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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/11/2019 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 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 February 11, 2019, at 7:00p.m., there being present all the members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, Jane W. Johnson, James A. Martin, 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; and Courtney Rodgers with Davenport & Company LLC; 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, Courtney Rodgers with Davenport & Company, a financial advisor to the City of Salem, gave Council a presentation regarding the Series 2019 borrowing; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro gave Council some updates; 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 7:23 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, February 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, and J ohn E. Saunders; along with J ames E. Taliaferro, II, Interim City Manager and C lerk of C ouncil; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J . Payne, Director of Economic Development (absent); Mike Stevens, C ommunications Director; Charles E. VanAllman, J r., Community Development Director; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the J anuary 28, 2019, work session and regular meeting. Accepted as presented 4.Old Business A.Vacation of Right of Way Consider ordinance on second reading permanently vacating and disposing of an approximate 0.066 acres of an 18' unopened alley situate off Mount Vernon Avenue for Lewis S. and Susan F. Bohannon. (Approved on first reading at the J anuary 28, 2019, meeting.) William J ones motioned to approve the ordinance on second reading permanently vacating and disposing of an approximate 0.066 acres of an 18' unopened alley situate off Mount Vernon Avenue for Lewis S. and Susan F. Bohannon. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders B.Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Consider ordinance on second reading the request of J Farmer, LLC, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 1101, 1109 and 1115 Electric Road (Tax Map # 221-1-4.1) from LM Light Manufacturing District and HM Heavy Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District. (Approved on first reading at the J anuary 28, 2019, meeting.) J ane J ohnson motioned to approve on second reading the request of J Farmer, LLC, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 1101, 1109 and 1115 Electric Road (Tax Map # 221-1-4.1) from LM Light Manufacturing District and HM Heavy Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders C .Amendment to the City Code Consider ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 106, Article II District Regulations, Section 106-210.2 Downtown business district, C ommercial Use Types, 106-212.2 Transitional business distrct, C ommercial Use Types, 106-214.2 Highway business district, C ommercial Use Types, pertaining to Pawn Shops; Article IV, Definitions and Use Types, Section 106-600 Definitions, pertaining to Substantial Improvement, and 106-602.3, Residential use types pertaining to Residential human care facility. (Approved on first reading at the J anuary 28, 2019, meeting.) J ames Martin motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 106, Zoning, Article II District Regulations, Section 106-210.2 Downtown business district, C ommercial Use Types, 106-212.2 Transitional business district, C ommercial Use Types, 106-214.2 Highway business district, Commercial Use Types, pertaining to Pawn Shops; Article IV, Definitions and Use Types, Section 106-600 Definitions, pertaining to Substantial Improvement, and 106-602.3, Residential use types pertaining to Residential human care facility. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders D.Amendment to the City Code Consider ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 66, Article IV, Permitted Signs by Use and District, Section 66-105(A), of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA pertaining to signs. (Approved on first reading at the J anuary 28, 2019, meeting.) J ane J ohnson motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading amending C hapter 66, Article IV, Permitted Signs by Use and District, Section 66-105(A), of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA pertaining to signs. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders 5.New Business A.Taxicabs Consider setting the date for a 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, for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months. (Suggest March 11, 2019). Mayor Foley noted that staff has recommended setting the public hearing for March 11, 2019. J ane J ohnson motioned to set a 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, for the issuance of C ertificates of Public C onvenience and Necessity for March 11, 2019. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders B.Salem Historic Registry Consider an ordinance on first reading establishing the Salem Historic Registry. Mr. Taliaferro noted for C ouncil's consideration is a proposed ordinance which would create a local historic registry for the C ity of Salem. T here are registries at the federal and state level, and tax credits are available for those; however, a local registry would not allow tax credits, but it would allow for some code modifications for historic structures. T his would allow developers and property owners who are doing renovations to maintain the character of that structure and not necessarily have to completely update everything with the structure. T he idea is that the older buildings are very expensive to maintain, and this will take some burden off the owners. T he proposed ordinance has a 100 year age requirement for structures to be eligible, and the Planning C ommission will be the authority to review any application for inclusion in the registry. He further discussed the conditions associated with the proposed historic registry. Mr. J ones asked what are the pros and cons of having a historic registry. Mr. Taliaferro noted the pros are that if there is a old structure which qualifies, hopefully will make it easier to renovate and put it back to use. T he cons potentially could be that it makes cheaper to restore and we may not get the product that we think we should get when the structure is renovated. Mr. Martin asked if the proposed age limit were to change in the future, would C ouncil have to amend the ordinance or could Planning C ommission change this as a policy of the registry. Mr. Taliaferro noted that Council would have to amend the ordinance to change the age requirement. J ames Martin motioned to adopt the ordinance on first reading establishing the Salem Historic Registry. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders C .Olde Salem Days 2019 Consider adoption of Resolution 1351 closing Main Street on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Mr. Taliaferro noted this is basically the same request we receive annually for closing the various streets in downtown in September for Olde Salem Days. T here was also a discussion regarding the upcoming downtown improvements. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1351 closing Main Street on September 14, 2019, for Olde Salem Days. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders D.P ublic I mprov ement Bonds Hold a public hearing and consider adoption of ordinance to authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds in the C ity of Salem, Virginia in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,100,000. (As advertised in the J anuary 28 and February 4, 2019 issues of The Roanoke Times.) Audit-Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee met earlier to discuss this request. T he City proposes to finance the costs of design, construction, acquisition, installation and equipping of various capital improvements and equipment for parks and recreation, public safety, utilities, sanitation and other governmental purposes. T his bond issue is in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,100,000. T he bonds will be general obligations of the City, and the full faith and credit of the City shall be pledged for the repayment of these bonds. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommended approval of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of said bonds. He noted that C ouncil discussed this item in the earlier work session. Ms. J ordan noted that this is a public hearing for the request. Mayor Foley noted that Davenport & C ompany helped the City with this request, and the interest rate came in remarkably low for the 20 year bond. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak on this matter. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. William J ones motioned to adopt an ordinance, with emergency provisions to authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds in the C ity of Salem, Virginia, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,100,000. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders E.General Obligation P ublic I mprov ement Bonds Consider adoption of Resolution 1352 authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2019. Audit-Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he City intends to issue bonds to finance the design, construction, acquisition, installation and equipping of various capital improvements and equipment for parks and recreation, public safety, utilities, sanitation and other governmental purposes. T he C ity has worked with their financial advisor, Davenport and Company, to solicit bids from banks for this borrowing. T he loan for these various projects will be in an amount not to exceed $5,100,000. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommended the adoption of Resolution 1352 authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation public improvement bonds. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1352 authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2019. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders F.Appropriation of F unds - E lectric and Water Department Radios Consider request to transfer and appropriate funding for Electric and Water department radios to Capital Projects Fund. Audit - Finance C ommittee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. As part of the overall City radio system upgrade, the Electric and Water departments will receive upgraded radios at a total cost of $148,200 and $28,000, respectively. C urrently the funding for these radios is included in the FY2018-2019 departmental budgets. In order to simplify the management and payment for the radio system project, C ity staff requests that the funding for Enterprise Fund radios be transferred to the Capital Projects Fund. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends appropriating the funds to cover the purchase of upgraded radios for the Electric and Water Departments. William J ones motioned to approve appropriating the funds to cover the purchase of upgraded radios for the Electric and Water Departments. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders G.Appropriation of F unds - Automated Metering I nfrastructure P roject Consider request to appropriate funding for the Automated Metering Infrastructure Project. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he City is ready to move forward with the automated metering infrastructure (A MI) project due to the many benefits to the C ity and utility customers. A variety of funding sources will be used to cover the cost of the A MI system, including proceeds from the 2016 borrowing and additional funding from Electric, Water and Sewer funds' operating budgets. Electric, Water and Sewer funds will each own a portion of the A MI system. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends appropriating the funds to cover the purchase of the A MI system and also, authorizing the Interim C ity Manager to sign said documents for the project. Mayor Foley noted C ity Staff has worked on this project and selected a vendor for this work. Once the project is initiated, meter readers will no longer have to come on the property to read the meters. T his will be done remotely. Mr. Martin noted another benefit will be the early detection of leaks that may happen with the older infrastructure. T his will help to conserve the resources and help mitigate any issues with billing. Mrs. J ohnson noted that consumers will also be able to view their usage, which will be a big bonus. William J ones motioned to approve appropriating the funds to cover the purchase of the A MI system, and authorized the Interim City Manager to sign said documents for the purchase. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders H.Appropriation of F unds - Apperson Driv e B ridge P roject Request to appropriate funding for the Apperson Drive Bridge project. Audit- Finance C ommittee Mr. J ones noted that the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he C ity has been awarded funding for substantial repairs to the Apperson Drive Bridge. T his funding will be used to replace the superstructure of the bridge, add a 10-foot greenway on the south side of the bridge, and remove the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. Total federal funds awarded are $1,902,744 and total state funds awarded are $1,302,030. Total local match required is $123,429. Funding sources include Federal Formula ST P, Urban Formula, Transportation Alternatives, Primary Formula State, and State of Good Repair. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends accepting the funding of $3,204,774 and appropriating the funds for the local match. Mr. Martin noted this is great news that we are going to be able get the work done on this bridge. He commended Mr. VanAllman and his staff for their help in getting this project moved high on the list for receiving these funds. T here was further discussion regarding the project and the anticipated start for the work. William J ones motioned to approve accepting and appropriating VD O T funding in the amount of $3,264,774 and appropriating the local match funds for the Apperson Drive Bridge project. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders 6.C losed Session 7.Adjournment Vice Mayor J ohnson motioned to appoint J ames E. Taliaferro, II, to replace Kevin S. Boggess on the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority and the Virginia's Blue Ridge Board for indefinite terms. Bill J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: Saunders, Martin, J ones, J ohnson, Foley T he meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.