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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/22/2021 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, March 22, 2021, 6:30 PM Community Room, Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia 24153 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia was called to order at 6:31 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renee F. Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and John Saunders; with Renee F. 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; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jeremy Carroll on behalf of City Attorney Jim Guynn. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions There were no awards or recognitions this evening. 4. Consent Agenda A. Minutes Consider the acceptance of the minutes for the March 8, 2021 work session and regular meeting. The March 8, 2021 Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes were approved as written. B. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the eight months ending February 28, 2021. The financial statements were received. 5. Old Business 6. New Business A. Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) Consider request to adopt Resolution 1390 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2021 tax year. Mayor Turk requested that Ms. Jordan provide information about this resolution. Ms. Jordan stated that in December 2005, the Personal Property Tax Relief Act was changed so that localities receive a fixed amount of funding from the State of Virginia. The amount received is fixed at $2,588,707 and is a block grant allocation to localities. Each year the City is required to adopt a resolution that sets the Personal Property Tax Relief percentage. This percentage tells what percentage of a citizens' tax bill will be relieved with this funding. 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. Ms. Jordan explained that the "Specific Relief" method used to allocate the funds gives the five-year rolling average which sets the tax relief percentage at 53.86% for 2021. This percentage is down from 54.55% in 2020. Mr. Wallace noted that this rate is down from last year and questioned whether the City has any control over the rate that is set. Ms. Jordan responded that the rate is based on the rolling average. The formula is given to The City by the State of Virginia and that particular calculation has no flexibility. The numbers are simply plugged in the formula to arrive at the rate to be used. The intent is to use the funds in tax relief for the taxpayers by following this calculation. Mr. Foley provided some historical context to this Act. William Jones motioned to adopt Resolution 1390 setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for the 2021 tax year. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace B. RVRA Resolution and Support Agreement for Borrowing By the Authority Consider request to approve City of Salem support of financing by the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) and authorization for the City Manager to execute the Support Agreement. Mayor Turk requested that Mr. Light provide information on this item. Mr. Light provided history of this project and an explanation of the requirement by the VRA bonding process that all participating localities must sign this moral obligation agreement. Mayor Turk remarked that Roanoke County will be meeting tomorrow to review, approve, and move forward with this as well. Mr. Light clarified that bids have been received; however, the road has not been started yet. Mr. Foley questioned for clarification whether there are any more potential obstacles that could arise to prevent this project from moving forward. Mr. Light stated that he had spoken with Mr. Miles, from the Resource Authority, and that they anticipate moving forward. Mayor Turk further clarified that two engineering bids had been received and reviewed by the RVRA for the construction of the road. Randy Foley motioned to approve City of Salem support of financing by the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) and authorization for the City Manager to execute the support agreement. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace C. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to re-appoint Janie Whitlow to the Fair Housing Board for a three-year term ending April 9, 2024 and to re-appoint Cindy Shelor for a four-year term on the Economic Development Authority for a term ending April 10, 2025. William Jones seconded the motion. Mayor Turk noted that there are several positions available for Boards and Commissions in the City of Salem and listed those. She encouraged citizens to become involved. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.