City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. September 9, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 3 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on September 9, 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 Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Fleischer came and offered help to reinstalled a fence in Wildwood Park that had tree damage. REPORT: SUBJECT: New River Valley Regional Commission SUMMARY: The New River Valley Regional Commission is considering acquiring new office space to support its growth and space needs. A facility has been identified in Christiansburg. The current facility is located in Pulaski County. The project would require financial support from the member jurisdiction to retire the debt service. Kevin Byrd, the Executive Director of the Regional Commission, presented the plan and merits of the project. PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Constitution Week SUMMARY: The week of September 17-23, 2024 is nationally recognized as “Constitution Week”. The Daughters of the American Revolution set aside the week to formally commemorate the importance of the document as a testament to liberty, freedom and inalienable rights. ACTION: Mrs. Atrip made a motion to approve proclamation as presented Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Patriot Day SUMMARY: Patriot Day, is a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia and those who perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. The proclamation recognizes the significance of this event and the lives lost. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve proclamation as presented Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Resolution Kidney Transplant Services SUMMARY: Carilion Clinic requested that City Council provide a Resolution of support for them to apply for a “Certification of Public Need” to bring kidney transplant services to Southwest Virginia. The Resolution highlights the local need, cost efficiency and timely care, as well as Carilion’s medical presence in our area. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PRESENTATION: SUBJECT: Franchise Consideration SUMMARY: The Radford Noon Rotary Club presented an idea for a “Peace Pole” to be located on a City facility. It is about 6ꞌ in height and has a message “May Peace Prevail On Earth.” ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to place the peace pole in the Triangle Plaza, Mayor Horton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1806-Franchise Agreement SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a request from Comcast in May, 2024 to operate a franchise in the City of Radford. The request is to conduct, maintain, replace, repair and operate a system of cable network services and transmission within the City of Radford along roadways, easements, alleyways and on public grounds. The agreement term proposal is for a period of 10 years and includes a Pole Attachment Agreement for $30/ pole annually. City Council advertised and held a public hearing on the non-exclusive franchise solicitation of providers to construct and operate a cable system in Radford, on August 12, 2024. There were no comments or objections. The City has also requested proposals from other service providers. No additional proposals have been received. ACTION: Mr. Davis made a motion to approve Ordinance 1806 on the first reading, Mrs. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1806, 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 are needed to the following Boards and Commissions…The Tourism Advisory Commission and New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board. No action was taken. NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Real Estate Property Tax Relief SUMMARY: The City provides tax relief for property owners who are 65 years of age or older, or disabled on their real property taxes, if they meet the income, asset and property valuation criteria. The program is established by Virginia Code. The criteria requires a total household income of less than $24,000 and an asset threshold of $70,000. Any value of the home that exceeds $180,000 must be included in the assets calculation and not exceed the threshold of $70,000. Applications are reviewed annually for eligibility. There are currently 29 qualifying applicants in the program with a total relief value of $29,492. There are three applicants that will no longer qualify because they have exceeded one or more of the measures. The recent reassessment has pushed the valuations of Radford homes up on average (31%) increasing the amount the homeowner pays towards their taxes. The current “Tax Relief”, Ordinance #1671, was approved in March, 2015. To increase the amount of the relief, the Ordinance would need to be amended to reflect a higher valuation for the exemption. Most owners are impacted on two fronts by the new property valuation or their income exemption amount increased. No action was taken. SUBJECT: Covenant Extension for TechLab SUMMARY: City Council has amended the restrictive covenants on the Radford Industrial Center for TechLab that provided a construction time frame limitation on the future development of the adjacent lot. The City has granted four extensions by Resolution in 2011, 2016, 2019, 2021 and recently in April, 2024 for another 36 months to December 12, 2026.Techlab requested that City Council to remove the development restrictions for the Radford Industrial Center, Lot 11 (7.02 acres). ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to release TechLab from the restrictive covenants; Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion for the city attorney to prepare and review a deed in coordination with Council for the removal of the restrictive covenants on lots 11 and 12, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Ridpath commented on the paving project on East Main Street, the State of Good Repair for Tyler Avenue and all the well-attended special events that are now coming to an end. Mr. Ridpath remarked on his retirement and that it has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Radford and help our community grow. Mr. Ridpath said there will be more to come later on. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Davis thanked Mr. Fleicher for coming out and commented on how neat the peace pole. Mrs. Davis stated he continues to pray for everyone and our country and happy fall to everyone get out and enjoy the weather. Mr. Gillespie spoke about all the amazing events from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Kick Off to Community Fest and Concert Series. Mr. Gillespie commented on the addition of Comcast and the Peace Pole and thanked Mr. Ridpath for his service stating it has been and honor and privilege. Mrs. Foster asked for a corporate tour, a Wells Fargo Building Updates, and wanted to recognize the list of organizations that provide care in our community to people in need. She also requested an RV Park update, update on the Tourism Commission and where we stand with the Tourism building. Mrs. Foster updated the Council on her various committees from the Heritage Foundation to the Chamber of Commerce and commented on her latest ride along with the Radford City Police Department. Mrs. Artrip thanked the Rotary Club for coming out and presenting the Peace Pole, she also commented on the Belle Heth Color Run and the Farmer’s Market, while reminding people to attend the last concert on October 12. Mrs. Artrip stated we a lot to be proud of in our community and Go Bobcats this football season. Mayor Horton commented on the previous events from Community Fest to Potter in the Park and promoted the Highlanders Festival scheduled for October 12. Mayor Horton expressed his appreciation for all the hard work staff foes and comments on how Mr. Ridpath is the glue that holds everyone together. Mayor Horton stated David has touched us all in a positive way and Radford is better because of his efforts. Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 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