City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 14, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 5 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on October 14, 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, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Webb, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Developer CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PUBLIC HEARING: SUBJECT: Vacation of Right of Way SUMMARY: Xeng Feng and Nicholas Olinger have requested the vacation of a portion of public right-of-way located between Ninth Avenue and Prospect Street in Monroe Terrace. The request is for 1,700 sq. ft to expand their property lines and area as adjacent property owners. There would be no impact on utilities or the existing open roadway. The application fee has been paid and a public hearing is required *The public hearing was advertised as required* Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. No comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Bill Fischer, Jenn Bondurant and Abram Williams to the Board of Viewers, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Legislative Priorities SUMMARY: City Council has discussed legislative priorities for both the state and federal level initiatives include:  West Radford Commerce Park  Economic Development (data center)  Animal Shelter  Parks and Recreation  Energy  Revenue generated here stays here  Property maintenance  Main street initiatives, development  First Responder Support ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to set the legislative priorities as listed above, Mrs. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath gave an update on the Hurricane Helene efforts, updated the Council on upcoming events such as the Trick or Treat Trail and recapped the weekend’s events. Mr. Ridpath thanked staff for all their efforts during the recovery from Helene. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS Ms. Foster thanked staff for all they are doing to recover from the flood. Mrs. Foster thanked the Gov. and representatives for visiting post Helene and advocating for the City. Mrs. Foster updated her board meeting information from the Jail Board to the Amphitheatre. Mr. Gillespie thanked all staff for all the work in recovery from Helene and thanked the Governor, Lt. Governor, and representatives for coming. Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Ridpath for his leadership in all these efforts. Mr. Gillespie talked about his industry tour. Mr. Gillespie recapped events and discussed the trick or treat trail. Mr. Gillespie expressed his thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by Helene nationwide. Mrs. Artrip thanked staff for all their Helene efforts. Mrs. Artrip thanked the Farmer’s Market for season and the Highlanders Festival and Concert series planners for all the efforts in planning and executing those events. Mrs. Artrip thanked Adele and her crew for keeping animals safe and thanks to all our representatives for coming out. Mayor Horton recapped some of the effects of Hurricane Helene from the impact on wastewater to the damage citywide. Mayor Horton talked about the Arsenal and partnerships with them moving forward. Mayor Horton spoke about the waterline survey and where to drop it off. Mayor Horton applauded city staff and crews for all their hard work. Mayor Horton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gillespie to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; and evaluation of performance of departments, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mayor Horton made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the item for which it was convened, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Davis participated remotely due to a toothache. Mayor Horton made a motion to allow Mr. Davis to participate remotely, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Gillespie made a motion to direct Mr. Bedsaul to enter into contract with the Berkley Group for on call consulting services, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 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