HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/24/2025 - City Council - Minutes - Regular
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Work Session, 6:00 PM
Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem,
Virginia 24153
Regular Session, 6:30 PM, 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
November 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., there being present the following members of said
Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Council
members; Byron Randolph Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with
Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob
Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosie Jordan, Director of
Finance; Dr. Curtis Hicks, Superintendent of Salem City Schools; Mandy Hall, Chief
Financial Officer; Hunter Routt, Director of Administrative Services; Crystal Williams,
Assistant to the City Manager; and 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
1) Review School FY25 Fund Balance Requests and FY 27-32 Capital
Improvement Plan - Dr. Curtis Hicks
Mrs. Hall presented an overview of the division's Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP). The Capital Reserve balance was noted as well as grant amounts that had
been awarded. She shared proposed projects for Fiscal Year 2026 and the proposed
six-year CIP Plan.
Members of Council asked questions and commented during the
discussion. Questions were responded to by Dr. Hicks, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Routt.
Discussion was held about the City of Salem's potential participation in a regional
opioid grant. Council asked staff to send a letter of support.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:29 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; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley,
Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding
together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and
Clerk of Council; Rosie 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 Opening, Awards, Recognitions
A. Salem High School - State Championship - Golf
Consider the adoption of Resolution 1512 honoring Salem High School Golfer
Ashnoor Kaur for her State Championship in 2025.
Mayor Turk shared that Council would like to recognize Salem High School golfer,
Ashnoor Kaur, for her state championship. She asked that Ashnoor and Coach Blaine
Hancock come forward. Mayor Turk read Resolution 1512 for those in attendance
this evening. Ashnoor was presented with a copy of the resolution and a Salem City
Championship pin. City Council expressed congratulations, and pictures were taken
by Mike Stevens.
Randy Foley motioned to adopt Resolution 1512 honoring Salem High School golfer,
Ashnoor Kaur, for her state championship. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
Mayor Turk expressed appreciation for local students, noting pride in their
achievements across academics, athletics, and other activities, and commending
their dedication and hard work.
4. Consent Agenda
A. Citizen Comments
Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already
having a public hearing at the same meeting.
Skyler Wood, 413 Idaho Street, addressed Council regarding ongoing traffic -safety
concerns on this street. He expressed appreciation for the Police Department's
prompt response to earlier complaints, including enforcement efforts and recently
installed speed-display signage, which initially reduced speeding. He reported that
speeding has resumed. Mr. Wood requested Council's consideration of additional
traffic-calming measures and offered suggestions. He asked what options the City
might pursue to improve safety. He also expressed concern about pedestrian access
to the Greenway between Elizabeth Avenue and Virginia Avenue.
Councilman Foley asked Mr. Light to confirm if discussion had been held regarding
potential work on the intersection at the top.
Mr. Light responded that the intent is to make a connection back to Main Street and
that staff is currently working on this. He explained that this would be a spur to
connect it to Main Street and that this would require a crossing to get back to the
other side. This would likely need to take place on the cemetery side due to
topography and utilities.
William Lambert, 114 Niblick Drive, expressed concern regarding a stormwater issue
affecting several neighboring properties. He provided photos documenting the issues
and noted that they have previously emailed Council members about the
problem. He acknowledged receiving a recent update from staff indicating that a
camera inspection of the storm drain is planned to determine the extent of the
damage and appropriate repairs. Mr. Lambert requested that the City provide a firm
schedule or target date for the inspection and subsequent corrective action.
Mayor Turk responded that scheduling would fall under the purview of the Director of
the department and Council would not have this information. She noted that he had
done the right thing by emailing and notifying the appropriate personnel. She also
noted for the benefit of citizens that there is a process available on the City website
for reporting problems.
City Manager Dorsey noted that the subdivision was platted in 1972 and confirmed
that the drainage infrastructure lies within City easements. He stated that staff is
assessing access options to the affected area, including verifying that no structures or
heavy items have been built on the easement as that could contribute to pipe failure
or obstruct repair efforts. Mr. Dorsey acknowledged awareness of the issue and
indicated that staff is working on this and that staff will maintain communication with
the affected residents as the City moves forward. He indicated that he believed Mr.
Sutphin had been out to speak with the citizens about this issue.
Councilman Foley observed that it was great to see younger residents coming out
this evening to speak to Council.
Mayor Turk echoed this sentiment and reiterated that both citizens had taken correct
action in notifying the departments that oversee the specific issues involved.
B. Minutes
Consider acceptance of the November 10, 2025, Regular Meeting minutes.
The minutes were approved as written.
5. Old Business
A. Amendment to City Code - Chapter 78
Consider adoption of ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 78 –
Subdivisions – Articles I – Generally, Section 78-103; Article II –
Administration, Sections 78-200, 201, 204, and 206; Article III – Definitions,
Section 78-300; Article IV – Review of plats, Sections 78-400, 401, 402, 403,
404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 416, 421; Article V – Security for the construction of
public improvements, Sections, 78-501 and 503; Article VI – Requirements for
design standards and public improvements, Sections 78 -600, 602, 606, 607,
611, 615, 617, 625, 629, 634, and 642; and Article VII – Vacation of plats,
Sections 78-701 and 706 of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA
pertaining to plan review by designated agent and timeframe of local
approvals. (Adopted on first reading at the November 10, 2025, meeting.)
Randy Foley motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading amending Chapter
78 as specified in the agenda packet. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
B. Amendment to City Code - Chapter 106
Consider adoption of ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 106 –
Zoning, Article II – District Regulations, Section 106-232 pertaining to
Industrial park overlay district; Article III – Use and design standards, Section
106-318 pertaining to Urban agriculture; Article IV – Development standards,
Section 106-400 pertaining to site plans, 402 pertaining to nonconforming
uses and sites, 406 pertaining to plot plans; Article V – Administration, Section
106-520 pertaining to amendments to ordinance, 524 pertaining to special
exception permits and use not provided for permits; Article VI – Definitions
and Use Types, and Section 106-600 pertaining to site plans, of the CODE
OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA. (Adopted on first reading at the
November 10, 2025, meeting.)
Randy Foley motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading, amending Chapter
106 as specified in the agenda packet. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
C. Amendment to City Code - Chapter 82
Consider adoption of ordinance on second reading amending Sections 82 -136
through 82-147 Article V, Chapter 82, of The CODE OF THE CITY OF
SALEM, VIRGINIA, pertaining to Transient Occupancy Tax. (Adopted on first
reading at the November 10, 2025, meeting.)
Hunter Holliday motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading amending
Sections 82-136 through 82-147 Article V, of Chapter 82. John Saunders seconded
the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
D. Amendment to City Code - Chapter 94
Consider adoption of ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 94,
Nuisances, Section 94-3, Declaration of nuisances; abatement required,
pertaining to trees of the CODE OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA.
(Adopted on first reading at the November 10, 2025, meeting.)
Anne Marie Green motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading, amending
Chapter 94, Nuisances, Section 94-3, Declaration of nuisances; abatement required,
pertaining to trees. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
E. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
Consider adoption of ordinance on second reading for the request of Pillis
Enterprises Inc., property owner, to rezone the property located at 522 South
Market Street (Tax Map #s 160 - 4 - 2) from RSF Residential Single-Family
District to HBD Highway Business District. (Adopted on first reading at the
November 10, 2025, meeting.)
Randy Foley motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading for the request of
Pillis Enterprises Inc., property owner, to rezone the property located at 522 South
Market Street (Tax Map #s 160 - 4 - 2) from RSF Residential Single-Family District to
HBD Highway Business District. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
6. New Business
A. Appropriation of Funds
Request to amend the School General Fund, Grants Fund, School Capital
Projects Fund, and School Reserve Fund budgets as approved by the School
Board on October 14, 2025. Audit - Finance Committee
The budget for various School funds was amended for fiscal year 2025 -2026 by the
School Board at their meeting on October 14, 2025. The Board amended the
budgets to appropriate $1,962,838 from the unallocated capital reserve funds. The
memo included in the agenda packet covers the various appropriation changes. Also
included is the CIP document for the six-year period, fiscal years 2027 – 2032.
Randy Foley motioned to approve the School Board’s appropriation changes of
$55,136 to the School General Fund, $97,666 to the School Grants Fund, $202,400
to the School Reserve Fund and $1,627,636 to the School Capital Projects Fund per
the reports attached in the agenda packet. He also motioned approval of the six -year
CIP document submitted by the School Board. Anne Marie Green seconded the
motion.
Mayor Turk noted that Council had received a presentation on this information and
that they had worked with the School Board on this. Council had the opportunity to
review this information and ask questions.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
B. Performance Agreement - LOS POLLOS AMIGOS, INC. (dba Wings Etc.)
Consider a request authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute a
local performance agreement between LOS POLLOS AMIGOS INC. (dba
Wings Etc.), the City of Salem, and the Economic Development Authority of
the City of Salem.
Mayor Turk asked Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development, for information
on this item.
Mr. Miller reported that the City has been working for over a year with the owners of
Los Pollos (locally referred to as Wings, Etc.), located on Wildwood in the former
Original El Rodeo/Bonanza building. The business has made substantial site -plan
improvements to bring the property up to current code standards. To support this
reinvestment in a priority commercial corridor, staff announced that the City is
proceeding with a $30,000 meals-tax grant to assist the project.
Randy Foley motioned to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the local
performance agreement between LOS POLLOS AMIGOS INC. (dba Wings Etc.), the
City of Salem, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem. Hunter
Holliday seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
C. Performance Agreement - McClung Lumber Company, Incorporated
Consider a request authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute a
local performance agreement between McClung Lumber Company
Incorporated, the City of Salem, and the Economic Development Authority of
the City of Salem.
Mr. Miller reported that McClung Lumber, a long-established local business with new
leadership and investors, has been working to diversify its customer base and expand
operations. To support this growth, the company recently acquired an adjacent
building and invested in new equipment, resulting in additional capital needs. To
encourage the business’s continued expansion and retention within the community,
the City is awarding McClung Lumber a $10,000 personal property tax grant.
Anne Marie Green motioned to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute a
local performance agreement between McClung Lumber Company Incorporated, the
City of Salem, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem. Randy
Foley seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
D. Boards and Commissions
Consider appointments to various boards and commissions.
Randy Foley motioned to reappoint Rev. Todd Hester for a three-year term ending
December 31, 2028, as a City-appointed representative to the Blue Ridge Behavioral
Healthcare Board; and to ratify the reappointment of Patrick Kenney by Blue Ridge
Behavioral Healthcare as an at-large member for a three-year term ending December
31, 2028; Also motion to recommend David Prosser for Circuit Court reappointment
for a three-year term ending November 30, 2028, to the Board of Equalization of Real
Estate Assessments; Also motion to reappoint Deputy Chief Matt Rickman for a
three-year term ending December 31, 2028, to the Western Virginia Emergency
Medical Services Council. John Saunders seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
7. Closed Session
Hold a closed session in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 (A)(7) of the 1950
Code of Virginia, as amended, for consultation with legal counsel and briefings by
staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such
consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or
litigating posture of the public body.
Anne Marie Green motioned to that, in accordance with Section 2.2 ‐3711 A of the
1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Council hereby convenes to closed session at
6:58 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matter: Consultation
with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual
or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would
adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body. Randy Foley
seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
Mayor Turk noted that no action would be taken this evening.
Anne Marie Green motioned to reconvene at 7:19 p.m. in accordance with Section
2.2‐3712 D. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date. Council 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. Randy Foley seconded the motion.
Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk
Clerk of Council Mayor