HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/11/2021 - City Council - Minutes - RegularAPPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 11, 2020
A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Parlor A of
the Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia, on January 11, 2021, at
6:00 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit: Renee F. Turk,
James W. Wallace, III, Byron Randolph Foley (remote participation), and William D. Jones;
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; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Michael D. Crawley, Chief of Police;
and, Todd Clingenpeel, Major Deputy Sheriff; 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, Mr. Taliaferro introduced Chief Crawley and Major Clingenpeel of the
City’s Leadership Development Team and they provided a presentation on the creation of
a leadership program and implementation timeline based on the work of the this team.
Additional team members not present due to COVID-19 occupancy limits include A.K.
Briele, Bradley Jordan, Crystal Williams, Chris Lawson, Larado Robinson, and Kristie
Jordan; and
WHEREAS, there were no other topics for discussion.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the work session was
adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
____________________________________
Mayor
_____________________________________
Clerk of Council
Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng
M INUTES
Monday, January 11, 2021, 6:30 P M
Community Room, Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, 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: Renee F. Turk,
Mayor, J ames W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor, Council members: Byron Randolph
Foley (remote participation), and William D. J ones; with Renee F. Turk, Mayor,
presiding together with J ames E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant
C ity Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance;
C harles E. VanAllman, J r., Director of C ommunity Development; Mike Stevens,
C ommunications Director; and J im Guynn, C ounsel.
Mayor Turk requested Mr. Light read a request from Council member Foley to
participate remotely in this Council meeting. T he request from Mr. Foley stated: "In
accordance with Section 2.2-3708.2 l(A) of the Code of the Commonwealth of
Virginia and the Remote Participation Policy of the City of Salem, I hereby request
to participate remotely due to a medical reason."
Renee Turk motioned to approve remote participation for this Council meeting by
C ouncil member Byron Randolph Foley. William J ones seconded the motion.
Ayes: J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
Abstain: Foley
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3.C onsent Agenda
A.Citizen Comments
Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not on the regular
meeting agenda. T he following have signed up to speak at this meeting:
1) J ohn Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, Salem. Topic: A C ouncil Resolution
Mr. Breen noted that his comments are respectfully offered to encourage Council to
become more proactive. He requested this matter be addressed and discussed in a
C ouncil workshop with the public allowed to speak.
He requested the City of Salem adopt the following resolution:
Whereas Council wishes to more effectively address blighted and non-code
compliant properties; and whereas Council is ultimately responsible for all city
owned property and right-of-way; and whereas C ouncil desires Salem citizens to
better understand Council operations and procedures; and whereas Council wants to
encourage more robust citizen participation; and whereas C ouncil desires to
encourage economic development; and whereas C ouncil strongly believes all Salem
boards, commissions, officials and employees must abide by VA laws, the Salem
C harter and Salem ordinances now therefore be it resolved that the C ouncil of the
C ity of Salem VA that during calendar year 2021 Salem Council shall adopt written
rules for the disposal, sale or abandonment of any city property or right-of-way in
accordance with the adopted Salem Comprehensive Plan page 3 which was last
updated in 2011 but by law is required to be reviewed every five years; request the
Planning Commission review the plan and by 10/31/21 reports its findings to
C ouncil; request in accordance with Salem code section 106502 item C , that the
Planning Commission adopt and maintain by-laws that govern its operations not later
than 3/31/21; adopt by 4/1/21 specific written parliamentary and other rules that
govern in detail the conduct and procedures of all Council meetings including but
not limited to public hearings, the introduction, readings and adoption of all
ordinances, resolutions and special exemption permits and the formal recognition of
all communications to Council; modify the C ouncil policy so that otherwise
qualified persons may speak at every C ouncil meeting and starting with any date in
March 2021 and then on any date of the first month of each successive quarter
convene a town hall meeting; by 3/1/21 make removing blighted properties and those
requiring code compliance a top priority by mandating strict Salem code
enforcement, adopting and modifying the Salem codes that will assist in said
removals and code compliances and by establishing an not less than half-time City
employee solely engaged in these endeavors. Salem chapter 106-600 and chapter 1
1-2 define that the word shall mean mandatory. Accordingly, Council requests the
C ity Manager send a written advisory to the City administration and the Clerk of
C ouncil to likewise advise all Salem boards, agencies and commissions which
stipulates this meaning; and finally request that not later than 4/1/21 the City
Manager present an economic development plan that sets forth measurable, doable
goals and objectives to be achieved in 2021 with quarterly and year end progress
reports.
Mr. Breen thanked C ouncil for their attention and hopes they will take this up in a
workshop.
B.Minutes
Consider acceptance of the minutes from the December 14, 2020, work session and
regular meeting.
T he December 14, 2020 City C ouncil meeting minutes were accepted as presented.
C .F inancial Report
Consider the acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the five
months ending November 30, 2020.
Received.
4.Old Business
A.Special Exception P ermits
Consider the request of Dominion Service & Parts LLC, lessee, and Premier
Investments LLC, property owner, for the issuance of Special Exception Permits to
allow an automobile dealership, used, and an automobile repair service, major, on
the property located at 224 West 4th Street (Tax Map #161-7-1). (C ontinued from
the November 23, 2020, meeting.)
Mayor Turk noted for the record that staff received a written request from
the petitioner to continue this item to the February 8th Council meeting.
Renee Turk motioned to continue the request of Dominion Service & Parts LLC ,
lessee, and Premier Investments LLC, property owner, for the issuance of Special
Exception Permits to allow an automobile dealership, used, and an automobile
repair service, major, on the property located at 224 West 4th Street (Tax Map
#161-7-1) to the February 8, 2021 meeting. J ames Wallace seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
5.New Business
A.Special Exception P ermit
Hold public hearing to consider the request of Barry E. Dick and Valerie T. Dick,
property owners, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a 1,288 SF
detached garage on the property located at 1737 Amy Lane, (Tax Map # 212 - 1 -
10).
Mayor Turk asked Chuck VanAllman, Director of C ommunity Development, if
there is any other information he would like to provide. Mr. VanAllman stated that
they have not received any questions or concerns with the proposed Special
Exception. T he owners essentially want to build a larger garage for a vehicle and
workshop area. T he construction will comply with all applicable codes and building
regulations.
Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Barry E. Dick, the applicant indicated they
are renovating the home and would like to build this garage. T hey have engaged a
contractor to begin upon permit issuance and he indicated that he would be glad to
answer any questions.
No additional speakers came forward and Mayor Turk closed the public hearing.
William J ones motioned to approve the request of Barry E. Dick and Valerie T.
Dick, property owners, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a
1,288 SF detached garage on the property located at 1737 Amy Lane, (Tax Map#
212-1-10). J ames Wallace seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
B.Special Exception P ermit
Hold public hearing to consider the request of Derbyshire Real Estate, applicant,
and Sunset Ridge Holdings, LLC, property owner, for the issuance of a Special
Exception Permit to allow a two-family dwelling on the property located at 703 E
Riverside Drive (Tax Map 232-2-9).
Mayor Turk asked Mr. VanAllman if he had any information or feedback. Mr.
VanAllman indicated the property currently has a duplex on the parcel that has been
grandfathered for some time. T he applicant intends to renovate the building, bring it
up to code, install a second electrical meter, and essentially improve the property in
its current use.
Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Tyler Younger, representing the applicant,
Derbyshire Realty, confirmed the comments from Mr. VanAllrnan in that they plan
to renovate, bring the building up to all current code standards, and seek a building
permit. He indicated there is adequate parking on both sides.
No other speakers came forward and Mayor Turk closed the public hearing.
William J ones motioned to approve the request of Derbyshire Real Estate,
applicant, and Sunset Ridge Holdings, LLC, property owner, for the issuance of a
Special Exception Permit to allow a two-family dwelling on the property located at
703 E. Riverside Drive (Tax Map# 232-2-9). J ames Wallace seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
C .Appropriation of F unds
Consider request to amend the School Grant Fund budget as approved by the
School Board on December 8, 2020. Audit - Finance Committee
Mr. Wallace noted that the School Grants Fund budget for fiscal year 2020/21 was
amended by the School Board at their December 8, 2020 meeting. T he Board
amended the fund to increase revenues and expenditures by $25,072. T he Audit
Finance Committee recommends that C ouncil approve the School Board's
appropriation change of $25,072 to the School Grant Fund.
J ames Wallace motioned to approve the proposed amendment of the School Grant
Fund budget as approved by the School Board on December 8, 2020. William
J ones seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
D.P erformance Agreement Extension with P arkway B rewing, L L C
Consider request to approve the Performance Agreement extension for the Parkway
Brewing C ompany, LLC for a 15-month period with an end date
of November 30, 2021; and authorization to the C ity Manager for issuance of
written notification to all parties of this extension as required.
.
Mr. Foley asked staff to confirm that this mirrors the actions of the State. Mr. Light
responded that per the agreement documents, the C ity is authorized to extend the
agreement for a maximum of 15 months in consultation with both the State and C ity
of Salem Economic Development Authority (ED A). T he State is amenable to
extension and likewise the ED A approved extension at their December 8, 2020
meeting (pending subsequent Council approval). He noted that this action also
authorized the City Manager to execute the extension and issue copies to the
applicable parties as required.
William J ones motioned to approve the Performance Agreement extension for
Parkway Brewing C ompany, LLC for a 15-month period with and end date of
November 30, 2021; and authorize the C ity Manager to issue written notification to
all parties of this extension as required. Randy Foley seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk
Absent: Saunders
Abstain: Wallace
E.Boards and Commission
Consider appointments to various boards and commissions.
C onsider the appointment of J oseph Driscoll to the Board of Appeals
(USBC Building C ode) for a five-year term ending J anuary 1, 2026 and nomination
of Kathy Fitzgerald for appointment to the Board of Equalization for a three-year
term ending November 30, 2024.
Mr. J ones asked City Attorney, J im Guynn to confirm there is not a conflict with
Mr. Driscoll's appointment due to his employment with the C ity. Mr. Guynn
confirmed there is not a conflict.
Mr. Foley clarified that C ouncil was nominating Kathy Fitzgerald and that actual
appointment to the Board of Equalization is done by a J udge.
Renee Turk motioned to appoint J oseph Driscoll to the Board of Appeals (USBC
Building Code) for a five-year term ending J anuary 1, 2026 and nominating Kathy
Fitzgerald for appointment to the Board of Equalization for a three-year term ending
November 30, 2024. William J ones seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ones, Turk, Wallace
Absent: Saunders
6.C losed Session
No closed session was held at this meeting.
7.Adjournment
T he meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Audit F inance Committee Meeting, 5:50 p.m., S alem Civic Center Community Room
Work S ession Meeting, 6:00 p.m., S alem Civic Center, Parlor A