Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/11/2013 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 11, 2013 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the City Council’s Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on February 11, 2013, 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; Diane Hyatt, Interim Director of Finance; Krystal M. Coleman, Deputy Clerk of Council; and Mary Ellen Wines, Deputy Zoning Administrator; 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 vehicle decals; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the Comcast Franchise agreement; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the city’s sign ordinance; 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 7:27 p.m. Mayor Clerk of Council UNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING February 11, 2013 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 11, 2013, at 7:30 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, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., City Engineer; Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney; Diane Hyatt, Interim Director of Finance; Caleb M. Taylor, Director of Water and Sewer; and Mike Stevens, Communications Director; and the following business was transacted: The January 14, 2013, work session, and the January 28, 2013, work session and regular meeting minutes were approved as written. The report by the Interim Director of Finance of the City’s financial status for a six-month period ending December 31, 2012, was received and ordered filed. Mayor Foley requested that Council receive a presentation from Beth Doughty, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership, regarding the 2012 Annual Report; and WHEREAS, Beth Doughty, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership (RRP), appeared before the Council to discuss the 2012 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; she noted that the RRP is a public/private economic development organization and receives funding from seven jurisdictions and half of its funding comes from the private sector; the RRP has been operating for 29 years and is one of the earliest examples of regional cooperation, as well as the most successful on-going example of the jurisdictions working together for the benefit of the whole region; she stated that 2012 saw a slow, but continuing recovery from the great recession; she further stated that there were 13 successful projects in 2012, five were expansions; the RRP continues to explore new ways to create jobs, and to attract and retain people to the region; she stated that the RRP filled 282 requests for information in 2012, up from 229 in 2011; she stated that the RRP fills a need as a resource for ITEM 1 PRESENTATION FROM BETH DOUGHTY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ROANOKE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP, REGARDING THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT 2 information; she stated that 2012 was a busy year; she appreciates the support of the City of Salem and its support so that the RRP can fulfill its mission; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley questioned if there had been an increase of interest in technology or biomedical businesses coming to the region; and WHEREAS, Ms. Doughty stated that five years ago, the RRP never dealt with a small biomedical company, but is seeing a little bit of that type of business; she stated that the main challenge with those type of companies is capital; THEREUPON, said presentation was received. Mayor Foley requested that Council receive a presentation from Tim Steller, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, regarding the Fiscal Year 2012 Performance Report; and WHEREAS, Tim Steller, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH), appeared before the Council to discuss the Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare’s Fiscal Year 2012 Performance Report; he stated that BRBH is a community services board created by the City of Salem together with the City of Roanoke and the Counties of Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke; he noted that community services boards are authorized by the Code of Virginia and are charged with the responsibility to provide community-based services and support for persons with a mental illness, intellectual disability, and/or a substance use disorder; BRBH focuses its efforts on providing the necessary treatment and support services to allow persons with a severe mental illness to live successfully in the community; and the organization tries to reduce the use of hospitals and institutional care; BRBH provides around-the-clock emergency services to determine if hospitalization is necessary or if an alternative, including BRBH’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, may be more appropriate; case managers work hard to mobilize an individualized service plan that will keep clients living successfully in the community; he discussed the various supports and treatment programs offered by BRBH, and ways BRBH works to help prevent substance abuse, emotional problems, and violence; he stated that 473 persons with a mental illness, 125 with a substance use disorder, 138 with an intellectual disability, and 435 persons before the disability was determined were served in the City of Salem in 2012; he noted that the numbers are duplicated numbers and the unduplicated number of persons served from the City of Salem was 701; he recognized and thanked the Salem Board of Directors appointees—Bruce Thomasson, Chair; Linda Franke, and Barbara Gresham; he also thanked the City ITEM 2 PRESENTATION FROM TIM STELLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BLUE RIDGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2012 PERFORMANCE REPORT 3 of Salem for its continuing support; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned if there was a partnership with the Catawba health providers; and WHEREAS, Mr. Steller stated that BRBH is a founding member of that partnership; he stated that it is a partnership that works together with different organizations and is encouraged by the State of Virginia for some of the funds it provides to be used on a more regional basis, involving more partners; it includes the Community Services Board in Alleghany County, RCSVR Community Services Board, and the Catawba Hospital; he noted that Carilion and Lewis Gale Health System are private partners; THEREUPON, said presentation was received. Mayor Foley reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance on first reading authorizing the issuance of up to $3,200,000 in general obligation public improvement bonds; notice of such hearing was advertised in the January 29 and February 5, 2013, issues of The Roanoke Times, a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Salem; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that the Committee met to discuss General Obligation Bonds that were approved in the loan of $3.2 million for 20 years at an interest rate of 1.45 percent from the Department of Environmental Quality; the loan will provide funding for the City’s share of an upgrade to the Western Virginia Water Authority’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, including improvements to the facility’s disinfection and wet weather treatment capabilities; the loan amount includes funding for Salem’s share of the construction cost, administration and legal costs, engineering and a five percent contingency; after reviewing this information, the Committee recommends approval of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of said bonds; and WHEREAS, the Interim Director of Finance appeared before the Council and stated that this is a public hearing if anyone would like to speak; there will also be a resolution that sets out the form of the bond, and the bond will be closed on March 7, 2013; she stated that the project is already underway and has been approved from the Water Authority’s perspective through the same program; and ITEM 3 ORDINANCE PASSED AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO $3,200,000 IN GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS 4 WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned if the five percent contingency was originally supposed to be higher; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that it was lower than five percent and the City raised it to five percent; and WHEREAS, the Director of Water and Sewer appeared before the Council and further explained the project; he stated that project consists of the construction of an affluent pumping station for the wastewater treatment plant to be able to discharge adequate flows during a wet weather event (when the river gets elevated and starts to flood) treated wastewater can still be discharged to the river; expansion of the chlorine contact basins, which is a requirement by state and federal regulations for disinfection of the treated wastewater before it’s discharged; and the project also includes some side-stream modifications to treat excess flow during high, wet weather events when extraneous flows come into the plant; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones noted that the entire project has a cost of $15.8 million, and Salem’s share is $3.2 million; and WHEREAS, no other person(s) appeared related to the request; ON A MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $3,200,000 in general obligation public improvement bonds was hereby passed on first reading – 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 setting bond for erosion and sediment control for the Virginia Varsity project; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens, Chair of Council’s Audit-Finance Committee, reported that the Committee reviewed the estimate for erosion and sediment control for the Virginia Varsity entrance project and recommends setting bond in the amount of $31,372 with a time limit of twelve (12) months for completion; ON A MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, bond for erosion and sediment control for the Virginia Varsity Project was hereby set at $31,372 with a time ITEM 4 BOND SET FOR EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL FOR VIRGINIA VARSITY PROJECT 5 limit of twelve (12) months for completion – 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 regarding the request of Joan J. Dorsey, property owner, and BGGT, contract purchaser, for rezoning three parcels located in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Penley Boulevard, Tax Map #’s 204-10-2, 204-13-11, and a portion of 179-2-1.1 from AG Agriculture District to RSF Residential Single Family District; ordinance was passed on first reading at the January 28, 2013, meeting; ON A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, an ordinance rezoning three parcels located in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Penley Boulevard, Tax Map #’s 204-10-2, 204-13-11, and a portion of 179-2-1.1 from AG Agriculture District to RSF Residential Single Family District 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 an ordinance on second reading permanently vacating Roseland that extends from Penley Boulevard to Leland, Leland that extends from Roseland, and that certain part of Delton that extends west from Welton approximately 510 feet to its point of termination; ordinance passed on first reading at the January 28, 2013, meeting; ON A MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, an ordinance permanently vacating Roseland that extends from Penley Boulevard to Leland, Leland that extends from Roseland, and that certain part of Delton that extends west from Welton approximately 510 feet to its point of termination was hereby passed on first reading – 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 COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, J. David Robbins was hereby appointed to the Economic Development Authority to fill an expired term, said term will expire March 9, 2015 – the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph ITEM 7 J. DAVID ROBBINS APPOINTED TO EDA TO FILL EXPIRED TERM ITEM 5 ORDINANCE ADOPTED REZONING THREE PARCELS LOCATED IN THE 1400 AND 1500 BLOCKS OF PENLEY BOULEVARD (TAX MAP #’S 204-10-2, 204-13-11, AND A PORTION OF 179-2- 1.1) FROM AG TO RSF ITEM 6 ORDINANCE ADOPTED PERMANENTLY VACATING ROSELAND THAT EXTENDS FROM PENLEY BOULEVARD TO LELAND, LELAND THAT EXTENDS FROM ROSELAND, AND THAT CERTAIN PART OF DELTON THAT EXTENDS WEST FROM WELTON APPROXIMATELY 510 FEET TO ITS POINT OF TERMINATION 6 Foley – aye. Mayor Foley noted that four Council members will be attending a public hearing in Richmond, Virginia, the morning of Wednesday, February 13, 2013. There being no further business to come before the Council, the same on motion adjourned at 8:03 p.m.