City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. January 13, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 10 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on January 13, 2025 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, Ms. Kellie Artrip, and Mr. Guy Wohlford. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE RESOLUTION: SUBJECT: Crime Prevention Community SUMMARY: Radford City Police Department requested a resolution of participation so they could begin the process of making Radford a certified Crime Prevention Community. The resolution is from DCJS and endorses Radford’s interest in participating in the program. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Award Bid-East Main Street Lighting SUMMARY: The East Main Street Business District improvements are planned to include infrastructure upgrades to utilities, sidewalks and roadway, outdoor dining areas, aesthetic enhancements and pedestrian and vehicular improvements from Harrison Street to Tyler Avenue. Street lighting has been bid for 22 poles. The City received two bids for the project, with the bid from State Electric (Sternberg Supplier) meeting all required design elements. The cost is $127,500 and the funds for the purchase will be from the approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program with no local match. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to award the bid to State Electric, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Sidewalk Project SUMMARY: The City applied for State of Good Repair (SGR) funding to pave the section of East Main Street from Tyler Avenue to just past Crossfit. The paving portion was completed by a VDOT sub and the city received bids to construct the eight ADA complaint crosswalks. The city received three bids for the project, of which Jones Road & Bridge, Inc. had the lowest bid at the cost of $322,500. The funds for the project will be provided by the SGR program with no local match. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to award the bid to Jones Road and Bridge, Mrs. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton NAYES: Mr. Wohlford SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY Appointments were needed to several Boards and Commissions. The below appointments were made by Council. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to appoint Melissa Skelton to the NRV Housing Trust, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to appoint Mayor Horton to the Passenger Rail Authority, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to appoint Craig Meadows to the Joint Commission, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to appoint Mrs. Jenni Webb to the Joint Commission, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: F.Y. 2025 Transit Budget SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. The budget will be presented at the January 27, 2025 meeting with an opportunity for public comment. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve Radford. HE gave an update on the first two weeks, which included a couple rounds of winter weather. Mr. meadows spoke about repairs for Helene begin ongoing and that he hopes to have a report at the next meeting on the city’s finances. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Wohlford welcomed Mr. Meadows to the team and thanked the citizens of Radford for their support and trust and faith in him to serve. Mr. Wohlford said that he is looking forward to working with Council and will learn fast and be cooperative. Mr. Gillespie welcomed Mr. Meadows and congratulated Mrs. Artrip and Mr. Wohlford. Mr. Gillespie asked for an up-to-date copy of the land inventory and invited everyone to the Chamber Gala on February 8. Mr. Gillespie also spoke about how finances are the most important thing for the City right now. Mrs. Foster also extended her welcome to Craig Meadows and requested that the Council look into meeting with Janet every three months. Mrs. Foster also asked to get monthly business tours back on the schedule, budget meetings on the schedule, a list of city properties and the Tourism Board up and running. Mrs. Artrip thanked the community for the opportunity to serve again and welcomed Mr. Wohlford to the team. Mrs. Artrip thanked Craig for all he has done to date and commended staff on excellent communication. Mrs. Artrip thanked Sgt. Hite for her presentation and stated that she knows Ms. Skelton will do an excellent job presenting the Transit Budget. Mayor Horton stated is was great to get together last week for a planning work session. Mayor Horton discussed the record investment in Radford and upcoming events like the Chamber Gala and Polar Plunge. Mayor Horton thanked all for their hard work and commended staff on a job well done. Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m. seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk