of Equalization is established to give property owners an “appeal process” if they are not satisfied with the assessor’s final valuation. City Council is required to recommend a three to five-member board, consisting of one realtor, for consideration and appointment by the Circuit Court Judge. The Commissioner of the Revenue has spoken to several people about appointments including Larry Humphrey, Mandy Martin, Mike Johnston and Terry McCraw, as an alternate. Larry Humphrey served in the last reassessment and brings experience and a real estate background. Compensation is required and recommended at $40.00/hour and has been programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2024 City Budget. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.21 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant in the amount of $12,513 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2024. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, Adopt-A-Sport, as well as promotion of environmentally friendly activities and education. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.21 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1787.21, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.22 SUMMARY: The City has received a grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in the amount of $7,500. The funds will be used to replace the screens and monitors in the Emergency Operations Center improving overall capabilities and quality. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.22 on the first reading, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1787.22, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.23 SUMMARY: The City received a grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in the amount of $50,000. The grant was used for the follow-up engineering evaluation and associated report required by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on the original environmental report performed by Haley & Alrich in 2017 on the 80+ acre, West Radford Commerce Park, formerly the VCI Founding Site. This is the second of two appropriations for engineering services. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1787.23 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1787.23, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath was not in attendance, but sent in the following comments: The FY 2023 Audit is being finalized with plans for presentation to City Council at the next meeting. The first 6-months of the fiscal year are concluded with revenues are on target. All bills are paid and current, including debt service. I am pleased to report a “positive” fund balance. Bang the Table, the platform for community information, is being updated on the East Main Street Project and will be available later in the week. Christmas Tree collection is underway by Solid Waste. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis congratulations to the bobcats. Remember everyone in prayer to homeless that are out there and bring those pets in when it is cold outside. Prayers go out to David and his family. Thank you to Radford, way to go as a community and a of people committed to excellence. Mr. Gillespie commented on the accomplishments of the bobcats, the bleachers of the old stadium have been repurposed for Parks and Recreation Facilities. Questions about the West Commerce Park and moving forward to turn the property over to the EDA, hopeful for the future of the property. Ms. Foster moment of silence was dedication to Howard L. Wilson, bring to the Council’s attention a concern from Sheriff Armentrout regarding urban archery. Received an email council representative needed for the Community Criminal Justice Board. Mrs. Artrip congratulations to the bobcats, lot to be thankful for and appreciative for. Thanks to the Police Department, School Board, and all working together to make Radford better. Wish everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year and take the time out for the little things. Mayor Horton stated Happy New Year to everyone, thank you to everyone from Council, staff, and all the people who help make the community go every day. Mayor Horton brought up the pancake breakfast at the Fire House this upcoming weekend. Mayor Horton also discussed upcoming Tourism opportunities and recapped some meetings he has attended and congratulated all the bobcats throughout the 2023 year. Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the meeting 8:37 p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk