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Radford council tables $128,686 REDI grant for Highlander Hotel after ethics disclosure
Summary
The council delayed action on a $128,686 Real Estate Development Initiative (REDI) grant for the Highlander Hotel until June after the mayor disclosed a potential conflict involving Radford University and the Radford University Foundation; the EDA confirmed the project met its performance agreement but has had no further discussions.
Mayor Horton disclosed a potential conflict of interest before discussion of a REDI (Real Estate Development Initiative) grant for the Highlander Hotel and the City Council voted to table action until the June meeting.
The mayor said she works for Radford University, receives a salary above $5,000 and that the Radford University Foundation received funds from the university related to the hotel project. She told the council she had checked with the state council on ethics and conflict of interest and concluded she could participate in the discussion because she received no direct financial benefit and the payments did not affect her salary. The disclosure came before consideration of a request that the city appropriate $128,686.37 for grant year two under a performance agreement dated Jan. 1, 2023.
Jeff Cumberland, a member of the Economic Development Authority (EDA), told council the EDA’s review found the Highlander Hotel had met the requirements of its performance agreement but said the EDA had not engaged in further discussion with the Radford University Foundation after that finding. Council members said staff and the EDA would continue conversations with the foundation and the developer.
Council moved, seconded and approved a motion to table formal action; the item will be reconsidered at the June meeting. No formal vote tally by name was recorded in the transcript. Council members said they wanted more time for negotiations given the city’s fiscal constraints and ongoing communications among the parties.
The council’s discussion separated three things: (1) factual findings from the EDA that the performance agreement conditions had been met; (2) continued negotiation and information-gathering by staff with the Radford University Foundation and the developer; and (3) the formal decision, which was deferred to the next meeting. The mayor said she would not indefinitely delay a final vote when it next appears on the agenda.
