Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/26/2010 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 26, 2010 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 26, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, John C. Givens, William D. Jones, and Lisa D. Garst (Jane W. Johnson); with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with Kevin S. Boggess, City Manager; James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; and Krystal M. Coleman, Deputy Clerk of Council, 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 the Salem Commerce Park; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding City of Salem personalized license plates and revenue sharing; and WHEREAS, a discussion was held regarding Council note cards; 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 7:21 p.m. Mayor Clerk of Council UNAPPROVED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING April 26, 2010 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 26, 2010, 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; and the following business was transacted: It was noted that Troop 51 was present at this meeting of Council. The April 12, 2010, work session and regular meeting minutes and the April 23, 2010, special meeting minutes were approved as written. The report by the City Manager of the City’s activities for March 2010 was received and ordered filed. The report by the Director of Finance of the City’s financial status for a nine-month period ending March 31, 2010, was received and ordered filed. Mayor Foley requested that Council receive a presentation from Sarah W. Southard, Chair, Salem School Board, regarding the 2010-2011 budget; and WHEREAS, Sarah W. (Sally) Southard, Chair Salem School Board, appeared before the Council to present the City of Salem School Division balanced budget for fiscal year 2011, which was approved by the School Board on March 23, 2010; she stated that the budget consists of the School fund budget in the amount of $40,401,098 and the Cafeteria fund budget in the amount of $1,634,500 for a total budget of $42,035,598; she stated that the budget is $2,244,356 less (or 5.1 percent) than the fiscal year 2010 adopted budget; she noted highlights in the FY 2011 budget: state revenue decreased by $2.1 million, federal revenue decreased by $500,000, and local and other revenue increased a net of $400,000; State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Grants, which are federal stimulus funds, will decrease from $1.4 million in FY 2010 to $447,000 in FY 2011; local revenue from Salem has been budgeted as level funded at $18.4 million based on guidance from Mr. Turk and Mr. Boggess; FY 2011 is funded with 51 percent local funds, 41 percent state funds, 6 percent federal funds, and 2 percent other funds; state revenue, including sales tax, will fund about $4,300 per student in FY 2011 compared to $4,839 in FY 2010; non - ITEM 1 PRESENTATION FROM SARAH W. SOUTHARD, CHAIR, SALEM SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING 2010- 2011 BUDGET 2 resident tuition will increase from $300 to $500; school breakfast and lunch prices will not increase; there will be no pay raises for personnel for the second year in a row; funding will continue to support the Distinguished Scholars program for students and the National Board Certification for teachers; she thanked Council on behalf of the Salem City School board and its employees for providing local funding for the school division; she also thanked Dr. Seibert, Mr. Crew, Mr. Turk, and the school division employees for their patience and hard work in developing the budget during such a difficult economic time; she further asked that Council, on behalf of the City of Salem School Board, to approve the balanced budget; she stated that she, Dr. Seibert, Mr. Crew, and Mr. Turk are available to answer any questions from Council; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Garst questioned if Mrs. Southard felt that there was a particular area that took a hard hit compared to another area; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Southard stated that she did not feel that one area was hit harder than another area; she stated that no one was laid off, programs were not reduced; she stated that several positions have been lost through attrition that will not be filled; and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Johnson questioned where the positions were lost through attrition; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Southard stated that two high school teaching positions, two middle school positions, two elementary positions, and one instructional aide position were lost due to attrition; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley asked if the lost positions would increase class sizes; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Southard stated that it was unknown at this time if class sizes would increase; kindergarten enrollment is being looked at, and enrollment is actually down this year compared with this time last year; and WHEREAS, Vice Mayor Givens complimented Mrs. Southard, the School Board, Dr. Seibert and his staff, and all of the teachers on their efforts in developing the FY 2011 budget and continuing the tradition of “kids first” in Salem; and WHEREAS, Councilman Jones commended Mrs. Southard and the School Board for their hard work; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley stated that several people have asked him if the 3 schools would be able to start earlier in the year sometime in the future; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Southard stated that the school calendar for 2010-11 has already been approved; she stated that for many years the School Board would wait on the General Assembly to make a decision on when to start school and it was finally decided that school would start after Labor Day and people have gotten used to school starting after Labor Day; and WHEREAS, Dr. Seibert stated that the bill with the best chance that would permit a pre-Labor Day opening, was withdrawn by the author; he stated that parents appreciate the consistency of starting after Labor Day; THEREUPON, said presentation was received. Mayor Foley requested that Council consider adopting Resolution 1156 commending the Salem High School Forensics Team for winning the 2010 Group AA State Forensics Team Championship; and WHEREAS, a copy of the resolution will be presented to Coach Ingerson and the Forensics Team at a banquet to be held May 3, 2010, at the Salem Civic Center; ON MOTION MADE BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1156 commending the Salem High School Forensics Team for winning the 2010 Group AA State Forensics Team Championship was hereby adopted: (HERE SET OUT RESOLUTION 1156) – 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 GARST, AND DULY CARRIED, Forest G. Jones was hereby reappointed to the Virginia Western Community College Board for a four-year term, said term will expire June 30, 2014; and Morris A. Elam, Jr., was hereby reappointed to the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission for a three-year term, ITEM 2 RESOLUTION 1156 ADOPTED COMMENDING THE SALEM HIGH SCHOOL FORENSICS TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2010 GROUP AA STATE FORENSICS TEAM CHAMPION- SHIP ITEM 3 FOREST G. JONES REAPOINTED TO VWCC BOARD, MORRIS A. ELAM, JR. REAPPOINTED TO ROANOKE VALLEY GREENWAY COMMISSION 4 said term will expire May 26, 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 adoption of Resolution 1157 amending sections 1.12-D of the Administrative and Personnel Operating Procedures to include the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veterans Day as official City Holidays with administrative offices being closed; and WHEREAS, the City Manager stated that the holidays are not new holidays for employees; the holidays were considered “Salem Days” where City offices were open, but employees could take the day off on the holiday or at a later date; ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN JONES, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1157 amending sections 1.12-D of the Administrative and Personnel Operating Procedures to include the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veterans Day as official City Holidays: (HERE SET OUT RESOLUTION 1157) – 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 adoption of Resolution 1158 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2010 tax year; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that when Governor Gilmore was in office and the Personal Property Tax Relief Act was adopted, the state was going to “pick up” 70 percent of the residential person’s personal property taxes; as time has gone by, the percentage has changed and the state has “capped” the funding at $950 million; he stated that the grant, which is approximately $2.5 million will provide funding for 59.75 percent of the individual’s personal property taxes; he stated that as in the past, citizens will receive a tax bill that shows the total assessment, the total amount of the tax, the tax that is being funded at 59.75 percent, and the balance; he further stated that all vehicles valued at less than $1,000, the City pays 100 percent, which is done state-wide; he further stated that the resolution to be adopted states that 59.75 will be the rate applied to the tax tickets to be mailed out within the next ITEM S1 RESOLUTION 1157 ADOPTED AMENDING SECTIONS 1.12-D OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL OPERATING PROCEDURES TO INCLUDE THE BIRTHDAY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND VETERANS DAY AS OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAYS ITEM S2 RESOLUTION 1158 ADOPTED SETTING THE ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR THE 2010 TAX YEAR 5 week; and WHEREAS, Mayor Foley questioned how the 59.75 rate compared to other localities; and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance stated that the rate will be a little different in each locality, but not by a drastic amount (i.e. the rate in Roanoke City is 60.59); ON MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN JONES, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR GIVENS, AND DULY CARRIED, Resolution 1158 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2010 tax year: (HERE SET OUT RESOLUTION 1158) – 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 7:51 p.m.