City of Salem City Council met March 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the City Council was convened at 6:00 pm, and called to order by Mayor Sue Morgan.
Council members present:
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Nic Farley
Councilman Craig Morton
Councilman Jacob Hockett
Mayor Sue Morgan
Council members absent: None.
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
City Clerk Bev Quinn
City Attorney Mike Jones
Public Works Director John Pruden
Asst. Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz
Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Economic Dev. Director Tabitha Meador
Finance Director Keli Barrow
Girl Scout Rep. Cyndi Addison and Girl Scouts
Members of the Media and Public
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Opening prayer was offered by Councilman Koehler, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by the Girl Scouts.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Morgan read and signed a proclamation declaring the week of March 8 – 14th as “Girl Scout Week” in Salem, and thanked the Girl Scouts for attending.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes – 2/19/20
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Farley to approve the minutes of February 19, 2020, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
2. Review Estimate for Replacement of Lighting Fixtures at Salem Aquatic Center
Assistant Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz indicated there are 26 lighting fixtures at the Aquatic Center, 10 of which are not working. All of the lights in the parking lot are out. These fixtures could be repaired, but Ameren is offering an incentive to switch out to LED, which would reduce the wattage from 1000 to 400, which will reduce costs for electricity. This is not a budgeted item, but the quote received from Livesay Electric is for a total of $24,797, with a rebate of $9,446.00 from Ameren, leaving a net cost of $15,351.00. Buying the lights a couple at a time does not qualify for the grant rebate. Brushwitz added that they have been replacing the fixtures with LED a couple each year, but the grant makes it more feasible to do all of this before the May opening.
Councilman Morton asked if the LED lights will last for five years or more. Ms. Brushwitz responded that they will last longer than five years. The current lighting loses power beginning at the time of installation, and the LED lights do not. Councilman Hockett added that the lighting at Safe Sheds was changed to LED lighting, and it does last longer and is brighter. Councilman Farley questioned only receiving one bid. Asst. Dir. Brushwitz responding that Livesay brought the grant information to her and will be doing all of the grant paperwork. Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the proposal from Livesay Electric Service Inc. in the amount of $24,797.00 for the replacement of Salem Family Aquatic Center lighting. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Amendment of Ordinance No. 2019-01 to correct the number of Class G Liquor
Licenses City Manager Barbee indicated the proposed ordinance corrects an error in Ordinance 2019-01. This correction will increase the number of Class G Liquor Licenses permitted from six to seven. Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Ordinance 2020-02 changing the maximum number of Class G Liquor Licenses from six to seven. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
4. Approval on Bid for Water/Sewer Work on West Whittaker from S. College to S. Broadway –
Budgeted Item Public Works Director John Pruden indicated Curry and Associates had assisted the City in soliciting bids for Water and Sewer Main Replacement along Whittaker Street from S. College to S. Broadway, and had done a good job. Seven bids were received, with the low bid being submitted by JK Trotter and Sons in the amount of $138,631.74. Pruden added that JK Trotter and Sons do good work. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Farley to approve the bid submitted by JK Trotter and Sons in the amount of $138,631.74 for water/sewer main replacement on W. Whittaker St. from S. College to S. Broadway. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
5. Request Approval of Purchas of Auto Dialers with 3-Year Service Agreement
Public Works Director Pruden indicated the purchase of three new and three replacement auto dialers are budgeted items. The auto dialers call a phone number until someone checks to see what is wrong at the lift stations. Pruden added he has found cell numbers to be much more reliable that land lines, as land lines go down when electricity is out. Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the purchase of six auto dialers from Hydro-Kinetics Corporation in the amount of $17,436.40. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
6. Discussion and Possible Action on Developing a Soccer Complex
Mayor Morgan indicated she had asked that this item be placed on the agenda, as she feels very strongly about getting a soccer development in Salem. This will provide recreation, bring visitors to our town, and provide quality of life incentives for businesses looking to locate here. City Manager Barbee indicated he and representatives of Council had met with representatives of the local soccer organizations, and one of the options was to approach the Salem Little League Organization regarding development of fields on some undeveloped land they own adjacent to their Little League fields. Contact was made, with a determination that development on the Little League side will not work at this time. The location currently under consideration is the 22 acres owned by the City on US Rt. 50 West/N., Selmaville Road commonly called the “SBIC” property. Curtis Finley, representing the Middle School program, Ford Barnfield , representing the High School Program, and Jed Casburn representing the City/YMCA program were present to discuss the possible development of a soccer complex on the SBIC property.
Mr. Finley indicated the SBIC site would lend itself to developing nine fields, two 11v11 (HS), four 9v9 (middle school) and three 7v7 (YMCA/City) fields. Mr. Finley added that it would take 18-24 months to develop the fields. Councilman Farley asked who will be responsible for planting, irrigating and mowing the fields during development. City Manager Barbee indicated he feels there are parents, volunteers and supporters who will assist with development of the fields. Barbee indicated that at this time, the groups are requesting that City Council approve the use this site for soccer complex development. Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve utilizing the 22 acres commonly called the “SBIC” property for development of a soccer complex. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Barbee expressed appreciation to the Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, and the United Medical Response ambulance service for their quick response to a car accident that happened outside of City Hall today.
City Manager Barbee indicated that he and the Department Heads are currently working on budgets.
City Manager Barbee indicated both he and Mayor Morgan have provided letters of support for the Salem Fire Protection District’s application for grant funds to purchase a ladder truck. Additional support letters from the public would be appreciated.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - No report. VIII. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT – No report.
IX. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Koehler indicated he would like to see the Walmart exit from Walton Dr. to W. Main St. changed to a “right turn only” exit, as this is very dangerous.
Councilman Farley indicated the Home and Ag Expo is this coming weekend, and is for one-day only this year, and urged the community to attend.
X. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 pm.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2020_03-02.pdf
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