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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/11/2019 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 11, 2019 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on March 11, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., there being present all the members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, Jane W. Johnson, James A. Martin (absent), and John E. Saunders; with Byron Randolph Foley, presiding; together with James E. Taliaferro, II, Interim City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Crystal LaBrie, Assistant to the City Manager; Judy Hough, Deputy City Clerk; and Beth Doughty, Roanoke Regional Partnership; and the following business was transacted: Mayor Foley reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and WHEREAS, Beth Doughty with the Roanoke Regional Partnership gave Council an update regarding Partnership activity for the past year; and WHEREAS, Jay Taliaferro discussed the NovusAgenda software with Council; and WHEREAS, there were no other topics for discussion; and There being no further business to come before the Council, the work session was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, March 11, 2019, 7:30 P M Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.C all to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was called to order at 7:30 p.m., there being present all the members to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, J ane W. J ohnson, Vice-Mayor, C ouncil members: William D. J ones, J ames A. Martin (absent), and J ohn E. Saunders; along with J ames E. Taliaferro, II, Interim C ity Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; J udy L. Hough, Deputy City C lerk; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the February 25, 2019, work session and regular meeting. Accepted as presented 4.New Business A.Taxicabs Hold public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of T HE C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA, and consider issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning April 1, 2019. (Date set for public hearing at February 11, 2019, meeting. Advertised in the February 28, 2019, issue of the Salem Times Register.) Mayor Foley noted that this date had been set at the February 11, 2019, meeting to hold a public hearing regarding the issuance of C ertificates of Public C onvenience and Necessity, and it was advertised in the February 28th issue of the Salem Times Register. Mr. Yost noted as most of Council is aware every year in order to operate in the C ity of Salem, just like every other jurisdiction in Virginia, cab companies have to receive a C ertificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the local governing body. T he process we have in Salem is the company completes a formal written application, and then an investigation is done by the Police Department. T he investigation is on various aspects of the company, but primarily that the automobiles are in good working order and everything is insured. In looking at Officer B. P. Critz's report, it appears that there were no questions or problems with any of the four applicants. He noted the four companies are: East Coast Petroleum and Trading, Inc. trading as C ity Cab; B. Early C ab Service LLC ; Daniel Stephen Reid, trading as Reid Taxi; and Yellow Cab Services of Roanoke, Inc. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak regarding this issue. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. William J ones motioned to award Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning on April 1 to East Coast Petroleum and Trading, Inc. trading as City C ab; B. Early Cab Service LLC; Daniel Stephen Reid, trading as Reid Taxi; and Yellow C ab Services of Roanoke, Inc. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders Absent: Martin B.Opioid Addiction Epidemic Resolution Consider the approval of Resolution 1353 regarding the Opioid Addiction Epidemic in the City of Salem. Mr. Yost noted that C ouncil has some familiarity with this situation. T he C ity of Salem along with a number of other jurisdictions in Virginia has been approached by various law firms. T he group which approached us is represented in Virginia by Kaufman and Canoles, P.C ., which is a large firm that is in various places in Virginia. T hey are in the process of representing numerous jurisdictions in Virginia, and in fact at this point, there are over 40 jurisdictions who have done what is before C ouncil this evening. T hey have retained this firm and the D C law firm of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, to make an examination or determination as to what kind of damages the C ity may have incurred as a result of the Opioid epidemic. T hey will make an investigation to determine what kind of costs we have had from the standpoint of Social Services, Police, Fire, and EMT. Roanoke City and Roanoke C ounty also passed this same resolution in late J anuary of this year so they also will be partners in this litigation. T here is a proposed retainer agreement which is attached to this resolution. He further discussed the retainer agreement and the process with C ouncil. J ane J ohnson motioned to adopt Resolution 1353 regarding the Opioid Addiction Epidemic in the C ity of Salem. William J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders Absent: Martin C .Appropriation of F unds Consider request to appropriate Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (LEMPG) funds. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance C ommittee met this morning to discuss this request. T he C ity of Salem Fire Department was awarded LEMPG funds totaling $13,483 from the Department of Homeland Security, which will be administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Funds will be used to purchase three computers. A 50% local match is required and is provided by in-kind contributions. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends accepting and appropriating the LEMPG funds for the purchase of the computers. William J ones motioned to accept and appropriate the Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (LEMPG) funds for the purchase of the computers. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders Absent: Martin D.Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to fill vacancies on various boards and commissions. William J ones motioned to appoint Reverend C. Todd Hester to the Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Board to fill the unexpired term of David Wells ending December 31, 2019; to reappoint William Q. Mongan to the Economic Development Authority for a four-year term ending March 9, 2023; and to reappoint David G. Brittain to the Real Estate Tax Relief Review Board for a three-year term ending February 14, 2022. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders Absent: Martin 5.C losed Session 6.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.