Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/2017 - City Council - Minutes - Regular UNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 27, 2017 A Joint Work Session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, along with the City of Salem School Board was held in the Library at Salem High School, 400 Spartan Drive, Salem, Virginia, on November 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.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 James L. Chisom, Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager, James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager, Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance, Todd Clayton, Police Captain, John Shaner, Director or Parks and Recreation, Mr. Mike Stevens, Communications Director, and Crystal La Brie, Executive Secretary to the City Manager. Also present were: Dr. H. Alan Seibert, Superintendent and Deputy Clerk; Curtis Hicks, Assistant Superintendent; and Dr. Forest Jones, Director of Administrative Service. School Board Members, Michael Chiglinsky, Artice M Ledbetter, Nancy Bradley, and Andy Raines; Mandy Hall, Director of Business; Kirstine Barber, Director of Human Resources; Diane Washenberger, Director of Instruction; Jennifer Dean, Director of Instructional Technology and Accountability; and Scott Habeeb, Principal of Salem High School; along with Ben Motley, Senior Partner, Architect RRMM Architects; Erica Sunshine, Architect RRMM Architects; Tom Sproul, Civil Engineer Gray and Need, Inc.; Trevor Kimzey Civil Engineer Gray and Need, Inc.; Benjie Linkous, President Electrical Engineer Ascent Engineering; and David Roller, HVAC Engineer Ascent Engineering; and the following business was transacted: WHEREAS, the meeting was called to order under the control of the Salem School Board with their normal order of business. Followed by a call to order of the Salem City Council by Mayor Foley. WHEREAS, there was a presentation of the Salem High School Renovation Concepts by RRMM Architects. Ben Motley from RRMM Architects presented concepts for a renovation at Salem High School. After the presentation, there was a brief discussion. WHEREAS, there being no further business, Mr. Chiglinsky adjourned the meeting at 6:32 PM. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Council Meeting M INUTES Monday, November 27, 2017, 7:30 P M Council Chambers, C ity Hall, 114 North B road Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.C all to Order A regular meeting of the C ouncil 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, City Manager; J ames E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and C lerk of Council; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Charles E. VanAllman, J r., Director of C ommunity Development; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; and Stephen M. Yost, C ity Attorney. Mayor Foley recognized new Salem Police Officer J eff Hylton and he thanked Salem Police Officer Vernon for mentoring Officer Hylton. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes C onsider acceptance of minutes from the November 8, 2017, special meeting work session and November 13, 2017, work session and regular meeting. A ccepted as presented 5.Old Business 6.New Business A.U se N ot P rov ided F or P ermit C onsider the request of Indiana Street, LLC, property owner, for the issuance of a Use Not Provided for Permit to allow an Adaptive Reuse Project on the properties located at 710 Eighth Street, 900 blk. Indiana Street, and 900 blk. Iowa Street (Tax Map #s 186-6-1, 186-10-6 & 186-10-10) with proffered conditions. (Advertised in the N ovember 9 and 16, 2017, issues of the Salem Times Register. Recommend approval; see Page 1 Planning C ommission minutes.) Mayor Foley reported that notice of such public hearing had been published in the N ovember 9 and 16, 2017, issues of the Salem Times Register, a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Salem, and the Planning C ommission at its N ovember 15 meeting recommended approval of the request with the proffered conditions. C ity staff noted the following regarding the Use Not Provided for Permit request: the subject property consists of a single parcel of approximately 10.62 acres, located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Indiana Street and Eighth Street; the property is occupied by the former Valleydale manufacturing plant; this request is for a Use Not Provided For Permit to allow an A daptive Reuse Project for the site; an Adaptive Reuse Project repurposes a derelict building or site for multiple uses other than what it was originally designed; such projects may include multi-family residential, retail, restaurants, breweries, clean non-hazardous industrial uses, and various other uses in a mixed-use format; and this property is partially located within the 100 year and 500 year floodplains. C huck VanAllman, Director of C ommunity Development, appeared before the C ouncil. He noted that an adaptive reuse project typically takes a derelict sight or industrial structure, in this case the Valleydale Packing Plant, and repurposes it for other uses than it was not originally designed for. T his is usually in a mixed use format with a residential component on the upper floors, and commercial spaces, such as restaurants, gyms, or compatible clean industries on the lower floors. Staff has worked with the petitioners to identify uses that could be utilized in the former manufacturing plant. T he petitioners have willingly proffered a list of uses for the building which are very specific and would be a benefit to the community. T his will also gives the City a fair degree of control over what can go in the building in the future. In addition, if approved, the project will go through the site plan review process. Brent C ochran of 2334 Mount Vernon Road, Roanoke, representing Indiana Street LLC , appeared before the C ouncil to explain the request. He noted that they are making progress in terms of cleaning up the site, and conversations with prospective tenants are going well. T hey are not at a place to share anything with regards to the tenants at this time, but they are hopeful that they will be able to by early 2018. He further noted regardless of everything going on in the news regarding the historic tax credit program, this project is in the works so even if there are changes that come with the program, they should still be able to take advantage of the historic tax credits with this building. He further discussed the proposed uses for the property. Vice Mayor J ones noted that he appreciates what they have done with the property so far as it looks 100% better. O ther C ouncil members echoed Vice Mayor J ones' comments. Mr. Yost noted that this is a public hearing. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak regarding this matter. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. J ane J ohnson motioned to approve the request of Indiana Street, LLC , property owner, for the issuance of a Use Not Provided for Permit to allow an Adaptive Reuse Project on the properties located at 710 Eighth Street, 900 blk. Indiana Street, and 900 blk. Iowa Street (Tax Map #s 186-6-1, 186-10-6 & 186-10-10) subject to the following proffered conditions: the allowed uses within the Adaptive Reuse Project shall be limited to the following, i.e., agriculture, agritourism, multi- family dwelling, general offices, commercial outdoor entertainment (amphitheatre), commercial indoor entertainment, athletic instruction services, fine arts studio, restaurant, microbrewery, microdistillery, brewery, distillery, industry type I, and mixed use. J ames Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin B.Vacation of Right of Way Hold a public hearing and consider adoption of Resolution 1326 appointing viewers to consider permanently vacating an approximate 0.14 acres of unopened right of way of C hamberlain Lane, bounded on the south by Lt 1 Blk E Forest Lawns A nnex #3 (Tax Map #75-3-2), on the east by Pt Tract 5 Masons C reek 3.448 A C Stoutamire Subdivision (Tax Map #75-3-1), and on the north by Major P Lt 1 Blk D Forest Lawns Annex #3 (Tax Map #57-3-13). (As advertised in the November 16, and November 23, 2017, issues of the Salem Times Register.) T he C lerk of C ouncil noted that Resolution 1326 is resolution to consider appointing viewers to vacate the right of way on Chamberlain Lane. He noted that C ouncil has a copy of the drawing showing the right of way to be vacated. T his was probably platted with the original subdivision for use as a future street for an adjacent subdivision, and this never happened. T he petitioners own all three parcels adjacent to the right of way, and they are asking the C ity to consider vacating the right of way. He further noted that he would be glad to answer any questions. Reverend Ken Dupin,1909 Brookfield Drive, Roanoke, appeared before the C ouncil in support of the request. He noted that they stopped using the house adjacent to the church as a parsonage several years and would like to sell the property. When a survey was done, they discovered that the house sits on three parcels, and part of it is in the right of way which belongs to the C ity. T hey are requesting the City to vacate the right of way in order that they may adjust the lines where the house will be situated on one lot. 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. J ames Martin motioned to adopt Resolution 1326 appointing viewers to consider permanently vacating an approximate 0.14 acres of unopened right of way of C hamberlain Lane, bounded on the south by Lt 1 Blk E Forest Lawns Annex #3 (Tax Map #75-3-2), on the east by Pt Tract 5 Masons C reek 3.448 A C Stoutamire Subdivision (Tax Map #75-3-1), and on the north by Major P Lt 1 Blk D Forest Lawns Annex #3 (Tax Map #57-3-13). J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin C .Various Grant Applications C onsider adopting Resolution 1327 in support of various grant applications. Mr. VanAllman noted that the C ity recently applied to the Virginia Department of Transportation for revenue sharing funds in the amount of $1,000,000 for Main Street from Broad Street to Union Street and $1,000,000 for Boulevard from Main Street to Second Street. He stated that this basically involves the second phase of the D owntown Plan to complete these sections that we do not currently have funding for. T his is revenue sharing money, which is state money, and it will not be under the purview and oversight that we have at the federal level. He further discussed the various grant applications. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1327 in support of various grant applications. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin D.Abstract of Votes Receive Abstract of Votes cast at the November 7, 2017, General Election. T he A bstract of Votes was accepted as presented. E.Salem Municipal Golf Course C onsider renewing the lease for 2018. T he C lerk of C ouncil noted that C ouncil has a copy of the proposed lease for calendar year 2018, and this is the same lease which has been approved for years. He believes that Mr. Yost will tell them that Mr. Kime drew up the lease years ago. He further noted that he would be glad to answer any questions. Mayor Foley asked Mr. Boggess if he could share the information he discussed with him earlier today. Mr. Boggess noted that city staff members met with C huck J ohnston, the gentleman who has run the golf course for a number of years, about the idea of adding an additional use on the property, which would be disc golf or Frisbee golf. Obviously Mr. J ohnston holds the lease, and it is to some extent his decision, but he seems amiable to considering the option of adding this activity. T here are some questions to be answered, and the C ity is excited about the opportunity to try an additional activity to have this beautiful piece of property better utilized. T he City is working with Mr. J ohnston on this now to figure out how to make it work. Vice Mayor J ones asked if there would be a fee to play or would it be free. Mr. Boggess noted that there would be a fee, and the rates would be similar to the golf, which are very reasonable. Mr. Martin asked if the terms and conditions of the lease document would allow the new activity, and Mr. Boggess noted that they believe that it would allow it. J ames Martin motioned to renew the lease for 2018 for the Salem Municipal Golf C ourse and to authorize the C ity Manager to execute the lease. William J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin F.Appropriation of F unds C onsider request to amend School Grants Fund and O perating Fund budgets as approved by the School Board on November 14, 2017. A udit - Finance C ommittee Vice Mayor J ones noted the Audit Finance C ommittee met to discuss this item. T he School Grants Fund and Operating Fund budgets were amended for fiscal year 2017-2018 by the School Board on November 14, 2017, and budget amendments totaling $39,466 and $8,443 were presented to increase the revenue and expenditure budgets in the Grants Fund and O perating Fund respectively. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends approving the amendments to the School G rants Fund and the Operating Fund budgets. William J ones motioned to amend School Grants Fund and Operating Fund budgets as approved by the School Board on November 14, 2017. J ames Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin G.Appropriation of F unds A ppropriation of funds from the sale of surplus equipment. Audit - Finance C ommittee Vice Mayor J ones noted that this item was also discussed by the Audit Finance C ommittee. T he C ity sells equipment that is no longer used on GovD eals, which is an on-line auction established specifically for governments to use to dispose of surplus equipment. A 1994 Ford F700 was sold in September. Proceeds of $15,286 were received and will be used to purchase a pressure washer for the Electric D epartment. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends approval of appropriating the money in order to purchase the needed equipment. Mr. Boggess noted that he would like to clarify the price for the pressure washer as A udit Finance Committee asked about this earlier. He stated this is a specific piece of pressure washing equipment that the Electric Department uses. It is portable, but it is steam heated and cooled, and it is more than the average pressure washer. Further, it is replacing one that has been malfunctioning and has been a maintenance issue for the past couple of years. William J ones motioned to approve the appropriation of funds from the sale of surplus equipment to purchase needed equipment in the Electric Department. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin 7.C losed Session 8.Adjournment Mayor Foley noted that Item 6H has been added to the agenda. Mr. Boggess stated that Item 6H is a request that C ity C ouncil authorize the issuance or payment of a bonus to C ity employees. C ouncil has discussed this item, and it was noted that the C ity had a good revenue year this past year, and pay increases for employees have been delayed as we are waiting on the results of a pay study. Further, there are no additional days off being given to employees this year due to the way the holidays fell. So, since we had a good revenue year, staff is asking C ity C ouncil to consider giving a bonus to employees just prior to the holidays. T he total amount of the bonus would be a little over $200,000, with the amount for each full time employee to be $246, and the actual amount to the C ity is $400. Also, permanent part time employees will receive a $200 bonus which will be approximately $120 per employee after taxes. T here was further discussion regarding the pay study and the employee bonus. C ouncil members thanked city employees for their hard work and congratulated staff members for the good news regarding the City's finances. Vice Mayor motioned to approve the employee bonus as described by the C ity Manager with the funds being appropriated from the C ontingency Fund. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: C hisom, Martin, J ohnson, J ones, Foley Mayor Foley again thanked C ity Employees for their work. T he meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.