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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/27/2021 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, September 27, 2021, 6:30 PM Work Session 5:30 P.M. Council Chambers, 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 Roll Call A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on September 27, 2021, at 5:34 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, James W. Wallace, III, Byron Randolph Foley, John Saunders, and William D. Jones; 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 1) ARPA Fund Planning Update WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro introduced the work session topic for this evening and noted that there was a total of about $31 million in ARPA funds that would be available for the City of Salem. Of this amount, half of the money had already been received and the remainder would be received next year; and WHEREAS, Mr. Light gave a brief recap from the July 26th Work Session on the topic of ARPA funding and the four specific categories of eligible expenditures: 1) Respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts; 2) Provide premium pay to essential workers or grants to employers of essential workers by providing premium pay to eligible workers; 3) Provide government services to the extent of any revenue reduction resulting from the pandemic; and 4) Make necessary capital investments in water, sewer, and/or broadband infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Mr. Light shared more detailed information on the seven summary expenditure reporting categories: 1) Public Health; 2) Negative Economic Impacts; 3) Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities; 4) Premium Pay; 5) Infrastructure (including clean water, drinking water, and Broadband); 6) Revenue Replacement; and 7) Administrative With each category he shared projects and needs related to items consistent with the provision of core City services as determined in Staff's initial analysis. He also commented that community based one-time opportunities exist. Council commented and received clarification throughout the presentation; and WHEREAS, Mr. Light commented that a phased allocation of funding is anticipated, and it was determined that staff would continue to research and evaluate tangible project options. It was suggested that Special Work Sessions be held with the goal of establishing an initial draft allocation for specific projects and general categories. 3. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, the Work Session was adjourned at 6:02 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; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, 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, Communications Director; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions A. Certificate of Achievement for Accreditation - City of Salem Sheriff's Office Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission and Program Director, Derrick Mays presents to Sheriff April Staton, Accreditation Manager and Chief Deputy, Todd Clingenpeel and office staff the Certificate of Achievement for Accreditation. This is the fifth certificate of achievement for the Salem Sheriff’s Office, an accredited agency since 2005, successfully fulfilling all standards of compliance with zero file returns. Mayor Turk expressed appreciation and asked that Sheriff April Staton identify her staff and have them come forward with her. Sheriff Staton addressed Council and the citizens present and stated that it was an honor to stand before them and recognize her staff for their hard work and dedication. She noted that this accomplishment required a team effort. As the program manager, Derrick Mays, was unable to attend, Sheriff Staton gave an overview of the program and stressed the significance of having zero file returns. She gave history of her involvement in this process over her career and the understanding and knowledge this gives her for what her Accreditation Manager experiences. She also expressed appreciation for her "worker bees" and commented that they are the true example of what this program embodies, which is professionalism. Sheriff Staton thanked her deputies for their commitment and dedication to their office. Mayor Turk and the Council members thanked Sheriff Staton and those present with her. B. Proclamation Honoring Murray Cook Presentation of Proclamation honoring Murray Cook. Mayor Turk read the Proclamation in honor of Murray Cook listing a number of his accomplishments and representation of the City of Salem and proclaimed September 27, 2021, as "Murray Cook Day." Mr. Cook thanked Mayor Turk and Council for the Proclamation. He stated that growing up in the City of Salem was a "community raising" and that he put those values into what he was able to project into other places that he traveled around the world. He expressed appreciation for the honor. Mr. Wallace thanked Mr. Saunders for bringing Murray and all of his accomplishments to them and making them aware of them and being the catalyst to make this happen. 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing component that same meeting. The following have signed up to speak at this meeting: No citizens have signed up to speak at this meeting. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes for the September 13, 2021, Regular meeting. The September 13, 2021, regular meeting minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Report Consider the acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the two months ending August 2021. The financial reports were received. 5. Old Business 6. New Business A. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing and consider ordinance on first reading for rezoning the property of Salem Building Supply, Inc., contract purchaser, and PHC of Virginia, Inc., property owner, located at 405 Kimball Avenue (Tax Map # 235-1-2) from RMF Residential Multi-Family District with proffered condition to RMF Residential Multi-Family District without conditions. (As advertised in the September 9 and 16, 2021 issues of the Salem Times-Register). Planning Commission recommends approval; see page 4 of Planning Commission minutes) STAFF REPORT Mr. Van Allman, Director of Community Development, added further clarification on the request as presented. Mayor Turk opened the Public Hearing. Ben Crew, of Balzer and Associates, representing PHC of Virginia, Inc., current property owner, and Salem Building Supply, Inc., contract purchaser, addressed Council. He informed Council that Brad Graham of Salem Building Supply, Inc. was present this evening also. He said he would be happy to answer any questions. There were no questions and no one else came forward to speak at the Public Hearing. Mayor Turk closed the Public Hearing. William Jones motioned to adopt the ordinance on first reading rezoning the property of Salem Building Supply, Inc., contract purchaser, and PHC of Virginia, Inc., property owner, located at 405 Kimball Avenue (Tax Map # 235-1-2) from RMF Residential Multi-Family District with proffered condition to RMF Residential Multi-Family District without conditions. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace B. Use Not Provided For Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Salem Ministers Conference Community Food Pantry, contract purchaser, and Trustees God's Church of Deliverance and Power, property owner, for the issuance of a Use Not Provided For Permit to allow the relocation of the Salem Food Pantry to the property located at 829 Indiana Street (Tax Map # 186-1-5). (As advertised in the September 9 and 16, 2021 issues of the Salem Times- Register). Planning Commission recommends approval; see page 5 of Planning Commission minutes) STAFF REPORT Mr. Van Allman clarified that the property is located at the corner of 7th Street and Indiana Street. Mr. Jones stated that he must abstain from any discussion and the vote on this agenda item as he was involved with this transaction. Mayor Turk opened the Public Hearing. Mickey Estienne; 1070 Blue Grass Trail; Newport, Virginia; Executive Director of Salem Food Pantry appeared before Council and clarified that they are moving the Salem Food Pantry from Union Street to the new location on Indiana Street. He stated that the Food Pantry had been in existence for over forty years and that the new location would allow them to improve their ability to be able to serve their clients in the Salem, Roanoke County, and Vinton area. Mayor Turk questioned whether they would have more space at this location, and he responded affirmatively. Council members thanked Mr. Estienne for what he does. Mayor Turk closed the Public Hearing. Randy Foley motioned to approve the request of Salem Ministers Conference Community Food Pantry, contract purchaser, and Trustees God's Church of Deliverance and Power, property owner, for the issuance of a Use Not Provided For Permit to allow the relocation of the Salem Food Pantry to the property located at 829 Indiana Street (Tax Map # 186-1-5). John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Saunders, Turk, Wallace Abstain: Jones C. Apperson Drive Bridge Replacement Project Consider adoption of Resolution 1410 in support of the Apperson Drive Bridge Replacement Project. Mr. Van Allman clarified that the City is applying for Revenue Sharing Funds from VDOT in which for every dollar that we spend on a project we receive a dollar in contribution from VDOT toward the price, so it is a fifty-fifty match. This will not obligate us to any set amount. Mayor Turk asked what kind of time frame was involved and Mr. Van Allman responded that it was not certain, but he felt the money would be available in three to four years. William Jones motioned to adopt Resolution 1410 in support of the Apperson Drive Bridge Replacement Project. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace D. Franklin Street Improvements Project Consider adoption of Resolution 1411 in support of the Franklin Street Improvements Project. Mr. Van Allman stated that this works the same as the previous resolution. He shared that the process is not difficult, but VDOT wants to see that the City is serious about the project before approving. This does not obligate the City to spend anything. Mr. Jones asked if this is the second half of Franklin Street and Mr. Foley requested clarification for the public. Mr. Van Allman stated that a preliminary engineering report on Franklin Street had been done by Mattern and Craig. They broke this project down into two smaller bits with Phase One from Upland up to approximately Phillips Brook and Phase Two from Upland to the County line. He commented that they are starting with the Section from Phillips Brook to Upland as it will address a lot of the issues that they are looking at. Mr. Foley asked if anyone had looked into regional involvement with this. Mr. Van Allman responded that options were being looked into by Community Development and that this was a good idea. Mr. Wallace asked for clarification as he was under the impression that Phase One went from Upland Drive to Bent Ridge Lane. Mr. Van Allman affirmed that this was the same area. Randy Foley motioned to adopt Resolution 1411 in support of the Franklin Street Improvements Project. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 7. Closed Session A. Closed Session Hold a Closed Session pertaining to Section 2.2-3711 A(1) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Council hereby convenes to closed session for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: For a discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to a School Board appointment. James Wallace 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 6:55 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: A discussion of a personnel matter pertaining to a school board appointment. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace James Wallace motioned to reconvene at 7:07 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 Upon reconvening in open session, Randy Foley motioned to reappoint Dr. Nancy Bradley to the Salem School Board for another three-year term. Bill Jones seconded the motion. Mr. Wallace stated that he felt Dr. Bradley was well qualified and that she has served us well for twelve years, but that he felt it was important to have new ideas on the School Board and new perspectives. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk Nay: Wallace Randy Foley motioned to reappoint Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez to the Salem School Board for a three-year term. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 8. Adjournment Mayor Turk announced that the next meeting of City Council will be held on October 11, 2021, at the Salem Civic Center because it will be a Joint Session with the Economic Development Authority. She stated that we will probably continue to hold Council meetings at the Civic Center depending on what the COVID numbers are until we see numbers are in a better situation because we can spread out more and wear masks. Mayor Turk congratulated the new School Board members and expressed appreciation to those who had served. The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.