City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. August 12, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 2 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on August 12, 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. Foster, Ms. Kellie Artrip, and Mr. Bobby Davis. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Webb, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE MINUTES APPROVALS: On a motion by Ms. Artrip and seconded by Mr. Gillespie that the minutes for the July 8, 2024 were approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Community Fest SUMMARY: The City/University Advisory Commission has been working to bring the City and University community together for a fun and social event. “Community Fest” has been established and scheduled for August 24, 2024. The event will be held on East Main Street between Harrison Street and Tyler Avenue. Highlights include food trucks, bands, craft and business vendors as well as informational tents. Melissa Skelton, presented an overview of the special event. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Radford High School Recognitions SUMMARY: The School Board and City Council have established a plan to recognize sport and activity awards in the Winter and Summer of each year for the 6 previous months of success. The Proclamations recognize the championships, outstanding achievements and awards from January 2024 to June 2024. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the tennis proclamation as presented Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the wrestling proclamation as presented Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the forensics proclamation as presented Ms. Foster seconded the motion. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the swim and dive proclamation as presented Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the soccer proclamation as presented Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Transfer of Property to the EDA SUMMARY: The City of Radford purchased 80.7 acres of property adjacent to Bolling Street, formally known as the Radford Foundry site/VCI Property in July, 2023. The property is planned for development and reuse as an industrial site to stimulate economic development, job creation and private investment. The property, known as the “West Radford Commerce Park” would be transferred to the EDA for planning and development of the project. Ordinance #1798 has been provided for consideration indicating the expectations and conditions upon the transfer. A work session was held on February 26, 2024 to discuss the project and EDA control of the developable property. A public hearing was held on March 11, 2024. There were no comments. The preliminary boundary survey was included in the Ordinance to indicate the boundaries, the landfill and undevelopable area. The transfer of the property to the EDA provides the conditions expected by DEQ to run with the land. The deed is also part of the Ordinance. The first reading was deferred on March 25, 2024 pending notification by DEQ of the condition associated with remediation and use of the property. The Ordinance has been revised to include the transfer of the entire 80.7-acre parcel to the EDA. Another public hearing is required for the transfer of the larger parcel. The public hearing and has been advertised, as required. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing 7:34 No comments. Mayor Horton closed the public hearing 7:35 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: West Commerce Park Property Transfer SUMMARY: The City of Radford purchased 80.7 acres of property adjacent to Bolling Street, formally known as the Radford Foundry site/VCI Property in July, 2023. The property is planned for development and reuse as an industrial site to stimulate economic development, job creation and private investment. The property, known as the “West Radford Commerce Park” would be transferred to the EDA for planning and development of the project. Ordinance #1798 has been provided for consideration indicating the expectations and conditions upon the transfer. A work session was held on February 26, 2024 to discuss the project and EDA control of the developable property. A public hearing was held on March 11, 2024. There were no comments. The preliminary boundary survey was included in the Ordinance to indicate the boundaries, the landfill and undevelopable area. The transfer of the property to the EDA provides the conditions expected by DEQ to run with the land. The deed is also part of the Ordinance. The first reading was deferred on March 25, 2024 pending notification by DEQ of the condition associated with remediation and use of the property. There were no comments during the public hearing. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1798 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: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1798, Mr. Davis seconded that 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 following Boards and Commissions…Agency on Aging, NRCC, Recreation Commission and the City/University Joint Advisory Commission. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to appoint Dr. Harshberger to the NRCC Board and Michael McCown to the Recreation Commission, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Opioid Litigation Settlement-Resolution SUMMARY: The City of Radford has been participating in the global law suit associated with the opioid epidemic and its impact on the local communities. The Opioid substance abuse has impacted costs associated with emergency response, criminal justice, mental health and agency services. The City’s legal Counsel recommended the participation in settlements with the Opioid providers, by approved Resolutions. Past settlements have included Mckesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Teva, Allergan, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS and their related entities at a value of $816,304 over an 18-year period to recover a portion of the public funds spent on the consequences of the Opioid epidemic. An additional settlement has occurred with Kroger Co. The City Legal Counsel recommended a Resolution to participate in the settlement that will recover $26,429 over a period of 11 years. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Water Plant Chemical Bids SUMMARY: The Water Treatment Plant has received bids for one of the significant chemicals, Poly Aluminum Chloride, used as a coagulant in our treatment process of portable water. Suppliers of this chemical are very limited. The city received three bids from Kemira for $0.380/liquid pound, USALCO for $0.295/liquid pound and Surry Chemical for $0.405/liquid pound. The City uses 118 tons of the chemical each year. The total cost is $75,000, which was programmed in the F.Y. 2025 annual budget. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to award the bid to USALCO, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CONSENT AGENDA: SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1787.28-Encumbrances SUMMARY: The City of Radford had several encumbrances/purchase orders outstanding at the end of the F.Y. 2024 budget year. The purchase orders total $165,278 and relate to Electric Department line construction, the Tyler to East Main Capital Project, the East Main Street sidewalk Capital Project, Radford Transit, and various small General Fund departmental planned expenses and transfers. To carry the funds into F.Y. 2025 an Appropriation is needed. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.01 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant from the Virginia 911 Services Board through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for educational programming. The $4,000 grant will be used to pay for training related cost for our 911 Telecommunications Officers related to emergency and GIS education. No match is required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.02 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in the amount of $5,000. The funds are to be used for data maintenance costs associated with GIS data layers necessary for “Next Generation 911”. No match is required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.03 SUMMARY: The Police Department has received a grant in the amount of $90,306 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The funds are to be used to support the School Resource program at Belle Heth Elementary School. The funds are for salary related items. A local match of $14,973 is required and can be accommodated from the existing department Budget. The funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2025 Budget, therefore requiring appropriation. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.04 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant in the amount of $211,411 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Service. The funds are to be used to support the School Resource Officer Program at McHarg Elementary School and Dalton Intermediate School. The funds are for salary related items for two School Resource Officers. A local match of $35,052 is required and can be accommodated from the existing departmental Budget. The funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2025 Budget, therefore requiring appropriation. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.05 SUMMARY: The Office of Elections has requested that $10,638 be appropriated for the purchase of electronic polling pads. The funds are available from the reimbursement to the City for the March 2024 Presidential Primary reimbursement from the Virginia Department of elections. New polling pads are needed due to software issues related to reliability, serving and training. The Radford Electoral Board has approved the use of the funds for this purpose. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinances 1787.28, 1802.01, 1802.03, 1802.04, and 1802.05 on the first reading, Mr. Gillespie 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 Ordinances 1787.28, 1802.01, 1802.03, 1802.04, and 1802.05, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Ridpath stated that it has been a busy couple of weeks with special events and weather. Great job by all who made July 4th a success and all who helped manage the weather, it takes all the departments to make the event run. July marks a start of a new fiscal year. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gillespie thanked all those responsible for making the Fourth possible, mentioned the excitement around the transferring of the foundry property and thanked all for meeting on the budget. Mr. Gillespie also congratulated the bobcats on all their success throughout the year. Mrs. Artrip stated the drone video of the fireworks is amazing, congrats to new police officers and dispatchers and Radford High School students. Mrs. Artrip commented on her upcoming Joint Commission meeting, the amphitheater meeting and the Harry Potter race that is upcoming and thanked all for their hard work on the July 4th event. Mr. Davis said likewise to the above comments. Mrs. Foster gave a recap of her board meetings and showed off her Juneteenth Cornbread trophy. She also thanked city employees who work here and spent their lives working for the betterment of Radford and stated she looks forward to seeing what Nesslerod on the New does under new management. Mayor Horton stated great things are happening in Radford from the police department to the bobcats, as well as the July 4th event. Mayor Horton thanked David Ridpath and staff for their work on the budget work sessions and invited everyone to the Potter in the Park 5k in August. Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk