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City Manager reports state review of Radford’s fiscal distress; council rents vactor truck and enters executive session on property, agreements and litigation
Summary
City Manager Todd Meredith told the council staff has submitted materials to the Auditor of Public Accounts and that the Virginia Commission on Local Government discussed Radford’s fiscal distress; council authorized a short‑term Vactor truck rental (about $4,500/week), noted Grove Avenue water main work funded through CDBG, and convened an executive session to discuss the Armory property, a REDI agreement, consulting services procurement and revenue‑sharing litigation, later certifying the closed session.
City Manager Todd Meredith updated Radford City Council on May 11 that staff has submitted documentation to the Auditor of Public Accounts and that the Virginia Commission on Local Government held a meeting regarding the city’s fiscal distress status. Meredith said he has reached out to state officials for further updates.
Meredith also announced several operational matters: repairs to the walking trail in Bissett Park, City Office closures on May 22 and May 25 for Memorial Day, and the plan to rent a Vactor truck while the city’s unit is being repaired in Richmond. Meredith reported the rental option chosen was the lowest quote and estimated the rental cost at about $4,500 per week. He noted the city's sewer‑line maintenance schedule requires weekly access to a Vactor and that weekly rental blocks are necessary to meet operational needs.
The Water/Wastewater Department will close both directions of the 1800 block of Grove Avenue from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on May 12, with partial closures planned for May 13, to allow a 12‑inch water main replacement funded through CDBG. Meredith said this work is part of the planned PY2026 projects.
During council comments, Council Member Guy Wohlford linked the city's financial situation with a past decision to remove prayer from the council agenda and urged citizens to pray for the city's restoration of blessings. Mayor Raymond David Horton responded that he disagreed that blessings had been removed and said faith is practiced in many ways, noting he has prayed at council meetings; both remarks were recorded as part of council comment and not associated with formal council action.
The council then convened a closed meeting under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(3),(A)(6) and (A)(7) to discuss the potential acquisition/disposition of the Armory building, a REDI agreement, procuring consulting services (investment of public funds) and revenue‑sharing litigation briefings. After returning to open session the council certified that only the listed matters were discussed and adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Next steps: city staff will follow up with state officials regarding the fiscal distress review, execute rental arrangements for the Vactor truck as needed, and proceed with the Grove Avenue water main replacement on the announced dates.
