City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. July 14, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 1 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2025-2026 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on July 14, 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 Mr. Todd Meredith, Incoming City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director, Deputy City Clerk MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve the minutes of June 17, 2025 as presented, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Tyler Lyons, Radford citizen brought his concerns regarding the continued increase in rent within the city and would like to know if there is anything that City Council or Manager can do to help keep the rentals affordable. Beth Barber – Ask about placement of a shelter on Midkiff Lane at Riverbed Apartments. There is currently one that is not being used that could be relocated to that location. She also stated that when she was dependent on transit that there was a fee to ride, either 1 per ride or you could purchase a monthly pass. Mayor Horton shared that quality affordable housing is a challenge for the entire Commonwealth, Nationally and throughout the New River Valley. He shared he sits on the Regional Commission and they have been working with the Housing Trust to try to help figure out some of the affordable housing pieces. He stated that he City of Radford does not have rent control abilities. He thanked them for coming before them this evening. Mrs. Foster thanked them for coming and providing their insight. She stated finding rental at all is challenging and it truly is up to supply and demand. She shared that there is not a lot of supply and what we do have is highly sought after. She thanked them coming here and understands that the challenge is real and citizens are facing and they will turn every stone to look at ways to provide for affordable housing. Mayor Horton added that we stopped taking fares during COVID. And we are able to get reimbursement from the State and able to provide service to everyone. Mr. Gillespie shared as we move forward and have cost savings from condensing some of the routes, we can look at using those savings to offset the cost of amenities. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Resolution – Opioid Abatement SUMMARY: The City’s outside legal counsel (OLC) in the opioid litigation has identified several “artifact defendants,” whose role in the opioid litigation was smaller in scope. OLC has been attempting to settle claims with these defendants so that its resources may be focused on the larger claims against other defendants. Henry Schein and its affiliated companies are considered “artifact” defendants. The resolution authorizes the City’s OLC to extend a settlement offer of $450,000 (for all claims, not just the City’s) to Henry Schein and its affiliated companies. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the resolution, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Water Plant – Chemical Bids SUMMARY: The Water Treatment Plant has received bids for one of the significant chemicals, Poly Aluminum Chloride, used as a coagulant in our treatment process of portable water. Suppliers of this chemical are very limited. We received a bid from Kemira for $0.353/liquid pound and a bid from USALCO for $0.325/liquid pound. The cost for these chemicals is included as part of the F.Y. 2026 annual budget. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the award of the bid on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Resolution- Declaration of Local Emergency SUMMARY: The City of Radford sustained damage from a line of severe storms that dropped more than 5 inches of rain in under ninety minutes on June 26, 2025. The Interim City Manager declared a Local Emergency, to help the City be eligible for and Federal and State funding for repairs, should funding become available. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve the resolution, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Resolution – Delinquent Accounts SUMMARY: The Treasurer completed a write off for delinquent/uncollectable accounts at the end of Fiscal Year 25. The write-offs included aging utility accounts associated with water, electric, sanitary sewer and sanitation billing. A Resolution has been prepared that addresses the formal procedure for the proper disposition of uncollectable accounts. The Resolution authorizes the Treasurer to write-off any fees or charges associated with utility accounts that are deemed uncollectable after five years from the date the payment was due. Mayor Horton shared he is in favor of them moving forward with this at some point, but right now he needs more information to better understand why some of the accounts were uncollectible. He added that it is a large amount of money that we would like to at least make sure they've done their due diligence before moving forward. Mr. Wohlford asked if they know what kind of fee they were looking to have written off? Mr. Meadows apologized for not getting them all that information prior to this meeting as he was out all last week, the total amount that looking to write off is about $952,000. He shared that the reason the number is so large is that there are two categories of write offs. One is general billings, that include items like miscellaneous garbage charges, water charges, pole rentals, charges for city damages. These items have been billed but for one reason or another never been collected. These accounts have been accumulating since at least fiscal year 2008. The auditors have pointed out that if you're not collecting them, you simply need to write them off, that there's no point in carrying accounts for collection that you're just not going to collect. The other portion of fees that are need to be written off are utility bills that are older than two years old. If they're less than 24 months old, there's still a reasonable assumption that they have the potential to be collected. However, once they go past 24 months, it's the auditor's recommendation, to write them off. Mr. Wohlford What's the process and whose responsibility is it to go after the money legally? Mr. Meadows responded the treasurer. Mr. Wohlford asked if they have any control? Mr. Meadows responded not in the way things are currently structured. Mr. Gillespie asked if Mr. Meadows could tell them more about the policies and procedures that council should consider so that they have a record of what is out there what efforts are being made to collect. Mr. Meadows shared that this should have been dealt with one way or the other over the years, if it's truly uncollectible. He added that audit practices you typically write things off when it's older than five years. Mr. Meadows emphasized they are not real estate taxes; they cannot be written off. Those stay on the books until they are either collected or otherwise disposed of. Mr. Gillespie asked if he know how many uncollected real estate taxes there were? Mr. Meadows responded no. He stated that there's got to be some process for some accountability with regards to reporting to the council. The treasurer’s office receives some funds from the city to support positions and operations. There there's got to be some accountability for how those fees and charges are being collected, especially the utility fees. Mayor Horton again said that he agrees with the concept but would like to see a breakdown of out what they are authorizing to be written off, what years are they from, what efforts have been made to collect them? There may have been efforts that they unaware of. But in his opinion, council need to be informed before moving forward with any action. Both Mr. Wohlford and Mr. Gillespie agreed. Mr. Meadows commended Chelista for moving this along, as this has been a recurring issue with the auditors every year, with the old delinquent accounts languishing on the city's books. They do need to be written off to clean that up. Mrs. Foster said she would like to see a better breakdown of what those accounts look like because there is a difference between someone's that is deceased versus someone that moved out of the community. She agrees there needs to be accountability because that money needs to go into the budget to run the community and it is the community money. And also get an idea of what their process is and how they can remedy that so they can get some of these payments brought in. Mrs. Artrip shared she definitely wants to see the due diligence and what’s broken down? Is this something that all communities deal with? Is this a really high number? And she wants some accountability and would like know at least on a quarterly basis what this number is and how it's being managed. Mr. Meadows responded that one of the reason’s the number is as big as it is because the general receivables have not been written off since at least 2008. So when you accumulate 14, 15, 16 years of this it’s going to skew the number. So that needs to come off. But then you need a process every quarter or every year of where they are on the receivables. Mrs. Artrip suggested that looking at a five year comparable with other municipalities, to see if we are higher than everybody else's and why that is. Is it because of their process or lack of due diligence? She asked if could six sigma fix the issue? Council agreed to put it on the agenda for their next meeting. ACTION: Paused until the next meeting SUBJECT: Radford Community Fest Street Closure SUMMARY: Radford Community Fest will be held on August 23, 2025 and will take place on East Main Street between Tyler Avenue and Third Avenue. The Community Fest chairs have requested East Main Street be closed that day for the event. Melissa Skelton serves as the City’s Co-Chair and will be present if there are any questions. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve the street closure on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CONSENT AGENDA SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.01 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has been awarded the PSAP GIS Data Management Grant from VDEM for FY26 in the amount of $8,000. This grant is made available to pay for GIS software programs and data maintenance costs related to GIS data layers critical for Next Generation 9-1-1. There is no local match required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.02 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has been awarded the Individual PSAP Education Program (PEP) grant from VDEM for FY26 in the amount of $4,000. This grant is made available to pay for 9-1-1 and GIS education training opportunities. There is no local match required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.03 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has been awarded the Office of First Responder Wellness grant from DCJS for FY26 in the amount of $26,178. This grant provides funding for therapeutic equipment that enhances physical and mental wellness of first responders. There is no local match required. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.04 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department received a grant in the amount of $75,306 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Service. The funds are to be used to support the School Resource Officer Program at Belle Heth Elementary School. The funds are for salary related items for one School Resource Officer. A local match of $14,973 is required and can be accommodated from the existing departmental Budget. The grant funds were not programmed in the development of the F.Y. 2026 Budget, therefore requiring appropriation. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.05 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has been awarded the Shared Services Call Handling Equipment Grant from VDEM for FY26 in the amount of $300,000. This grant is made available to pay for costs incurred in the upgrade of call handling equipment for the 9-1-1 center. This equipment is utilized to process administrative and 9-1-1 phone lines and is integral in the operations of a 9-1-1 center. Currently Radford City Communications is operating on equipment that is 7 years old and reaching the recommended end of service life. This upgrade would not only replace aging equipment but also allow access to newer technologies that enhance the capabilities and resiliency of the 9-1-1 center. The total cost of this project is $371,460 over a 5- year period. The grant funds can be utilized in the initial purchase of the equipment and will cover the first year of costs. The remaining $71,460 can be paid annually over years 2-5 of the contract. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1814.06 SUMMARY: The Radford City Police Department has been awarded funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services Operation Ceasefire Grant Program in the amount of $130,855. This grant provides funds from the state to support localities in their use of technology that aid in the reduction of violent crime within the Commonwealth. The Police Department is seeking to utilize the funds to purchase an Integrated Ballistic Identification System to aid in firearm investigations through the use of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. There is no local match required. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda to include Appropriation Ordinance’s 1814.01 thru 1814.06 on the first reading, Mrs. Foster 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 the Consent Agenda to include Appropriation Ordinance’s 1814.01 thru 1814.06, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows shared he wanted to let them know he had a good conversation with the Public Works Director regarding the flags not being displayed on July 4th and ensured that will not be an issue moving forward. He stated that staff is still assembling a list damages that occurred from the June 26th flash flood and there have been several meeting with FEMA and those reimbursements are proceeding. Mr. Wohlford asked if they were a reason that it won’t proceed. Mr. Meadows responded there is no reason to think it won’t but FEMA can take up to 2 years to get reimbursements to communities. He shared that it is his last week as interim, and when he came in January none of them realize the extent of the challenges that they would be facing when they went through the budget process. He said Council made many good decisions and they should be commended for making some of the hard choices that needed to be made in order for Radford to move forward. He said there are still challenges. The financing that occurred a couple weeks ago allowed for the city to pay off the revenue anticipation note and not have to take out another one for FY 2026. Yes, it added some long term debt that has to be paid for over time, but allowed for some breathing room to be able to address some other issues. His goal was to get the city in position to be able to begin pairing down the AEP bills by August. He is hoping before he wraps up to get an understanding of revenue collections and how things are being billed. They have made good steps but for some reason the pieces are not lining up. He took a moment to share that yes the finances are a challenge but there is so much community pride in Radford, and it is distressing that there is a segments of the community that is hyper critical, you are either pulling together or pulling apart. Radford needs to pull together and needs to support the elected officials. Staff is very thin. He shared that is not a criticism. It's just where Radford is as a community. But there are a lot of good people working hard for this city. Staff is committed to working with council and knows that Council committed to working with staff. You just need to pull together and if you are one that wants to pull apart, then he thinks they should probably be looking elsewhere, because why are they here to start with? COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Gillespie thanked Craig for his friendship and guidance and for helping them to point the city in the right direction and for setting Todd up for success. He shared that he hoped everyone had a good July 4th. We were able to have an anonymous donor to help with fireworks and ran into Dan McKinney who shared that all the businesses had good night. He wanted to thank city staff for their quick response to the flash flood and is hopeful that there is not extensive damage. He shared he was able to celebrate Meg and Garrett’s 39 years in business and congratulations to her and all of Radford businesses. He provided an update on West Radford Commerce Park, a bid was accepted to remove the concrete pad and looks like there will be some cost savings. He thanked Kim and the EDA for keeping that moving along. He welcomed Todd and shared they are really excited to get to work with him. Mr. Wohlford asked the citizens to pray for Todd as he begins this next phase and to pray for those of them on council. He thanked Jenni for her time with the City, she’s accepted a position at Virginia Tech, it a great opportunity for her to grow professionally. Her last day will be August 8th. He thanked Craig for all he has done to help the city and its been a pleasure to work with him. Mrs. Foster reminded everyone that the Mary Draper Ingles Festival is July 25-27. The Chamber is holding a 5 after 5 on July 22nd, there will be food, golf and fellowship. She thanked Chief Holdaway for taking her around to see firsthand the flooding, there was so much damage in a small amount of time. She shared she had a Department of Social Service meeting, and had overall savings this year, though there will be a request for funds that needs to be allocated to CMPT. She shared attended Angie Covey retirement party from NRCC. She thanked Craig, for his hard work, transparency and understands it wasn’t easy for him but appreciates all the work he did. She is excited for Todd to come on board and look forward to working with him. She added this was probably the best batch of resumes she has ever seen. Mrs. Artrip shared that the joint commission meeting is looking at a more strategic collaboration and has asked a representative from RU to come to their August meeting for presentation to share what they have to offer our community. She took a moment to thanked Morgan Griffith for his attendance at a luncheon. And to Sargent Mansdoerfer for writing the grants for PD. She could not thank Craig enough for all his work and take his time. She appreciates his comment about the community and that we are resilient and vibrant, and need to work together and not pull apart. There are a lot of people who were appreciative and many who just want to complain. They are doing everything they can do to provide for the community and continues to be thankful for council and the employees who are working much harder and thankful for them who are staying. Mrs. Artrip added that Todd is going to be a huge asset to the city and going to help us move forward. She shared her excitement towards the upcoming Community Fest and hopes to have a more in depth presentation on what to be expected at their next meeting. Mayor Horton shared the Mary Draper Ingles festival at end of the month, this festival has been designated by the Commonwealth and is appreciative for the Hershberger’s who helped with that. Last Thursday the Heritage Foundation held a forum where they delved into Mary’s story. He reminded everyone that next Wednesday, July 23rd the Sheriff’s department will have a summer camp down at the park. There is still space available. He thanked those who helped with our Independence Day. He reminded folks that Radford Public Library holds lots of activities. There is something every week for the entire family. He looks forward to Todd’s leadership. He asked the community to give them a chance to make that difference and with the leadership and staff we have opportunity to do wonderful things to move the city forward and we all will benefit. Mr. Gillespie made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Artrip to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; and evaluation of performance of departments, under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1). VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the closed meeting, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to re-convene the regular meeting Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING: Mayor Horton made a motion that Council did not discuss anything in the closed meeting other than the item for which it was convened, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 Mayor Horton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:01pm, seconded by Mr. Gillespie. VOTE: AYES: Ms. Artrip, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, Deputy City Clerk