City of Salem City Council met March 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular March 16, 2020 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
Deputy Chief of Police Susan Miller Economic Dev. Director Tabitha MeadorFinance
Director Keli Barrow YMCA/Recreation Director Jed Casburn
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.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Morgan indicated she attended the March 10th Planning Commission Public Hearing on zoning for Adult Use Cannabis businesses and found it very enlightening.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes – 3/2/2019
Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the minutes of March 2, 2020, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried. (Councilman Morton arrived just after the vote.)
b. Approval and Swearing in of Tourism Board Member
Mayor Morgan indicated that there is an opening on the Tourism Board, and their bi-laws indicate one member should be a representative of the hotel/motel industry. Mayor Morgan indicated she would like to appoint Robin Lindberg of the Holiday Inn Express. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Farley to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Robin Lindberg to the Tourism Board. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mayor Morgan swore Ms. Lindberg in and presented her with her certificate of appointment.
2. Reporting of recommendations from the Planning Commission
a. Special Use Permit for Cannabis related businesses
City Manager Barbee indicated 87 people signed the sign in sheet at the Public Hearing, with the Planning Commission voting unanimously not to recommend amending the zoning code to permit Adult Use Cannabis businesses in any zoning district. This will come back to Council for final action at a future meeting.
b. Review and approval of Little Egypt Subdivision Plats
City Manager Barbee indicated the Planning Commission had just met and reviewed the revised Preliminary Plat and Final Plat at 5:00 pm today, so there is no written recommendation. The Planning Commission did approve both plats.
Included in their approval were the following variances from the City’s subdivision requirements:
• Proposed Roadway Width – 30’ (40’ face to face per ordinance Sec. 19-114)
• Proposed Right of Way Width – 80’
• Cul-de-sac pavement radius of 60’ (75’ radius per ordinance Sec. 19-114)
• Cul-de-sac length for Phase I is 1,480’ measured along the north ROW line (750’ max per Ordinance sec. 19-114)
Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the Revised Preliminary Plat and Final Plat for Little Egypt Subdivision, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Zoning Map
City Manager Barbee indicated it is a State requirement that the City review and approve any updates to its zoning map each year in March. The only change this proposed map contains is a zoning amendment changing lots at the corner of Wells and W. Walnut from residential to commercial for development of a storage warehouse. Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the updated zoning map as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
4. Discussion and approval of a new musical event for the 4th of July weekend
City Manager Barbee indicated Councilman Morton was approached by Bill Poss of Poss Music Works with a proposal for a new musical event for the Fourth of July. Two options were presented, with Option B, below, being presented for discussion:
Mr. Poss was present, and indicated he promotes several musical festivals each year. Poss’s approach has been to bring attention to the events through press releases, social media, etc. Mr. Poss indicated he had looked at the stage in Bryan Park and felt it would be a good location for the musical event. Poss added that it would be necessary to erect some type of cover over the stage, which is not included in his proposal. Councilman Morton added that he felt it would be cool to do something new. Councilman Farley added that by making these plans early, it would be possible to include the Chamber of Commerce with their food trucks proposal, and not charge any type of fee for not-for-profits or local businesses. City Manager Barbee indicated he would need to approach the High School about utilizing their parking lot for event parking, and possibly to Little Egypt Golf Cars about use of golf carts for shuttling attendees. Discussion ensued regarding whether the event should be held on Friday, July 3rd or Saturday, July 4th, with consensus being that Saturday, July 4th would be the best day for the event. Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve Option B for a Fourth of July musical event, as presented by Poss Music Works. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Discussion ensued regarding cancellation due to weather or COVID-19, with Mr. Poss indicating that “money spent would be money spent”, and he would need a $1,250 down payment for the band.
City Manager Barbee indicated last year the City increased its fireworks budget from $10,000 to $15,000, and asked if Council wants to do the same this year. Mayor Morgan said the 2019 fireworks were very good. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the expenditure of $15,000 for fireworks for the 2020 Fourth of July event. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Councilman Koehler suggested using SCHS as a rainout location for the music, rather than the theatre. Koehler added that the Decatur Park Singers were moved to the theatre during a rainout during a past event.
5. Renew contract with the Marion County YMCA
City Manager Barbee indicated the YMCA contract expired in 2019, and he is presenting a new one to continue the combined operation of the YMCA and City recreation events. Barbee added that the contract is for three years, excludes pool operation, and contains minimal wage increases for the director. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Farley to approve the contract with the YMCA, as presented. Roll call vote: Ayes: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
6. Bills Payable
Following review of the bills payable, motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the Bills Payable as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Mayor Morgan. NAY: None. Motion carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT
• COVID-19: City Manager Barbee indicated COVID-19 has caused the restaurants, bars and gaming venues
to be closed. Restaurants are still able to provide pick up, curbside or delivery orders. No public
gatherings of 50 or more are permitted. Barbee added that the PKC has become a casualty of COVID-19 , as they had to postpone the event scheduled to take place in March, and the makeup date they wanted is already filled at the Marion County Fair Grounds. They are trying to determine if another date will work.
Barbee added that Cindy Eller is working very closely with Roger Dale to assist in finding another location, if another date will not work.
• FY2021 Budget: City Manager Barbee indicated the budget is still on schedule.
• Museum: The Historical Commission building updates are taking place, with drywall currently being hung.
• Evening of Honors: The Evening of Honors hosted by the Greater Salem Area Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce was very nice.
• Home Show: The Chamber Home Show was a great success.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - No report.
VIII. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT – No report.
IX. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Mayor Morgan asked Chief Reynolds if the Police trucks are ready to put into operation. Chief Reynolds indicated they are not, and yesterday was the deadline.
Councilman Koehler mentioned that there is a new discount grocery store in Salem, located in the former Marion County Abstract building. Koehler added that he attended the Home Show and the Evening of Honors, which were both very nice. Councilman Koehler also wished Councilman Morton the best in his efforts to represent our district as Congressman.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. 5 ILCS 120(c)(5) Purchase of real estate
Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to enter into Executive Session at 6:42 pm for the purpose of discussing Purchase of Real Estate.
(Mayor Morgan indicated there would be a five minute break.)
Return to open session at 7:12 pm
XI. COUNCIL ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION - PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Hockett to purchase the former Save A Lot building for $290,000 for future relocation of the Salem Police Department. Roll call vote:
AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan NAYS: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton. Motion carried.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Morton to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: Councilman Koehler. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2020_03-16.pdf
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