City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. October 28, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 6 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 28, 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, Mr. Bobby Davis, 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 MINUTES APPROVAL: ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: VETERANS DAY SUMMARY: A Proclamation has been prepared formally recognizing “Veterans Day” in Radford on November 11, 2024. The Proclamation recognizes the Men and Women who have served our Nation’s Armed Forces, represented our community, as well as have protected the ideals of freedom, justice and liberty. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented; Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: 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. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to accept the report from the Board of Viewers, Ms. Foster 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 authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance of vacation, Ms. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Shentel Lease Request SUMMARY: Shentel Cable Television, LLC has been upgrading its “Fiber to the Home” system in Radford. They need to construct four 32” x 36” utility cabinets to accommodate telecommunication equipment on City owned property located at 420 Prospect Street. Shentel proposes to lease a 20ꞌ x 20ꞌ space from the City to accommodate the project. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to schedule the public hearing for November 12, 2024, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.14 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $11,500. The funds will be used for selective enforcement associated with speeding and click-it or tick-it program. The grant supports overtime for officers. The grant is matched with existing budgeted funds and in-kind services. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.14 on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip 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 1802.14, Mrs. Foster seconded that motion. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.15 SUMMARY: The Police Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $9,200. The funds will be used for selective enforcement associated with Alcohol safety. The grant supports overtime for officers. The grant is matched with existing budgeted funds and in-kind services. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.15 on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.15, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments are needed to the following Boards and Commission, New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board, as well as the Beautification and Forestry Commission. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to appoint Jason Clayton to the Beautification Commission, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Interim City Manager Contract SUMMARY: City Council has decided to enter into contract with the Berkley Group for Interim City Manager Services. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to enter contract with the Berkley Group, Mrs. Foster seconded that motion. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion for the mayor to sign the agreement, Mrs. Foster seconded that motion. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion for the mayor to sign the work order; 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 updates on Helene recovery efforts, the upcoming Trick or Treat Trail, Leaf Collection and Striping on Main Street. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS Mrs. Foster discussed her arsenal tour with the commander and discussed Helene recovery and all the partnerships regionally. Mr. Gillespie thanked all departments for the Helene recovery efforts and how David is leaving some big shoes to fill. Mr. Gillespie spoke about the Recreation Director also retiring and asked about the widening of Park Road and limiting hunting to 2-3 acres in the City. Mr. Gillespie also welcomed Mr. Meadows to the Radford team. Mrs. Artrip said ditto to the departments doing all the hard work, thanked Rachel Doyle for the Coffee Shop meet and greet and reminded everyone to go vote. Mrs. Artrip reminded the community of the quality of sporting fields we have in Radford and wished everyone a Happy Halloween. Mr. Davis expressed his appreciation for David and the staff and that it has truly been a blessing to serve this City. Mr. Davis commented on his growing family and on Mr. Harris stepping down as VFW Commander and all he has done for Radford. Mayor Horton invited everyone to the Trick or Treat trail in Radford, commented on a safety note from Atmos Energy and invited the community to ask Council if there are questions pertaining to what is done in the City. The Council is happy to talk about the city with community members. Mr. Gillespie made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Artrip to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected. 2.2-3711 (A) (6). Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property, for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3). VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mr. Gillespie made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mr. Gillespie made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the items for which it was convened, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m. seconded by Mr. Davis. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk