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Home My WebLink About2/26/2018 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 26, 2018 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the City Manager’s Conference Room, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on February 26, 2018, at 6:30p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones (absent), Jane W. Johnson, James A. Martin, and James L. Chisom; 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; Beth A. Rodgers, Director of Human Resources; T. L. Cox, Executive Vice Pres ident, Springsted Incorporated; Rebecca Dayton, Project Manager, Springsted Incorporated; 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, Mr. Cox gave a presentation to Council on the findings of the employee Compensation and Classification study; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne gave an update on Economic Development; 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 7:25 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, February 26, 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, William D. J ones, Vice-Mayor (absent), Council members: J ane W. J ohnson, J ames A. Martin, and J ames L. C hisom; along with Kevin S. Boggess, C ity Manager; J ames E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant C ity Manager and Clerk of C ouncil; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J . Payne, Director of Economic Development; Mike Stevens, C ommunications Director; Charles E. Van Allman, J r., Director of Community Development; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of minutes from the February 12, 2018, special meeting and regular meeting. Approved B.F inancial Report Consider the Acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the seven months ending J anuary 2018. Mr. Martin noted it appears from the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures that year after year we are seeing a decrease in the lodging tax revenue. He asked Mrs. J ordan if she had any indication of why this might be occurring. Mrs. J ordan noted it is not actually a decrease. T here were a couple of months in the prior year that included a more than average past due collection, which throws that number up compared to the current year. So this makes it look like a decline which is not actually true. T he prior year had some past due accounts which were being collected. Mr. Boggess noted that C arey Harveycutter, our Tourism Director, has access to Smith Travel reports, which is based on actual room nights as opposed to revenue. He stated he thought we might have Mr. Harveycutter come and speak regarding how we are trending in terms of lodging and occupancy in the Salem hotels. T his is really the more accurate way as opposed to collections per month. Mr. Martin noted that this would be interesting to hear. T here was further discussion regarding the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures. 5.Old Business A.Amendment to the City Code Consider ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 18, Article III, Section 18- 189, A N D C HA PT ER 90, A RT IC LE IV, SEC T IO N S 90-278 A N D 90-280 pertaining to removal of defective electric wires or appliances and electric metering. (Approved on first reading at the February 12, 2018, meeting.) J ane J ohnson motioned to approve the ordinance on second reading to amend C hapter 18, Article III, Section 18-189, A N D C HA PT ER 90, A RT IC LE IV, SEC T IO N S 90-278 A N D 90-280 pertaining to removal of defective electric wires or appliances and electric metering. J ames Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, Martin Absent: J ones 6.New Business A.Appropriation of F unds Consider request to amend School Grants Fund budget as approved by the School Board on February 13, 2018. Audit - Finance C ommittee Mr. Martin noted that the Audit Finance C ommittee met to discuss this item. T he School Grants Fund was amended for fiscal year 2017-2018 by the School Board at their meeting on February 13, 2018. Budget amendments totaling $47,757 were presented to increase the revenue and expenditure budgets in the Grants Fund. T he Grants Fund was increased due to receiving new grants, as well as updated amounts for current grants. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends approval to amend the School Grants Fund budget by $47,757. J ames Martin motioned to amend the School Grants Fund budget by $47,757 as approved by the School Board on February 13, 2018. J ames C hisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, Martin Absent: J ones B.Appropriation of F unds Consider request to appropriate recycling proceeds. Audit-Finance C ommittee Mr. Martin noted the City receives proceeds from recycling various materials. In the current fiscal year, the amount of recycling proceeds received are exceeding the amount budgeted and need to be appropriated. T he equipment currently being used for the recycling program is in extremely poor condition. T he C ity had the opportunity to purchase a used dumpster truck via auction, so funds are needed to cover this purchase. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends approval of appropriation changes of $50,026 for the purchase. J ames Martin motioned to appropriate recycling proceeds of $50,026 for the purchase of a used dumpster truck. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, Martin Absent: J ones C .Millbrook I nfill Site Consider setting the bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for Millbrook Infill Site. Audit - Finance C ommittee Mr. Martin noted the Audit Finance C ommittee reviewed the estimate for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Millbrook Infill Site. T he C ommittee concurs with the C ity Engineer ’s office recommendation that bond be set in the amount of $52,400 and a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. Mr. Van Allman noted this property is located on the left of Route 419 near the intersection of Green Ridge Road. T he property has been a farm field for quite a long time. Mayor Foley asked if this was the community garden, and Mr. Van Allman noted that was correct. T he site is a little over five acres and is approximately six or seven feet below the road. It is right next to Masons C reek so it is in the floodplain. He explained that the owner would like to put in fill material to elevate the site, and if he chooses to do so at a later date, he can apply to remove it from the floodplain. T his will make the property more valuable and possibly lead to future development. He further discussed the project, and there was additional discussion regarding the Millbrook Infill Site. J ames Martin motioned to approve the bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control for the Millbrook Infill Site. J ames C hisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, Martin Absent: J ones 7.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.Absent: J ones