HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/27/2026 - City Council - Minutes - Regular
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Work Session, 5:15 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 April 27,
2026, at 5:15 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to w it: Renée
Ferris Turk, Mayor; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph
Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders (absent); 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; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of
Community Development/City Engineer; Sam Driscoll, Stormwater Manager; Derek Weeks,
Chief of Police; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; and Laura Lea Harris,
Deputy Clerk of Council; Also present was Kristina Bryant, Senior Director/Rulo Strategies;
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. Rulo Strategies - City of Salem Opioid Settlement Strategic Plan
2. Update on Stormwater Utility Advisory Committee - Will Simpson,
Assistant Director of Community Development/City Engineer; Sam
Driscoll, Stormwater Manager
Kristina Bryant, Senior Director, Rulo Strategies, presented an overview of the City of Salem
Opioid Settlement Strategic Plan. Discussion was held and responses were provided to
questions asked by members of Council. Council will review this information and come back
at a subsequent meeting to adopt this Plan.
Will Simpson provided an update for Council on the progress of the Stormwater Utility
Advisory Committee and a potential implementation timeline. Discussion was held and
questions were asked by Council. Discussion was held on whether City facilities should be
charged and Council requested that staff research what other localities were doing and
provide them with this information.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:24 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; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, Hunter Holliday, and
John Saunders (absent); 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; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community
Development/City Engineer; Clark Ruhland, Communications Specialist; and Jim Guynn,
City Attorney.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Awards & Recognitions
There were no recognitions this evening.
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.
No citizens signed up to speak this evening.
B. Minutes
Consider acceptance of the April 13, 2026, Work Session and Regular Meeting and
the April 15, 2026, and April 16, 2026, Special Meeting Budget Work Session
minutes.
The minutes were approved as written.
Mayor Turk requested that the City Manager provide an update on current items in the City
of Salem.
City Manager Dorsey provided an update on recent and upcoming activities and events in
the City of Salem.
5. Old Business
There was no Old Business this evening.
6. New Business
A. Public Hearing and Consideration to Grant an Ingress/Egress Easement
Hold a public hearing pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-1800 and consider
granting an ingress/egress easement located on Tax Map #150 -2-4 owned by the
City of Salem. (Advertised in the April 16, 2026, issue of The Salem Times-
Register.)
Mayor Turk requested that Mr. Light provide information on this item.
Mr. Light presented a request to resolve a longstanding property matter involving City-owned
land at 415 Electric Road, the site of Fire Station No. 2 and an electric substation. He
explained that when the City acquired the property in 1963, an apparent access easement
existed to serve two adjacent industrial parcels that would otherwise be landlocked. In 1998,
City Council formally granted an easement benefiting one of those parcels (475 Electric
Road), though the reason for doing so is unclear. Both adjoining properties are now under
common ownership and are in the process of being conveyed to a new entity. During title
review, it was identified that only one parcel currently has a formal easement. To address
this discrepancy, Council is being asked to grant a similar access easement to the second
parcel (515 Electric Road), under the same terms and conditions as the existing easement
for 475 Electric Road.
Mayor Turk opened the public hearing.
No one came forward to speak.
Mayor Turk closed the public hearing.
Randy Foley motioned to approve granting an ingress/egress easement located on Tax Map
#150-2-4. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion.
Ayes: Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Nays: None
Absent: John Saunders
Abstaining: None
B. Roanoke Regional Airport Commission
Presentation and approval of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission budget for
Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Mike Stewart, Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, presented
the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget on behalf of the Commission. He noted that Dale Guidry,
Salem appointee to the Commission, and David Jeavons, Director of Finance, were with him
this evening. He indicated that no funds were being requested from Salem. Mr. Stewart
shared that the Commission adopted this budget at its March 24, 2026, meeting. He noted a
list of Capital Expenditures planned for Fiscal Year 2027 which are exp ected to exceed
$100,000 in cost. Mr. Stewart reported a strong Fiscal Year 2026 performance, with no
additional appropriations being requested from the City of Roanoke, the County of Roanoke,
or the City of Salem. He came this evening requesting formal approval of the budget and
the Capital Expenditure list by Council.
Mr. Stewart noted that Fiscal Year 2027 projections include increased revenue and
expenses, with an estimated net operating income of just over $3 million, supported by
record revenues and a reduction in landing fees to incentivize airline activity. He spoke of a
continued focus on increasing non-aviation revenue sources, including parking, rental cars,
concessions, and the development of unused land. Mr. Stewart shared that the airport
contributes approximately $613 million in regional economic output and supports about
3,200 jobs, reflecting significant growth since 2018. Capital program totals are estimated at
$38.3 million for Fiscal Year 2027, including runway rehabilitation, termin al improvements,
and rental car facility improvements. The airport set a new passenger record in 2025 of over
827,000 passengers, surpassing prior records. Mr. Stewart shared information on ongoing
improvements, community engagement efforts, and safety and infrastructure work. It was
noted that a key priority is increasing local passenger utilization.
Councilman Foley asked about a timeline for the runway extension.
Mr. Stewart responded that there currently was not a timeline due to funding constraint s.
Councilman Foley asked Mr. Stewart what Council and the community could do to support
the airport in this goal.
Mr. Stewart responded that encouraging residents and businesses alike to utilize the local
airport was the best way to support the airport.
Mayor Turk encouraged citizens and local businesses to fly out of Roanoke and fill the
flights.
Mr. Dorsey noted that this was very high on Salem's Legislative Priority list.
Mayor Turk added that they had talked with the legislators and expressed the ir support for
the airport.
Hunter Holliday motioned to approve the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission budget for
the Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Randy Foley seconded the motion.
Ayes: Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Absent: John Saunders
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
C. Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Budget
Presentation and approval of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA)
budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
The 2026-2027 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority was presented by
Jon Lanford, Chief Executive Officer of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, on behalf of
the Board of Directors. He recognized Assistant City Manager Rob Light as a member of
the Board and City Attorney Jim Guynn as General Counsel for the Board
Mr. Lanford began by noting recent landfill fire incidents, emphasizing the need for increased
public education on proper disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries. He presented
the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority , totaling $19.82
million, which was adopted on April 1, 2026, and reflects an increase of $708,000 over the
prior year. To balance the budget, modest tipping fee increases of approximately 3% are
proposed, raising municipal rates to $59.75 per ton and commercial/private rates to $71.50
per ton, primarily due to rising costs in fuel, transportation, and equipment. Revenues are
projected to increase by approximately $683,000 in disposal fees, supplemented by external
waste contracts to reduce the financial burden on local governments. A newly negotiated
transportation contract reflects a reduction in costs by about $122,000 and eliminates the
need for significant trailer replacements.
The budget also includes engineering costs for the development of landfill cells 8 and 9 at
the Smith Gap facility, which will extend landfill capacity by approximately 20 years and
reduce long-term capital costs through combined construction. Capital improvement and
equipment replacement funds are now fully funded.
Vice Mayor Green asked for information on revenue from the Authority's renewable natural
gas (RNG).
Mr. Lanford responded that the gas is marketed through a federal renewable energy credit
program rather than sold directly to a utility. The physical processing plant, being developed
by Archaea BP, is not yet operational; however, wellfield infrastructure is complete. The
Authority is currently receiving royalty payments based on projected production, marking the
second year of such revenues.
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget by Council was requested.
Randy Foley motioned to approve the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority's budget for
Fiscal Year 2027. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion.
Ayes: Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk
Absent: John Saunders
Nays: None
Abstaining: None
D. Presentation of Salem School Division Budget
Receive presentation from the Chairman of the Salem School Board regarding the
2026-2027 budget pursuant to Section 8.5 of the 1968 Charter of the City of Salem,
as amended.
Andy Raines, Chairman of the Salem City School Board, expressed gratitude to City Council
and administration for their continued support and collaboration. He emphasized that the
Salem City School's progress and educational achievements are the result of strong
partnerships and the dedication of school employees.
Mr. Raines presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget approved by the School Board
at the March 19, 2026, meeting and amended on April 14, 2026, consisting of the School
Fund Budget of $64,836,277; the Grant Fund Budget of $3,528,821; and the Cafeteria Fund
Budget of $2,716,137; for a total budget of $71,081,235. This reflects a 7.8% increase over
the current year, driven by: additional state revenue due to rebenchmarking at the State
level, as well as enrollment increases in the online school program, offset by program
expenditures; enhanced state funding targeted at supporting at-risk and high-need students;
and salary increases for staff.
The proposed budget, based on the Governor's proposed budget from December, includes a
requested local appropriation increase of $600,000. The school division remains prepared
to revise the budget as necessary pending final state budget decisions. Mr. Raines noted
that the School Board has maintained a student and employee -centered approach
throughout this process, focusing on providing a competitive salary and benefits package
while complying with state and federal mandates. Mr. Raines specifically explained the
School Board's decision to participate in the statewide online school initiative and the
financial revenue generated by this program. He outlined specific budget highlights and
charts that were included as attachments to the budget for reference purposes. Mr. Raines
concluded by thanking city leadership and school staff for their contributions and responsible
stewardship of public resources. The budget was formally presented in compliance with the
May 1 deadline.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk
Clerk of Council Mayor