City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. May 12, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 19 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on May 12, 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, Mrs. Jessie Foster, Mrs. Kellie Artrip, and Mr. Guy Wohlford. Others present were as follows: Mr. Craig Meadows, Interim City Manager Mrs. Jenni Webb, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mrs. Claudia Van Arsdale came and discussed the ongoing problems in Bisset Park as well as the aging conditions of the pavement on the trails. She also addresses the limited hours of the visitor’s center and that the sign says open when no one is there. She stated she has been a citizen for 52 years and wants to help to reduce problems and waste and fix the overall attitude of the city. PRESENTATION SUBJECT: WATER “GOLD AWARD SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Health awarded the Water Treatment Plant a “Gold” award for calendar year 2024. The award recognized best practices in water filtration, clarification and filter backwash. This is our 10th Gold award. A representative from the VDH presented the award with members of our Water Treatment Plant. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Flag Day SUMMARY: Flag Day is June 14, 2025. It is a celebration that commentates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by the Continental Congress. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip 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 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Police Week SUMMARY: The week of May 11-17, 2025 was nationally designated as “Police Week”, to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put their lives in danger each day protecting and serving our communities. A Proclamation was prepared for City Council’s consideration for a local designation recognizing the week as “Police Week”. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: EMS Week SUMMARY: The week of May 18-24, 2025 was nationally designated as “Emergency Medical Services Week”, to honor the men and women who serve in the field of Emergency Medical Services, as well as recognize the importance of out of hospital care, lifesaving skills, training and education. A Proclamation was prepared for City Council’s consideration for a local recognition declaring the week as “Emergency Medical Services Week”. 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 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Public Works Week SUMMARY: The Week of May 18-24, 2025 was nationally designated as “Public Works Week” to honor the men and women who serve in the Public Works sector as engineers, directors, supervisors and employees. The theme for 2025 is “People, Purpose, Presence”. The week highlighted the Public Works services and preparedness related to day to day operational duties and needs associated with repairing and improving transportation facilities, solid waste collection, maintaining public buildings, infrastructure oversight, treating and supplying water and waste water services, as well as maintaining public places, structures and facilities essential to our citizens for public health, quality of life and overall wellbeing. 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 PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Mental Health Month SUMMARY: May was Mental Health Month. The month focused on overall wellness and ways each of us can mitigate the impact of mental health challenges we may face in life by focusing on the components of wellness that are most important to us. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Pride Month SUMMARY: The month of June was nationally recognized as PRIDE month. The proclamation recognized the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York advancing the LGBTQ movement and self- affirmation. 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: Wohlford PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Juneteenth SUMMARY: June 19th was nationally recognized to commemorate African American freedom and the ending of slavery in the United States. The day also emphasized education, achievement, as well as a continued focus on addressing racial injustices in our society. A Proclamation was established to locally recognize the event. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: Military Appreciation Month SUMMARY: May was National Military Appreciation Month, encouraging all citizens to honor current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The proclamation encouraged citizens to express our gratitude and commitment to Radford service members, veterans, and their families who have dedicated their lives in defense of our freedoms. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Discussion REDI Grant SUMMARY: The EDA entered into a Performance Agreement dated January 1, 2023, with the RUF Hotel Land, LLC under the REDI Grant Program. The EDA completed its review of the request and determined the Hotel has met the requirements of the agreement for grant consideration for grant year #2. On February 20, 2025, the EDA passed a motion recommending City Council consider appropriating funds in support of the REDI Grant Program in the amount of $128,686.37. At the March 24, 2025 meeting Council moved to table any action on this item until the May 12, 2025 meeting. Mr. Cumberland spoke on behalf of the EDA and stated that there has been no further discussion between the EDA and Foundation since the initial discussion stating the foundation had met all the requirements outlined in the program agreement. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to table any action until the June meeting, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Recreation Fees SUMMARY: The Radford Recreation Commission proposed several rate increases for F.Y. 2026. They were outlined in the resolution. Parks and Recreation Director Charlie Goens was present for any questions regarding the proposed rate changes. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: CDBG SUMMARY: An amendment to the 2024 Action Plan was required to reallocate funding that was initially to be spent on the East Main Connector Trail. The money was instead spent by the Wastewater department on a sewer line project on Stockton Street. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the 2024 amendment; Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None Program Year 2025 Action Plan Every five years the City was required to submit a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was designed to serve as the framework for identifying housing and community development priorities that aligned with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Each year the Consolidated Plan was carried out through the Annual Action Plan, which provided concise summary of actions, activities, and the specific federal resources that were to be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goal identified in the Consolidated Plan. The P.Y. 2025 plan year projects were based off of the $172,251 that was received in Program Year 2024, with an estimated additional $29,110 rolled over from prior year funding. Projects proposed supported emergency home repairs, a water replacement on Grove Avenue, general administration of the program, as well as agency support for the Women’s Resource Center, New River Community Action, August Kids, Bobcat Back Pack Program, and Radford- Fairlawn Daily Bread. ***No comments were given or received on the Action Plan or the Amendment to the Action Plan.*** ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to endorse the 2025 Action Plan; Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.29 SUMMARY: Each year VRSA distributed Risk Management Grants to members expanding their risk management programs. The funds were used to purchase safety equipment, attend training sessions, and for special educational endeavors aimed at broadening member understanding of governmental management. Radford received $5,000.00 this year. This grant was administered internally by the Safety Committee. The grant was used to fund trainings for the Waste Water Department and water resistant microphones for the Police department. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.29 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. Wohlford made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.29, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows spoke about the work beginning done to transfer the Treasurer’s Office over to Munis software. He reminded Council of the upcoming Ribbon Cutting at the Animal Shelter and that staff is working to identify a date for the June meeting. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mrs. Artrip thanked citizens for coming out and expressing concerns to be passed along to staff. Mrs. Artrip thanked staff for all they do and commented on how the City has the best services and staff. She wished all a Happy Mother’s Day and thanked various members of staff including Charlie Goens, Melissa Skelton, and Janet Jones. Mrs. Foster said ditto the above and gave a rundown of her committee meetings. She remaindered everyone about the Chamber golf outing, and tribute to heroes’ event and thanked council for all the hard work and long hours together. Mr. Gillespie reminded everyone about the Chamber Golf tournament and echoed what had already been said. He spoke about the Brazilian Jujitsu studio ribbon cutting and thanked various members of staff. Mayor Horton congratulated Mr. Gillespie on his brown belt and thanked all for their participation over the last months as things have been busy and challenging, but there is still much good in Radford and more to come! 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