City Council

The "New River" City JO Robertson St. September 22, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 4 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2025-2026 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on September 22, 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. Todd Meredith, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes of September 8, 2025, as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Carla Howard brought a complaint towards council regarding Radford City Department of Social Services. She made allegations that DSS kidnapped her children and illegally spent money on outside attorneys. Bill Fliesher - citizen, shared his concerns regarding Radford becoming a magnet for low-income people and homelessness and how Radford has a disproportional amount section 8 housing. He shared that people are living in abandoned homes, and they are not going to operate within the law. Matt Hicks- property owner, shared he would speak later during the public hearing on 212 Third Ave. Mayor Horton asked the City Attorney if someone had a concern regarding Social Services, is there a process for their concerns to be addressed? Mike Bedsaul responded that yes there is a process, but it would not be with City Council, they would have to go to State DSS. And there is strict confidentiality due to the nature of the situation. Mayor Horton shared that Radford police have done a wonderful job with homelessness, and it is not unique to the city and are doing our best to address the issues. Mrs. Artrip shared we are all very aware of the homeless situation, there is a subcommittee from PD and it is on their radar and making sure entities are being held accountable, along with doing everything they can to ensure citizens are safe. SUBJECT: Proclamation - Public Power Week SUMMARY: The week of October 5, 2025, through October 11, 2025, is Public Power Week. The week is established nationally to recognize our electric employees, the importance of power in building strong communities, the 2000 community-owned utilities across the country, as well as the significance of reliable power. The proposed Proclamation recognizes the significance of the week locally. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve the proclamation; Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Proclamation - Fire Prevention Week SUMMARY: The week of October 5, 2025, through October 11, 2025, is Nationally recognized as "Fire Prevention Week". The proposed Proclamation locally endorses "Fire Prevention Week in Radford". The proposed Proclamation encourages recognition of this important week by promoting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as fire safety at home, at work, in our schools and in our forests. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve the proclamation, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Proclamation - Arts and Humanities Week SUMMARY: The Month of October is nationally designated as "Arts and Humanities Month". The designation recognizes the importance of the arts in the economy, quality of life, civic life, tourism, education and entertainment. The local proclamation recognizes this importance the arts and humanities have on our community. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve the proclamation, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: SUBJECT: PY 24 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that a "Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report" (CAPER) for the City of Radford be available for public comment. The F.Y. 2024-2025 report has been prepared, as required, and illustrates project funding for emerging home repairs, water, sewer and stormwater improvements, sub-recipients, beautification enhancements, homeless intervention programs, as well as economic development enhancement. Total expended during Program Year 2024, including prior year activities is $263,949.07 in Community Development Block Grant funding. **Clerks Note: The public hearing has been advertised as required.** Mayor Horton opened the public hearing at 7:39pm. No Comments Mayor Horton closed the public hearing at 7:39pm. Mr. Logwood responded, no she would not. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to ratify and approve the form and authorize the City Manager and Tim Logwood as designated representatives to sign and execute the agreement, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: Mrs. Artrip, YES Mrs. Foster YES Mr. Gillespie YES Mr. Wohlford YES Mayor Horton YES SUBJECT: West Radford Commerce Park Ordinance# 1822 - General Obligation Note SUMMARY: The maximum principal amount of the Notes is estimated to be $750,000 and the purposes of and proposed uses for which more than ten percent of the proceeds of the Notes are expected to be used is to provide funds to pay for costs of development of the West Radford Commerce Park and cost of issuance of the Notes. Mr. Gillespie asked for confirmation that once they exercise their right and get money there will be a separate account for this money. Mr. Meredith recommended Council make that recommendation within their motion for approval. Mr. Artrip stated she wanted updates on all withdrawals against this account as they happen. Along with updates on all restricted accounts. Mr. Bedsaul shared that Mr. Sanderson, a representative of Davenport was here to go over five different financing options that are available to the city, and needs direction from city council as to which of these five options will be approved on behalf of the city. Mr. Sanderson discussed the options in interest rates based off of prepayment options they choose to select. The interest rate ranges from 5.53%-6.13 %. The lower the interest rate is a non-callable loan, the higher interest rate is because it can be called after 12 months with no penalty. He suggested using the shorter callable and that would provide the city with some flexibility. He anticipates the closing to be by the end of the month. Mr. Gillespie asked, "Would they be able to renegotiate if the Fed continued to lower the interest rate? Mr. Sanderson responded no. He said that the Fed moving the short-term rates doesn't impact these longer terms. Council discussed the options Mr. Sanderson provided. ACTION: Mrs. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance# 1822, with a callable on or after two years authorizing the issuance and sale of a taxable general obligation note with the restriction that it be placed in a separate restricted account., Mrs. 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 approve Ordinance# 1822 on its second reading, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: West Radford Commerce Park Ordinance- Award the Bid for Transformer ACTION: Council deferred awarding the bid until another meeting. SUBJECT: Appointment to Boards and Commissions- Parks and Recreation Commission SUMMARY: The Recreation Commission has a vacancy with the passing of one of their members. ACTION: Request to Advertise for the vacant position on the Recreation Commission. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1815.10-DMV Vehicle Selective Enforcement SUMMARY: Radford City Police Department has received an Alcohol Safety Grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. This funding is dedicated to supporting selective enforcement efforts focused on alcohol violations and impaired driving. The grant will enhance our enforcement initiatives such as the Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over Campaign, DUI checkpoints, and additional officer coverage during peak alcohol violation times. In addition, the grant will fund the purchase of three Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) devices. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1815.11 - Police Traffic Services SUMMARY: Radford City Police Department has received a Police Traffic Services Grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. This funding will support our ongoing speeding enforcement and traffic safety education efforts. The grant will allow us to place additional officers on duty during peak violation times and purchase important equipment to enhance roadway safety, including: Radars, Portable Speed Bumps and LED Road Flare Kit. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie_made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance's 1815.10 and 1815.11 on the first reading, Mrs. Artrip 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's 1815.10, and 1815 .11 Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: