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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2025 - City Council - Minutes - Regular CITY COUNCIL AMENDED MINUTES Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM Organizational Meeting, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 Regular Session, 6:30 PM, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION 1. Call to Order An Organizational Session of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 N. Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, on January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., there being present the following members of said Council to wit: Council members; Byron Randolph Foley, Renée Ferris Turk, H. Hunter Holliday, Anne Marie Green, and John Saunders; together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; Jim Guynn, City Attorney; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Laura Lea Harris, Deputy Clerk of Council; and the Honorable J. Christopher Clemens, Circuit Court Judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and the following business was transacted; 2. New Business A. Organizational Session 1. Election of Mayor 2. Election of Vice-Mayor 3. Overview of Council Member vacancies on Boards, Commissions, and Committees City Manager Dorsey welcomed everyone and noted that this was the Organizational Meeting for the Salem City Council on January 13, 2025. He welcomed and congratulated all of the Council members that had been reelected and newly elected: Renée Turk, John Saunders, and Anne Marie Green. City Manager Dorsey noted that each of these members has been duly sworn in as a Council member as required by law with the Honorable J. Christopher Clemens administering the Oath of Office. He thanked Judge Clemens for his time and dedication and for being so available to ensure that everyone was sworn in. He then asked that each of the members of the Salem Electoral Board that were present come up one at a time to present the Certificate of Election to each of the three elected Council members. Katherin Elam, Secretary of the City of Salem Electoral Board, presented the Certificate of Election to Renée Ferris Turk on behalf of the City of Salem Electoral Board. Mark Claytor, Salem Electoral Board member, presented the Certificate of Election to John Saunders on behalf of the City of Salem Electoral Board. Liz Bowles, Salem Electoral Board member, presented the Certificate of Election to Anne Marie Green on behalf of the City of Salem Electoral Board. City Manager Dorsey requested that Council consider appointing him as Temporary Chairman of Council of this meeting until Council has elected their Mayor during this Organizational Meeting. On motion made by Council member Foley, Seconded by Council member Holliday, and duly carried, Chris Dorsey, City Manager, was hereby elected Temporary Chairman of Council for this meeting. Aye: Saunders, Green, Holliday, Turk, Foley City Manager Dorsey opened the floor for nominations for the office of Mayor of the City of Salem for a term ending December 31, 2026. He noted that if there is one nomination and second, then he would ask the Clerk for a roll-call vote. Should there be more than one nomination and second, he would ask the Clerk to call each member who would state the name of the person they wished to vote for as Mayor. He noted that this was the precedent set at the last Organizational Meeting. He opened the floor for nominations. Council member Foley nominated Renée Turk for Mayor. Council member Turk seconded the motion. Chair Dorsey asked if there were any other nominations for Mayor. He gave one more call for nominations. Hearing none, he closed the floor for nominations and asked the Clerk for a roll-call vote. Ayes: Saunders, Green, Holliday, Turk, Foley The Honorable J. Christopher Clemens administered the Oath of Office required by law to Renée Ferris Turk for the office of Mayor, and the same will be filed by the City. Mayor Turk assumed the duties of the presiding officer and requested nominations for the office of Vice-Mayor. She repeated the procedure as stated during the nominations for Mayor. Mayor Turk nominated Anne Marie Green for the office of Vice-Mayor of the City of Salem. Council member Anne Marie Green seconded the motion. Mayor Turk asked if there were any other nominations for Vice-Mayor. She gave one more call for nominations. Hearing none, she closed the floor for nominations and asked the Clerk for a roll-call vote. Ayes: Saunders, Green, Holliday, Foley, Turk The Honorable J. Christopher Clemens administered the Oath of Office required by law to Anne Marie Green for the office of Vice-Mayor, and the same will be filed by the City. Mayor Turk asked Mr. Light to share information on the Audit-Finance Committee with Council. Mr. Light shared an overview of current vacancies for requested appointment at the January 27, 2025, meeting. He also shared historical background information on the Audit-Finance Committee with those present. He noted several steps initiated by the most recent Council representatives in an effort to evaluate and streamline the r ole of this committee. Mr. Light asked Ms. Jordan to provide further information. Ms. Jordan provided specific details of the draft recommended role and composition of the Audit-Finance committee and other considerations pertaining to this advisory board for Council's review and for the benefit of citizens in attendance. Mr. Dorsey noted that this information was being provided this evening for Council's consideration at the January 27, 2025, meeting. 3. Adjournment Mayor Turk announced that there was no further business for this portion of the meeting. She stated that there would be a slight recess and the Regular Meeting would begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. 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 PM, there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; Anne Marie Green, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, H. Hunter Holliday, and John Saunders; 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; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Opening, Awards, Recognitions A. Recognition Recognize former Councilman William D. Jones for 16 1/2 years of service on City Council of the City of Salem. Mayor Turk asked former Councilman Bill Jones to come forward. She noted that he was being recognized this evening for sixteen and a half years of service to the City of Salem. She summarized his accomplishments and highlights since his election in May 2008. Mayor Turk noted that Mr. Jones exemplified dedication and impactful leadership throughout his tenure as a member of Salem City Council. She spoke of his commitment to local business growth, his involvement in all levels of sports, and his dedication to improving city facilities and expanding the Roanoke Valley Greenway. Another significant accomplishment of Mr. Jones was his involvement in advancing the Salem City Schools and their facilities. In addition, Mayor Turk spoke of his efforts to build relationships with the neighboring localities and his belief in the importance of regional collaboration. She reiterated the valuable impact of his business experience in Salem and his dedication to the business community. Each member of Council shared personal words with Mr. Jones conveying their appreciation both personally and professionally. His connectiveness with the citizens was noted as well as the sacrifices of his family in supporting him during his time on Council. Mr. Jones expressed his appreciation to his family for standing behind him for all of these years. He noted that he had tried to always look at what was best for the community and that he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends. He thanked Salem for a tremendous learning opportunity and experience in his life. Council presented Mr. Jones with a gift to honor his sixteen-and-a-half years on Council. Pictures were made by Mr. Stevens of Mr. Jones with Council and his family. 4. Consent Agenda A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, not already having a public hearing at the same meeting. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, was the first citizen to address Council. He requested that Council take the following steps: 1) Conduct a statistically valid straightforward professional Comprehensive Plan Survey 2) Abolish 2 X 2 meetings 3) Stream all Salem public meetings 4) Schedule every public meeting when the citizens may feasibly attend, specifically after the ordinary work day. 5) Conduct periodic Q&A with the public, especially for the budget and major rezonings 6) Direct the City Manager to review and report by May 1, 2025, recommendations for revisions, corrections, or deletions to the Salem Zoning Code, including clarifications as to the legal meanings for the words MUST and SHALL 7) Timely and publicly answer citizen questions and requests made during a Council meeting 8) Adopt Roberts Rules, appoint a qualified parliamentarian, and make the rules available at every Council meeting 9) To best move Salem forward, by June 1, 2025, conduct a professionally written and statistically valid Strategic Plan Survey. A Strategic Plan is NOT a Comprehensive Plan (A handout was provided with information on this distincti on) 10) Reduce property tax millage for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to conform with the 1% cap 11) Request that the City Manager devise a plan to reduce Salem's fixed and variable expenses for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Jackson Beamer, 19 Hillmount Drive, addressed Council and expressed deep sympathy at the death of Vicki Daulton, former Planning Commission Chair. He shared appreciation for her commitment and service. He challenged Council to consider with every decision they make whether it makes Salem an easier place to live or do business. He expressed appreciation for all of the public works and public safety employees in the City. He thanked each Council member for their service. He expressed appreciation for the service and dedication of Mr. Jones. Mayor Turk recognized SPO C. A. Hayth from the Salem Police Department and asked the following officers attending this evening as part of their Field Training to stand: Aaron Warren, Casey Martin, and Randall McGee. She expressed appreciation to them their commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of the City of Salem. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the December 9, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written. C. Financial Reports Consider acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the five months ending November 2024. The Financial Reports were received. 5. Old Business There was no Old Business this evening. 6. New Business A. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Randy Foley motioned to appoint Patrick Snead for a full five -year term ending January 13, 2030, to the Board of Appeals (USBC Building Code). Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Saunders, Holliday, Foley, Green, Turk 7. Adjournment Mayor Turk noted a number of events going on in the City of Salem and encouraged citizens to check the City website for events. She mentioned a successful Rodeo over the weekend and encouraged citizens to shop local. The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: H. Robert Light Renée Ferris Turk Clerk of Council Mayor