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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/2023 - City Council - Minutes - SpecialCity Council Special Meeting MINUTES Monday, October 2, 2023, 8:30 AM Joint meeting with EDA of City of Salem Salem Civic Center, Parlor A, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153 1. Call to Order A Joint Special Meeting/Work Session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, along with the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem was held at the Salem Civic Center, Parlor A, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia, 24153, on October 2, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; H. Robert Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Jim Guynn, attorney for both the City of Salem and the Salem Economic Development Authority; and Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager and Secretary to the EDA. Also present were Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development; Wayne Adkins, Business Outreach Coordinator; and the following members of the Economic Development Authority: Dave Robbins, Chair; Quinn Mongan, Paul Kuhnel, Cindy Shelor, Sean Kosmann, and Macel Janoschka; and the following business was transacted; A. Roll Call 1) Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor Salem City Council 2) Dave Robbins, Chair Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem, Virginia Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor of the City of Salem, called the meeting to order. Mayor Turk asked Mr. Light to call the roll for the City Council. The meeting was turned over to Chairman Robbins who asked Ms. Williams to call the roll for the EDA. All members were present for both groups. 2. New Business A. Discussion Items 1) FOIA Training provided for both Salem City Council and the EDA – Jim Guynn, Legal Counsel for the City of Salem and the Economic Development Authority 2) Overview and highlights of past year presented by Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development 3) Discussion of Strategic Plan 4) Near Term Initiatives – Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development Jim Guynn, Legal Council for the City of Salem and for the Economic Development Authority, provided training for both the Council and the EDA on the Freedom of Information Act. All Council members were present for the FOIA training. He provided a brief overview of the Conflict of Interest Act training requirements and documentation. COIA training is done on-line and the link was provided. Mr. Miller reviewed the Strategic Plan followed by an explanation of the timeline. A discussion was held related to the parking issues downtown. It was agreed city staff will look at the parking app and ensure it is updated and more visible on the website. Chairman Robbins stated he would like to see the city find a way to identify and support our businesses that have Home Occupancy Permits. It has been mentioned before and these businesses are vital to our city. A discussion was held on concerns of our small businesses. Chairman Robbins shared that one issue that has been identified is the concerns of residents in the East Bottom area who would like to know more about the Valleydale project. The EDA and Council requested staff to put together a meeting to hear their concerns and City Council would cover the costs of the meeting. Vice Mayor Wallace shared he would like to see the property on Industrial Drive become site-ready. Mr. Miller stated he is working with Mr. Sutphin to get the property cleared and in marketable condition. Council and the EDA members discussed planning an upcoming engagement opportunity specific to small businesses. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Turk and Chair Robbins adjourned the respective meetings of the Council and the Economic Development Authority at 10:33 a.m.