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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/25/2011 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING July 25, 2011 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, on July 25, 2011, 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, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Frank P. Turk, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney, and the following business was transacted: It was noted that Master Robert Andrews from Troop 352 was present at this meeting of Council. The July 11, 2011, regular meeting and work session minutes were approved as written. The March and April 2011 reports by the City Manager were received and ordered filed. Mayor Foley requested that Council consider Resolution 1185 amending schedule O.L., adding Code 39, LED Outdoor Lighting, to the Book of Electric Rates; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that normally this is done only once a year, but there are signs of an interest in a new type of outdoor lighting which is LED as opposed to the other standard type lighting (bulbs, etc.); he stated that the City is trying to be proactive by amending schedule O.L. so that when LED lighting is installed, the city has a rate to charge for LED lighting; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor questioned if LED lighting has been installed anywhere within the City; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that not as of today; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that no LED lighting has been installed as of today, but the Salem Dog Park should have the first LED lamp posts installed within the next month or so which will give the city the opportunity to meter the LED lighting and determine the costs associated with ITEM 1 RESOLUTION 1185 ADOPTED AMENDING SCHEDULE O.L., ADDING CODE 39, LED OUTDOOR LIGHTING, TO THE BOOK OF ELECTRIC RATES 2 LED lighting, etc.; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned how the rate structure was developed; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that the Electric Department determined the rate structure and he is not familiar with how it was developed; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that LED lighting is more efficient; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that he would find out the reasoning behind the rate structure; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that Council does not have to take any action on the item until the question on the rate structure is answered; he stated that he believes that the rate is based on the cost of the fixture as much as the amount of electricity it consumes; he further stated that when outdoor lighting is placed, the cost of the fixture is prorated into the rate; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones stated that the initial outlay is more expensive; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson questioned if the rate applies to only commercial-type applications; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that currently there are more commercial street lighting type applications opposed to security lighting that is placed on resident’s property; he stated that he believes that LED lighting is going to expand and will become less expensive to operate and the bulbs last much longer; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley questioned if the rate applies to internal charge back, i.e. the dog park; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that the rate will be applied to internal costs also; and WHEREAS, the Mayor stated that the greatest cost will come from internal costs; and 3 WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that the greatest application is internally in terms of street lights, etc. that are charged back; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that the Director of the Electric Department has indicated that he has been fielding questions from businesses and vendors who are looking into LED lighting; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst further questioned how the rate was determined because even though the initial costs are more expensive, LED lighting is more energy efficient and the bulbs have a longer life-span; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that LED lighting is more efficient and less costly, but the cost of the fixture is more expensive; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that while LED lighting is more energy efficient, the reliability of the fixture is in question which is why installing the fixtures at the Salem Dog Park will be a way for the City to determine a true life- cycle for LED lighting and fixtures; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that the rate will be in place and will be applied to the lighting at the Salem Dog Park; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that the rate will apply to the dog park; he further noted that the rate can be changed at any point; he stated that if LED fixtures decrease in price by 50 percent within the next year, the capital portion of the rate can be adjusted at that point; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst stated that if someone wants to install LED lighting, she doesn’t want them to be discouraged due to the rate being approximately 35 percent higher for LED lighting; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones stated that he believes the rate difference is close between standard lighting versus LED lighting costs; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that the question is: does Council want to encourage more LED and create a sort of subsidy or longer capital cost expenditure by reducing the rate; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones stated that he believes that it is a good starting point; he stated that the rate can be adjusted and revisited at any time; and 4 WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that he would like for the rate to be set and then once information is obtained, the rate can be adjusted if necessary; and WHEREAS, it was noted that the rate will be re-evaluated in three months by the Audit-Finance Committee; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1185 was hereby adopted amending Schedule O.L., adding Code 39, LED Outdoor Lighting, to the Book of Electric Rates with the rate to be re-evaluated by the Audit-Finance Committee in three months: (HERE SET OUT RESOLUTION) – 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 VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, Vicki Daulton was hereby reappointed to the Planning Commission for a four-year term, said term will expire July 26, 2015; and James W. Thweatt, Jr., was hereby reappointed to the Personnel Board for a two-year term, said term will expire July 31, 2013 – 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 of the City Manager to hold a closed session pursuant to provisions of Section 2.2-3711 A (7) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended for consultation with legal counsel; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, AND DULY CARRIED, in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A. (7) of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, Council convened to Closed Session at 7:41 p.m. for consultation with legal counsel retained on a specific legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel and consultation with legal counsel because such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating posture of the ITEM 2 VICKI DAULTON REAPPOINTED TO PLANNING COMMISSION; JAMES W. THWEATT, JR. REAPPOINTED TO PERSONNEL BOARD ITEM 3 CLOSED SESSION FOR CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL 5 City -- 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 9:48 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, 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 9:49 p.m.