City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. April 28, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 18 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on April 28, 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 Webb, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Fleischer spoke about how hard times tends to show people’s character. He spoke about a citizen volunteer group to help within Radford during tough times an thanked Council and the staff for all their hard work. Mr. Duncan asked for clarification on what the Treasurer thought Council was doing that was dishonest. Mayor Horton responded with it was an upgrade to a new accounting system, which will cost money. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Cities, Towns and Villages Month SUMMARY: The month of May was recognized as “National Cities, Towns & Villages Month.” The Proclamation commemorated the strength of local leadership, the influence of the impact of local programs and operations on communities, and recognized that local governments are the bedrock of democracy. The Proclamation was promoted by the National League of Cities. ACTION: Mrs. 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 OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Ordinance 1816-Ordinance to Amend 1813 SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2026 Budget was supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1816 is an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 1813 clarifying effective dates on the tax rate. The council approved Ordinance 1813 establishing the rates on April 21, 2025; however, the effective dates for the rates need to be clarified. The tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property, Machinery and Tools were set on an annual basis, effective January 1, 2025, while Meals and Hotel Occupancy Tax were set to begin on July 1, 2025, concurrent with the fiscal year. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Ordinance 1816 on the first reading, Mr. Wohlford 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 Ordinance 1816, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Chamber of Commerce SUMMARY: The Radford Chamber of Commerce provided a proposed memorandum of understanding for the City of Radford for F.Y. 2026. Generally, the services included assistance in economic development, involvement in local government initiatives, fostering of communication, “Festival of Lights” support, promotion of Radford tourism and businesses, and increased marketing. A report was provided at the meeting. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to decrease in funding from 18 to 14, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: The Glades SUMMARY: City Council approved the purchase agreement for the sale of a 21.473-acre lot to Golden Triangle on November 12, 2024. Golden Triangle requested to subdivide the 21.473-acre property to allow for development of 55 single family homes. The subdivision lots met the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission met on April 21, 2025 and recommended that Council approve the Subdivision Plat. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to, Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY: Appointments were needed to Onward NRV’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Kim Repass served on both the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, while Abram Williams served on the Board of Directors. An appointment for an alternate to Pepper’s Ferry is also needed. ACTION: Mr. Wohflord made a motion to appoint Mr. Wade Vanoy to the Pepper’s Ferry Board and Ms. Repass and Mr. Williams to Onward NRV, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.28 SUMMARY: The Sheriff’s Office Tasers were approaching expiration for operation. The department was awarded a $36,448 grant through DCJS to cover the cost of upgrading the equipment. The grant required a local match of $12,149, which was funded through NRVCS. The total amount of funding is $48,597. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.28 on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.28, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows spoke about a good visit with FEMA, the upcoming Blue Ridge Power Agency annual conference, and thanked Council for their hard work through the difficult budget season and commented on how well they came together to move Radford forward. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mrs. Artrip thanked Mr. McKinney and several members of staff including the Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, and Craig for all their hard work. Mrs. Foster comments on various events she has recently attended from the Red and White Gala to the ACCE program banquet. She mentioned that we need to be looking to see what other communities are doing downtown, as well as work on getting the Tourism Board back running and corporate tours happening again. Mrs. Foster mentioned seeking sponsors to host local concerts and that we need to use the time and energy of communities members willing to invest in Radford. Mr. Gillespie echoed the comments of everyone else and reminded staff of the opportunity to attend Blue Gorilla for free in the month of May. Mr. Gillespie stated it has been a long and challenging few months, but the ground work has been done and Council will continue to work to move Radford forward. Mr. Gillespie spoke about the cuts and thanked the manager for his efforts to get Council to a balanced budget with cuts and revenue generation. Mr. Gillespie stated Council has nothing to hide and it might be time for a forensic audit, it is time to turn the page, come together and build for the days ahead. Mr. Wohlford said ditto to all the above. Mayor Horton commented on the upcoming Commencement at Radford, as well as all the upcoming Chamber events. Mayor Horton commented that Council and the community have come together and need to continue to do so to support Radford and move forward. There are wonderful things happening in our community! Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Webb, City Clerk