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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/26/2022 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, September 26, 2022, 6:30 PM Work Session is cancelled for September 26, 2022 Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION WORK SESSION IS CANCELLED 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; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones (participated remotely); and John Saunders; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Chuck Van Allman, Director of Community Development; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; Larado Robinson, Director of Water and Sewer Department; A. K. Briele, Director of Electric Department; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions Mayor Turk recognized Troop Leader Trena Carroll and members of Boy Scout Troop #39, Joey and Brandon Conklin, that were present as a requirement towards earning their Communications Merit Badge. Mayor Turk requested that Mr. Light read a request from Mr. Jones to participate remotely in this Council meeting. The request from Mr. Jones stated: "In accordance with Section 2.2-3708.2 A. 1(B) of the Code of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Remote Participation Policy of the City of Salem, I hereby request to participate remotely due a personal matter, specifically that I am out of town." James Wallace motioned to accept the remote participation of Mr. Jones. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Saunders, Turk, Wallace Abstain: Jones 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing component at the same meeting. The following have signed up to speak at this meeting: 1) Stella Reinhard - 213 North Broad Street - City Hall 2) Ben Early - 1415 Antrim Street - Update to Council in regards to Virginia State cell phone law Stella Reinhard, 213 North Broad Street, was the first citizen to address Council. Mayor Turk noted that Mrs. Reinhard had previously shared material with Council for their review. Mrs. Reinhard shared additional information this evening. She expressed concern about potential future plans for City Hall and the importance of preserving the historic neighborhood. She expressed the importance of hearing the different viewpoints and perspectives in the process, so the end result is a project that all stakeholders are more satisfied with. She shared several visions for keeping City Hall in the historic downtown. Ben Early, 1415 Antrim Street, owner of B. Early Cab Service, was the last citizen to address Council. He provided an update for Council in regards to the Handheld Communication Devices Statute that had been discussed at a Council meeting in March. He has been working with Joe McNamara and David Suetterlein in an attempt to have an amendment to this statute presented in the upcoming session of the General Assembly. He requested that, if possible, the City Attorney review the text of the amendment drafted by his attorney prior to submitting this to the General Assembly. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the September 12, 2022, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were accepted as written. C. Financial Report Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the two months ending August 2022. The financial reports were received. 5. New Business A. Salem Band Boosters Consider request from the Salem Band Boosters for a donation ($3,344.60) equal to the amount of admissions tax paid in connection with the annual Drum Corps International Summer Music Games Competition held on August 2, 2022, at the Salem Stadium. Mayor Turk noted that this is something that Council does annually. Mr. Taliaferro noted that with some of the charity events that occur, Council receives a request for a donation back to those charities in the amount of the admissions tax that was collected during that event. Randy Foley motioned to approve a donation in the amount of $3,344.60 which is equal to amount of admissions tax paid in connection with the annual Drum Corps International Summer Music Games Competition held on August 2, 2022, at the Salem Stadium. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace B. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to appoint Chuck Van Allman as a full member for the remainder of a three-year term ending June 30, 2023 and Josh Pratt as an alternate member for the remainder of a three-year term ending June 30, 2023, to the Transportation Technical Committee. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace C. Purchase of Property Authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute documents necessary to purchase approximately 12 acres adjacent to Mill Lane in Salem. Mr. Taliaferro noted that this is the old farm off of Mill Lane and the portion of this property being referred to is the northern portion of the property that is adjacent to the Industrial Development on Southside Drive. This property could potentially allow the City to expand that development. James Wallace motioned to approve the purchase of the northern approximate 12.3 acres of tract A-2A along Mill Lane from Charles Douglas and Jeffrey Dorsey in the amount of $859,649 subject to the review and approval of the City Manager and City Attorney. The funds will be taken from the General Fund balance. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 6. Closed Session A. Closed Session Hold a closed session in accordance with Sections 2.2-3711 A (29) and (7) of the 1950 Code of Virginia as amended for: 1) For discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, and discussion of the terms of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City; and 2) 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. Jim Wallace motioned that in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A(29) and A(7) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Council hereby convenes to closed session at 6:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: 1) For discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, and discussion of the terms of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City; and 2) 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. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace Mayor Turk noted that Council did not anticipate taking any action this evening. James Wallace motioned to reconvene at 7:43 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: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.