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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/27/2026 - City Council - Minutes - Regular CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, July 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 July 27, 2026, at 5:15 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders (participated remotely); with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development/City Engineer; Sam Driscoll, Stormwater Manager; Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development; Rebecca Marsh, Economic Development Specialist; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; and Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; Also present from LeadPoint Digital were Carrie Cousins, Vice President; and Matt Brown, Director of Account Management; and the following business was trans acted; 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) Proposed Stormwater Utility Review - Will Simpson/Sam Driscoll 2) Economic Development Branding - Tommy Miller Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development/City Engineer; and Sam Driscoll, Stormwater Manager, presented an overview of the development of the proposed stormwater utility fee. An explanation of the need for a Stormwater Enterprise Fund, the basis for the stormwater utility fee, and how the utility fees will be used was provided. The process for establishing this fee was also shared, in addition to an explanation of how billing will work and a system of credits that citizens and businesses will have the opportunity to apply for. Discussion was held, and Council was able to ask questions. Next steps in implementation of this system were provided. Council will consider an ordinance for the necessary code change to implement a Stormwater Utility Fee at their two August meetings with the fees effective January 1, 2027. Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development; Rebecca Marsh, Economic Development Specialist; Matt Brown, Director of Account Management, LeadPoint Digital; and Carrie Cousins, Vice President, LeadPoint Digital presented an Economic Development branding proposal for the City of Salem. Mr. Miller noted that this initiative supported the Strategic Plan. He reviewed the Economic Development branding initiative and provided brief background information on the process. Council provided feedback and requested time to discuss the proposal further before moving forward. It was noted that further costs would be incurred with redesign of the proposal. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Turk adjourned the meeting at 6:33 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 (participated remotely); with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development/City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Turk noted that Councilman Saunders would be participating remotely per Virginia Code section 2.2-3708.3(B)(1) in this evening's meeting and that no vote was required for his participation. 3. Awards & Recognitions There were none 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. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed concerns that the City's planning and zoning processes provide limited opportunities for meaningful public participation and do not adequately protect neighborhoods and historic properties. Mr. Breen urged the City to take a more proactive approach by amending the Zoning Code, increasing transparency in rezoning decisions, and requiring more comprehensive analyses of traffic, economic, environmental, and infrastructure impacts. Additional recommendations included establishing an ad hoc committee to review the Zoning Code, creating an inventory of historic properties, improving preservation efforts through grants and owner outreach, and establishing an Architectural Review Board (ARB) to help protect Salem's historic resources. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the July 13, 2026, Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written. City Manager Dorsey provided an update on recent and upcoming activities and events in the City of Salem. He noted that tonight was the first meeting at which Salem City Council would record and provide a live video stream of the Council meeting, and that this would be available on the City website. Councilman Holliday encouraged the public to participate in or attend the 52nd Salem Distance Run, noting it is the Roanoke Valley's oldest road race and expected to have one of its largest turnouts in recent years. He also announced that retired track and cross-country coaches Richard Browder, Darr Graham, and Tom Roth would be recognized with a special award during the post-race awards ceremony. C. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the nine months ending March 2026. The Financial Reports were received. 5. Old Business A. Ordinance approving the Second Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding the Roanoke Valley Greenway. Consider second reading of the ordinance authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the Second Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement transitioning the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. City Manager Dorsey explained that the proposed ordinances for items 5A and 5B would transition the former Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission to a Greenway Advisory Board. The change reflects the completion of many of the Commission's original objectives and establishes a new advisory structure to continue regional collaboration on greenway planning, grant opportunities, and related initiatives in coordination with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The first ordinance approves the restated intergovernmental agreement creating the advisory board, and the second repeals the 2016 agreement that established the Greenway Commission. Randy Foley motioned to approve the second reading of the ordinance authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the Second Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement transitioning the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None B. Ordinance Repealing the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission. Consider second reading of the ordinance to repeal the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission. Anne Marie Green motioned to adopt the ordinance on second reading to repeal the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement establishing the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission. Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None 6. New Business A. Sale of City Surplus Vehicle Consider authorizing the sale of a City surplus vehicle to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. Mayor Turk requested that Mr. Light share information on this item for the benefit of the public. Mr. Light noted that staff was requesting Council's approval to sell a vehicle to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. He explained that the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA), a regional political subdivision of which the City of Salem is a member, would like to purchase a surplus 2000 GMC dump truck with a snowplow for use at its facilities. He requested Council approval of the sale for $10,000, noting that the proposed sale price is consistent with the vehicle's estimated public surplus value and that state law authorizes the transfer of surplus property between Virginia political subdivisions. Hunter Holliday motioned to authorize the sale of the City surplus vehicle to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. Anne Marie Green seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Ren ée Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None Councilman Holliday noted that this was a historic day and commended City Administration for the work done to make it possible to have live stream recordings of the City Council meetings. 7. Closed Session Hold a closed session in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A(1) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, for: 1) A discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to the City Manager's annual evaluation 2) A discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to the Assistant City Manager's annual evaluation Anne Marie Green motioned that, in accordance with Section 2.2‐3711 (A)(1) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Council hereby convenes to closed session at 6:54 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: 1. A discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to the City Manager’s annual evaluation. 2. A discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to the Assistant City Manager’s annual evaluation. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None Mayor Turk noted that no action was anticipated. Anne Marie Green motioned to reconvene at 8:08 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: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Renée Turk Nays: None Abstaining: None 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk Clerk of Council Mayor