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Home My WebLink About2/24/2025 - City Council - Minutes - Regular CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM Work Session, 5:45 PM Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 Regular Session, 6:30 PM, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION 1. Call to Order A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 N. Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on February 24, 2025, at 5:45 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council t o wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor (participated remotely); Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor, presiding; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Wendy Delano, Director of Civic Facilities; Paul Bowles, Assistant Director of Civic Facilities; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; and Jeremy Holmes, Executive Director, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission; and the following business was transacted; Vice-Mayor Green reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and 2. New Business A. Discussion Items 1) Roanoke Valley - Alleghany Regional Commission Update - Jeremy Holmes, Executive Director Jeremy Holmes, Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley -Alleghany Regional Commission, presented an update for Council. He shared that the Commission convenes the member localities to address issues of regional significance such as transportation, community development, housing, and economic development. He noted that every $1 invested by the localities brings in $11 of state, federal, and other funding sources. Mr. Holmes also expressed appreciation to Mr. Holliday and Vice-Mayor Green for their service on the Commission and to Mayor Turk and Mr. Holliday for their service on the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO). He shared project highlights of Electric Vehicle infrastructure implementation, the development of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority pre-application process, and support to the Greenway Commission in updating maps and planning. Mr. Holmes concluded his presentation by sharing upcoming projects for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025. 2) Civic Center Study Mr. Dorsey shared that Council's adopted Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $150,000 for a high-level study on future capital investment and opportunities at the Civic Center complex. He and Mr. Light shared details on the scope and phases of this project. It was noted that the first step would be to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Phase I pending Council feedback. The scope of Phase II will be dependent on Phase I results, with emphasis on financial and logistical feasibility. Council member comments were supportive to move forward with this process. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Vice-Mayor Green adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m. REGULAR SESSION 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was called to order at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor (participated remotely); Anne Marie Green, Vice -Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with Anne Marie Green, Vice - Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Opening, Awards, Recognitions Mr. Light read a request from Mayor Turk to participate remotely in this Council meeting. Vice-Mayor Green noted that Mayor Turk was not with us this evening and that Council needed to read her into the meeting. The request from Mayor Turk stated: "in accordance with Section 2.2-3708.3 B(4) of the Code of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Remote Participation Policy of the City of Salem, I hereby request to participate remotely due to a personal matter, specifically that I am out of town. Randy Foley motioned to accept Mayor Turk's remote participation. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green Nays: None Abstaining: Renee Turk A. Salem High School - State Championship - Golf Consider the adoption of Resolution 1491 honoring Salem High School Golfer Kathryn Ha for her multiple State Championships in 2024. Vice-Mayor Green shared that Council would like to recognize Salem High School golfer, Kathryn Ha, for her multiple state championships in 2024. She read Resolution 1491 for those present. Vice-Mayor Green asked Kathryn, her parents, and Coach Blaine Hancock to come forward. City Council expressed congratulations and pictures were taken by Mike Stevens. Kathryn was presented with a copy of the resolution and a Salem City Championship pin. Randy Foley motioned to adopt Resolution 1491 honoring Salem High School golfer, Kathryn Ha, for her multiple state championships. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing at the same meeting. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed concerns with the City of Salem's property tax rates. He shared a spreadsheet with Council regarding revenue, required millage, and potential savings to citizens. He made observations related to tax revenue and sugge sted to Council that the tax millage should be reduced, holding the tax revenue increase to five percent. He also provided a draft survey for Council's consideration to measure citizen satisfaction with City services and to identify citizen priorities. He suggested that these survey results be factored into the coming fiscal year's budget deliberations. Stella Reinhard, 213 N. Broad Street, shared ideas for new projects to pursue in an effort to attract more visitors and bring more income into Salem. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the February 10, 2025, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the seven months ending January 2025. The Financial Reports were received 5. Old Business A. Amendment to the City Code - Chapter 106, Zoning Consider ordinance on second reading for the request of Patrick and Jamie Snead to amend Chapter 106 Zoning, Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106 - 304.17(B)(6) Townhouse, of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA pertaining to setbacks for townhouses. (Approved on first reading at the February 10, 2025, Council meeting.) Randy Foley motioned to adopt on second reading the ordinance amending Chapter 106 Zoning, Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106 -304.17(B)(6) Townhouse, of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA pertaining to setbacks for townhouses. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None B. Amendment to the City Code - Chapter 66, Signs Consider ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 66 Signs, Article IV Permitted Signs by Use and District, Section 66-105 Permitted Signs, of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA pertaining to wall signs. (Approved on first reading at the February 10, 2025, Council meeting.) Councilman Foley noted that he appreciated the additional information , however, his opinion has not changed. John Saunders motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 66 Signs, Article IV Permitted Signs by Use and District, Section 66 -105 Permitted Signs, of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA pertaining to wall signs. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Renee Turk Nays: Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green Abstaining: None 6. New Business A. Boards and Commission Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to reappoint Jason Fountain for a four-year term ending March 9, 2029 to the Economic Development Authority. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk Clerk of Council Mayor