HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2020 - City Council - Minutes - RegularUNAPPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 24, 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 February 24,
2020, at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council, to wit:
Byron Randolph Foley, Jane W. Johnson, William D. Jones, James A. Martin (absent), and
John E. Saunders; with Byron Randolph Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with James E.
Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Melinda J. Payne,
Economic Development Director; Crystal L. Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; and
Judy Hough, Deputy City Clerk; 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, Ms. Payne and Mr. Taliaferro discussed the performance agreements
for Blue Ridge Best Foods, Inc. (Angelle’s Diner), Dev OM, LLC (Avid Hotel), and Rocky
Mount Realty, LLC (Little Caesars); and
WHEREAS, Ms. Payne gave Council an Economic Development update; 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 7:23 p.m.
____________________________________
Mayor
_____________________________________
Clerk of Council
Ci ty Counci l Meeti ng
M INUTES
Monday, February 24, 2020, 7:30 P M
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 the following members to wit: Byron Randolph
Foley, Mayor, J ane W. J ohnson, Vice-Mayor, Council members: William D.
J ones, J ames A. Martin (absent), and J ohn E. Saunders; with Byron Randolph
Foley, Mayor, presiding; together with J ames E. Taliaferro, II, C ity Manager;
Rosemarie B. J ordan, Director of Finance; Mike Stevens, C ommunications
Director; Melinda J . Payne, Economic Development Director; C harles E.
VanAllman, J r., C ommunity Development 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 10, 2020, work session and
regular meeting.
Accepted as presented
B.F inancial Report
Consider the acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the
seven months ending J anuary 2020.
Received
4.New Business
A.Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
Hold public hearing and consider ordinance on first 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. (Advertised in
the February 6 and 13, 2020, issues of the Salem Times Register. Recommend
approval; see Page 1 Planning Commission minutes.) STA FF REPO RT
Mayor Foley stated notice of such hearing had been published in the February 6 and
13, 2020, issues of the Salem Times-Register, and the Planning Commission had
recommended approval of the rezoning request.
Staff noted the following regarding the rezoning request: the subject property
consists of a single parcel of 0.573 acres, located on the west side of Kesler Mill
Road, to the north of the intersection with Polar Lane. T he property, constructed in
1950, contains a one-story metal building with an attached two-story cinderblock
building. On December 14, 1970, City C ouncil rezoned the property from
Residential District R-1 to Industrial District M- 1. T he property was last utilized
as a contractor's office and shop. T he building will be converted into four - 2 to 3
bedroom residential units within the existing footprint of the building. T he
contractor's yard will be replaced with the required parking area and open space for
the residents. T he structure currently does not meet the current setbacks for
Residential Multi-Family District, but is considered grandfathered due to the
construction occurring prior to the annexation of this area in 1963. T he conversion
of this building to a multi-family dwelling will be considered a change of use per the
zoning ordinance and the building code. A site-plan review will be required in
addition to building plan approval.
Mr. VanAllman noted the property was originally zoned for residential and then it
was changed to light manufacturing because the use was at the time was industrial.
T he property owner would like to rezone it to residential and proposes to remodel
the building and convert it to multi-family residential. He noted that the building is
located at the corner of Polar Lane and Kesler Mill Road, and he would be glad to
answer any questions. In addition, Mr. Henrickson is in the audience if C ouncil
would like to have him speak in this matter.
Mayor Foley asked if Polar Lane were to need to be widened in the future, would
this property cause any problems. Mr. VanAllman noted that he did not think it
would be a problem if that did happen.
Mayor Foley opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak
regarding this request. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed.
J ane J ohnson motioned to approve an ordinance on first 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 ot RMF Residential Multi-
family District to allow the conversion to a four unit multi-family dwelling. J ohn
Saunders seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, Saunders
Absent: Martin
Abstain: J ones
B.Appropriation of F unds
Consider request to appropriate fund balance for Longwood Picnic Shelter Roof
Painting. Audit - Finance C ommittee
Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee met this morning to discuss this
request. In fiscal year 2018, $20,000 was appropriated for painting the picnic shelter
roofs at Longwood Park. However, painting was not completed due to issues with
the vendor. Staff requests that funds be appropriated from fund balance so that
painting can be completed in fiscal year 2020. T he C ommittee reviewed the request
and recommends appropriating $20,000 from the fund balance for the painting of the
picnic shelter roofs.
William J ones motioned to appropriate $20,000 from the Fund Balance for the
painting of the picnic shelter roofs at Longwood Park. J ane J ohnson seconded the
motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
C .Reimbursement Resolution
Consider adoption of Resolution 1372 authorizing reimbursement from proposed
2020 bond issue for ongoing project costs. Audit - Finance Committee
Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. T he
C ity intends to borrow funds during fiscal year 2020 to finance a variety of capital
projects, including renovations and additions at Salem High School facilities,
various City equipment purchases, and other C ity facility improvements. Due to the
timing of this project, the funds will be expended prior to the debt issuance. In order
to ensure that the C ity can be reimbursed from the bond proceeds, a reimbursement
resolution needs to be adopted giving the C ity the ability to reimburse any funds
expended for this project prior to closing on the borrowing. T he Committee
reviewed the request and recommends adopting Resolution 1372 for the Fiscal Year
2020 borrowing.
William J ones motioned to adopt Resolution 1372 for the Fiscal Year 2020
borrowing. J ohn Saunders seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
D.Adoption of P olicy - F und B alance
Consider request to adopt the Fund Balance Policy. Audit - Finance C ommittee
(Supplemental I tem)
Mr. J ones noted the Audit Finance Committee also discussed this request. Formal
written financial policies promote good financial management, define boundaries,
support good bond ratings and promote long-term and strategic thinking. Adopting
financial policies is a recommended best practice by the Government Finance
Officers Association (G FO A). T he Finance Department has drafted the following
policies: Fund Balance, Debt Management and Investments. T hese policies have
been reviewed by the City's financial advisor, Davenport & Company LLP. Staff
requests that these policies become effective as of the date of their adoption. T he
C ommittee reviewed the request and recommends adopting the Fund Balance, Debt
Management and Investments policies as submitted.
Ms. J ordan discussed the Fund Balance, Debt Management and Investments
Policies and the reasons for adopting the policies.
William J ones motioned to adopt the Fund Balance Policy as submitted. J ane
J ohnson seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
E.Adoption of P olicy - Debt Management
Consider request to adopt the Debt Management Policy. Audit - Finance
Committee (Supplemental I tem)
William J ones motioned to adopt the Debt Management Policy as submitted. J ane
J ohnson seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
F.Adoption of P olicy - I nv estments
Consider request to adopt the Investments Policy. Audit - Finance C ommittee
(Supplemental I tem)
William J ones motioned to adopt the Investments Policy as submitted. J ane J ohnson
seconded the motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
5.C losed Session
A.Closed Session
Hold a closed session in accordance with Section 2.2-3711A(3) of the 1950
Code of Virginia, as amended, for a discussion or consideration of the
acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of
publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would
adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public
body. (Supplemental I tem)
J ane J ohnson motioned to move to closed session at 7:41 p.m. in accordance with
the provisions of Section 2.2-3711A(3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended,
to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open
meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the
public body. William J ones seconded the motion.
Ayes: Saunders, J ones, J ohnson, Foley
Absent: Martin
J ane J ohnson motioned to reconvene at 8:16 p.m. and that in accordance with
Section 2.2-3712D of the C ode of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, C ouncil
hereby certifies that in C losed 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. William J ones seconded the
motion.
Ayes: Foley, J ohnson, J ones, Saunders
Absent: Martin
6.Adjournment
Mayor Foley noted that there is a supplemental item to add to the agenda due to
discussion in the work session.
Vice Mayor J ohnson motioned to approve and to authorize the City Manager to
execute the Performance Agreements between Blue Ridge Best Foods, Inc.
(Angelle's Diner), Dev O M, LLC (Avid Hotel) and Rocky Mount Realty LLC
(Little C aesars), the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem,
Virginia, and the City of Salem. William J ones seconded the motion.
Ayes: Saunders, J ones, J ohnson, Foley
Absent: Martin
T he meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.