Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/22/2024 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, April 22, 2024, 6:30 PM Work Session 5:30 P.M. Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION AMENDED AGENDA 1. Call to Order A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 N. Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on April 24, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice - Mayor; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Todd Sutphin, Director of Streets and Maintenance; A. K. Briele, Director of the Electric Department; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; Dr. Curtis Hicks, Superintendent of Salem City Schools; Mandy Hall, Chief Financial Officer for Salem City Schools; and Dr. Nancy Bradley, Chairman of Salem City School Board. Also in attendance from Madison Energy Infrastructure were Katherine Knight, Director of Strategy and Business Development, and Rich Allevi, Vice President of Energy Solutions; and the following business was transacted; Mayor Turk reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and 2. New Business A. Discussion Items 1) Discussion of Salem City School Division Budget - Superintendent Dr. Curtis Hicks, Salem School Board Chairman Dr. Nancy Bradley, Chief Financial Officer Mandy Hall 2) Solar Project Presentation - Superintendent Dr. Curtis Hicks Katherine Knight, Director of Strategy and Business Development, and Rich Allevi, Vice President of Energy Solutions, both with Madison Energy Infrastructure, shared a presentation with Council on solar possibilities. They shared details of their product and that they are the leading providers of solar energy for schools in Virginia. Technical considerations specific to Salem were noted. Concerns were shared by Mr. Sutphin and Mr. Briele to be taken into account. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss this presentation. Dr. Hicks shared highlights of the progress of Salem City Schools on Math and Reading Standards of Learning (SOL) testing since 2019. Note was made of Salem's progress in relation to other state school systems as well as surrounding systems. Performance in relation to expenditure per student was also shared. Dr. Hicks shared that the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding would expire as of September 30, 2024. These funds have been very instrumental in supplementing student learning over the past few years. He shared highlights from the proposed 2024-2025 budget including Central Office restructuring of positions, student-teacher ratios, and recent grants that had been received. The schools are requesting from Council $885,000 to maintain essential staffing and ensure competitiveness in the region. Discussion was held, and Council questions were responded to. Vice-Mayor Wallace asked Ms. Hall to clarify pay raises for school employees. She stated that no employees in the school system would be receiving a pay raise greater than 4% unless an individual was moving up a step on the pay plan. Anyone not on a step plan or not changing positions would not receive a raise in excess of 4%. It was also noted that the schools were back to a full slate of SOL testing this year. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m. REGULAR SESSION 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia was called to order at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions Mayor Turk noted that the Salem High School Forensics team was with us this evening and that they were scheduled to be recognized later in the program. She indicated that if there was a motion from Council, this could be moved up on the agenda to be recognized first. Randy Foley motioned to amend the agenda to move the resolution for the Salem High School Forensics team to be first on the agenda. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace Mayor Turk shared that Council would like to recognize the Salem High School Forensics team with Resolution 1466 to honor them this evening. She emphasized that this was an unprecedented victory of eighteen consecutive years for the team. She asked that the members of the team and Coach Mark Ingerson come forward. Mayor Turk read Resolution 1466 for those present. City Council expressed congratulations and pictures were taken of the team and Council by Mike Stevens. The team members were each presented with a copy of the resolution and a Salem City Championship pin. Randy Foley motioned to adopt Resolution 1466 honoring the Salem High School Forensics Team for winning the Virginia High School League Championship. H. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing at the same meeting. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed concerns about the Fralin Simms Farm development. These concerns were in relation to adherence to and enforcement of City Code related to this development. Specific current concerns were in relation to occupancy permits and landscaping. Council was requested to resolve the current Fralin issues and to prevent incongruous rezonings. Whitney Leeson, 212 North Broad Street, was the last person to address Council this evening. She expressed, on behalf of herself and her husband, Todd, concerns about the proposed Hope Tree rezoning. They requested that Council vote against the rezoning. She expressed concerns about the scale and density of housing and the Village Center concept. She also spoke of the possibility of utilizing the historic core of Hope Tree for the development of affordable apartments. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the April 8, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes and the April 17, 2024, Special Meeting Budget Work Session minutes. The minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Reports Consider the acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the nine months ending March 2024. The Financial Reports were received. 5. Old Business 6. New Business A. Use Not Provided For Hold public hearing to consider the request of PHC of Virginia, LLC/Acadia Healthcare, Mt Regis Center, property owner, for the amendment of the Use Not Provided For permit to allow additions to the outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment center on the property located at 125 Knotbreak Road, (Tax Map # 148-1-5). (Advertised in the April 11, and 18, 2024, issues of the Salem Times Register.) (Recommend approval; see page 8 -9 of Planning Commission minutes.) STAFF REPORT Mayor Turk opened the public hearing and asked Mr. Simpson if there was any information that he would like to share. Will Simpson explained that at this time with what is being proposed, the applicant would have to account for any increases with storm water management and that will be taken care of at the staff level. John Puvak, 10 Franklin Road, addressed Council as attorney representing Acadia Healthcare. He stated that Bridget Funk, Director of Clinical Services; and Curt Lane, Chief Executive Officer were present this evening. Mr. Puvak explained that the reason for the request was the demand. They currently have 48 beds and are proposing an additional 24 beds. Acadia currently has a 15 - person waiting list per bed. He indicated that this would be a very small -scale expansion of approximately 5,000 feet that would involve building out the wings. He repeated Mr. Simpson's explanation of the need to go through the stormwater process and indicated that parking would be able to be accommodated on-site. Mayor Turk asked to clarify that this would be an extension of two of the existing wings and would add 8 rooms and 24 beds. Mr. Puvak confirmed this information. Vice-Mayor Wallace asked if this would follow the same architectural style of the existing buildings so that it would basically be unnoticeable. Mr. Puvak stated that this was the plan and added that they hoped to begin construction by the end of the year with an approximate 18-month construction process and that the goal was to make it look like it was built with the original building in 2015. Mr. Foley asked Mr. Simpson if issues with the detention pond in the past had been resolved. He noted that some work was necessary as it was not draining properly when the RDG building was built. Mr. Simpson responded that they had not taken into account yet putting in a drainage structure. This is in the long-term plans. The pond that is there currently is an infiltration pond. There have been no overtopping issues since that work was done. Mr. Foley noted issues with mosquitos. Mr. Simpson responded that the Street Department takes steps to deal with this issue. He added for clarification that they already have in place an underground detention facility on their site that they can utilize and expand in addition to the overall regional stormwater pond. In addition, Mr. Simpson noted he believed that one of the original proffers was that the building was required to have a specific architectural style. The additions would also have to keep that certain architectural style. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Randy Foley motioned to approve the request of PHC of Virginia, LLC/Acadia Healthcare, Mt Regis Center, property owner, for the amendment of the Use Not Provided For permit to allow additions to the outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment center on the property located at 125 Knotbreak Road, (Tax Map # 148-1-5). William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace B. Salem High School Forensics Team Consider the adoption of Resolution 1466 honoring the Salem High School Forensics Team for winning the Virginia High School League State Championship. Council amended the agenda order and moved this to the beginning of the meeting and the recognition was made at that point. C. Presentation of Salem School Division Budget Receive presentation from the Chairman of the Salem School Board regarding the 2024-2025 budget pursuant to Section 8.5 of the 1968 Charter of the City of Salem, as amended. Dr. Nancy Bradley, Chairman of the Salem City School Board, on behalf of the Salem City School Board, expressed appreciation to City Council and City Administration for the unwavering collaboration and dedicated service to the Salem community. She noted that the "history of overcoming challenges through collective effort underscores our ability to tackle future endeavors." Dr. Bradley presented the 2025 Fiscal Year proposed budget consisting of the School Fund Budget of $54,500,420; the Grant Fund Budget of $4,001,953; and the Cafeteria Fund Budget in the amount of $2,505,696 for a total budget of $61,008,069. This budget was amended and approved by the School Board on April 9, 2024. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget represents a 7.1% increase over the current year's adopted budget. This is primarily attributed to enhanced state revenue aimed at supporting at-risk and high-need students, as well as facilitating salary increments for all staff members. While this budget presented this evening is based on the Governor's approved budget from December 2023, adjustments will be made as the state budget is finalized. Dr. Bradley pointed out that the needs of students and employees were prioritized during the budgeting process in an effort to provide a competitive salary and benefits package while addressing division requirements. She noted that the current budget represented an imbalance and that an increased local appropriation of $885,000 was being requested. It was noted that changes in the fiscal landscape are anticipated that will require amendments to the budget; however, the School Board will remain steadfast in their commitment to employing proven budget processes and priorities underpinned by collaboration between the School Division and City Administration. She outlined specific budget highlights and charts that were included as attachments in the budget for reference purposes. On behalf of the Salem City School Board, the students, and employees, Dr. Bradley thanked Council for the financial support and commitment to the education of our youth. By law, a balanced budget must be presented to Council by May 1. She also thanked Ms. Hall, Ms. Jordan, Dr. Hicks, and all school division employees for their contributions to the budget development process and their diligent stewardship of federal, state, and local appropriations. She opened the floor to any questions. Mayor Turk noted that no action was necessary on this item this evening . D. Salem City School Board Consider setting date for a public hearing in accordance with Section 22.1-29.1 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, regarding the appointment to fill the unexpired School Board term of Rachel Thompson. (Suggest date of May 28, 2024). Mayor Turk noted that Rachel Thompson was serving as a newly appointed member of the Salem City School Board having begun her term in January. She has recently been appointed a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge and will need to step down from the School Board appointment by July. City Council will be accepting applications. Citizens may go online to get information if they are interested in serving on the School Board. Council will review these applications. The deadline being looked at for receiving these applications is May 28, 2024. The names of anyone that applies will be read out at this public hearing. Mr. Foley clarified that the applicants my speak that evening but are not required to do so. He also noted that this did not have to be an individual that had just applied in the fall but did not receive an appointment. Mayor Turk added that individuals that did apply three months ago will need to reapply. She urged the citizens to spread this information. The purpose tonight is to set the date for the public hearing. Mr. Foley noted that he would like to see a notice up on the City website with information on this for the citizens so that they are aware that this position has come open and know the deadline for applying. William Jones motioned to set the date of May 28, 2024, for a public hearing in accordance with Section 22.1-29.1 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, regarding the appointment to fill the unexpired School Board term of Rachel Thompson. H . Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace E. Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund Program - Mowles Spring Park Authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute documents necessary to finalize a site assessment and planning grant for Mowles Spring Park from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; and appropriate the grant funds received. City Manager Dorsey shared that the landfill had been closed for a number of years, and Assistant City Manager remarked that he believed this had occurred in the early 1990s. City Manager Dorsey noted that the purpose of this grant is basically to analyze this site and explore potential opportunities that may exist there. He has learned that years ago this was greenspace and a park and more recently had been used for an inert landfill. With the knowledge that potential exists for this site, there is nothing concrete in mind at this point. The City just wants to analyze the property while the grant is available. This will deal with things like Phase I Environmental Assessment, landfill condition evaluation, threatened and endangered species, geotechnical evaluation, existing covenants, survey, and plat work. This will enable the City to explore options for what might be done with this site in the future. Mr. Foley added for the public's information that this site contained approximately 300 acres. Randy Foley motioned to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute documents necessary to finalize a site assessment and planning grant for Mowles Spring Park from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; and appropriate the grant funds received. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace 7. Adjournment Mayor Turk shared that the Salem High School Lacrosse team was doing very well. She noted that they are currently ranked 123rd in the Country and 4th in the State and that they are currently undefeated. City Manager Dorsey noted that with Memorial Day being Monday, May 27th that the Council meeting on May 28th will be held on a Tuesday evening. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.