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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/13/2023 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, February 13, 2023, 6:30 PM Work Session 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION 1. Call to Order A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 N. Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on February 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development; Wayne Adkins, Business Outreach Coordinator; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; and the following business was transacted; Mayor Turk reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and 2. New Business A. Discussion Items Economic Development Update provided by Tommy Miller (Director of Economic Development) WHEREAS, Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development, gave an update on Economic Development for the City of Salem. He summarized feedback from meetings that had been held for a number of stakeholder groups as a part of the process in development of the Strategic Plan. He highlighted feedback that was collected in numerous categories and discussed priorities that would be addressed. Council was able to ask questions and Mr. Miller responded. He also provided an update on the EDA Facade Program and the creation of a Mural Committee, the Valleydale Project, and other ongoing projects and initiatives; and 3. Adjournment WHEREAS, there being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m. REGULAR SESSION 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia was called to order at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Chuck Van Allman, Director of Community Development; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions There were none this evening. 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing component at the same meeting. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, was the first citizen to speak before Council this evening. He expressed concerns about Code enforcement. Mr. Breen stated comparisons of some of the zoning regulations in Virginia cities and towns comparable to Salem. He requested that by July 2023, Council take the following two steps: 1) Council establish priorities, goals and objectives and require the Administration to establish a specific, measurable and time certain plan to attain them; 2) Council adopt necessary laws to proactively abate eyesores, blight, and unsafe rentals. Shirley Everett, 1239 Wildwood Road, addressed Council next. She shared concerns about the current home of the Registrar's office. She distributed exhibits and explained details of concerns at the current site and requested that Council place this building as a priority on this list of projects. Janie Whitlow, 1507 Ashley Drive, spoke to Council and expressed concern about the business tax rate for Real Estate agents in Salem. Three brokers attended in support of her concerns. She provided a chart for Council's review comparing the business license cost comparison between Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and the City of Salem. She requested that Salem consider 1) a flat fee rate and $50 was suggested as an appropriate amount for the real estate agents, and 2) Salem raise the base level to $134,999 as in Roanoke County for the brokerages. Ronald Thompson, 1000 W. Riverside Drive, was the last citizen to address Council. He expressed concerns about the infrastructure as related to the rezoning of the 1900 Mill Lane property. He specifically addressed issues with the sewer system and water run-off. He requested that staff look into addressing issues with the sewage system and water run off prior to development of this property. His son, Matthew Thompson was in attendance as well and added his comments in support of the information his father shared. Mayor Turk noted that staff would look into this. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the January 23, 2023, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were accepted as written. 5. Old Business A. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Consider ordinance on second reading for the request of the City of Salem, property owner, of the 1900 block of Mill Lane (Tax Map # 179 - 2 - 1.1) for rezoning the property from AG Agriculture District to LM Light Manufacturing. (Approved on first reading at the January 23, 2023 meeting.) Randy Foley motioned to adopt ordinance on second reading for rezoning the property of the City of Salem, property owner, located at the 1900 block of Mill Lane (Tax Map #179-2-1.1) from AG Agriculture District to LM Light Manufacturing. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace B. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Consider ordinance on second reading for the request of Charles N. Dorsey, property owner, of 1900 Mill Lane (Tax Map # 179 - 2 - 1) for rezoning the property from AG Agriculture District and RSF Residential Single-Family District to RSF Residential Single-Family District. (Approved on first reading at the January 23, 2023 meeting.) William Jones motioned to adopt ordinance on second reading for rezoning the property of Charles N. Dorsey, property owner, located at 1900 Mill Lane (Tax Map #179-2-1) from AG Agriculture District and RSF Residential Single-Family District to RSF Residential Single- Family District. H Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace 6. New Business A. Conveyance of Property Hold a public hearing to consider the sale of property located at the 1900 block of Mill Lane, Salem, Virginia, Tax Map #179-2-1.1, consisting of 12.2807 acres. (As advertised in the Salem Times-Register.) Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, came forward to address Council. He requested that Council require that a Cost Benefit Economic Impact Study be conducted and made public prior to any sale taking place; be part of any motion to authorize the sale of the property; and prior to any sale being made, all sale terms and conditions are first presented for Council's approval and a public hearing conducted. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Mayor Turk requested that staff do whatever was necessary to prepare and market this property for sale. B. Taxicabs Consider setting the date for a public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months. (Suggest March 13, 2023). Randy Foley motioned to hold the public hearing for the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity on March 13,2023. H Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace C. Appropriation of Funds Consider request to amend the School General Fund, Grant Fund, Cafeteria Fund and Capital Projects Fund budgets as approved by the School Board on December 13, 2022. Audit - Finance Committee James Wallace motioned to approve the School Board’s appropriation changes to decrease revenues and expenditures in the School General Fund by $1,843,258, increase revenues and expenditures in the School Grant fund by $25,160, increase revenues and expenditures in the School Cafeteria Fund by $3,135, and increase revenues and expenditures in the School Capital projects fund by $1,905,758 as amended by the School Board at their December 13, 2022, meeting. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace D. Appropriation of Funds Consider request to appropriate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Grant Funds. Audit - Finance Committee James Wallace motioned to appropriate $1,500 in grant revenue to the SNAP grant account and increase the budget for the Farmer’s Market SNAP grant account by $1,500. The Salem Farmers Market was awarded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program grant (SNAP) that is administered by Virginia Fresh Match for the purpose of increasing the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income customers participating in SNAP. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace E. Captain Drive ESC Plan Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control for Captain Drive ESC Plan. Audit - Finance Committee For the benefit of the Council members, Mr. Wallace noted that this is a fill plan to bring some dirt to this property and level it. There are no building plans at this time that they are aware of. James Wallace motioned to approve bonding in the amount of $20,581.00 for erosion and sediment control for Captain Drive ESC Plan located at the 1900 block of Captain Drive with a time for completion set at 12 months as recommended by staff. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace F. Christian Life International New Recreation Facilities Consider setting bond for physical improvements, erosion and sediment control and landscaping for Christian Life International New Recreation Facilities. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. Wallace noted that this is for improvements to church property for playground facilities and athletic fields. James Wallace motioned to approve bonding in the amount of $44,220.00 for physical improvements, erosion and sediment control and landscaping for Christian Life International New Recreation Facilities located at 1 CLI Way with a time for completion set at 12 months as recommended by staff. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace G. North Salem Ct Townhomes Consider setting bond for physical improvements, erosion and sediment control and landscaping for North Salem Ct Townhomes. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. Wallace noted that this was started back in 1997 and approved almost twenty- five years ago and will be for a townhome community up off of Thompson Memorial near Craig Avenue at what is known as old "Dotson" property. James Wallace motioned to approve bonding in the amount of $899,228.00 for physical improvements, erosion and sediment control and landscaping for North Salem Ct. Townhomes located at Thompson Memorial Dr. between Westminister Ln. and Easy St. with a time for completion set at 12 months as recommended by staff. H Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace H. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to recommend Frank Sellers for Circuit Court re- appointment for a five-year term ending March 30, 2028, and recommend Jeff Zoller for Circuit Court re-appointment as an alternate for a full five-year term ending March 1, 2028, to the Board of Zoning Appeals and to recommend re-appointing Quinn Mongan for a four-year term ending March 9, 2027, to the Economic Development Authority. Also recommend appointing Bill Jones to the Audit- Finance Committee. H Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.