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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/11/2022 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, April 11, 2022, 6:30 PM Work Session 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION 1. Call to Order A. Roll Call 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 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor (participated remotely); James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Council members; Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and John Saunders; with James W. Wallace, III, Vice-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; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; and Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; ; and the following business was transacted; Vice-Mayor Wallace 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 Moyer Sports Complex Project Update WHEREAS, City Manager Taliaferro gave an update on the status of the design, bid process, and potential borrowing on the Moyer Sports Complex project. Mr. Taliaferro noted that bids will be going out soon. Bids will be out for 45 days and will require a mandatory pre bid on-site meeting. Discussion was held on the project. Discussion was also held on options involved with potential borrowing for this project. Ms. Jordan discussed borrowing rates and potential loan options. There was discussion in regards to options of borrowing amount with this and other potential future projects. Mr. Taliaferro also noted that the well project was about ready to begin. 3. Adjournment WHEREAS, there being no further business, Vice-Mayor Wallace adjourned the meeting at 6:18 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 (remote); James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and John Saunders; with James W. Wallace, III, Vice-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; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. Vice-Mayor Wallace requested that Mr. Light read a request from Mayor Turk to participate remotely in this Council meeting. The request from Mayor Turk stated: "In accordance with Section 2.2-3708.2 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 for a personal matter, specifically being that I am out of town." Randy Foley motioned to accept the remote participation of Mayor Turk. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Wallace Abstain: Turk 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions There were none. 4. Consent Agenda A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the March 23, 2022 Work Session and March 28, 2022 Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were accepted as written. 5. Old Business There was no old business. 6. New Business A. Presentation of Salem School Division Budget Receive presentation from the Chairman of the Salem School Board regarding the 2022-2023 budget pursuant to Section 8.5 of the 1968 Charter of the City of Salem, as amended. Mr. David Preston, 1511 Ashley Drive, Chairman of the Salem City School's School Board, distributed a handout to supplement the Salem City School Division's Budget and presented the 2022-2023 Budget to Council. On behalf of the School Board, Mr. Preston thanked City Council and City Administration for productive collaboration in serving the community. He noted that opportunities had been identified and improvements made in spite of challenges and difficult times over the past couple of years. Mr. Preston noted that the budget being presented this evening was based on the former Governor's budget and that adjustments would be made as the state budget is finalized that reflect the Board's priorities to put the needs of students first and provide a competitive salary and ben efits package for employees. Mr. Preston presented the proposed budget developed following the 20 22 General Assembly Session for Fiscal Year 2023 for the Salem City School Division consisting of the School Fund budget of $47,585,435; the Grant Fund budget of $5,650,323; and the Cafeteria Fund budget of $2,025,453 for a total budget of $55,261,211. This budget was unanimously approved by the School Board on March 22, 2022. The Fiscal Year 23 budget is $4,955,975 or 9.9% above the current year (FY22) adopted budget of $50,305,236, due primarily to an increase in State revenue to assist in providing raises for all employees as well as additional Federal funds due to COVID. They anticipate that the General Assembly will revise revenues for school divisions in the coming weeks or months to provide budgets that will support compensation increases as well as funding for construction and infrastructure needs. He stated that significant budget amendments would be necessary in the months ahead, but that proven budget processes and priorities would be followed, including a high level of collaboration between the School Division and the City Administration, to move teacher and support scales forward to remain competitive in the region. He outlined specific budget highlights and charts that were included as attachments in the budget for reference purposes. On behalf of the Salem City School Board, the students, and employees Mr. Preston thanked Council for the local funding and the value placed on the education of our yout h. By law, a balanced budget must be presented to Council by May 1. He also thanked Ms. Hall, Ms. Jordan, Dr. Hicks, and the School Division employees for their collaboration and work with the Board in developing this budget. He opened the floor for any questions. Mr. Wallace thanked Mr. Preston. Mr. Jones asked how the School Division stands in respect to employees. Dr. Hicks responded that Salem stands in a very good position in regards to employees at this time. Council thanked Mr. Preston and the School Board for their presentation. B. Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) Consider request to adopt Resolution 1422 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2022 tax year. Ms. Jordan provided background information on the proposed resolution. The resolution sets the City's percentage for personal property tax relief. Each year, the City is required to calculate the percentage based on what the assessed values are doing. The relief percentage is calculated to distribute the $2,588,707 block grant allocation received annually by the City of Salem from the Commonwealth. At this time, Council needs to adopt this percentage so that the tax bills can be run and sent out to taxpayers. This applies to personal use vehicles only. The funds actually pay off all of the taxes on personal vehicles for a value of $1,000 or less. This tax relief percentage applies to any personal property tax on vehicles valued between $1,000 and $20,000. The taxpayer is responsible for anything over $20,000. Council is being asked to approve a rate of 41.15% for tax relief on personal use vehicles. Randy Foley motioned to adopt Resolution 1422 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2022 tax year. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace C. Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Budget Consider approval of the 2021-2022 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. Audit-Finance Committee The 2022-2023 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority was presented by Dan Miles, Chief Executive Officer of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. He recommended looking at the summary budget as he highlighted specific items. He noted that the summary budget includes the five most recent years of budget history along with the budget that the Resource Authority is proposing for Fiscal Year 2023. The summary budget indicates a clear line of demarcation between the Fiscal Years 2021 and the current year 2022. This carries forward for Fiscal Year 2023. Most notably in disposal fees, which are the revenue source that supports the Resource Authority, a change is evident from the transition from rail mode of transporting garbage to the landfill to trucking. Revenues are now up approximately $2.5 million a year over the previous methodology for transporting garbage. He also noted the Transfer from Contingency Reserve Funds, which is historically the Reserve Fund that the Resource Authorit y has used to balance their budget to make up for shortfalls in revenues. There are no plans in the current Fiscal Year or the coming Fiscal Year to use any Contingency Reserve Funds to balance the budget. Mr. Miles pointed out that there is about a $1 million decrease in Operating Expenses for this same time period. This indicates that the Resource Authority is able to handle more waste for less cost and generate more revenue. This reflects significant improvement. Mr. Jones thanked Mr. Miles for all of his hard work. Mr. Miles thanked City Council for their support. Mr. Foley thanked Mike Tyler, chairman of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, for his service to the Board also. Mayor Turk asked if the road construction was complete and if there was any further construction in the forecast. Mr. Miles responded that the road opened in July of 2022 and has been in use successfully without any issues or complaints. John Saunders motioned to approve the 2022-2023 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace D. Kimball Avenue Townhomes Consider setting bond for physical improvements, erosion and sediment control and landscaping for Kimball Avenue Townhomes. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. Van Allman gave a brief overview of this project and noted that these townhomes consist of seven single-family attached townhouse units and are being constructed on the former site of Mt. Regis on slightly less than a one-acre property. All parking and zoning requirements are being met. Stormwater and all required ordinances are in place. John Saunders motioned to approve erosion and sediment control, landscaping, and physical improvements for Kimball Avenue Townhomes and that the project be bonded in the amount of $43,274.00 for a time frame for completion set at twelve months. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace E. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. City Manager Taliaferro clarified that this motion is a recommendation. Randy Foley motioned to recommend Richard A. (Tony) Rippee for Circuit Court appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals as an alternate to fill an unexpired term for the remainder of a five-year term ending October 12, 2023. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 7. Closed Session A. Closed Session Hold a closed session in accordance with Sections 2.2-3711 A (3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia as amended for discussion of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City. John Saunders motioned that in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A (3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Council hereby convenes to a closed session at 6:52 for a discussion of the following specific matter: discussion of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City. Bill Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace Mr. Foley noted for the public that it was not anticipated that any action would be taken after the closed session. John Saunders motioned to reconvene at 700 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 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.