HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2014 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
FEBRUARY 24, 2014
A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the City
Manager’s Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on
February 24, 2014, at 6:30 p.m., there being present all the members of said Council, to wit:
Byron Randolph Foley, John C. Givens, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, and Lisa D. Garst;
with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager;
James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; A. K. Briele, Electric
Department Director, Larado Robinson, Water & Sewer Department Director, Rosie Jordan,
Director of Finance, and Mary Ellen H. Wines, Deputy Zoning Administrator/Secretary; 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, a discussion was held regarding the proposed community garden. Mr.
Charles Moore of 528 Front Avenue was in attendance to discuss his concerns about the
garden; and
WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding PJM Interconnection, LLC Wholesale Market
Electric Demand Response Programs; and
WHEREAS, Larado Robinson, the new Director of Water & Sewer Department was
introduced to Council; and
WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the purchase of property to be utilized by
the Cardinal Justice Academy; and
WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding Parks & Recreation youth athletics; and
WHEREAS, there were no other topics for discussion.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the work session was
adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
____________________________________
Mayor
_____________________________________
Clerk of Council
February 24, 2014
A regular meeting of the Council of the City of
Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City
Hall, 114 North Broad Street, on February 24, 2014, at
7:30 p.m., there being present the following members
of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, John C.
Givens, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, and Lisa D.
Garst; with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding;
together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; James E.
Taliaferro, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of
Council; Rosie Jordan, Director of Finance, Melinda J.
Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development,
Mike Stevens, Communications Director, Charles Van
Allman, Jr., City Engineer; and Stephen M. Yost, City
Attorney; and the following business was transacted:
The February 10, 2014, regular meeting minutes
were approved as written.
The report by the Director of Finance of the
City’s financial status for a six-month period ending
December 31, 2013, was received and ordered filed.
Mayor Foley requested that Council receive a
presentation from Beth Doughty, Executive Director,
Roanoke Regional Partnership, regarding the 2013 Annual
Report; and
WHEREAS, Beth Doughty, Executive Director, Roanoke
Regional Partnership (RRP), appeared before the Council
to discuss the 2013 Annual Report; she thanked Council
for the opportunity to speak and give a report on what
has been going on in Economic Development in the
region, particularly with the Roanoke Regional
Partnership;
WHEREAS, she noted that the RRP is involved with
different programs that work that reflect a 21st
century approach to economic development beyond
focusing exclusively on business attraction, retention
and expansion which is most of what they do along with
some other things. One of which is serving as an
information resource for the region. That includes
doing research studies on issues that affect the
ITEM 1
PRESENTATION
FROM BETH
DOUGHTY,
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR,
ROANOKE
REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIP,
REGARDING THE
2013 ANNUAL
REPORT
2
region’s competitiveness. In 2013 they completed two
studies on entrepreneurship and on talent attraction.
Also, they perform the cost of living study four times
a year along with any miscellaneous information
requests as they filled 285 of those last year.
Clearly there is a need for an information resource
that can answer the questions of businesses and
individuals, people who need information for business
or personal decisions. The largest part of what they
do is business attraction, retention, and expansion.
These activities are classified three ways. This first
level of interest is inquiries that is generated by the
Partnership or received from the outside about business
opportunity in the region. There were 297 inquiries
last year, which is the largest amount in the last four
years. This number translates into the second
classification of projects. Projects are well defined
activities that can be measured. The third is
prospects, people who actually touch the ground. That
activity level is very stable, twenty-four in 2013.
This translates into 122 million dollars in investment
in real estate and equipment, but only 296 in new jobs.
The manufacturing industry is the big focus. The 122
million last year reflects the largest new business
announcement in Virginia. That was Ardagh Packaging, a
93 million dollar project. There were 9 total
projects, only 3 were expansion. So there is
generation of new interest in the region and the
ability to close those deals. Something that affects
brokering those deals is the availability of product;
whether its buildings or sites. The research showed
that more than fifty percent of the inquiries that are
received are for sites with fifty acres or more. There
is only one site in the region of fifty acres that is
prepared and ready. The result of the research from
the last two years is the formation of the Western
Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority. This
will enable the six governments to come together to
develop the real estate product that is needed and
share the expenses and share the revenues moving
forward. This is a modern and smart way of developing
the product. Ms. Doughty further commended the local
governments for coming together and taking the lead in
this activity. The Roanoke Regional Partnership has
received a grant from the Department of Housing and
3
Community Development that will enable a jump start on
the Authority by supporting the technical assistance
work of identifying, ranking and evaluating the
properties; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Doughty continued by stating that
another venue of the Partnership is visibility and
raising awareness. There are four websites, social
media is utilized, and newsletters are distributed.
The numbers from these avenues show an increase as
well. The Partnership also tracks the “best of” lists,
which have increased from twenty to thirty this past
year. Another venue is the outdoor brand building.
The step taken in 2013 was the creation of a 501c3, the
Roanoke Outside Foundation that will focus on that
brand building. It will continue to work towards self-
sufficiency. Several grants have been received, and
the 501c3 status will allow private funding as well.
Overall, the job of the Partnership is to attract
people, jobs and investment to this community. She
concluded by thanking Council for the opportunity to
work with the City of Salem; and
Mayor Foley reported that this date and time had
been set to hold a public hearing to consider the
request of JASS Properties Inc., property owner, for
the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a
two-family dwelling on the property located at 423
Chapman Street (Tax Map # 144 – 3 – 10); notice of such
hearing was published in the February 5, and 12, 2014,
issues of The Roanoke Times, a newspaper having general
circulation in the City of Salem; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended
approval of the request at its February 12, 2014,
meeting; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Payne explained that the property is
located between Chapman Street and Union Street. It is
currently occupied by a single family dwelling. The
request that is before you tonight is for a special
exception permit to allow a two-family dwelling on the
lot. Jerry Everett is the petitioner and he will
further explain what his plans are for this property;
ITEM 2
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
PERMIT TO ALLOW
TWO-FAMILY
DWELLING
LOCATED AT 423
CHAPMAN STREET
APPROVED
4
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Alvin “Jerry” Everett, 1239 Wildwood
Road, Salem, appeared before Council presenting a
drawing of the proposed two-family dwelling; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked if both ends of
the dwelling would be constructed as shown in the
drawing; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett replied affirmatively; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson inquired if there would be
two separate entrances, one on each street; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett stated that one unit will
face Chapman Street and one will face Union Street; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Foley inquired if the structure
would have a common rear wall; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett replied affirmatively; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens questioned if it would
be a fire proofed wall; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett again replied affirmatively;
and
WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens inquired as to how many
square feet each unit would have; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett responded that no plans have
been drawn at this time, but each unit would be roughly
fifteen hundred square feet each, single story on a
slab; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Garst inquired if there was adequate
parking in front of each unit; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett replied affirmatively that
parking would be on the side of the lot; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jones asked if Mr. Everett had done
comparable units in the vicinity; and
5
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett responded positively that an
example would be 314 Union Street; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Givens questioned if there were any
floodplain issues; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Everett replied negatively; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked if there were any
further questions or comments, and hearing none, closed
the public hearing; and
ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED
BY VICE-MAYOR GIVENS, AND DULY CARRIED, the request of
JASS Properties Inc., property owner, for the issuance
of a Special Exception Permit to allow a two-family
dwelling on the property located at 423 Chapman Street
(Tax Map # 144 – 3 – 10) be hereby approved – the roll
call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones –
aye; Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and
Byron Randolph Foley – aye.
Mayor Foley reported that this date and time had
been set to hold a public hearing to consider the
request of Green Gearheads, lessee, and Strauss
Properties LLC and the Branch Family LLC, property
owners, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit
to allow scrap and salvage services on the property
located at 1435 Lakeside Circle (Tax Map # 51 – 3 – 4);
notice of such hearing was published in the February 5,
and 12, 2014, issues of The Roanoke Times, a newspaper
having general circulation in the City of Salem; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended
approval of the request at its February 12, 2014,
meeting; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that the petitioner
has requested a continuance; and
WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst agreed that a
continuance would be appropriate because Council has
questions for staff to research as well; and
ITEM 3
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
PERMIT TO ALLOW
SCRAP & SALVAGE
YARD LOCATED AT
1435 LAKESIDE CIRCLE
CONTINUED UNTIL
APRIL 14, 2014
6
WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess indicated that staff could
complete the research by either of the March meetings;
and
WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding possible
future dates and that currently the April 14, 2014,
meeting is scheduled to be held at the Salem Museum as
a joint work session with the School Board but if this
public hearing is to be held it will be held in the
Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. following the joint work
session; and
ON A MOTION MADE BY VICE-MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY
COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, the request of
Green Gearheads, lessee, and Strauss Properties LLC and
the Branch Family LLC, property owners, for the
issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow scrap
and salvage services on the property located at 1435
Lakeside Circle (Tax Map # 51 – 3 – 4) be hereby
continued until the April 14, 2014, meeting – the roll
call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones –
aye; Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and
Byron Randolph Foley – aye.
It was noted that Master Brenden Frederick was in
attendance for a school project and;
Mayor Foley requested that Council consider
adoption of Resolution 1245 to permit retail customers
of the City of Salem Electric Department to participate
in PJM Interconnection, LLC Wholesale Market Electric
Demand Response Programs; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess stated that the resolution
presented allows customers of the City of Salem
Electric Department to participate in the Federal
Energey Regulatory Commission’s authorized reseller,
PJM Interconnection, LLC, program. It is an
opportunity for our businesses to partner with PJM to
reduce demand and then sell that capacity that they are
saving in the electric markets generating money both
for PJM as well as for some of our businesses. For
ITEM 4
RESOLUTION 1245 TO
PERMIT CUSTOMERS
TO PARTICIPATE IN PJM
INTERCONNECTION
LLC WHOLESALE
MARKET ELECTRIC
DEMAND RESPONSE
PROGRAMS
APPROVED
7
example, one of the businesses interested in this
program is U. S. Foods, a large electric consumer.
They would work an agreement assuming the resolution
was approved, to allow them to load shift their
electricity and allow PJM to sell that capactiy in
other markets. The City was approached by a business
that wanted to particpate in this program. The City
has the option as the local electric utility to allow
it or deny it, and City Staff is suggesting to allow it
as a benefit to the businesses in Salem. Based on
staff’s analysis it has very little impact on the
revenue received from the sale of electric power. As
the City is a reseller, if the customer reduces their
power, that is less power the City has to purchase.
The City would only be losing the amount added to the
wholesale cost of power.
ON MOTION MADE BY VICE-MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY
COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1245
permitting retail customers of the City of Salem
Electric Department to participate in PJM
Interconnection, LLC Wholesale Market Electric Demand
Response Programs was hereby adopted – the roll call
vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye;
Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye; and Byron
Randolph Foley – aye.
Mayor Foley requested that Council consider
appointments to fill vacancies on various boards and
commissions;
ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY
VICE-MAYOR GIVENS, AND DULY CARRIED, Dale P. Lee and
Bruce Porter were hereby reappointed to the Economic
Development Authority for four- year terms, said terms
will expire March 9, 2018; appoint Kevin S. Boggess to
Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority
for a four-year term, said term will expire February 3,
2018; appoint Melinda J. Payne to Western Virginia
Regional Industrial Facility Authority for a two-year
term, said term will expire February 3, 2016; appoint
James E. Taliaferro, II, as alternate for Mr. Boggess
on the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility
Authority for a four-year term, said term will expire
February 3, 2018, and appoint Benjamin W. Tripp, as
ITEM 5
DALE LEE AND
BRUCE PORTER
REAPPOINTED TO
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY; KEVIN
BOGGESS AND
MELINDA PAYNE
APPOINTED TO
WESTERN VA REG
IND FAC
AUTHORITY; JAMES
TALIAFERRO AND
BEN TRIPP
APPOINTED AS
ALTERNATIES TO
WESTERN VA REG
IND FAC
AUTHORITY;
APPOINTED
WILLIAM D. JONES
TO ROANOKE
VALLEY ALLEGHANY
REGIONAL
COMMISSION
8
alternate for Ms. Payne on the Western Virginia
Regional Industrial Authority for a two-year term, said
term will expire February 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson stated that due to a
population increase, the City may appoint an additional
member to the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional
Commission; and
ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED
BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, William D.
Jones is hereby appointed to the Roanoke Valley
Alleghany Regional Commission for a three-year term
expiring February 24, 2017 - – the roll call vote:
Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye; Jane W.
Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph
Foley – aye.
Mayor Foley requested that Council consider an
ordinance on second reading pertaining to the request
of Irvin L. and Jonny Jean Webster, property owners,
for rezoning the property located at 429 South Market
Street (Tax Map # 145-10-10) from RSF Residential
Single Family District to HBD Highway Business
District; ordinance was passed on first reading at the
January 27, 2014, meeting, and continued from the
February 10, 2014, meeting; and
ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED
BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, the request of
Irvin L. and Jonny Jean Webster, property owners, for
rezoning the property located at 429 South Market
Street (Tax Map # 145 – 10 – 10) from RSF Residential
Single Family District to HBD Highway Business District
was hereby adopted – the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst
– nay, William D. Jones – aye; Jane W. Johnson – aye,
John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – nay.
There being no further business to come before the
Council, the same on motion adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
ITEM S1
ORDINANCE
REZONING 429
SOUTH MARKET
STREET FROM RSF
TO HBD APPROVED;
3-2 VOTE
9
___________________________________
Mayor
___________________________________
Clerk of Council