City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. May 13, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 17 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2023-2024 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on May 13, 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, Ms. Kellie Artrip, and Mr. Bobby Davis. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Webb, City Clerk Ms. Kimberly Repass, Economic Development Director Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director REMOTE PARTICPATION: Ms. Foster stated she was out of town in Croatia for vacation Mr. Gillespie made a motion to allow her to participate remotely, 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 move Old Business to the start of the meeting, Mr. Davis seconded the motion OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.27 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 EDA approved the performance agreement at its meeting on October 19, 2023. City Council approved the Performance Agreement at its meeting on January 8, 2024. The Performance Agreement is based on the guidelines 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 by Appropriation. The EDA reviewed the performance measures provided by the Radford University Foundation Hotel Land, LLC for reimbursement of a portion of its calendar year 2023 Real Property Taxes. The EDA concurred that the Hotel had met the requirements for reimbursement of $150,199 at its meeting on March 7, 2024 overall revenues exceeded $300,000. Action was deferred by City Council from the March 25, 2024 meeting for more information. The City Manager reported that no action was considered at the April 8, 2024 meeting due to only two voting members of City Council being able to vote due to conflict of interest. Approval of the first reading of the Appropriation was approved by City Council on April 22, 2024. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1787.27, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, ABSTAIN, Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Mr. Gillespie and seconded by Ms. Artrip that the minutes for the April 16, April 22, and April 25, 2024 were approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Water Treatment Plant Gold Star SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health has awarded the Water Treatment Plant a “Gold” award for calendar year 2023. The award recognizes best practices in water filtration, clarification and filter backwash. This is our 9th Gold award. A representative from the VDH presented the award with members of our Water Treatment Plant. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: National Police Week SUMMARY: The week of May 12-18, 2024 has been nationally designated as “Police Week”, to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put their lives in danger each day protecting and serving our communities. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Emergency Medical Services Week SUMMARY: The week of May 19-23, 2024 has been nationally designated as “Emergency Medical Services Week”, to honor the men and women who serve in the field of Emergency Medical Services, as well as recognize the importance of out of hospital care, lifesaving skills, training and education. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: National Public Works Week SUMMARY: The Week of May 19-25, 2024 is nationally designated as “Public Works Week” to honor the men and women who serve in the Public Works sector as Engineers, Directors, Supervisors and employees. The theme for 2024 is “Advancing Quality of Life for All”. The week highlights the Public Works services and preparedness related to day to day operational duties and needs associated with repairing and improving transportation facilities, solid waste collection, maintaining public buildings, infrastructure oversight, treating and supplying water and waste water services, as well as maintaining public places, structures and facilities essential to our citizens for public health, quality of life and overall wellbeing. 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 SUBJECT: Mental Health Month and 31 Days of Hope SUMMARY: May is mental health awareness month. A Proclamation recognizing the month and 31 day of hope was provided for Council’s consideration. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Transit Strategic Plan SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation requires that large transit agencies develop a “Transit Strategic Plan”, TSP. In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly approved a legislative mandate stipulating that TSPs must be completed and updated every five years as a condition of receiving funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The TSP informs annual operations, capital, and other technical assistance funding requests from agencies to DRPT. TSPs must be submitted to DRPT by June 30, 2024, to be eligible for the appropriation for FY 2026. The main goal of a TSP for is to create a strategic blueprint outlining potential changes that would improve transit services within our existing funding structures. The Plan includes modifications to routes, Renaming of Routes and potential Microtransit zone. In addition, agencies are required to complete a Service, Assets, and Financials worksheet to DRPT annually. The Strategic Plan does not bind the City to any specific action or direction, rather they provide a template for future opportunities that may include funding requests from the State. Initially the TSP for Radford Transit was still under FTA’s Urbanized Area and was considered large transit agencies. Since then, FTA has designated Radford Transit as a “Rural Transit system” and will be required to submit Transit Development Plans (TDP) moving forward. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: NRV HOME Consortium SUMMARY: The City of Radford participates in a consortium of local governments that includes Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles and Floyd Counties to address housing related issues and projects. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the consortium members to renew its participation in the program every three years, as well as appoint two members to serve on the Board. Our three-year program ends in July, 2024. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the renewal with the HOME Consortium, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Ms. Skelton and Ms. Collins as representatives to the HOME consortium, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Resolution Tazewell County Emergency Agreement SUMMARY: The New River Resource Authority has received a request from Tazewell County to join the Authority’s service area in the case of an emergency for solid waste disposal. The Authority requires that all of the member jurisdiction give their consent to expand the service area. The Authority has reviewed and approved the request subject to local endorsement. Authority members include Pulaski County, Giles County, The Town of Dublin and Pulaski, The Montgomery County Regional Solid Waste Authority and the City of Radford. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Ambulance Purchase Contract SUMMARY: The Fire and EMS Department equipment is heavily used to support calls, Pandemic use in 2020 and 2021, as well as overall emergency response. The current front-line ambulances are two 2019 models with a 2014 and 1999 model for backups. The depreciable life is 8-10 years. Ambulance design and use specifications are followed as issued by the Virginia Department of Emergency Medical Services. An ambulance was initially procured through Goodman Specialized Vehicles, LLC on the State contract in F.Y. 2022. The cost was estimated at $344,498 to include the cab and 4x4 chassis, ambulance body, necessary medical equipment and Stryker Power Stretcher. The build and delivery was expected to be 18-24 months. Goodman has not delivered on the order due to product availability, company issues and scheduling. We have received the cab and chassis. Another state contract vendor has been identified that can meet all of the specifications for the ambulance body, Atlantic Emergency Solutions. The build and delivery will take 32-40 months at a cost of $388,797. The purchase will not occur until F.Y. 2027. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to award the contract to Atlantic Emergency for the Ambulance purchase, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie SUBJECT: Beautification Commission SUMMARY: An appointment is needed to the Commission on Municipal Forests and Beautification. ACTION: Mr., Gillespie made a motion to appoint Sidra Kaluszato the Beautification Commission, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: F.Y. 2024 Budget Amendment Radford City Public Schools SUMMARY: The Radford School Board has requested to increase in its F.Y. 2024 Budget from $3,194,490 to $42,842,281. The increase reflects additional state and federal funds to support school operations ($208,849), grant projects associated with innovations, violence prevention, technology and” All in Implementation” ($2,247,590), capital projects ($328,448), as well as Governors School funding ($862,896). The Board has requested an additional $200,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for the stadium bleachers project, RHS classroom upgrades, McHarg ADA sidewalk and HVAC controls at Belle Heth, as well as $123,448 for school violence preventions for a total of $323,448. The amendment to the F.Y. 2024 Budget was approved by the School Board on April 9, 2024. The total amount of the amendment to the School Board Budget is $3,647,783. Since the amount exceeds 1% of the total original City budget appropriation, a public hearing is required and can be held on June 10, 2024. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to schedule the public hearing for June 10, 2024, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Ridpath thanked city staff for the impressive work provided in all-weather situations and to prepare for Spring. Mr. Ridpath stated summer concert series is about to kick off and welcome back to Jenni and thanks Melissa for all you both do for Council. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis congratulated the Water Treatment Plant on their award and recognized how the proclamations are such great tributes to Radford. Mr. Gillespie stated the proclamations were fitting for this week, thank you all for being able to handle situations well. Mr. Gillespie said it was not an easy decision to table the ambulance purchase, but it will be a priority moving forward. The Chamber Golf Tournament was a success and there is a Memorial Day event Monday in Bisset Park and the Concert Saturday! Mrs. Artrip echoed the sentiments above with congratulations and thank you’ s to the Police Department and Fire and EMS, as well as welcome back to Jenni. Mayor Horton also echoed the above comments and reminded the community of upcoming events including the Ride of Silence, Memorial Day ceremony, and the Concert on Saturday. Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting 8:16 p.m. seconded by Mr. Davis VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk