Votes at a glance: council adopts lease purchase, several appropriations; denies rezoning request

The Radford City Council on the second October meeting approved several measures to fund city operations and equipment while declining a request to rezone 212 Third Avenue.

Council voted to approve a lease-purchase resolution for a replacement fire truck to preserve city cash flow rather than pay cash immediately; staff said a final interest rate will be provided when available. The council took the roll call on the lease resolution; the minutes record the roll as: Councilor Artrip: yes; Councilor Foster: yes; Councilor Gillespie: yes; Councilor Wolford: yes; Mayor Horton: yes. City staff said the rate information will be returned to council when finalized.

Council approved three appropriation ordinances: a $129,410 victim-witness grant (FY25 funds covering a full-time position for Radford and a full-time position in Floyd County), $86,589 from police asset forfeiture funds to support investigations, training, equipment and community education, and $1,324 raised through a police calendar community partnership. According to staff, the victim-witness funds were expended in FY25 and the appropriation is to reconcile the budget.

On unfinished business the council reviewed a rezoning request from New River Community Action to change 212 Third Avenue from B-3 (Central Business) to R-4 (multifamily). The planning commission had voted 6-0 to recommend denial. Council moved to accept the planning commissions recommendation and the rezoning request did not pass.

Other routine actions taken during the meeting included adoption of a proclamation recognizing the Radford Theatres 90th anniversary and appointment of Mike Niebel to the Building Code Board of Appeals.

The council recorded motions and votes by voice vote on several items; where a roll call was held it is noted above. Staff will return with additional financial details for the lease purchase when final interest figures are known.