Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/14/2016 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 14, 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 14, 2016, at 6:30p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, John C. Givens, William D. Jones, and James L. Chisom; with Byron Randolph Foley, presiding; together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; and Benjamin W. Tripp, City Planner, 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, Mr. Tripp updated Council regarding the recent grant applications submitted by the department; and WHEREAS, Mr. Payne discussed economic development within the City; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne updated Council regarding current grants status; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess updated Council on the taxicabs; and WHEREAS, there was no further discussion to be had, Mayor Foley adjourned at 7:24 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council City Counci l Meeting MINUTES Monday, March 14, 2016, 7:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council 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; John C. Givens, Vice Mayor; Councilmembers: William D. Jones and James L. Chisom; Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Development; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., City Engineer; and Mike Stevens, Director of Communications: 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.Consent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes of the February 8, 2016, Salem City Council meeting. There were no minutes for acceptance. 5.Old Business 6.New Business A.Taxicabs Hold public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, and consider issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning April 1, 2016. (Date set for public hearing at January 25, 2016 meeting. Advertised in the February 25, and March 3, 2016, issues of the Salem Times Register.) Mayor Foley opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. With no one appearing Mayor Foley closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Boggess stated that in the past citizens have brought complaints to the public hearing and no recommendation was made until close of the public hearing. Council has been presented a report from Officer Blake Critz and the Police Department. After the review of the four taxicab companies that operate within the City of Salem there was some concern raised related to Salem Taxi and Roanoke Taxi Company. These companies have two separate names with ownership being within the same company. Officer Critz's recommendation was they not be allowed to operate until all safety issues are addressed and corrected; the tire issues are the biggest concern. Staff's recommendation would be to approve the permits as recommended by Officer Critz and the Police Department while withholding approval on Salem Taxi and Roanoke Taxi for thirty days. Meanwhile, this will afford time to present information to show the concerns have been repaired/fixed and at that time Council can reconsider their approval. Mayor Foley questioned if Salem Taxi and Roanoke Taxi would have to present the information to Officer Critz and Mr. Boggess confirmed that. Vice Mayor Givens questioned if the only problem that presented itself was the tires. Mr. Boggess responded by saying there were a couple more issues with regards to the condition to the vehicles and those items were also an issue of safety, which would prevent awarding ing the certificate. Mr. Yost stated Council would officially be awarding the certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience to Yellow Cab Services of Roanoke, Inc. and B. Early Cab Service, LLC, and continue the decision related to Salem Cab Services, LLC, trading as Salem Taxi and Roanoke Taxi to the first meeting in April. Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to award the certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience to Yellow Cab Services of Roanoke, Inc. and B. Early Cab Service, LLC; and continue the decision for Salem Cab Services, LLC, trading as Salem Taxi and Roanoke Taxi to the first meeting in April. Jim Chisom seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson B.Regional Collision Reporting Center Consider Ordinance with emergency provisions authorizing the City Manager to enter into a regional agreement among and between the City of Roanoke, the County or Roanoke, and the City of Salem to open an Regional Collision Reporting Center. Mr. Boggess stated this is something Council had talked about in the past. The Roanoke Valley is looking to pilot a program that is used throughout a large part of Canada. This program would allow the Collision Center to handle some incidents rather than police officers reporting and writing traffic incident reports. This system would allow staff to bypass those accidents that do not include bodily injury or major personal property damage. In this case, individuals would no longer need to call the police. Instead, they would exchange information and report to the Collision Center, which is staffed and paid for by insurance companies. The insurance companies would handle it from there. This process would also alleviate having to go through the police department resulting in insurance companies saving money, which helps fund these types of centers. The benefit for the City is it reduces the number of responses from our police officers writing reports which take a large amount of time. In the event there was a violation of law or someone was injured the police department would report to investigate. This service addresses those issues where there is only property damage to the vehicles due to minor traffic incidents. This is a pilot program defined for an 18-month period and can be stopped under several circumstances. Mr. Yost explained in order to continue, the program would require all parties to agree after the 18-month period. There is a provision within the pilot period that any of the participating localities can give a 6-month notice should they wish to withdraw. Also, if Roanoke Accident Support Services (RAC) would breech the contract in anyway, the localities can give a 30 day notice and terminate the agreement. Within that same 18-month period, there is provision where a three month notice can be given should Virginia law change to say we don't have authority or if the entity makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or files bankruptcy. Mr. Jones stated the program is funded through the insurance companies. Therefore, no City funds are involved. Vice-Mayor Givens posed the question of how citizens would know how to act under the collision agreement. Mr. Boggess stated that a big part of the plan is to re-educate drivers in the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke Valley will be the first community in the United States to attempt this process. William Jones motioned the Regional Collision Reporting Center Agreement. Vice- Mayor John Givens seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson C.Virginia's Blue Ridge Consider adoption of Resolution 1283 supporting the designation of the Roanoke Valley Region as Virginia's Blue Ridge. Lee Wilhelm, Chairman of the Board and Landon Howard, President from the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau were in attendance. Mr. Howard informed Council that Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke have voted to officially adopt the use of the brand on promotional and marketing materials in support of expanded destination travel and tourism.Jim Chisom motioned to approve the Adoption of Resolution 1283. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson D.Abstract of Votes Receive Abstract of Votes for the Dual Primary Presidential Election held on March 1, 2016. Received E.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to accept and appropriate donation from the Estate of Maxine Sink. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to accept and appropriate the donation from the funds of the Estate of Maxine Sink of $25,630 to the City of Salem Public Safety Departments. The Fire Department would use the $13,265 for audiovisual equipment and furniture for updating their training room and the Police Department would use $13,265 for purchasing 18 body cameras. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson F.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to accept and appropriate funding from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to approve appropriation of $210,000 from carry over of the Virginia Fire Programs Fund and for the authority for the City Manager to administratively appropriate funds for expenditures less than $25,000. The City receives funding from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund and any remaining funds at the end of a fiscal year are carried over in the fund balance. The Fire Department would like to use these funds to purchase three new vehicles and purchase replacement fire hose. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson G.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to accept and appropriate the Byrne Special Program grant from Department of Criminal Justice Services. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned acceptance and appropriation of the Department of Criminal Justice Services grant where the Department of Criminal Justice Services was awarded a $9,479 for the Sheriff ’s Office for training costs and the purchase of a new metal detector. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson H.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to appropriate additional funds allocated to VDOT UPC 100656 for the construction of a sidewalk on Route 419. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to appropriate the additional $261,621 in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds for the Electric Road Sidewalk Project. This brings the total budget for the project to $594,720. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson I.Appropriation of Funds Consider request to accept and appropriate the additional Victim Witness grant funds. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned acceptance and appropriation of the $8,198 grant where the Virginia Victim Witness Grant Program has awarded the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office a grant in the amount of $8,198 for office supplies and equipment. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson J.Village at North Mill Phase II Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control and physical improvements for the Village at North Mill Phase II project. Audit-Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned approval of the estimate for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control measures for the Village at North Mill Phase II project. The Committee concurs with the Engineering Department’s recommendation that the bond be set in the amount of $183,931 with a completion time of twelve months. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson K.Waffle House Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control, landscaping, and physical improvements for the Waffle House project. Audit-Finance Committee Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to approve the bond for physical improvements and erosion and sediment control measures for the Waffle House project in the amount of $17,644 with a completion time of twelve months. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson L.Budget Presentation Receive presentation of 2016-2017 budget for the City of Salem. M.School Operating Fund and School Grants Fund Consider request to amend School Operating Fund and School Grant Fund budgets as approved by the School Board on March 8, 2016. Audit-Finance Committee Supplemental Item Vice-Mayor John Givens motioned to approve the School Board changes to their revenue and expense accounts for the acceptance and appropriation of these funds from the Department of Education. The Salem School Board amended the School budget at the March 8, 2016 School Board meeting. The operating fund budget was increased $65,000 due to an award from the Department of Education and the grant fund budget was increased $38,500 from a one-time grant from the Department of Education.. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Chisom, Foley, Givens, Jones Absent: Johnson 7.Closed Session A.Closed Session Hold a closed session pursuant to Section 2.2-3711A(29) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, to discuss the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds. Closed Session was not held. 8.Adjournment With no further business to discuss Mayor Foley adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.