City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. December 9, 2024 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 8 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on December 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. Jessie Foster, Mr. Bobby Davis, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: COUNCIL RESPONSE: MINUTES: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes for November 13, 2024 as presented, Mr. Davis seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 REPORT: SUBJECT: New River Resource Authority SUMMARY: The City of Radford is a founding member of the New River Recourse Authority to dispose of solid waste. Other members include the Montgomery County Public Service Authority, Pulaski County, Giles County and the Towns of Dublin and Pulaski. Joe Levine, the Executive Director, provided a report on the landfill operations. OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1811 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. A public was scheduled at the September 23, 2024 meeting and held on October 14, 2024. There were no comments. The appointment of a Board of Viewers was made and they visited the site on October 23, 2024 and recommended its vacation. City Council authorized the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance vacating the right-of-way. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the Ordinance on the first reading Mr. Davis seconded the 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 1811, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Mr. Gillespie. Ms. Foster, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Battery Energy Storage SUMMARY: The City of Radford has been working with Blue Ridge Power and our consultant GDS for options on Battery Energy Storage Systems. The battery system helps share peak costs of power when needed improving efficiency and cost. Light Shift Energy provided a proposal in response to the procurement request by Blue Ridge Power to own, operate and maintain a BESS to benefit the electronic system and reduce customer cost related to transmission costs. A 4 or 8 MW facility would be provided for a 20-year term. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: An Appointments was needed for the New River Resource Authority. Bob Asbury was appointed to serve on the New River Resource Authority. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.16 SUMMARY: The City of Radford has received a grant in the amount of $11,033 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for F.Y. 2024. The funds will be used to support litter prevention and recycling efforts, as well as promotion of environmentally friendly activities and education. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.16 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: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.16, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.17 SUMMARY: A patron of the Radford Public Library has gifted the Library $240,000. The funds are to be used to purchase books and support literacy programs. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.17 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: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.17, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Mr. Bobby Davis Day SUMMARY: City Council wished to recognize Bobby Davis for his service on City Council with a resolution, plaque, and by naming December 30, 2024 as Mr. Bobby Davis Day in Radford. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Greg Holbrook Resolution SUMMARY: Greg Holbrook is retiring from the Radford Recreation Center after 31 years of service to Radford. The Resolution recognizes Mr. Holbrook’s service to the City of Radford. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Davis seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: David Ridpath Retirement Resolution. SUMMARY: Mr. David Ridpath is retiring from Radford after over 40 years of service to the city. Mr. Ridpath has served as City Manager since 2010. The Resolution names Mr. David Ridpath day on January 1, 2025, and dedicates a bench to Mr. Ridpath outside the building. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated he was truly humbled by the recognition. The last few months have gone fast. The parade is tomorrow night at 7:00, the award-winning Library had an outstanding tree lighting event. Mrs. Webb gave a brief overview of the lead pipe survey. Mr. Ridpath thanked Council and spoke about what an honor it has been to serve the community. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Levine for presenting, congratulated Mr. Davis, thanked David Ridpath again. Radford is a better place because of you, Mr. Ridpath. 2025 is right around the corner Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and we will be back at it soon. Mrs. Foster recalled her first time meeting Greg and how awesome that facility has been for her and her family. Mrs. Foster thanked Bobby for his service and commented on how great it has been to get to know him. Mrs. Foster thanked David for his mentorship, leadership, and how well he works with the Council. She thanked him for all he has done for our community. Mrs. Foster gave recaps of her committee meetings including the Heritage Foundation, toured the West End Commerce Park, Chamber recap and grocery bagging, and Department of Social Services meeting, as well as upcoming events. Mrs. Artrip commented on what a pleasure it has been to work with Bobby, thanked Greg for his service, and thanked David Ridpath and has enjoyed working with him. It is going to be difficult to not have you to my left anymore. Excited about the parade, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Mr. Davis thanked the city for opportunity to serve and wished David a happy retirement. The success of Radford is because of the right leadership. Mr. Davis commented on how well Council works together, how things are for the good of the community, and how unanimous votes aren’t that hard when you are working together and making decisions for the betterment of the community. Mayor Horton thanked Mr. Davis for his service to the community and thanks for being a part of the team. Thanks to Mr. Holbrook for his service to the city. David thanked Mr. Ridpath and said we cannot thank you enough and that you don’t know the meaning of the word vacation. No one is more dedicated to detail and Radford than you. Have a wonderful holiday season! Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk