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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/24/2025 - City Council - Minutes - Regular CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, March 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 March 24, 2025, at 5:45 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph Foley (participated remotely), H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; Also present were Mike Clem and Brad McDonald (participated remotely) with the Department of Historic Resources; and the following business was transacted; 2. New Business A. Discussion Items 1) Discussion of Preston Place - Virginia Department of Historic Resources Mayor Turk noted that the Salem Historical Society has approached City Council about purchasing Preston Place. Preston Place was gifted to the Salem Historic Society by the descendants of Mr. Brown. Mr. Clem shared that the easement brings restrictions. Council asked questions related to potential uses for the property, repairs to the property, and approvals that would be required by the Department of Historic Resources (DOHR). and Mr. Clem and Mr. McDonald responded and provided clarification. They also shared about potential grants that could be applied for. Councilman Foley noted that he would like to see a business plan. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:14 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; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley (participated remotely), H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Turk requested that Mr. Light read a request from Councilman Foley to participate remotely in this Council meeting. The request from Councilman Foley stated: "in accordance with Section 2.2 - 3708.3 B(1) 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 temporary medical condition that prevents my physical attendance." John Saunders motioned to accept the remote participation of Councilman Foley. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: Randy Foley 3. Bid Opening, Awards, Recognitions There were none this evening. 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. Stella Reinhard, 213 North Broad Street, noted that she had shared remarks and pictures with Council prior to the meeting by email. She expressed the need during the Comprehensive planning process to survey, recognize, and discuss with citizens what spaces and items in the City they value and how Salem could develop, enhance, or protect them. Ms. Reinhard specifically referenced and offered suggestions for historic districts, city entrances, and open spaces. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the March 10, 2021, Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the eight months ending February 2025. The Financial Reports were received. 5. Old Business There was no Old Business this evening. 6. New Business A. Taxicabs Hold public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, and award Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning April 1, 2025. Date set for public hearing at February 10, 2025, meeting. (Advertised in the March 6, 2025, issue of the Salem Times-Register.) Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Councilman Foley noted that he felt that if the City is going to review taxicabs, by definition, that Uber, etc., should also be reviewed at the state level. It seems inconsistent to have this requirement for "taxicabs" and no regulations on Uber, Lyft, etc. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Mr. Light noted for clarification that the City received two applications. These were from Reid Taxi and B. Early Cab Service. Hunter Holliday motioned to award Certificates of Public Convenience to B. Early Cab Service and Reid Taxi for the next twelve (12) months beginning April 1, 2025. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None B. Conveyance of Property Hold a public hearing and consider the sale of an approximate +/-1.78 acre tract located in Salem, Virginia, being a portion of Tax Map #216-4-1. (As advertised in the March 15, 2025, issue of the Roanoke Times.) Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Mr. Light shared the description that this tract is located off of Kimball Avenue. He added that the Mount Regis Townehomes project is located here and the City owns a little over 21 acres behind that, which includes Fire Station #2. This is approximately 1.78 acres directly behind and there is a small portion that adjoins Kimball Avenue. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Hunter Holliday motioned to authorize the City Manager to execute documents necessary for sale in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None C. Resolution to Approve EDA Bond Issuance Request to adopt a resolution approving the financing of a project proposed by the Trustees of Roanoke College and the issuance of bonds by the Economic Development Authority Ms. Jordan noted that the Trustees of Roanoke College approached the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use them as the conduit issuer of bonds, which is allowed per the Internal Revenue Code, as well as the Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act. As part of that process, the EDA had to adopt an inducement resolution and City Council has to go in and approve the financing of that project as proposed by the Trustees and as approved by the Economic Development Authority. As part of the process, City Council also has to approve this plan of financing for Roanoke College to go through the EDA to borrow those funds. Ms. Jordan also noted that this will not affect the City's debt limit. It will not go against the City's debt limit and the payments will not go through us. This is just a formality that is required according to statute. Mayor Turk asked to confirm that this was something that had been done in the past. Ms. Jordan confirmed that the City has done this a couple of times through the EDA and that this has been done for Roanoke College previously as well. Mayor Turk asked if there was a small fee involved for the EDA. Ms. Jordan confirmed that this will actually benefit the EDA as they passed a policy whereby when someone requested to use them as a conduit issuer, they have a fee policy that is in agreement with other neighboring localities and what is done by their EDAs. A small fee will be received associated with the issue over the term of the issue. Hunter Holliday motioned to adopt a resolution approving the financing of a project proposed by the Trustees of Roanoke College. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renee Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None D. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to appoint Cindy Shelor for reappointment for a four-year term ending April 10, 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 Councilman Foley suggested that Council commend City Manager Dorsey and Assistant City Manager Light for the appointment of Steve Simon as the new Fire Chief publicly. Mayor Turk added that Council greatly appreciates the work, the energy, the interviews, background reviews, and the time that they had put into this. She thanked Mr. Foley for bringing this to their attention. Mayor Turk also commented on the tournaments this past weekend that were held at Roanoke College. She noted that the City, Virginia's Blue Ridge, and Roanoke College were host to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. She added that more events will be coming up in April. The Men's Volleyball Championship will be played in Salem at the end of April. She also noted that lacrosse will also be coming in the future. She encouraged citizens to attend and support these events. Mr. Dorsey shared that in working with the City Arborist, Jeff Ceasar, there is a high likelihood that the former Christmas tree in the Farmer's Market will have to be cut down. Mr. Ceasar has written a report to the City Manager on the condition of this tree. He indicated that he wanted to inform the citizens of the condition of the tree and let them know that they are looking into options for this area. The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk Clerk of Council Mayor