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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/9/2020 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 9, 2020 A work session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on March 9, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., there being present all the members of said Council, to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, James A. Martin, and John E. Saunders; with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Judy Hough, Deputy City Clerk; and Justin Kuzmich, Real Estate Director; and the following business was transacted: Mayor Foley reported that this date, place, and time had been set in order for the Council to hold a work session; and WHEREAS, Mr. Kuzmich gave Council an update related to property and sales searches and a demonstration of the mobile software the Real Estate appraisers are using in the field; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taliaferro gave Council an update on public comment sessions and electronic voting at Council meetings ; 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 7:24 p.m. ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ Clerk of Council Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng M INUTES Monday, March 9, 2020, 7:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, 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 7:30 p.m., there being present all the members to wit: Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, J ane W. J ohnson, Vice-Mayor, C ouncil members: William D. J ones, J ames A. Martin, and J ohn E. Saunders; with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with J ames E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Mike Stevens, Communications Director; J udy L. Hough, Deputy City C lerk; and Stephen M. Yost, City Attorney. 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the February 21 and 22 special meetings, and the February 24, 2020, work session and regular meeting. Accepted as presented 4.Old Business A.Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Consider ordinance on second reading for rezoning the property of Henmark, Inc., property owner, located at 1107 Kesler Mill Road, (Tax Map # 12-1-2) from LM Light Manufacturing District to RMF - Residential Multi-family District to allow the conversion to a four unit multi-family dwelling. (Approved on first reading at the February 24, 2020, meeting.) J ane J ohnson motioned to adopt an ordinance on second reading rezoning the property of Henmark Inc., property owner, located at 1107 Kesler Mill Road (Tax Map #12-1-2) from LM Light Manufacturing District to RMF Residential Multi- family District to allow the conversion to a four unit multi-family dwelling. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, Martin, Saunders MayorFoleyMayor Abstain: J ones 5.New Business A.Taxicabs Hold public hearing in accordance with Section 98-94 of T HE C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA, and consider issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning April 1, 2020. (Date set for public hearing at February 10, 2020, meeting. Advertised in the February 27, 2020, issue of the Salem Times Register.) Mayor Foley noted that this date had been set at the February 10, 2020, meeting to hold a public hearing regarding the issuance of C ertificates of Public C onvenience and Necessity, and it was advertised in the February 27th issue of the Salem Times Register. Mr. Yost noted as Council is aware every year in order to operate in the City of Salem, just like every other jurisdiction in Virginia, cab companies have to receive a C ertificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the local governing body. Officer B. P. Critz's report is included in C ouncil's packet, and it looks like there are four applicants. Further, it does not appear that there are any objections from the Salem Police Department. He noted the four companies are: Daniel Stephen Reid, trading as Reid Taxi; Yellow Cab Services of Roanoke, Inc.; East C oast Petroleum and Trading, Inc. trading as C ity Cab; and B. Early Cab Service LLC. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak regarding this issue. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. William J ones motioned to award Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the next twelve (12) months, beginning on April 1 to East Coast Petroleum and Trading, Inc. trading as City C ab; B. Early Cab Service LLC; Daniel Stephen Reid, trading as Reid Taxi; and Yellow C ab Services of Roanoke, Inc.. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders B.Conv eyance of P roperty Hold public hearing to consider the sale of an approximate .46 acre tract located in the 800 block of East Main Street, Salem, Virginia, being a portion of Tax Map # 108-1-3. (Advertised in the February 27, 2020, issue of the Salem Times Register.) Mr. Taliaferro noted that this property is part of the Oakey Field property. Years ago he guesses it was Stuart McGuire who built a water tank adjacent to their building which is now Elizabeth Arden. T his was a water supply for the building years ago. T he tank is still there and is in use. T he C ity does not use this tank, and we had a request from the property owners to do some work around the tank, and rather than being in charge of maintenance around the tank, staff thought it would be better to just convey the property to them. T his is an approximate 1/2 acre parcel, and it is proposed to be subdivided and given to the owners. Mr. Martin asked if there was any information of what they plan to do with the property and water tank. Will it be maintained or torn down? Mr. Taliaferro noted part of the problem was that trees had grown up around they tank, and they could not get to it to maintain it. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak regarding this issue. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. William J ones motioned to approve the sale of an approximate .46 acre tract located in the 800 block of East Main Street, being a portion of Tax Map #108-1-3, and to authorize the C ity Manager to execute the appropriate documents to complete the conveyance. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders C .P ublic I mprov ement Bonds Hold a public hearing and consider adoption of ordinance to authorize the issuance of general obligation improvement bonds in the City of Salem, Virginia in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $34,775,000. (As advertised in the February 24 and March 2, 2020 issues of The Roanoke Times.) Audit - Finance Committee Mr. J ones noted the A udit Finance Committee met this morning to discuss this request. T he C ity proposes to finance the costs of renovations at Salem High School and various City capital projects and equipment. T his bond issue is in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $34,775,000. T he bonds will be general obligations of the C ity and the full faith and credit of the City shall be pledged for the repayment of these bonds. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends approval of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of said bonds. Ms. J ordan noted that we need to hold a public hearing for this request. Also, noted there was a correction made to the ordinance since this was sent out to C ouncil. In Item #6, the wording should state that "this ordinance shall take effect ten days from the date of its passage." So the approval will be the amended ordinance. Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak regarding this issue. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. Mr. Martin noted the bid on the high school project came in low, and with the total borrowing, there is an opportunity to address some city capital projects needs as well. He noted that this will be a good opportunity to reinvest in the C ity on the schools side and also, the C ity side. William J ones motioned to adopt an amended ordinance on first reading authorizing the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds in the C ity of Salem, Virginia, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $34,775,000. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders D.General Obligation P ublic I mprov ement and Refunding B onds Consider adoption of Resolution 1373 authorizing the issuance, sale and award of General Obligation Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2020. Audit - Finance Committee. Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he City needs to issue bonds to fund Salem High School renovations and C ity capital projects and equipment. In addition certain outstanding bonds will be refunded to achieve savings for the City. Issuing bonds will allow the C ity to proceed with City and School capital projects and equipment purchases and achieve savings through refunding certain bonds. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends the adoption of Resolution 1373 authorizing the issuance, sale, and award of general obligation public improvement bonds. Ms. J ordan further explained the issuance, sale, and award of General Obligation Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2020. William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1373 authorizing the issuance, sale and award of General Obligation Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2020. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders E.Senior Trips B udget Adjustment Consider request to adjust the budget for Senior Trips. Audit - Finance C ommittee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he City of Salem Senior C enter organizes many out of town trips during the year. T he Senior Center sets the fees charged for each trip, which cover the costs associated with the trip. T he fees participants pay are recorded as trip revenue, and the costs associated with the trips are recorded as expenditures. Trip participation has increased greatly over the past months, resulting in the need to adjust the trip fee revenue and expenditure budgets for FY2020. T he C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends adjusting the FY2020 budget for trip fee revenue and expenditure to more accurately reflect results. William J ones motioned to approve the Senior Trips budget adjustment by $25,000 for FY2020. J ane J ohnson seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders F.Appropriation of F unds Consider request to appropriate Animal Shelter donation. Audit - Finance Commitee Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he Animal Shelter is always in need of additional resources to facilitate the care and adoption of abandoned animals. In February 2020, the Animal Shelter received a donation of $90,000 from the Estate of Robert Gordon Page. T his donation will be used for the care and basic needs of animals at the shelter. Staff also recommends that any of this donation not spent in the current fiscal year be administratively appropriated in the subsequent fiscal year. T he Committee reviewed the request and recommends appropriating the Animal Shelter donation and that any money not spent in the current fiscal year be administratively appropriated in the next fiscal year. William J ones motioned to accept and appropriate the Animal Shelter donation of $90,000 from the Estate of Robert Gordon Page. J ames Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders G.Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. J ane J ohnson motioned to recommend to the Circuit Court to reappoint Gary Lynn Eanes to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five-year term ending March 20, 2025; and to reappoint C . Wayne Adkins and J . David Robbins to the Economic Development Authority for four-year terms ending March 9, 2024. William J ones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Martin, Saunders 6.C losed Session 7.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.