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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2014 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 13, 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 January 13, 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; and 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 accident involving the cannon on South College Avenue; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the budget for South Salem Elementary School construction; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding water and sewer accounts receivable; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the 2014 budget calendar; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the health clinic survey; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding upcoming boards and commission appointments; 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 UNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING January 13, 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 January 13, 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; Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; Melinda Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Rosie Jordan, Director of Finance; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: The December 9, 2013, work session and regular meeting minutes were approved as written. Mayor Foley requested that Council receive presentation from Freedom First regarding the 2013 Freedom First Community Investment Grant; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that the Salem Farmers Market is a recipient of the Community Investment Grant of $5,000. The Farmers Market will use this grant to continue the SNAP matching program at the market during the 2014 season; and WHEREAS, Laura Reilly, Director of the Farmers Market and City Horticulturist, appeared before Council, stating that Freedom First has graciously awarded the Community Investment Grant and affirming that the funds from the grant would be used for the EBT match program at the Farmers Market that started 4 years ago. She is grateful to be able to continue the program this upcoming season as it provides SNAP recipients an opportunity to purchase fresh local produce and food; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens stated that this is a ITEM 1 PRESENTATION FROM FREEDOM FIRST AND ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF 2013 FREEDOM FIRST COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GRANT 2 wonderful program and thanked Freedom First for its support; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that the City appreciates the fact that healthy, locally grown foods are being made be available to families in need; a luxury they may not have otherwise; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Reilly, indicated that working with Freedom First has been a really great experience. They are very supportive of community type programs that make a difference; and WHEREAS, Dave Prosser, Vice-President of Community Development at Freedom First Credit Union, appeared before Council and stated that they appreciate being invited before Council and that they applaud Laura Reilly for her ability to complete the application process in such a short amount of time. He further stated the grant was very competitive, around $35,000 was awarded to local non-profit agencies. There were forty-four (44) applicants vying for over $200,000 in grants. The City of Salem grant received high support because it focused on tackling the healthy foods initiative which is something Freedom First is concentrating on. When you look at the continuum of care and how financial fitness, access to healthcare, access to healthy foods initiatives are all cyclical and when you have one of those pieces that is out of balance you have a household that is out of tilt. And as a CDFI, Freedom First has that unique designation that actually allows us to access grant funding from the U. S. Treasury specifically for healthy foods initiatives. So the fact that we could give money to the Salem Farmers Market that actually helps support the community and boosts individuals buying power, as well as, help the local producers and local small businesses was significant aspects in making the award. It was a natural fit for us to do that and we are very pleased to have that opportunity. THEREUPON, presentation was received. ON A MOTION MADE VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY 3 COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, the 2013 Freedom First Community Investment Grant is hereby accepted and appropriated to the SNAP match program – 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 and consider ordinance on first 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; notice of such hearing was published in the December 26, 2013 and January 2, 2014, issues of The Roanoke Times, a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Salem; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission at its regular meeting held December 11, 2013, recommended approval; and WHEREAS, Melinda Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development, stated that Mr. and Mrs. Webster, property owners, are requesting that their property, which is located on the west side of South Market Street at the intersection of 3rd Street be rezoned. They want to change it from Residential Single Family to Highway Business in order to allow the construction of a warehouse and office for their son. The property owners, at the Planning Commission meeting, stated that the warehouse would be used for storage and they will not be doing any painting at this location. Furthermore, there would be very little traffic associated with this business. The workers would come and go in the mornings; they would come to the warehouse to pick up the paint and go to the job sites; and WHEREAS, Irvin Webster, of 910 East 8th Street, Salem, Virginia, appeared before Council requesting the rezoning. Mr. Webster stated the rezoning would allow them to construct a warehouse and office. The warehouse would not be used for storage for paint just ITEM 2 ORDINANCE REZONING 429 SOUTH MARKET STREET FROM RSF TO HBD CONTINUED UNTIL JANUARY 27, 2014 4 equipment; it would be a location the employees can meet before going to the job site. The business is now in the home and they would like to move it to this location; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked the petitioner if the business would be run out of this location; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster answered in the affirmative; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones asked how big the warehouse was going to be; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded one thousand square feet, 25’ x 40’; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson stated that according to the Planning Commission minutes there would be three to four people coming in and out; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster answered in the affirmative; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens inquired about the location of the creek that is on the property; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster stated that it was located in the middle of the property and that his property ran from South Market Street to White Oak Street, which is on the other side of the creek. He further stated that they have had it surveyed and a portion sits in the floodplain and will require any construction to be at the front of the lot. Additionally they will have to fill the area about one and one-half foot; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens inquired if this would divert any run off to surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded that it would divert any run off to surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst asked where the three or four employees would park when they arrive for 5 work; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster stated that there will be parking to the left side of the building, and some in the front; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst asked if there would be screening for adjacent properties; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster indicated that there would be landscaping they would like it to look as nice as possible; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst inquired about security lighting; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded that there would be some exterior lighting from the building, dusk to dawn type lighting; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked if it would be a metal building; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster replied that it would be a metal building with block foundation and block on one end; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones inquired if there would be low profile lighting; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded that it would be the low profile lighting at each end of the building; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked if there was any landscaping required in the front of the development; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne responded that there would be landscaping required; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens inquired as to the construction start date if approved; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster replied within the next 6 couple of months, providing the weather; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst inquired as to the type of business that would occupy this development; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded that it would be a painting business, but there would be no paint stored there; and WHEREAS, Donna Tinnel of 420 South Market Street, appeared before Council with photographs of the property she would like to share. She requested that Council postpone this decision until they can see the actual set of plans for the project. She stated that before the rezoning was even requested the lot was cleared and graveled with the impression it was to be left graveled. It wasn’t until the Planning Commission that the owners were advised that they would have to pave it. She requested that a decision be postponed until Council can see plans to ensure that all zoning ordinances are met, including the buffer zone between the property and the adjoining property. Also, as Mr. Taliaferro and the Planning Commission members suggested the entrance to the property should be placed close to the 3rd Street side so that people who are coming and going from the daycare who are used to that being a vacant lot do not end up in an accident. Also, with the required buffer zone, how will the driveway be allowed in that location? This is why a plan should be submitted prior to this decision; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked if the lot had been graveled recently; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel responded that the lot had been graveled approximately a year ago; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst verified that the property is currently zoned RSF and inquired as to the permissibility of the graveling of the lot; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne responded affirmatively and stated that a site plan will have to be submitted 7 prior to construction and at that time the owners will be advised of the regulations applicable to this development; and WHEREAS, Kevin Boggess, City Manager, reiterated that if the rezoning was approved, there is still a site plan process the petitioner has to go through before any construction work can be done. Clearing the lot and putting gravel on the lot is allowed even in a residential area. There was no permit required. Once the construction phase is ready to begin, there will be site plan requirements, buffer yard requirements, and other development requirements that have to be met in order for the City to issue a permit. Even though the rezoning could go ahead and happen it is still controlled by the City to make sure that the development of that newly rezoned property meets all the requirements; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel inquired what will ensure the water run off requirements are met so that there is not additional run off into that creek along the tree line in the back shown in the pictures she provided; and WHEREAS, Charles Van Allman, Jr., City Engineer, responded that the property owners will have to meet the requirements of the City ordinances. They will have to control storm water; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel questioned how it would keep that creek bed from eroding any further and water from going in there from a paved parking lot that before was grass and is now going to start flooding even more downstream in south Salem or backing it up upstream which is then pushing it into the street; and WHEREAS, Mr. Van Allman replied that there are specific storm water management regulations that take into account how much pavement they put down and the thresholds they have to meet and what detention or facilities they have to put in based on how the lot is laid out; how much paving you have; the amount of impervious surface you have; and that has to be calculated. 8 WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel replied that the people who live in the neighborhood already have noise levels from a dumpster being dumped at Hamilton’s Auto body shop and at the daycare center at the other end once a week. Is it fair to the neighbors to have additional noise across the street; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones inquired as to the time of day the dumpsters are emptied; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel responded 5:30 – 6:00 in the morning. This is a residential area and the businesses are creeping further and further up into it and you have this grant coming in where you want to encourage tourism into the city but yet you are encouraging businesses closer to Main Street taking away some of the opportunity to have houses and families living within walking distance; and WHEREAS, Mr. Tim Cannaday, of 415 White Oak Street, appeared before Council, stating that he inherited the home at 426 South Market Street which would be directly in front of this storage building. He further stated that his objection to this rezoning is that he would look out the front door and see this storage building. He does not feel a storage building should be allowed in a residential area. He indicated that when a major thunderstorm hits the street floods to the point that cars have to be moved. If this building is built where will the water go; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster reappeared stating that it is not a storage building, it is a warehouse and they plan on doing everything the City requires as far as the landscaping, anything to make it look good. As far as the flooding is concerned, it sounds like there is already a problem and whatever is required will be done; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked if Mr. Webster would consider some type of landscaping buffer to screen the site; and WHEREAS, Mr. Webster responded affirmatively as 9 long as it does not affect their access; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked Mr. Van Allman, if a residence could be built there and if so what would the requirements be. Would the elevation be the same for both developments; and WHEREAS, Mr. Van Allman responded that any building whatsoever has to be flood proofed or raised. Residential structures can only be raised. Non- residential structures, warehouses, things of that nature can be flood proofed. In this situation it probably is just as easy and inexpensive to fill in and raise it; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley questioned if it is theoretically possible that the runoff can be reduced if they built some type of retention pond; and WHEREAS, Mr. Van Allman replied that there are two things considered in storm water management, total amount of flood and the peak. Usually when something is built, impervious surface, the amount will never be reduced. The retention ponds are used to reduce the peak, or the amount of water you have at any given moment and spread it out. The ponds do not necessarily reduce the amount of water, just hold it back; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked if a retention pond would be required on this site; and WHEREAS, Mr. Van Allman stated that at this time that is unknown. If a single family home is to be built less than 5,000 square feet, storm water is not required. Commercial development less than 5,000 square feet total, including parking lots, roofs, etc., storm water management is not required. That being said, if we are aware of a problem in that area, as he has heard tonight, the City can require additional measures under the 5,000 square feet threshold; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro addressed Council regarding the buffer yards. If the rezoning was 10 approved to HBD the adjacent property would be Residential Single Family. The required buffer yards would be either an eight foot buffer with one row of trees and one row of shrubs or a fifteen foot buffer with one row of trees. That would be required by the code; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst inquired of Ms. Payne if the City did the appropriate signage on this lot for the rezoning that she did not see them when she went by there and in Ms. Tinnel’s photos there is no signage so there is concern for lack of notification; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne and Mr. Van Allman both indicated that as far as they knew the signage was placed appropriately and Mr. Van Allman stated that he would look into it; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst asked if the sign should still be up today; and WHEREAS, Mr. Van Allman replied yes that it should be; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst responded that it was not there when she drove by earlier today; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro specified that the code dictates the City “may” place the sign indicating a rezoning but it is not required; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens asked Mr. Taliaferro what the Future Land Use Map designated this parcel; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro replied residential; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that this is her main concern. Why the request for HBD. If we don’t need the level of HBD to do an office or a storage warehouse facility correct? As Mr. Webster has proved himself a great entrepreneur, if he were to get a great offer on this property, we might end up with something inappropriate for that area; and 11 WHEREAS, Ms. Payne responded that was correct, but it was determined that HBD was the best fit for Mr. Webster’s needs; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that she would be very cautious rezoning to HBD in a residential neighborhood; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley questioned if the adjacent property that encompasses the storage buildings and the oil lube place were zoned HBD; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro responded that it was a split zoned parcel, HBD/LM; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked for further comments; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne stated that HBD was chosen because it is the only district that the warehouse would be allowed by right; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro concurred with Ms. Payne and indicated that with the only other business classification potentially would be RB which really didn’t seem to fit there. Plus RB would allow residential which, on a floodway property, from a public safety perspective might not be something that we would want. The HBD eliminated the residential component and allowed them to have the office space; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tinnel reappeared before counsel stating that according to the ordinances, the minimum lot requirement is 7,200 square feet. Does anybody know if that graveled lot is 7,200 square feet; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess replied that it is a half an acre; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked if there were any further questions or comments, and hearing none, closed the public hearing; and 12 WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned why HBD was chosen, for the warehouse and/or storage; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro responded that the warehouse could be viewed as accessory to the office. The main reason was that the choices were HBD or RB and given the flood zone, it was determined that from a public safety standpoint the residential component would not be in the best interests; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that was only by right and not by special exception; and WHEREAS, Ms. Payne replied that was correct that a special exception would be required. In regards to zoning, which is handled by Mr. Taliaferro and Mrs. Wines, they were looking at what was the best fit for the needs based on the surrounding area, taking into consideration the other uses in that area; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst inquired of Mr. Yost if during this process, can the owner proffer away these additional uses; and WHEREAS, Mr. Yost responded negatively, that a petitioner cannot offer proffered conditions once the public hearing has begun before City Council; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley indicated that he was torn on this issue because he appreciates entrepreneurship but is also concerned with the residential aspect of this neighborhood and looking at all the maps it is hard for me to justify why of all the vacant places in Salem why we have to build something else in a residential area; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson stated that what she is hearing is that Mr. Webster owns this piece of property and has for quite a long time but because of the flood potential, he could sell the property and a house could be built so why not the RB designation; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst replied that the City does not want residential development in a flood prone 13 area; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones inquired if this issue could be tabled to resolve some of these issues before a decision is made; and WHEREAS, Mr. Yost replied affirmatively; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley requested clarification as to the administrative procedure if this request was to be denied, how soon Mr. Webster could re-apply possibly asking to rezone to a different zoning district; and WHEREAS, Mr. Yost responded that the Zoning Administrator would determine if the new request contained a substantial difference from the original request. If not, then the request would have to wait one year; and ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, 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 be hereby continued until the January 27, 2014, Council 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. Mayor Foley requested that Council consider adoption of Resolution 1244 requesting the General Assembly to require its members to file bills with local fiscal impacts no later than the first day of session; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess explained that this resolution encourages our state legislators to adopt rules that require that any legislation proposed in any particular legislative period that is going to affect finances on a local government level be introduced on the first day of the session which is in ITEM 3 RESOLUTION 1244 ADOPTED FIRST DAY INTRODUCTION 14 an effort to prevent things from getting into or being attached to bills that affect revenue sources of local governments that can go quickly through the process and go under the radar of folks like the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties. By requiring that they be introduced early in the session or on the first day of the session it gives everybody an opportunity to analyze legislation and find out what its true affect will be throughout local governments in the State of Virginia; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley inquired that this was routine prior to a few years ago when they changed that to allow them to introduce things later; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess replied that there was a period of time which was only about three years that there was legislation to this effect and then it expired and was not renewed. It has worked, it has shown to have worked but the legislature allowed it to expire and chose not to readopt it. This is to encourage them to go back to that process that worked well before and protected the local governments; and WHEREAS, Vice-Mayor Givens stated that he is in favor of this, but has doubts as to if the legislature will proceed; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst asked if this resolution would be delivered to the Rules Committee; and WHEREAS, Mr. Boggess responded that it would go to our legislators and then it would get attached to a group of resolutions that would get presented to VML and VACo; and ON A MOTION MADE VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1244 requesting the General Assembly to require its members to file bills with local fiscal impacts no later than the first day of session be 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. 15 Mayor Foley requested that Council consider the request to amend the School Capital Projects Fund Budget as approved by the School Board on December 10, 2013; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that on December 10, 2013, the School Capital Projects Fund budget was amended by the School Board for appropriation for various capital projects. These funds came from the increase in the meals tax that was to be used for capital needs for the schools. This Committee recommended approval of the School Board’s appropriation of $1,299,500 to their capital projects list; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones stated that before approval of this that the South Salem Elementary School project had come in under budget and that the Schools and Mr. Taliaferro needed to be recognized for keeping the project under budget so we could do this addition to East Salem Elementary School, which is greatly needed; and WHEREAS, no other person(s) appeared related to the request; ON A MOTION MADE VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN Jones, AND DULY CARRIED, the request to amend the School Capital Projects Fund Budget as approved by the School Board on December 10, 2013 was 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 requested that Council consider the adoption of guidelines and to accept and appropriate asset forfeiture proceeds transferred to Salem by the Virginia Attorney General; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that as a result of ITEM 5 ADOPTED GUIDELINES AND ACCEPTED AND APPROPRIATED ASSET FORFEITURE PROCEEDS FROM VA ATTORNEY GENERAL ITEM 4 SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BUDGET AMENDED AS APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD ON DECEMBER 10, 2013 16 the Virginia Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Unit efforts in the Abbot Laboratories 2012 case, they were awarded an equitable share of the assets forfeited. The Virginia Attorney General’s Office made these funds available to state and local law enforcement. The Salem Police Department applied for and was awarded funding of $76,294.25 to purchase multi band radios and to replace aging laptops for front line patrol vehicles. This Committee recommended acceptance and appropriation of the asset forfeiture program proceeds; and ON MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, the adoption of guidelines and acceptance and appropriation of the asset forfeiture proceeds transferred to Salem by the Virginia Attorney General, was 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 requested that Council consider the request to accept and appropriate Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) grant funding; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that the City of Salem, in conjunction with Roanoke County, applied for funds from the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) grant fund. The City was awarded $20,064 in PSSF funding. A local 15.5% match will be required. These funds will cover the cost of a part-time case- aide for family support and preservation and time- limited reunification activities. This Committee recommended acceptance and appropriation of $20,064 in Promoting Safe and Stable Families grant funds; and ON MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, the acceptance and appropriation of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) grant funding 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. ITEM 6 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES (PSSF) GRANT FUNDING 17 Mayor Givens requested that Council consider appointments to fill vacancies on various boards and commissions; ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, Pat MacDonald and David Wells were hereby appointed to the Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Board said terms will expire December 31, 2016; recommend to the Circuit Court that Wendel Ingram be appointed to the Board of Equalization to fill the unexpired term of Paul Wiley, said term will expire November 30, 2015; also recommend that Dave Prosser be reappointed to the Board of Equalization for a three-year term, said term will expire November 30, 2016 – 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. WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson stated that the Economic Development Authority may have two openings; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones asked to remember two former employees, one City and one Schools, who passed away since the last Council meeting, Dennis W. Stanley, Sr., a member of the Building Inspections Department, and Betsy Hurley, a teacher at South Salem Elementary School, and their service to the kids and community of Salem; and There being no further business to come before the Council, the same on motion adjourned at 8:33 p.m. ITEM 7 PAT MACDONALD AND DAVID WELLS APPOINTED TO BLUE RIDGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE BOARD; WENDEL INGRAM AND DAVE PROSSER RECOMMENDED FOR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION