South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Sept. 15.

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 via video conferencing, and was called to order by Mayor Sue Morgan.

Council members present via Zoom:

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

Public Works Director John Pruden                    Chief of Police Sean Reynolds

Economic Dev. Director Tabitha Meador            Finance Director Keli Barrow

City Attorney Mike Jones                                   Public Works Director John Pruden

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch              Deputy Chief Susan Miller

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

Brock Waggoner addressed Council, and thanked them for the visible 5 minute timer on the screen, since they “tried to cut me off early during the last meeting”. Mr. Waggoner indicated many local businesses have opened up , including Coaches Corner, Village Garden, Pizza Man and LaCocina. Mayor Morgan responded that Coaches Corner has not “opened up” for inside service. The Governor’s order allows businesses with the type of opening Coaches Corner has to allow seating inside the building up to eight feet from the opening.

IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS - None.

V. COUNCIL ACTION

1. Consent Agenda

a. City Council Minutes – 6/01/2020

Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the minutes 6/1/2020, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Approval of request for 2020 budget amendment for annual audit purposes.

City Manager Barbee indicated that during the course of an operating year, there must be some amendments made to the budget. Finance Director Keli Barrow outlined the amendments

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Farley to approve Ordinance 2020-06 Amending the FY20 Budget, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Approval request for payout #1 to J.K. Trotter for Sewer & Water replacement on W. Whittaker

City Manager Barbee indicated the sewer and water line replacement project is going well and is on schedule. The pay request being made is $111,673.20, and he recommends approval. Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve payment of Payout #1 in the amount of $111,673.20 to J.K. Trotter and Sons. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Approval of accounts payable from May 18 thru June 12, 2020

City Manager Barbee indicated the pay request from JK Trotter and Sons is part of the payables list. Following discussion, motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the Accounts Payables, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Barbee indicated there was an emergency collapse of the sanitary sewer line on N. Illinois street over the weekend, which will cost $50,000 - $55,000 to repair. Public Works Director Pruden indicated sections of this sanitary sewer have been patched, and it needs to be a continuing contract, from manhole to manhole. Pruden added that all of the sewer lines in the neighborhood are the same vintage.

City Manager Barbee indicted the City is coming to the end of its residential municipal aggregation contract. There will be an auction for electricity on Thursday, June 18th. With electricity being at all time low, the aggregation group is trying to lock in prices in for 3-4 years.

City Manager Barbee indicated John Pruden found a counterfeit $100 bill, which was turned in to the police department.

Economic Development Director Tabitha Meador indicated she has been working with music promoter Bill Poss on lining up music for the Fourth of July. Scheduled to play are John Spicer, the Love Preachers, and a three-piece string band. Food vendors and many of the civic organizations will be setting up. The group who was coming from Colorado is not touring, due to COVID-19. City Manager Barbee added that Mr. Poss has reduced the price accordingly. Councilman Koehler indicated the City will need to arrange for a shelter or awning over the stage. City Manager Barbee indicated Family Fun Day is cancelled this year, but the Salem Family Aquatic Center is expected to open 6/27, and is being filled now.

VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – None.

VIII. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT – None.

IX. CITY COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Koehler indicated he has seen lots of people fishing at the reservoir, and enjoying the park. Koehler added that he has also see a lot of speeding on Mills Cart Road between 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

Councilman Farley complimented Chief Reynolds and the Salem Police Department, as he had received comments from the protestors that the Salem PD was great to work with. Mayor Morgan added that Salem has a great police force.

Councilman Morton asked if the City has come up with any other weather siren plans. City Manager Barbee indicated he is still looking for sources of funding. Barbee added he is also looking at providing weather radios, but you have to be inside to hear it.

X. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale of Real Estate

Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Morton to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing sale of land. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Return to open session at 6:33 pm.

XI. Council Action

Motion was made by Councilman Farley and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Ordinance 2020-07 declaring Bicentennial Plaza (aka Centennial Park) as surplus. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hoekctt, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilman Hockett and seconded by Councilman Morton to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Morgan. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2020_06-15_0.pdf