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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/12/2018 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCi ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, February 12, 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, C ouncil 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 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. Van Allman, J r., Director of C ommunity Development; and Stephen M. Yost, C ity Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of minutes from the J anuary 22, 2018, work session and regular meeting. Approved B.F inancial Report Consider the Acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the six months ending December 2017. Vice Mayor J ones asked Mrs. J ordan if she could explain the negative number for the "Charges for Services." Mrs. J ordan asked if he was referring to the "General Fund," and Mr. J ones noted that this was correct. She noted that was actually a change from where the Transfer Station reverted over to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority a year ago in November. So this is the reason for the continuing change. Mr. J ones noted that the C ommunity Development budget is up over $300,000 as far as expenditures and asked if this is due to the downtown expenses. Mrs. J ordan noted part of that could be the Downtown Plan but the other portion is moving two employees to the department. Mr. Van Allman's department has picked up Zoning and Planning so this is an increase in the expenditures due to the two additional employees and the workload. Mr. J ones noted that with regards to taxes it looks like the lodging taxes are down over the first six months of this year versus last year. He asked if she knew why it is down. Mrs. J ordan noted that December is always a drop in lodging tax because of the holidays. Mr. J ones further noted that August and October were also down. He asked if there might be a reason for those two months. Mrs. J ordan noted that August was a trend downward, but she would need to check to see why October was more of a variance than the other months and get back to C ouncil. T here was further discussion regarding the financial report. 5.Old Business 6.New Business A.Amendment to the City Code Consider ordinance on first 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. Mr. Van Allman noted the ordinance amendment is basically a clarification of the current code. He explained that the equipment is a public utility up to and including the meter. From the point where it goes into the house, it is the responsibility of the property owner. When the Electric Department goes to install a electric meter on a structure and the box and the electrical wiring is in bad shape even though it is on the private side, repairs must be undertaken for safety before the City will install the meter. T his has always been that way but the updates to the ordinances just makes it a lot clearer and concise that the C ity can tell the property owner they need to make repairs to the equipment. He noted that the repairs do not necessarily have to be up to the current code but certain necessary repairs for life and safety. Mayor Foley asked why they would not have to bring the equipment up to code. Mr. Van Allman noted that it would depend on when the structure was built and lot of other factors. T he repairs would have to be to a minimum of safety. T here was further discussion regarding the necessary repairs and the ordinance amendments. Mr. Yost noted as Mr. Van Allman said this is the practice that we have been following. All we are doing now is clarifying or making it more clear. He further discussed the changes to ordinances. J ames Martin motioned to approve the ordinance on first 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. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin B.Olde Salem Days 2018 Consider adoption of Resolution 1330 closing Main Street on September 8, 2018. Mr. Boggess noted this is the second Saturday in September and something that the C ity does annually for Olde Salem Days. He also noted that Tony Rippee with the Salem Rotary Club was in attendance if there were any questions. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1330 closing Main Street on September 8, 2018, for Olde Salem Days. J ames Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin C .Emergency Medical Transport Serv ices Resolution Consider adopting Resolution 1331 regarding Emergency Medical Transport Services fees and collection processes. Audit-F inance C ommittee Vice Mayor J ones noted that the Audit Finance C ommittee met to review this request. T he City C ode provides that C ity Council may establish reasonable fees for the provision of emergency medical services. T hese fees are periodically adjusted based on the C enters for Medicare and Medicaid Services fee schedule and recommendations from the City’s third party biller. In addition, procedures for the collection of unpaid fees will be updated. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends approval of the attached resolution to modify emergency medical transport fees and collection processes. Mayor Foley asked if there are provisions to take care of the indigent or those who meet certain poverty levels. Mr. Martin noted that there are provisions for this. He further noted that this provides a little more structure and understanding when fees have not been paid. T here is a process in place to work with people who may have a challenge in meeting the obligation. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1331 regarding Emergency Medical Transport Services fees and collection processes. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin D.Appropriation of F unds Consider request to accept and appropriate grant funds from Rotary C lub and Rotary District 7570. Audit - F inance C ommittee Vice Mayor J ones noted the Rotary Club of Salem and Rotary District 7570 have awarded grant funding of $4,000 to the City to support the City’s downtown renewal project. Funding will be used to purchase patio seating for the downtown area. A local match of $4,000 is required and is available in the Downtown Plan account. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends approval of accepting and appropriating the $4,000 grant to purchase patio seating. William J ones motioned to accept and appropriate grant funds from Rotary C lub and Rotary District 7570. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin E.Boards & Commissions Consider various appointments on boards and commissions. J ames Martin motioned to appoint Dr. Forest J ones to the Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare to replace Linda Franke for a partial term ending December 31, 2020; to appoint Roland Braelith to the Board of Appeals (USBC Building C ode) to replace Greg Lewis for a five-year term ending J anuary 1, 2023; to recommend to the C ircuit C ourt to appoint Macel J anoschka to the Board of Zoning Appeals as an alternate member for a five-year term ending March 1, 2023; to appoint Pat Dew to the Fair Housing Board to replace Kathleen Manson for a three-year term ending March 1, 2021; to reappoint J ohn P. Shaner to the League of Older Americans for a three-year term ending March 1, 2021; and to appoint Chief Deputy-Major B. Todd C lingenpeel to the Western Virginia Regional J ail Authority as an Alternate for a one-year term ending December 31, 2018. J ames Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin 7.C losed Session 8.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.