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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/9/2015 - City Council - Minutes - Regular1 | Page UNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING March 9, 2015 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, on March 9, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley (absent), John C. Givens, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, and Lisa D. Garst; with John C. Givens, Vice-Mayor, presiding; together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; Rosie Jordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Charles Van Allman Jr., City Engineer; Mary Ellen H. Wines, Deputy Zoning Administrator/Secretary; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.; and WHEREAS, it was noted that members of Boy Scout Troop 39 of First Christian Church, were present at the meeting; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens acknowledged the passing of Mike Stater, a former City of Salem employee and current Salem Times Register employee; and WHEREAS, the February 23, 2015, budget work session, and regular meeting minutes were approved as written; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public hearing to consider amending Chapter 26, Article II, Section 26- 43, of The Code of the City of Salem, Virginia, regarding Precinct F or the Hidden Valley Precinct; and WHEREAS, the Deputy Clerk of Council reported that notice of such public hearing had been published in the February 19, and 26, 2015, issues of the Salem Times-Register, a newspaper published and having ITEM 1 ORDINANCE PASSED ON FIRST READING AMENDING CHAPTER 26, ARTICLE II, SECTION 26-43, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, REGARDING PRECINCT F OR the HIDDEN VALLEY PRECINCT 2 | Page general circulation in the City of Salem; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens noted that staff did receive an email from Robert Kidd and he and his wife both support the move of the Hidden Valley Precinct location to the Salem Civic Center; he further stated that overcrowding at Bethel Baptist Church during elections and the daycare had initiated the proposed change in location; and WHEREAS, Mr. Steve Smeltzer, Electoral Board Vice-Chair, appeared before Council stating that the media had reported that this was a cost saving measure and he wanted to explain that it is not a cost saving measure, that it was just a change in location to aide with accessibility for the citizens of this precinct; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst inquired as to the number of handicapped parking spaces available close to the entrance at the Civic Center, and if additional spaces could be designated during elections; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess replied that additional spaces could be designated adjacent to the entrance if necessary; and WHEREAS, Mr. Smeltzer stated that there will be an information booth in the foyer to direct citizens to the proper precinct rooms; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess expressed that it would certainly be appropriate for Council to express its sincere thanks to Bethel Baptist, and Councilman Jones as a member of that congregation, for allowing the use of their facilities during past elections; and WHEREAS, Council whole-heartily agreed; and ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, an ordinance to amend, revise and reordain Section 26-43(b), Article II, Chapter 26, of THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM VIRGINIA, pertaining to precinct F or Hidden Valley Precinct was duly passed on first reading – 3 | Page the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley - absent. Vice-Mayor Givens reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of The Code of the City of Salem, Virginia, to consider the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months beginning April 1, 2015; the public hearing was set at the January 26, 2015, meeting; notice of such hearing was advertised in the February 26, 2015, issue of Salem Times Register, a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Salem; and WHEREAS, it was noted that no complaints had been filed during the past year; and WHEREAS, no person(s) appeared related to the request; WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst added that Officer Critz reviewed each application and found all to be in compliance; and ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the operation of public vehicles (taxicabs) within the City of Salem are hereby issued to the following for a year beginning April 1, 2015: Yellow Cab Services, Inc. for forty (40) vehicles; B. Early Cab Service fifteen (15) vehicles, Salem Taxi for five (5) vehicles; and Roanoke Taxi for four (4) vehicles; – the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – absent. WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens requested that Council consider adoption of Resolution 1262 authorizing the Virginia Main Street Program Affiliate Community Application; and ITEM 3 RESOLUTION 1262 ADOPTED AUTHORIZING VA MAIN ST PROGRAM AFFILIATE COMMUNITY APPLICATION ITEM 2 CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY ISSUED FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2015 4 | Page WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess explained that Resolution 1262 was required as part of the application for membership with the Main Street Program; this is the affiliate level of membership which is different than a full level of membership; it does not require the payment of any dues nor the hiring of any employees to manage the program at the local level; it gives access to the information and resources of the program; this is a starting point for the City to learn more about the program and get good ideas with no cost to the City; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that this would be used as a planning tool and a resource in conjunction with the development of the Downtown Plan; and ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1262 authorizing the Virginia Main Street Program Affiliate Community Application was hereby adopted: (HERE SET OUT RESOLUTION) – the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – absent; WHEREAS, Councilman Jones acknowledged the passing of Gardner Smith, a former Planning Commissioner and Glenn Byrd, a Parks and Recreation Department employee; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens requested that Council hold a closed session pursuant to provision of Section 2.2-3711 A. (3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, to discuss property the City may wish to sell; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, Council convened to Closed Session ITEM S1 CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PROPERTY THE CITY MAY WISH TO SELL 5 | Page at 7:43 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: 1. Discussion of a real estate matter pertaining to property the City may desire to sell and property the City may desire to purchase, which is authorized by Section 2.2-3711 A. 3. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date; -- the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – absent. Upon reconvening at 8:02 p.m.; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, in accordance with Section 2.2-3712 D. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, Council hereby certifies that in Closed Session only items lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such items identified in the motion by which the Closed Session was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the Council -- the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – absent. There being no further business to come before the Council, the same on motion adjourned at 8:02 p.m.