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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/13/2018 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 13, 2018 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 August 13, 2018, at 6:30p.m., there being present the following 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 Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Economic Development; and Mary “Sadie” Remington, Economic Development Specialist; 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, Ms. Payne gave Council an Economic Development update; and WHEREAS, the Assistant City Manager gave Council various 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 7:24 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, August 13, 2018, 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 the following members to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, J ane W. J ohnson, Vice-Mayor, Council members: William D. J ones, J ames A. Martin, and J ohn E. Saunders; along with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; J ames E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and C lerk of C ouncil; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J . Payne, Director of Economic Development; Mike Stevens, C ommunications Director; Charles E. VanAllman, J r., Director of C ommunity Development; and Stephen M. Yost, C ity Attorney. Mayor Foley noted C ouncil wanted to recognize the passing of J ane Hough, first woman to be elected to Salem City C ouncil, on Saturday, August 11. He read the following statement into the record for those in the audience: "J ane Hough was elected to Salem C ity Council in 1972, becoming the first woman to hold a council-elected position. On the night she found out she was elected, Mrs. Hough stated that being a woman was an asset. "When I went into the election, I felt that being a woman would get me elected, not defeated." Mrs. Hough served for 12 years before retiring in 1984. During her time on council, the Salem C ity School system was formed, Salem High School was built, City Hall moved to its current location on Broad Street and Fire Station #3 was built. T hese are just some of Salem's accomplishments while Mrs. Hough served." C ouncil also held a moment of silence in honor and memory of J ane L. Hough, who died Saturday at the age of 91. He noted Council expresses their condolences to the Hough family and the extended family. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the J uly 23, 2018, regular meeting. Accepted as presented 4.Old Business A.Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Consider ordinance on second reading the request of LMP Investments, LLC , property owner, for rezoning the property located at 515 Electric Road (Tax Map #155-1-1) from HM Heavy Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District/HM Heavy Manufacturing District. (Approved on first reading at the J uly 23, 2018, meeting.) J ane J ohnson motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading rezoning the property located at 515 Electric Road (Tax Map #155-1-1) from HM Heavy Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District/HM Heavy Manufacturing District. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders 5.New Business A.Grant Application for Smart Scale P rogram Consider adopting Resolution 1346 in support of a grant application for the Smart Scale Program. Mr. Taliaferro noted that Council has a resolution before them this evening for a grant for Smart Scale money to continue the downtown improvements program. T his grant would cover C ollege Avenue from T hompson Memorial Drive to Second Street, which is just down from the cannon memorial. T he application is $2.9 million that is 100% funding, and we do not have to match the money. If this is approved, we can probably start the design of the project in 2023. C urrently VD O T projects a completion date of 2027. In order to submit the grant, staff needs the support of C ity C ouncil. Mr. Martin asked when the application would be submitted, and Mr. Taliaferro noted that it would be submitted very soon and throughout the fall there will be a consideration process where it will be reviewed. If it makes it through all the steps, it will go to the Commonwealth Transportation Board probably in J une of 2019. J ames Martin motioned to adopt Resolution 1346 in support of a grant application for the Smart Scale Program. William J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders B.Conv eyance of P roperty Hold a public hearing to consider the sale of an approximate .13 acre tract located in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue, Salem, Virginia, being a portion of Tax Map # 72-3-10. (As advertised in the August 2, 2018 issue of the Salem Times Register.) Mr. Taliaferro noted the city owns a lot at the corner of Craig Avenue and Harrison Avenue. He is not sure why we own this property. It could have been a residual lot from a highway project. T he City was approached by Dustin Secrest about purchasing a portion of this lot. He would like to use it for a driveway entrance to a piece of property he owns just east of the City's property on Harrison Avenue. He has some issues with grade so the additional land will help him to get a driveway into the property without using all of his property with grading. T he proposal is for the sale of .13 acres, and the assessed value of this part prorated from the whole lot is $10,444. If C ouncil would like to move forward with the sale of this property, staff recommends it be conditioned on the combination of the two parcels into one parcel and that Council also consider granting Mr. Secrest a grading easement on the lot the City will be retaining. In order to get his driveway through here, he will more than likely have to fill some on our residual lot. T his will not hurt the lot we are going to retain, and it will help him to put in a better driveway. Mr. Secrest is in the audience, and his offer for the property is $10,000. Mr. Martin asked what would be the use of the property since this is mostly a residential area. Will it be residential or a mixed use? He noted Mr. Secrest's property is light manufacturing so he potentially could have a manufacturing-type use on the property. Dustin Secrest of 636 Cleveland Avenue appeared before Council. He noted that he appreciates C ity Council considering this offer he has put forth with the help of Mr. Taliaferro and Mr. VanAllman. Mr. Secrest discussed the development of his property and noted this parcel will allow him a much better access into his property. Eventually his property will bring in more tax revenue for the City. Mr. J ones asked what the plans are for the property other than making it a driveway. Mr. Secrest noted the property he would be purchasing will only be used for an access for a driveway. T he existing property he owns, he has been talking with some developers on ideas for the property that fit within the current zoning. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone else would like to speak on this matter. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. J ames Martin motioned to accept the purchase offer of Dustin Secrest for an approximate .13 acre tract located in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue, being a portion of Tax Map # 72-3-10, with the following conditions: 1) the .13 acre parcel must be combined with the existing parcel owned by Mr. Secrest to the east, and 2) the C ity hereby grants a grading easement for the .20 acre parcel; and the City Manager is given the authority to sign all documents related to the sale. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders C .Appropriation of F unds Consider request to amend School Operating Fund and School C apital Projects Fund budget as approved by the School Board on J uly 10, 2018. Audit-Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee met this morning to discuss this request. T he Operating Fund and C apital Projects Fund budgets were amended for fiscal year 2018-2019 by the School Board at their meeting on J uly 10, 2018. Budget amendments totaling $73,512 and $100,000 were presented to increase the revenue and expenditure budgets in the Operating Fund and Capital Projects Fund. T he Operating Fund was increased due to the state adopting its budget which provided final funding figures for school divisions. T he total increase in funding was $173,512. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends appropriating $73,512 to the Operating Fund and $100,000 to the C apital Projects Fund. William J ones motioned to approve amending the Operating Fund and Capital Projects Fund budgets as approved by the School Board on J uly 10, 2018. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders D.Russell Driv e - Worth, I nc. Consider setting bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the Russell Drive - Worth, Inc. project. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he C ommittee reviewed the estimate for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Russell Drive – Worth, Inc. project. T he Committee concurs with the City Engineer’s office recommendation that bond be set in the amount of $23,964 and a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. William J ones motioned to approve the bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Russell Drive -- Worth, Inc. project. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders E.Angelle's Diner - Salem Consider setting bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the Angelle's Diner - Salem project. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he C ommittee reviewed the estimate for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Angelle’s Diner – Salem project. T he Committee concurs with the City Engineer’s office recommendation that bond be set in the amount of $8,547 and a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. William J ones motioned to approve the bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Angelle’s Diner – Salem project. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders F.630 Union Street Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the 630 Union Street project. Audit - Finance C ommittee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he C ommittee reviewed the estimate for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the 630 Union Street project. T he Committee concurs with the City Engineer’s office recommendation that bond be set in the amount of $12,804 and a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. William J ones motioned to approve the bond for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the 630 Union Street project. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders G.Boards and Commissions Consider appointments on various boards and commissions. J ane J ohnson motioned to reappoint McMillian "Mac" H. J ohnson, IV, for a three- year term ending J une 30, 2021; to appoint J ohn Saunders to replace J im C hisom on the Economic Development C ommittee; to appoint J ohn Saunders as the local elected official to the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board for a four- year term ending J une 30, 2022; and to appoint Kevin Boggess as the alternate representative to the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board for a four- year term ending J une 30, 2022. J ames Martin seconded the motion. 6.C losed Session A.Closed Session Hold a closed session in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.23711A(8) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, for consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel and Section 2.2-3711A(3) for a discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or the disposition of public held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position of the public body. Vice Mayor J ohnson motioned to move to closed session at 7:52 p.m. in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2-3711A(8) of the 1950 C ode of Virginia, as amended, for consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel and Section 2.2-3711A(3) for a discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or the disposition of public held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position of the public body. William J ones seconded the motion. J ane J ohnson motioned to reconvene at 8:58 p.m. and that in accordance with Section 2.2-3712D of the C ode of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, C ouncil hereby certifies that in C losed Session only items lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such items identified in the motion by which the Closed Session was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the Council. William J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders 7.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.