City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. January 27, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 11 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 27, 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. Craig Meadows, Interim City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE PROCLAMATIONS: SUBJECT: Fall Extra Curricular Championships SUMMARY: The School Board and City Council have established a plan to recognize sport and activity awards in the winter and summer of each year for the 6 previous months of success. The Proclamations recognize the championships, outstanding achievements and awards from July 2024 to December 2024. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the sporting events as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing the band as presented, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: International Holocaust Remembrance Day SUMMARY: International Holocaust Remembrance Day is on January 27, 2025. This day serves as a vital reminder of the consequences of hate and the importance of fostering tolerance and understanding. The Proclamation serves to honor the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were murdered during the Holocaust. It is also a moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to combating antisemitism, hatred, and prejudice in all its forms. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Transit SUMMARY: The City makes an annual application to the Federal Transit Administration for funding to support Radford Transit. Melissa Skelton, Transit Coordinator, presented an overview of the F.Y. 2026 Budget. A public comment period was also available, while a public hearing was not required. There were no comments. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve budget option C, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: An appointment to the Planning Commission is needed to fill the vacated seat by Charlie Cosmato. Mr. Cosmato had two years left on his term. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to appoint Mrs. Rzigalinski to the Planning Commission, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Special Use Permit-2016 Fourth Street SUMMARY: Katrina Compton applied for a Special Use Permit on a parcel known as 2016 Fourth Street, Tax Map #’s 18-(3)-SEC 19 Lots 12&13. The request is to demolish an existing house and to build a duplex. A joint pubic hearing with the Planning Commission needed to be scheduled. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to schedule the public hearing for February 10, 2025, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: 901 Eighth Street SUMMARY: Brame Family Properties, LLC applied for the rezoning on property known as 901 8th Street, Tax Map #’s # 14-(5)-SEC12-6-7; 14-(5)-SEC12-8. The request is to Rezone from a portion of (R-3), Single-Family Residential to (B-1) Limited Business; and a portion from (B-1) Limited Business to (R-3), Single-Family Residential. A joint pubic hearing with the Planning Commission needed to be scheduled. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to schedule the public hearing for February 10, 2025, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.18 SUMMARY The Virginia State Aid to Libraries has increased from $217,942 to $239,757, an increase of $21,815 from the original budget requiring appropriation. The additional funding will be used for books, conferences, supplies, furniture, equipment and salary support for “certified” Librarians. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.18 on the first reading, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.18, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.19 SUMMARY: Funds have been received as donations from a magnetic calendar distribution partnership supported by various businesses and collected by Law Enforcement Partners. RCPD requested Council to appropriate Police Donation Funds that will be utilized to support the Community Engagement Unit for crime prevention and community outreach programs. The amount requested was $1,522.00. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.19 on the first reading, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.19, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None FINANCIAL UPDATE: Mr. Meadows gave a brief update on the City’s financial situation and scheduled a work session for February 18. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows stated that it has been a busy couple of weeks meeting with staff. Mr. Meadows echoed that he is proud of the work employees are doing and that Don’s crews have been working around the clock to repair water lines. Mr. Meadows stated he is enjoying getting to know staff and hopes to get out and about in the field and that it is going to take time but we are going to get the budget sorted out. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mrs. Foster gave an overview of her Boards and Commissions and talked about upcoming events such as the Chamber Gala and Mary Draper Ingles Festival. Mrs. Foster thanked Mr. meadows and Council for the tough conversations and stated we are going to get through it. Mr. Gillespie thanked Mrs. Skelton for all she does with Transit and Planning Commission, thanked Mr. Meadows for the updates and how he has hit the ground running, and thanked the Police Department for all they do, including helping hit remove a deer from his fence. Mr. Gillespie congratulated the bobcats and reminded everyone about the Chamber Gala. Mrs. Artrip also thanked Melissa and Craig, as well as all who have been out in the cold. Mrs. Artrip gave updates on the amphitheater meeting and a joint commission update. Mr. Wohlford spoke about how much of this information is new to him and old to Council, but he is trying to be a sponge and take it all in. Mr. Wohlford discussed the NRVCS board and all they have going on. Mayor Horton discussed how there are many events happening at Radford University that citizens can and should join in on for free. Mayor Horton discussed the budget process and how Council is going to be working hard and be as transparent as possible, as well as being kind going forward as they face hard discussions and decisions. Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at.8:26 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk