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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/26/2021 - City Council - Minutes - RegularAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 26, 2021 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Room 130 at Andrew Lewis Middle School, 616 S. College Avenue, Salem, Virginia, on April 26, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Renee F. Turk, James W. Wallace, III, Byron Randolph Foley, John Saunders, and William D. Jones; with Renee F. Turk, Mayor, presiding; together with Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Chuck Van Allman, Director of Community Development; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney and the following business was transacted: Mayor Turk reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and WHEREAS, Ms. Wines gave a follow-up presentation with information on the Zoning Code items from the April 12, 2021 Work Session pertaining to the use of office space in the downtown area. A discussion was held with two options presented to Council for restriction of offices in downtown area. Options were also presented and discussion held on changes to Code related to guidance services, medical office/clinics, and outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinics. Council was able to ask questions of staff related to the options; and WHEREAS, Mr. Guynn presented information on Locality election law changes and options were presented and discussed in relation to Bill 1157. Council will reflect on this and discuss further; and There being no further business to come before the Council, the work session was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, April 26, 2021, 6:30 P M Andrew L ewis Middle School Auditorium, 616 S. College Avenue, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.C all 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 F. Turk, Mayor; J ames W. Wallace, III, Vice- Mayor; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. J ones, and J ohn Saunders; with Renée F. Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and C lerk of C ouncil; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Chuck Van Allman, Director of Community Development; Mike Stevens, Director of C ommunications; and J im Guynn, C ity Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions 4.C onsent Agenda A.F inancial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the nine months ending March 31, 2021. T he financial reports were received. B.Minutes Consider the acceptance of the minutes for the April 12, 2021 work session and regular meeting. T he April 12, 2021 Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes were approved as written. 5.Old Business 6.New Business A.Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Budget Consider approval of the 2021-2022 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. The 2021-2022 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority was presented by Dan Miles, Chief Executive Officer of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. He highlighted that the total operating budget of $14,874,725 represents an increase of about 2.3 million from the current annual budget or approximately an 18.1% increase. He remarked that this increase is positive due to the following factors: personnel costs are remaining essentially stable, operating budget is a reduction of about 1.4 million in operating costs, and debt service reflects an increase of about $500,000. He explained that the reason for these changes is due to the changes in operation that are being implemented for the upcoming fiscal year. Operations are being converted from rail transport to a trucking operation. The 4.5 mile dedicated rail spur leading to and from landfill is currently being converted to a road. Savings will be realized upon completion of this project which is expected to be operational by mid-summer and completely operational by early fall. A large portion of commercial based revenues that had been lost over the last several years will be recouped. He expressed gratitude to Mike Tyler, Chairman of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Board for all of his hard work. He also thanked the City of Salem for their support. The floor was opened for discussion and questions. Mayor Turk asked how far into the project we are at this point. Mr. Miles responded that the project is about twenty-five percent complete at this point. Mayor Turk also commented on the study that was performed on the bids that were reviewed for the road design and Mr. Miles offered details on the reasoning behind the final design. Mayor Turk and various Council members thanked Mr. Tyler and Mr. Miles for their work and service. Randy Foley motioned to approve the 2021-2022 annual budget for the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace B.Roanoke Regional Airport Commission Consider approval of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022. The Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Roanoke Regional Airport Commission budget was presented by David Jeavons, Interim Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. Mr. Jeavons commented that having Mr. Guidry as a member of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission has been a great asset. He gave a brief overview of the aviation industry coming out of the Pandemic. It is anticipated that accelerated domestic growth will be experienced this year and international growth next year. It is projected that in the calendar year 2023, the industry will be within five to twelve percent of 2019 aviation activity, the last full calendar year before the Pandemic. The earliest date projected for full recovery by the major rating agencies is the calendar year 2024. Locally, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport revenue is down sixty-two percent from 2019 with a lot of the travel being business-related. A strong growth from leisure travel has been experienced. Mr. Jeavons reported that Fiscal Year 22 revenue is $13.2 million which includes funds allocated under the CARES Act Grant. He detailed operating expenses and expressed that expenses had been analyzed carefully to make sure that funds were being allocated wisely. He reported on proposed projects that are outlined in the report that was provided to Council. The floor was opened for discussion/questions. Mr. Foley asked about the options being looked at for the Runway extension project and Mr. Jeavons gave an overview of the main options being looked at. Mayor Turk also commented on the fact that the Airport owns Countryside and the length of the existing runway. He stressed that this is really being looked at in terms of what is the best safety system for the Airport. Mayor Turk thanked Mr. Jeavons for being with Council and presenting the budget. Randy Foley motioned to approve the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace C.Roanoke Valley- Alleghany Regional Commission Consider request to authorize the Roanoke Valley- Alleghany Regional Commission to amend its Charter to reduce membership requirements. Mr. Light pointed out that Mr. Saunders and Mr. Wallace currently serve on this Commission. He continued to give information on the membership requirements of this commission, the proposed change which reduces the size of the Commission from 38 to 30 members, and the rationale behind the requested amendment. Mr. Wallace pointed out that this change will actually benefit the City of Salem in giving it a stronger voice. James Wallace motioned to authorize the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission to amend its Charter to reduce membership requirements. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace D.Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to recommend Jessica Cox to fill the unexpired term of Macel Janoschka as an alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, with a term ending March 1, 2023; recommend appointing Teresa Hernandez for the Personnel Board for a two-year term ending April 26, 2023; recommend re- appointing John Saunders to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2024; and recommend re-appointing Jim Wallace to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2024. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace Mr. Light pointed out that the Board of Zoning Appeals is actually appointed by Circuit Court and that this action is a recommendation. Mayor Turk noted that there are a number of various Boards and Commissions that still have vacancies. She encouraged citizens to look at the City's website for a list of vacancies and consider serving in any areas in which they have interest. 7.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.