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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/9/2012 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 9, 2012 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 April 9, 2012, 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; Krystal M. Coleman, Deputy Clerk of Council; and Frank P. Turk, Director of Finance; 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, the City Manager noted that a conference call with the Governor’s Office will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 10 a.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the need to hold a closed session regarding property the City may wish to sell; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding the items on the agenda items for the Council meeting; 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 6:50 p.m. Mayor Deputy Clerk of Council UNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING April 9, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, on April 9, 2012, 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; Krystal M. Coleman, Deputy Clerk of Council; Frank P. Turk, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; William L. Simpson, Jr., Assistant City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney, and the following business was transacted: It was noted that Senior Police Officer Tim Sutphin and Officer Chris Shelor were present at the meeting. The March 26, 2012, regular meeting minutes were approved as written. Mayor Foley requested that Council present City Council’s Pride in Salem Green Awards; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that the City of Salem is pleased to announce the First Annual Pride in Salem Green Awards that are designed to recognize businesses and organizations that take pride in our community in order to make Salem such a wonderful place to live, work, and play; the new awards are being presented to local businesses that have risen above others by significantly contributing to the beautification or “greening up” of the city through visible landscaping, prominent exterior building, or site renovations, or responsible environmental initiatives; during the month of March visitors to the City of Salem website were asked to vote for the company or organization they felt was most deserving of the recognition based on the information provided; three categories have been established—landscaping and beautification; renovations and energy efficiency; and recycle, reuse, and repurpose; a total of nine (9) Salem-based entities—Roanoke College, Salem Museum, Blue Apron restaurant, ITT Technical Institute, Project WARM, Spartan Square Shopping Center, Lowe’s, Big Lots and K & W Cafeteria, and Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion were vying for the top three awards; he noted that a total of 2,200 votes spread over the three categories were cast; he stated that the first recipient in the Landscape and Beautification category goes to Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion; and ITEM 1 PRESENTATION OF CITY COUNCIL’S PRIDE IN SALEM GREEN AWARDS 2 WHEREAS, Councilwomen Johnson and Garst presented the award to Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion representatives; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley noted that the other nominees in the category were West Gate Shopping Center (which houses Big Lots and K & W Cafeteria), Lowe’s, and Spartan Square Shopping Center; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that the next category is Renovations and Energy Efficiency; the winner is Roanoke College; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson and Garst presented the award to Roanoke College representatives; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley noted that the other nominees in the category were the Blue Apron restaurant, and Salem Museum; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that the next category is Recycle, Reuse, and Repurpose; the winner is Project WARM; and WHEREAS, Councilwomen Johnson and Garst presented the award to a Project WARM representative; and WHEREAS, it was noted that the other nominee in the category was ITT Technical Institute of Salem; THEREUPON, presentation was held. Mayor Foley requested that Council receive presentation from the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley regarding the SNAP Match Program at the Farmers Market; and WHEREAS, Alan Ronk, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley, thanked Council for the opportunity to appear; he stated that the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley was established in 1988; it serves over ten counties and cities in western and southwestern Virginia with the bulk of the work being done in the greater Roanoke Valley; he stated the Foundation holds over 250 different endowment funds with total outright assets exceeding $50 million; an additional $70 million that has been committed to the Foundation at this point from future estates and bequests; he stated that the funds range in size from $10,000 to millions of dollars; he further stated that the Foundation awards approximately $3 million annually to hundreds of non-profit organizations and governmental units across the region; he noted that Salem ITEM 2 PRESENTATION FROM FOUNDATION FOR THE ROANOKE VALLEY REGARDING THE SNAP MATCH PROGRAM AT THE FARMERS MARKET 3 residents have long been represented on the Foundation’s Board of Governors; Salem residents are also fund donors, supporters, and many of the students at Salem High School have been involved with the Youth Leadership Philanthropy Project since its inception; the Foundation is also one of the largest providers of college scholarships in the region, awarding over $300,000 to $400,000 annually in college scholarships; he stated that the Foundation has also provided grants to the Salem Museum, the Salem Food Pantry, Roanoke College, Feeding America Southwest Virginia, Hope Tree Family Services, and many other organizations in the City of Salem; he announced that the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley is providing support to the Salem Farmers Market’s SNAP Match Program; he stated that the grant comes from the Unrestricted Community Catalyst Funds and is in the amount of $14,000; he stated that $12,000 of the grant will be used to provide monies to match the anticipated SNAP EBT expenditures, thus enabling a greater number of needy individuals and families to receive $2.00 in healthy, locally grown produce and food for each $1.00 spent; in addition, the grant will also help the local farmers sell more produce which will help maintain and strengthen a sustainable, local agricultural base; he stated that the remaining $2,000 of the grant will be used to expand the token system that needy families use to purchase the food and produce; he presented the City with the grant check in the amount of $14,000; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley thanked Laura Reilly for applying for the grant on behalf of the City and thanked the anonymous donor for his/her donation to support this program in 2011; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones thanked the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley for the grant; THEREUPON, said presentation was received. Mayor Foley reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public hearing and consider amending the 2011-2012 budget; notice of such hearing had been published in the April 1, 2012, issue of The Roanoke Times, a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Salem; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that a discussion was held a couple weeks ago regarding the current budget, upcoming budget, and the mid- year budget adjustments; he stated that Council has a report prepared by the Finance Department that outlines the recommended amendments to the 2011- 2012 budget; he stated that the school Cafeteria Fund had no amendments; the School Operating Fund had $2.9 million in amendments, the largest portions ITEM 3 MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS 4 being transferring capital reserve monies into capital projects, the largest of which is the South Salem Elementary School Project; the other portion is approximately $800,000 in Federal Grant monies received; the Capital Projects Fund itself increased by a grand total of a little over $20 million, while that is a significant increase, approximately $16 million represents the South Salem Elementary School Project, which is currently out to bid and will be awarded in the coming months; he stated that the General Fund increased by $459,000 which includes an increase in vehicle maintenance fees, grants received from various agencies, donations from the Dog Park, and a couple of categories of taxes that are projected to bring in a little more than was budgeted; he stated he would answer any questions; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned the current mileage of the front line vehicles before the vehicles are rotated out compared to the mileage of the vehicles before the recession; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that prior to the recession front-line police vehicles, typically after 50,000 to 60,000 miles (roughly two-years of service) were rotated off front-line patrol use and would be placed into use either in another division within the police department or assigned to another city department; currently the front-line police department vehicles are approaching 120,000 to 140,000 miles; he stated that one lesson learned was that more use can be obtained from the vehicles before the vehicles are “retired” to another use; he stated that vehicles are more reliable than in the past; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens complimented the City Garage personnel for their efforts in keeping the vehicles running longer; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones questioned how much fuel costs will increase in the budget; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that at this point he estimates that fuel costs will add at least 10 to 15 percent; he stated that the City does not pay the price that is posted at the convenience store gas pumps and does not pay taxes on gasoline; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones questioned the total cost spent on fuel each year; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that he estimates approximately $200,000 is spent each year; and 5 WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens asked if the figure included fuel for school buses; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that the figure does include school buses; he stated that if the city spends $200,000 on fuel, the average consumer would spend $300,000; the city purchases fuel wholesale by tanker truck volumes; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst noted that there is an approximate $60,000 deficit for part-time employee costs for constitutional officers; she questioned if the monies were funded by the state; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that monies for part-time are partially funded by the state; he stated that the entire amount is not just for the Sheriff’s office; he stated that figure is under courts and judicial administration; he stated that the Sheriff’s portion is approximately $30,000; and WHEREAS, no other person(s) appeared related to the hearing; ON MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, the 2011-2012 mid-year budget amendments were 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 nominations for various VML Policy Committee for 2012; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, the following nominations are hereby made to the 2012 Virginia Municipal League Policy Committees: Community & Economic Development – Jane W. Johnson Environmental Quality – Lisa D. Garst & James M. Fender, Jr. Finance – Frank Turk General Laws – James E. Taliaferro, II Human Development & Education – William D. Jones Transportation – John C. Givens & Kevin S. Boggess ITEM 4 NOMINATIONS FOR VML POLICY COMMITTEES FOR 2012 6 -- 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 MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, Mac Johnson was hereby reappointed to the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission for a three-year term, said term will expire April 19, 2015 – 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 hold a closed session pursuant to provision of Section 2.2-3711 A. (3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, to discuss property the City may wish to sell; ON MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, Council convened to Closed Session at 7:54 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: 1. Discussion of a real estate matter pertaining to property the City may desire to sell and property the City may desire to purchase, which is authorized by Section 2.2-3711 A. 3. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date; -- 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. Upon reconvening at 8:13 p.m.; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, in accordance with Section 2.2-3712 D. of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, Council hereby 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 -- the roll call vote: Lisa D. Garst – aye, ITEM S1 CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PROPERTY THE CITY MAY WISH TO SELL ITEM 5 MAC JOHNSON REAPPOINTED TO ROANOKE VALLEY GREENWAY COMMISSION 7 William D. Jones – aye, Jane W. Johnson – aye, John C. Givens – aye, and Byron Randolph Foley – aye. There being no further business to come before the Council, the same on motion adjourned at 8:14 p.m.