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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/28/2024 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 6:30 PM Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION AMENDED AGENDA WORK SESSION IS CANCELLED FOR MAY 28, 2024. REGULAR SESSION 1. Call 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 Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Chris Dadak, on behalf of City Attorney, Jim Guynn. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions Mayor Turk recognized Trena Carrol, Troop Leader and Merit Badge Counselor with the Blue Ridge Mountain Council, and members of Scout Troop #39 that were present this evening. The Scouts were working towards their Communications badge, their Citizenship and Community badge, or rank requirements. Mayor Turk also recognized City departments that had worked hard over the weekend due to the tornado incident. She thanked the Police, Fire, and EMS for their presence as well as the Streets Department and the Electric Department. A. Proclamation - Stroke Smart Salem Mayor Turk noted that Council would be doing a Proclamation this evening and that we are the first in the area to become a Stroke-Smart City. She shared that this was in coordination with Lewis Gale Medical Center and continued to read the Proclamation for those present. Representing Lewis Gale this evening were Alan Fabian, CEO; Jack Holmes, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer; Cherie Hanning, VP of Quality and Risk Management; Michele Gillespie, VP of Cardiovascular Services; and Shayne Dwyer, Communications and Community Engagement from Lewis Gale Medical Center. 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing at the same meeting. Stella Reinhard, 213 N. Broad Street, was the first citizen to address Council. She expressed concerns about the proposed Hope Tree development. She shared a list of considerations that she felt should be explored and met prior to this property being rezoned. She indicated that she felt this property was not the right location for this project. Nancy Reynolds, 925 Saddle Drive, expressed concerns about the Hope Tree proposal. She addressed issues she felt existed with the notice that had been given in the newspaper as well as the notice that was mailed to abutting property owners. Mayor Turk noted that those citizens that wished to speak on the budget or taxes would be able to speak during the public hearing for those items and asked if there was anyone else that had signed up to speak on topics other than those. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the May 13, 2024, Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the ten months ending April 2024. The Financial Reports were received. 5. Old Business There was no old business this evening. 6. New Business A. Salem City School Board Hold a public hearing and receive the views of citizens within the School Division regarding the School Board appointment for the unexpired term of Rachel Thompson ending December 31, 2026. (As advertised in the May 2, 2024, issue of the Salem Times-Register.) Mayor Turk noted that this public hearing was to receive the views of citizens within the school division regarding the School Board appointment for the unexpired term of Rachel Thompson ending December 31, 2026. She shared that Ms. Thompson would be serving as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge beginning July 1st. She also noted that this public hearing had been advertised in the May 2, 2024, edition of the Salem Times-Register. Mayor Turk asked Mr. Light to read the list of names for applications that had been submitted to the Clerk. Mr. Light shared that four applications had been received by the Clerk's office and that those were from Macel Janoschka, Chelsea Dyer, Michael Crawley, and Christopher King. Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Macel Janoschka, 200 Bentwood Court, addressed Council. She shared her work experience, volunteer experience in the school system, involvement in the Roanoke Valley on various boards, and qualifications and skills that she felt would make her a good candidate for a position on the School Board. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. She noted that there would be no formal action this evening to enable Council time to review the applications that had been received and to decide the direction they would take. Mr. Foley asked to clarify that no further applications would be accepted at this point. Mr. Light responded that, per the Code of Virginia, the names of applicants must be read at this time or mentioned at this time to be considered. B. Conveyance of Property Hold a public hearing and consider authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute documents on the sale of a portion of Tax Map # 91-1-2.1 consisting of an approximate 867 square feet; together with a permanent drainage easement consisting of an approximate 1,139 square feet; together with a temporary easement consisting of an approximate 1,499 square feet, to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation. (Advertised in the May 23, 2024, issue of the Salem Times-Register.) Mayor Turk asked Mr. Light if there was any further information on this item. Mr. Light noted that VDOT is widening I-81 and that this parcel is a very small section of land that is actually part of a stormwater parcel located northwest of the high school track. He added that there is a small piece that would be sold outright, one small permit of easement, and one temporary construction easement. To dispose of real property, per the Code of Virginia, a public hearing is required. The main concern and consideration was that Salem has electric lines across that property and wanted to ensure that if there was ever a future expansion of I-81 or any work that VDOT would need to do that they would pay for relocation of those lines and not the City. He indicated that they had worked with Mr. Simpson, the City Engineer; Mr. Guynn, City Attorney; VDOT, and the State Attorney General's office to make sure that the language was acceptable. Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Randy Foley motioned to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute documents on the sale of a portion of Tax Map # 91-1-2.1 consisting of an approximate 867 square feet; together with a permanent drainage easement consisting of an approximate 1,139 square feet; together with a temporary easement consisting of an approximate 1,499 square feet, to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace C. Proposed Real Estate Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Hold a public hearing on the effective real estate tax rate for fiscal year 2024- 2025. Ms. Jordan explained that per Code Section 58.1-3321, when the real estate assessment raises the tax levy by more than 1%, a public hearing is required in order to consider an increase in excess of the 1%. The increase that Salem had on property was an effective rate increase of 9.97% on the tax and the assessment. In order to abide by State Code, this public hearing is being held for this purpose this evening. Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed concern about the proposed tax rate and the necessity and justification for this increase. Mr. Breen expressed that he felt this proposed rate should be rejected. He also voiced concern about holding the public hearing for both the proposed tax rate and public hearing for the proposed budget at the same Council meeting based on Virginia Code Section 58.1-3321 B. Robert Andrews, 2431 Post Oak Road, expressed concern about the proposed tax rate. He proposed that Council should adopt at minimum a revenue neutral cut in the real estate tax rate. He highlighted comparisons with neighboring localities with similar tax structures and population. Mr. Andrews asked that Council consider a future tax rate reduction, in the near future if not tonight. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Vice-Mayor Wallace asked the City Attorney if there was any merit to the comments made by the citizen regarding holding the budget and tax rate public hearings at the same meeting. Mr. Dadak noted that the Code requires that these public hearings not be held at the same time and that a separate time and separate notice were required. This gives citizens notice of what is being discussed at each public hearing. This requires a separate public hearing; however, there does not have to be a separate meeting. Mr. Jones noted that the tax rate was not being increased. Mr. Dadak clarified that the increase in assessment exceeding 1% requires a separate public hearing. The rates themselves are not being increased. A separate public hearing will be held for the budget. City Manager Dorsey asked about the numbers that Mr. Andrews had shared for Christiansburg and Blacksburg and if they are paying a county tax as well as a Town tax and if that was factored into Mr. Andrews' figures. Mr. Andrews confirmed that he had taken this into account in his calculation. D. Tax Rates Resolution Consider adoption of Resolution 1468, a resolution imposing taxes on real estate, tangible personal property, machinery and tools, and all legal subjects of taxation for City purposes, including the property of railroad, express, telephone, telegraph, water hear (gas), light and power companies. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor Wallace expressed disappointment that with roughly a $114 million budget that they had been unable to find a way to save approximately $600,000 to give the citizens a two-cent real estate tax reduction. Mayor Turk asked what difference in payment that two cents would have been for a citizen in their payment. She noted that Council had requested some computations from City staff and asked Mr. Dorsey for further information. City Manager Dorsey gave details on what a reduction of different amounts would have meant to various projects and line items in the budget. Some of the specific areas that would have suffered would have been the paving of roads, storm drain projects, and other capital projects. Mayor Turk noted that each citizen could do a calculation of what they would save if they were given a one cent or two cent reduction on their real estate tax amount. She emphasized the projects that would not be able to happen also. Mr. Jones commented that he would love a tax break also on properties that he owns but that he felt it was important to do what was best for the City. He recalled some difficult times from the past when difficult decisions were required and that it was important to look at the need for capital projects for the future. Mayor Turk emphasized again that it was not the tax rate that was going up but the assessed values of the homes. Mr. Holliday noted that he agreed with Vice-Mayor Wallace and wanted to do something to help with the tax burden on the citizens but that he felt it was important to take care of some of the major expenditures and projects at this time. He stated that Council would revisit this next year and that he would like to see some relief given to the citizens. Mr. Foley stated that he agreed that this was the practical thing to do to take care of completing some of these major projects now and that this could be reevaluated then and that at that point Valleydale and whatever the outcome of Hope Tree would also be added to the tax base. William Jones motioned to adopt Resolution 1468 which sets the tax rates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The request is to levy the following tax rates for the 2024- 2025 fiscal year: a) Real Estate tax rate of $1.20 per $100 assessed valuation b) Personal property tax rate of $3.40 per $100 assessed valuation c) Machinery and tools tax rate of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk Nays: Wallace E. Job Classes and Pay Ranges 2024-2025 Consider adoption of Resolution 1469 amending the schematic list of job classes and pay ranges previously set forth June 12, 2023 to be part of the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. Audit - Finance Committee Mr. Foley noted that about 80% of the City's expenses, as with any business, is for salaries and that is the biggest support of continued tax rates. James Wallace motioned to adopt Resolution 1469 approving the schematic list of job classes and the pay scale for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The attached pay scale reflects an increase of 2% for each range. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace F. Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. City Manager Dorsey shared an overview of the budget for the Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025. Mr. Dorsey explained that the Budget Work Sessions had been very beneficial in discussing the needs of the Constitutional Officers and the individual departments. He noted changes that had been made since the budget was presented in April and indicated that this information was included in the agenda packet. Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed dissatisfaction with the budget process and specific line items in the budget itself. He requested that Council not adopt this budget and that they hold a Question-and-Answer Session with citizens. Diane Ribble, 2446 Tyler Way, expressed concerns about spending and accountability. She voiced questions and concerns that she had in regard to specific line items of the budget. She requested that Council not adopt this budget. Earl Pettrey, 650 Joan Circle, expressed concern about safety due to citizens running red lights in the City and noted that he hoped cameras would help with this. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing. Mayor Turk noted that the Police Department had given the information that the cameras would be used for safety surveillance. They had been able to solve a murder and a robbery, not because of cameras that the City currently has, but because of cameras in different places of business. She indicated that a policy would be formed by the Police Department and that they would be used for safety purposes. G. Salem School Division Budget Consider adoption of Resolution 1470 approving the Salem School Division budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Agenda amended due to a typographical error in the attached resolution. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor Wallace noted that the approval of the FY 2024-2025 budget for Salem City Schools is being requested to fulfill our legal requirement of approving their budget. The budget is prepared for informative and fiscal planning purposes only and does not actually commit or appropriate funds for expenditure. City Manager Dorsey commented on how well the new format used this year for the budget process had gone and how informative the session with the school administration had been. He thanked Dr. Hicks and the Salem City School Staff for their informative presentation. James Wallace motioned to adopt Resolution 1470 approving the budget for Salem City Schools for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace H. Budget Adoption Ordinance Consider an ordinance on first reading adopting the budget for fiscal year 2024- 2025. A summary of the proposed budget was advertised in the Salem Times Register on May 2, 2024 and May 9, 2024. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor Wallace noted that there were a lot of good things in the budget that he supported, and that he was going to support the budget this evening. However, he noted that he remains opposed to the surveillance cameras and that he felt that Council should write the policy and not the Police Department as it would have a material effect on the citizens. Mr. Holliday stated that he agreed with Mr. Wallace and that he had questions about what the storage cost and actual total cost of this would be. He felt that this piece of the budget should be revisited until it was determined what the total cost to the City would be. He noted that he would support the budget, but he also expressed that he felt Council should write this policy. James Wallace motioned to approve first reading of an Ordinance to adopt the City of Salem’s 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace I. Budget Appropriation Ordinance Consider an ordinance on first reading appropriating funds for the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. Audit - Finance Committee Vice- Mayor Walace explained that in addition to adopting the budget, Council must appropriate the funds. James Wallace motioned to approve first reading of an Ordinance appropriating funds for the City of Salem’s 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace J. Resilience Plan Consider the adoption of Resolution 1467 adopting the Resilience Plan. Will Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development and City Engineer, explained that the Resilience Plan is something that Community Development received a grant for through the Community Flood Protection Fund that is issued through the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The plan itself is something that they had a consultant put together. This identifies areas throughout the City that are flood prone, have drainage issues, and that type of situation so that the City can be more resilient to help citizens and properties in the City. A lot of grant money exists to help with this type of project, but in order to be eligible for those, a Resilience Plan must be in place. A number of the neighboring localities are doing the same type thing. Once this Resilience Plan is in place and is adopted by Council, they can go back to DCR to apply for more funds. There are state funds to assist with drainage projects and that type of project for which state funds have been leveraged in the past. Mayor Turk thanked Mr. Simpson and Community Development for staying on top of grants and funding that might be available to help with projects. James Wallace motioned to adopt Resolution 1467 adopting the Resilience Plan as presented. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace 7. Adjournment Mr. Foley commended City Manager Dorsey, Assistant City Manager Rob Light, Director of Finance, Rosie Jordan, and the rest of staff for creating the budget. He noted that he felt the new process with new leadership was going to be a better process going forward. He expressed appreciation for the insight and experience and for bringing this to Council and helping them achieve advances. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.