Council confirms appointments to New River Valley Housing Trust, passenger rail authority and City-University joint commission

Radford City Council made several appointments to regional and joint boards during its first regular meeting of 2025.

The council nominated and approved Councilmember Melissa (Skelton) to serve as Radford’s representative to the New River Valley Housing Trust and as the home consortium representative; Mayor Warren noted that Melissa Skelton has been serving in that role and that the trust will support bringing housing units into the city over the next several years. The motion to confirm Melissa passed by voice vote.

Council also approved nominations that designate the city manager’s designee to serve on the New River Valley Passenger Rail Authority and as the city manager’s designee to the City-University Joint Commission; the motions passed by voice vote. The council’s action allows the interim city manager, Craig Meadows, to serve or to name a designee for the passenger rail authority and the City-University Joint Commission.

In addition, council moved and approved a motion to appoint Jenny Webb to the City-University Joint Commission; the motion passed by voice vote. The council discussed the value of including an additional city representative to improve transparency and communication on joint commission matters.

Council also noted that a planning commission seat vacated by former councilmember Charley Cosmatto remains to be filled; council members said they would bring nominations to a future meeting.