City of Salem City Council Met Feb. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. Call to Order
The regular meeting of the Salem City Council was convened at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Salem City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Nicolas Farley.
Council members present:
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Nicolas Farley
Councilman Craig Morton
Councilman Jacob Hockett
Council members absent:
Mayor Sue Morgan (due to illness)
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
City Attorney Mike Jones
Public Works Director John Pruden
Asst. Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz
City Clerk Bev Quinn
Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch
Finance Director Keli Barrow
Economic Development Director Tabitha Meador
Members of the Public and Media
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
David E. Black read the following statement to City Council:
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated he would support a Proclamation of Support for the Police Department.
Brock Waggoner indicated that at the last meeting, he requested that City Council send a letter requesting that the Governor veto HB3653. Waggoner added that while he was glad the City Manager sent a letter, it does not have the power of the City Council behind it, and it did not address all of the concerns he cited.
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated he supports the City Manager’s letter on behalf of the Council, and does not feel any further correspondence needs to be sent. Mr. Waggoner responded that the Governor wants to reinstate the “qualified Immunity” clause. City Manager Barbee indicated that anything the City Council takes action on needs to be an agenda item, and there are several webinars coming up this week that will provide additional information regarding the Bill. Barbee added that it behooves the City Council to have as much information as possible prior to further action.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated February is Career and Technical Education Month. Farley added that this has been a personal passion of his for the past few years, and he is very appreciative for the efforts of
Kaskaskia College and Salem Community High School in helping their students become aware of the great jobs that are available in the career and technical fields, and making courses available to assist them.
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated Mayor Morgan is still recovering from a health issue, but she and her husband, Bill, are both doing well.
IV. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes - request approval of January 18, 2021 minutes
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the minutes of January 18, 2021, as written. Roll call vote: AYES Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
2. Request for increasing the weight limit on a portion of West Mills Cart Road and N. Missouri Ave for egress from the proposed UcamP RV Park by Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips indicated he and his wife, Becky, have been lifelong residents of Salem, and are honored to be the caretakers of the former McMackin Home, where they operate their accounting business. Mr. Phillips indicated he and Becky were looking to expand their business interests, and decided putting in a compact, high-quality RV park would be a good project. Phillips indicated he met with Rex, John and Bev to make sure everything would work out, and was told the first step was to obtain a permit through the State of Illinois. The location they selected is right off of the interstate behind Huck’s, and provides a place for those traveling In RVs to get of the highway or interstate, get gas, purchase groceries, visit our restaurants, then get back on the interstate to continue their journeys.
Mr. Phillips indicated their plan provides for 10 pads, and is designed for entry from Missouri Avenue and exit onto Mills Cart Road. There is a section of Mills Cart, from Missouri Ave. to Roddy Road, that has a weight limit of 10,000 lbs. per axel, and he requests that this limit be raised, as many RVs will be over that weight. Phillips added that they want their first RV Park, in their hometown, to be exactly what they want for future developments.
City Manager Barbee indicated it is his understanding that the weight limit was put in to avoid tractor trailers looking for a way to get around Main Street traffic. Mr. Phillips responded that they want to make it easy for their clients to get around, and the Federal weight limit is 20,000 lbs. Mayor Pro Tem Farley asked Mr. Pruden if he has a recommendation. Mr. Pruden replied, “no recommendation”, but added that streets without weight limit restrictions are all 80,000 lb. roadways.
Mayor Pro Tem Farley thanked Mr. and Mrs. Phillips for expanding their business interests in Salem, and added that he would like to see this request approved. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Hockett to remove the weight limit on Mills Cart Road, and allow it to increase to the standard 80,000 lbs. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Mr. Phillips thanked City Council for their action. Mrs. Phillips thanked them, too, and added that RV sales have increased 847% in 2020.
3. Request for increasing the number of Class G liquor licenses to allow for a Gambling Parlor to be established next to The Zone Fitness Center in Westgate Shopping Center
Kevin Willis, co-owner of The Zone, indicated he is a retired Effingham police officer, and is the security director for J & J Ventures. There is a small area next to The Zone that used to be used as a hair salon, that he and his partner feel would make a good location for a gaming parlor.
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated the City Council reviewed and revised its liquor licenses 4-5 years ago, and set limits on the types of licenses the City will allow. Farley added that the public, including the Ministerial Alliance, overwhelmingly indicated the City did not need any more gaming parlors. Farley added that the Council and the community are more supportive if the gaming is ancillary to a more primary use, such as a restaurant, bowling alley, etc. Councilman Koehler added that the Council has been approached by others who requested that we increase the Class G licenses, and they were denied.
Mr. Willis responded that he understands that, as he served for several years on the Effingham City Council, and they made the same decision. Mr. Willis thanked the Council for their consideration. Mayor Pro Tem thanked Mr. Willis for developing The Zone in Salem.
4. IDOT/Little Egypt Golf Cars/Gonzales Companies, LLC services agreement
City Manager Barbee indicated the proposed agreement is to segregate the work Gonzalez Companies LLC will be doing for Little Egypt Golf Cars roadway development. The funding for these services will come from the grant funds and from Little Egypt Golf Cars as part of the matching funds protocol.
The grant is being processed through the City of Salem as a “pass through”, and Council is asked to approve the agreement so it can be returned to IDOT. Mayor Pro Tem Farley added that it is good to see this local business expanding. Motion was made by Councilman Hockett and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the service agreement between Gonzalez Companies, LLC, Little Egypt Golf Cars and IDOT, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
5. Request for purchase of a water treatment plant mixer with installation from C & C Pumps and Supply, Marion, IL
Public Works Director Pruden indicated this is a mixer that combines the chemicals with raw water to make it potable. The existing mixer has been in place since 1977, and C & C Pumps is the same company the pump was originally purchased from. Pruden added that it is his hope that the new mixer will provide another 43 years of service, like the old one. Motion was made y Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve the purchase of a mixer at $17,400 and installation at $1,780 from C & C Pumps and Supply, Marion, IL. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
6. Request authorization to enter into agreement with Archive Social for retention of social media transactions
City Manager Barbee indicated the City has recently made improvements to its social media ordinance in order to provide uniformity and some protection to the City. One of the areas that needs to be addressed is the retention of posts made on City sites. Barbee indicated he has met with Archive Social, who has a program that would capture all of the posts made on our sites, which is required due to Sunshine Laws. The cost for their service on an annual basis is $4,788.00 from May 1 – April 30, with a prorated fee from now until May 1 of $1,596.00. Barbee thanked Chief Reynolds for bringing this service to our attention. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Hockett to approve entering into an agreement with Archive Social at a prorated cost of $1,596.00 from now until May 1 and an annual cost thereafter of $4,788.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
7. Discussion of plans for July 4th Celebration for 2021
City Manager Barbee indicated the 4th of July falls on a Sunday this year, and this is being brought up to determine if we still want to hold the event on a Sunday, or move it to Saturday July 3rd.
Mayor Pro Tem Farley indicated the City tried to put together a large July 4th event last year with a major headliner, and while the event didn’t go exactly as planned, it was still a good event, The headliner who was scheduled to perform backed out due to COVID-19, but the local talent was very well received. Farley added that it is his feeling that starting early, the City can plan for an exceptional event in 2021.
Councilman Koehler indicated he would still like to see the event held on Sunday, July 4th. Economic Development Director Meador added that since the 4th falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be Monday. City Manager Barbee added that even though the City had planned on a bigger headliner for last year, he was very impressed with the quality of the local performers, and indicated he doesn’t feel it is necessary to have a major headliner. Mr. Barbee added that it could be turned into a two-night event. Dir. Meador responded that she would like to see it as all one event.
Consensus of Council was to hold the event on Sunday, July 4th, and to authorize Dir. Meador to contact Bill Poss to see if he is still available to line up the performers. Dir. Meador indicated she will keep Council apprised. Mayor Pro Tem thanked Chief Reynolds for the increased police presence at the event last year. Chief Reynolds indicated they had added two bicycle officers last year, and they would probably do the same this year.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES
City Manager Barbee reminded the Council that the Bryan Bennett Library has been awarded the opportunity to host a Smithsonian exhibit called “Voices and Votes”, which will be on display for a week.
Mr. Barbee offered “kudos” to the local restaurants who are still providing pick up, delivery and have now opened up for indoor dining while observing social distancing.
Mr. Barbee indicated the mold remediation at the Animal Control Facility is 99% complete, although there will need to be some revamping of the rooms. The construction costs so far have been $2,600.00
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORT – No report.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Hockett to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Councilman Hockett, Mayor Pro Tem Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2021_02-01.pdf
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