City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. March 10, 2025 Radford, Virginia BUDGET WORK SESSION The work session of the Radford City Council was convened at 6:00 p.m. on March 10, 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, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Mr. Guy Wohlford participated remotely due to vacation. REMOTE PARTICIAPTION: Mr. Wohlford stated that he was on vacation on Kiawah Island, SC. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to allow Mr. Wohlford to participate remotely, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Special Events SUMMARY: The City of Radford hosts several special events throughout the year including the Spirit of America Celebration and Easter Egg hunt. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to not have the Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Concert Series, and Spirit of America event, but to just have fireworks, as there are sponsored, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: F.Y. 2025 Budget Reduction SUMMARY: The City of Radford is considering $941,000 in budget reductions to the current year budget from various departments. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adopt the $941,000 budget cuts listed below, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. Public Works $325,000 Information Technology $229,000 Library $72,000 Fire/Rescue $53,000 Economic Development $30,000 Outside Agencies $25,000 Parks & Recreation $20,000 Engineering $20,000 Police $10,000 Property Maintenance $20,000 Tourism $12,000 Total General Fund $816,000 Water and Sewer Fund $10,000 Electric Fund $115,000 Total FY 2025 Budget Reductions $941,000 VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 SUBJECT: Cutting Hours SUMMARY: The City of Radford has decided to cut hours at facilities. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to cut the Recreation Center hours from 89 to 81 a week, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. March 10, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 13 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on March 10, 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, and Ms. Kellie Artrip. Mr. Guy Wohlford participated remotely due to illness. Others present were as follows: Mr. Craig Meadows, Interim City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director REMOTE PARTICIAPTION: Mr. Wohlford stated that he was on vacation on Kiawah Island, SC. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to allow Mr. Wohlford to participate remotely, Ms. Foster seconded that motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 MINUTES APPROVAL: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Sean Jesse stated that he appreciates all that Council is doing, but commented on how high his electric bill was last month and how nothing has changed in his home. Mr. Jesse stated something needed to be done before people have to move to afford to live. Mr. Jesse stated he loves this City and does not want to move, but Council needs to look at cutting positions and costs before rates go up even more. Ms. Carol Colby spoke about how she knows the City is undergoing tough times, but came to speak in support of the library and how libraries are perfect third spaces. Ms. Colby spoke about the number of patrons that stop into the library on a weekly basis and all the wonderful programming offered. Ms. Lee Slusher welcomed Mr. Meadows to the team and came to speak on behalf of the library. Ms. Slusher spoke about how she knows this budget is a daunting task, but it is one of three vital hubs in this city and brings people into Radford. All in Radford deserve to enjoy the benefits the City provides and all departments need to do their part to cut from their budgets and decide what they can and cannot live without. Samantha Crenshaw spoke about how she is a graduate of Radford High School and how she used the library after school, as a space to learn and grow and in between extra-curricular activities, she stands firmly in defense of the library. Ms. Laurie Murphy spoke about her time as a resident of Radford for 22 years. She spoke about the squandered opportunities and missed chances to bring in revenue to support and grow the community. Ms. Murphy spoke about how the citizens will be punished for mismanagement by elected officials for years. Ms. Murphy talked about how the library has employees who go above and beyond their paychecks and the space is one that is inviting and vital to the community. Courtney Amos has lived here and used the library for 28 years. It has been a home away from home and as a former library employee she cannot stress enough the kindness and skills the library has taught her. The library is a safe place daily and a constant in her life. Ms. Lisa Bloomer has been a resident for 23 years and raised her children in the library. Started by going to reading programs and progressed to teen programs and one of her children Tommie eventually became the teen liaison for the library. The library offers so much to our community and helps boost the economy please do not take away their hours. Tommie Bloomer feels like she owes so much to the library. She found reading calming and spent much of her childhood and teenage years in the library. There is a lot of work and care that goes into running the library and this is a slippery slope to go down cutting hours from the library. Ms. Sydney Mirabella is still a visitor to the library even though she is no longer a Radford resident. Ms. Mirabelle paints a picture of a teenager who has a chaotic life and the library provides a place of escape and refuge. She speaks about how removing library hours might remove a safe third space for those teens who do not have their own voice in this matter. She asks Council to consider the vulnerable populations and those who do not have a voice in this matter when making this decisions. Ms. Jenny Ayers is the Executive Director of Literacy NRV and a Radford resident. Ms. Ayers spoke on the many programs the Radford Library offers the community and how a reduction in services would impact those who do not have anywhere else to receive those services. Ms. Ayers spoke about how special the Radford library is and that the staff and Director are wonderful serve the community with dignity and respect. Ms. Beth Barber came out in support of the library and ask Council to please not change the library. Ms. Elizabeth Sensabaugh thanked the community for coming out and standing up for the library. Ms. Sensabaugh spoke about the positive impacts the library has had on Radford and gave factual information regarding library hours, programs, and staffing, as well as how state aid is provided to the library and how heavily fundraising from the Lamplighter organization is used to run programs at the Library. Ms. Sensabaugh commented that she knows we all have to do our part to help with the budget process and talked about what a value the library is to our community. Mr. John Nivero spoke about the increase in wholesale power on the electric bill and how something needs to be done with AEP because it is ridiculous what the fees are. Mr. Nivero thanked Council for enlightening the community on the bill itself. Michelle Linheart and her 5 year old son came and asked to please keep the library open normal hours. Ms. Anna Nester came out in support of the library and all it offered her as a new mother in a new community. She spoke about how they are a place that asks for nothing in return, but gives a lot. Mr. Wilson Rankin spoke about all the passion heard here tonight around the library. The job of Council is to fix the slide the City is one, but the library is part of what makes Radford attractive and there needs to be consistency with the hours or those who typically show up will eventually stop coming because of an erosion of trust. Ms. Maria Woods stated that she has been listening to meetings since Council began streaming and she wants to express her support to Council as they have a tough job ahead. Ms. Woods stated that she does not believe this is a cash flow problem and it is time to cut the budget, this is already painful for the city and now it is going to be painful for citizens. Ms. Woods said she does not believe that any area should be exempt from cuts and it is time to cut across the board. Ms. Woods thanked Council for their hard work and dedication. Mr. Bruce Mahan spoke about how the library is a beacon of pride to our City. The library is not a luxury, but rather a place people go because they need something. It is not a positive sign for our community of the library loses services and members of our community need a positive sign. Jay Caren spoke about how we have heard a lot about what the library has been and done, it is an investment in our well being in the investment our community, the tasks to do disappear because you cut hours and therefore the employees will be investing more, not less. Mr. Conner Compton came to speak about the Special Use Permit for Fourth Street and asked Council to consider his request for the permit and to allow for him and his family to be able to begin their lives here and join the community. Annyce Levy stated that Thora Jerry would really be proud of all of you who stood up and supported her dream. Ms. Karen Wills spoke about the petition against the special use permit on Fourth Street. Ms. Wills expressed her concerns regarding the special use permit and why a development on Beverly Street is being used a precedent for the special use permit approval on Fourth Street. Ms. Wills outlined her FOIA requests and responses from the City in her comments. Ms. Monica Sweet thanked the community for their love of the library and that she knows that over Radford there is a dark sky, but dark skies even need stars to light it. Ms. Sweet spoke about how her coworkers at the library are the best in the world. Ms. Madaline spoke in favor of the Special Use Permit and spoke to the fact that the petition that was circulated was done under false pretenses. Madaline spoke about how the traffic would not be an issue because the lot is big enough for two homes, which would impact traffic more. She stated there will be no impacts to green space and that other homes have been approved on Forest Avenue and Second Street in this zoning and please accept the Planning Commissions recommendation to approve this special use permit. COUNCIL RESPONSE: Mr. Wohlford thanked all for coming out and for all the emails and stated Council is going to give critical thought to all the financials and decisions surrounding those. Ms. Artrip thanked everyone for coming out and spoke on how amazing it is to see the community come together. Ms. Artrip stated that Council is facing tough decisions and that they still have to provide the services everyone loves, but nothing is off the table. Ms. Artrip stated she was not stating it had to be a specific day for closing and that Council is not cherry picking the library rather they have to take into account every department and thank about the community as a whole. Ms. Foster stated she is going to save her comments until the budget items on the agenda and thanked everyone for the thoughtful comments and emails and that there is a larger issue that has to be addressed. Mr. Gillespie echoed the comments of Ms. Artrip and said that the library is invaluable, but this has to be a holistic approach to the city and cutting expenses while raising revenues. There are departments down people and balancing the budget means we have to spread out the burden. Mr. Gillespie stated that at this point every decision made is going to have an impact and there is no perfect answer, but Council is willing to talk and listen. Mayor Horton thanked everyone for coming out and stated Council appreciates hearing from you all. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Emergency Management Professionals Week SUMMARY: March 16-22, 2025 is “Emergency Management Professionals Week” in the State of Virginia. The event proclaimed by the Virginia General Assembly and the Virginia Development of Emergency Management is to recognize, honor and show appreciation for the dedication of those that work in the profession of Emergency Management. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Women’s History Month SUMMARY: The month of March is nationally recognized as “Women’s History Month”. The designation highlights the historic and ongoing critical roles that women have made to the economy, cultural and social progress, the leadership, workforce, the military, as well as equal opportunity. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None PUBLIC HEARING: Shentel Franchise Agreement SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a request from Shentel Cable to renew their franchise agreement with the City. A public hearing has been scheduled and advertised as required for renewal of the Franchise Agreement. Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 8:25 Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 8:26 **The public hearing has been advertised as required** OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Ordinance 1813-Franchise Consideration: Shentel Cable SUMMARY: The City of Radford received a request from Shentel Cable to renew their franchise agreement with the City. The request is to conduct, maintain, replace, repair and operate a system of cable network services and transmission within the City along roadways, easements, alleyways and on public grounds. The agreement term proposal is for a period of 10 years and includes a Pole Attachment Agreement for $30/ pole annually. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Ordinance 1813 on the first reading, Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1813, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 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 public hearing with the Planning Commission was held on February 10, 2025. Planning Commission met on February 19, 2025 and March 3, 2025 and recommended to move forward with the rezoning request. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to receive the report of the Planning Commission, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mayor Horton NAYES: Mr. Wohlford NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: East Main Sidewalk Project SUMMARY The City applied for VDOT funding to construct a sidewalk along East Main Street from University Drive to Jefferson Street. One bid was received for the project and came in under the initial estimated cost for the project. E.C. Pace Company, Inc. had the lowest bid at the cost of $557,846.00. Eighty Percent (80%) of the funds for the project will be provided by the VDOT Transportation Alternative program. Work will begin in late Spring, 2025. ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to award the bid to E.C. Pace Company, Inc., Ms. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.22 SUMMARY The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) awarded a $3.5 million dollar grant to the City of Radford to support the removal of contaminated soil and concrete on the Foundry site. ACTION: Ms. Artrip made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.22 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 1802.22, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Budget Related Action Items SUMMARY: City Council met on March, 3, 2025 and proposed several budget related action items to cut expenses ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to cut the library hours by four a week, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, NAYES: Mayor Horton CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows stated that we are in the heart of budget season and there will be a meeting every Monday through April 21. Mr. Meadows stated the new Parks and Recreation Director will be beginning his position on March 17 and we are excited to have him on board. Mr. Meadows concluded by stating that we are a proud community and there are going to be difficult decisions and differences of opinion as we move through the budget but cautioned all to make sure that you have accurate information. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gillespie thanked staff for putting in countless hours and stated that Council is committed to making this City the best it can be and thanked all for coming out again, our City cares and that is a good thing. Ms. Foster spoke about her various committee meetings from the Chamber Board and their upcoming Golf tournament to the Amphitheatre meeting, where the City laid out the position to not fund the amphitheater at this point. Ms. Foster thanked the mayor for participating in the Polar Plunge and told all to be on the lookout for information on the Field of Honor. Ms. Foster concluded by stating the Heritage Foundation will have their RCPS Art Show on display beginning March 19. Ms. Artrip thanked all for coming out tonight and that Council has to make tough decisions that they are not taking lightly. Ms. Artrip gave an update from the Joint Commission meeting where enrollment at the University is up, retention is up, and there is a 166 percent growth in the number of RHS students attending RU. Ms. Artrip stated that Community Fest is scheduled for August 23. Mayor Horton thanked all for coming to speak and said that he appreciates everyone coming out. Mayor Horton stated it is not easy to serve in these roles, but Radford is going to be fine and we are going to move forward together. Mayor Horton commented on the Polar Plunge and the 100,000 dollars raised, as well as the money raised by Curtis Crawford at WPSK for St. Jude’s research hospital. Mayor Horton concluded by saying we are the heart of the NRV and it shows as we support each other. Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk