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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/28/2016 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 28, 2016 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on March 28, 2016, at 6:30p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, and James L. Chisom; with Byron Randolph Foley, presiding; together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance, Beth Doughty, Executive Director of Roanoke Regional Partnership, and the following business was transacted: Mayor Foley reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and WHEREAS, Ms. Doughty updated Council regarding Roanoke Regional Partnership’s year in review; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess discussed Council considering amending the policy to allow home schooled students to participate in the CCAP program; and WHEREAS, Ms. Jordan gave an update on the budget; and WHEREAS, there was no further discussion to be had, Mayor Foley adjourned at 7:25 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council City Counci l Meeting MINUTES Monday, March 28, 2016, 7:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.Call to Order 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.Consent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes of the February 8, and March 14, 2016, Work Sessions and regular meetings of Salem City Council. Accepted as presented B.Financial Report Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for seven months ending January 31, 2016, and eight months ending February 29, 2016. Received 5.Old Business A.Conv eyance of Property Consider bids and award contract for the sale of City of Salem real property designated as a 0.13405 acre tract located at 3733 Ellen Drive, Tax Map 055.10- 03-47.00-0000 in the County of Roanoke. (Public hearing was held at the January 11, 2016, meeting.) Bids to be opened Thursday, March 24, 2016. Mayor Foley stated there were no bids received during the closed bid process; therefore, there is no action to take on this matter. The City is going to attempt to sell this property. Melinda Payne, Director of Planning and Development will be the contact for this property. 6.New Business A.Appropriation of Funds Consider adoption of Resolution 1284 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2016 tax year. - Audit Finance Committee Ms. Jordan stated in 2005 Governor Gilmore started the Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA), a program providing relief to individual personal property tax bills on personal vehicles. That amount was set at a fixed amount to each locality based on a calculation made when the program started. The City of Salem receives the 2.5 million and share that amount with all the tax payers at a pro rata amount for personal use vehicles. As assessments and tax rates change that data has to be applied to this formula. This year's amount will allow for a 59.94% reduction for the coming tax year. Mr. Boggess stated when the PPTRA program started localities were receiving approximately 80% paid by the block grant with the remainder being the taxpayers responsibility. The reduction rate will continue to go down percentage wise due to the fixed amount and the value of vehicles and other personal property going up. William Jones motioned to approve adoption of Resolution 1284. Jane Johnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Johnson, Jones Absent: Givens B.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to appropriate $500,000 from fund balance in the General Fund for capital purchases. Audit - Finance Committee Ms. Jordan stated the items the Directors agreed for purchase utilizing funds are for Council Agenda software, City replacement computers and laptops, funding for a used plow truck, mower, office furnishings for Chance Crawford's office, a police car, kitchen renovations at Fire Station Numbers 2 and 3, replacement of garage doors at Fire Station number 3, a new pick up truck for the Parks & Recreation department, a mower for the Moyer Sports Complex, transfer station repairs and the voting machines. The balance will go to reserve for capital in the event something comes up within the next three months that would require purchase. William Jones motioned approval to appropriate $500,000 from the fund balance in the General Fund for capital purchases. Jim Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Johnson, Jones Absent: Givens C.Boards & Commissions Consider appointments to fill vacancies on various boards and commissions. Mr. Boggess reported to Council a letter was received today from a candidate, Frank Sellers, who has expressed interest in being an alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals. There was discussion as to what action the Committee takes for appointment. Mr. Yost stated Council makes the recommendation to the Circuit Court and the Circuit Court appoints the position making the candidate a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Foley asked the Committee if they would like to move on the second resume submitted for Board of Appeals. Mr. Boggess recommended the Committee look at the resume submitted at a later date. William Jones motioned to recommend to the Circuit Court that Frank Sellers be appointed as a member of the BOZA. Jane Johnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Johnson, Jones Absent: Givens D.Veto of House Bill 767 Mayor Foley stated currently in the state code when a person runs for local government, although they are nominated by a third party (Republican or Democrat) the ballot is not labeled with an "R" or "D". The Senate Bill has passed both houses and has not gone to the Governor's desk asking the ballot have the "R" or "D" label on the listing. The resolution is asking the Govenor to veto Senate Bill 767. Mr. Jones stated a few years ago we went to Richmond to fight this legislation as well as attempted to change our Charter to prevent this from happening. The local people at the state level have voted against this issue. Jane Johnson motioned adoption of Resolution 1285 to veto SB 767. Jim Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Johnson, Jones Absent: Givens 7.Closed Session A.Closed Session Hold a closed session pursuant to provision of Section 2.2-3711A(3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, to discuss property the City may wish to sell. Mr. Yost stated that in addition to the provision of Section 2.2-3711A(3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia it would also include Section 2.2-3711A(29) which is a discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. Jane Johnson motioned that the Committee go into Closed Session. Jim Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Johnson, Jones Absent: Givens 8.Adjournment