City of Salem City Council Met May 3.
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 Nicolas Farley. Council members present:
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Craig Morton
Councilman Jacob Hockett
Mayor Nicolas Farley
Council members absent: None.
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz
City Clerk Bev Quinn
Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Finance Director Keli Barrow
Economic Development Director Tabitha Meador
Library Director Kim Keller
City Attorney Mike Jones
Councilman-Elect Royce Bringwald
Members of the Public and Media
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer. At Mayor Farley’s request, Mekhi Moore lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL OFFICIALS
Prior to the swearing in of newly elected officials, Mayor Farley presented outgoing Councilman Jacob Hockett for his service for the past year and a half.
Mayor Nicolas A. Farley was sworn in as the 57th Mayor of the City of Salem by City Clerk Bev Quinn. Mayor Farley swore in Councilman Jim Koehler and Councilman Royce Bringwald. Councilman Bringwald joined the Council table.
IV. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.
V. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS – None.
VI. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes - request approval of April 19, 2021
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of April 19, 2021, as written. Roll call vote: AYES Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None.
Councilman Morton abstained. Motion carried.
2. Approval of Mayoral Appointments for Boards and Commissions
Mayor Farley presented the following list of appointees to Boards and Commissions, and requested Council confirmation:
Library 3 Yr. Term
Jack McGuire
Gary Hahn
Joyce Raver
Board of Police Commissioners – 3 Yr. Term
Michael Phillips
Police Pension Board – 2 Yr. Term
David Black
Historical Commission – 3 Yr. Term
Frank Brinkerhoff
Luke Purcell
Megan Holler
Betty Purcell
Tourism Board – 4 Yr. Term
Robin Lindberg Dana
Hampton Sherry Morton
Bob Haney
Jacob Hockett (3-year open term)
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem for FY22
Mayor Farley indicated he has asked Councilman Koehler to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for FY22, and he is asking for Council confirmation. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the appointment of Councilman Koehler as Mayor Pro Tem for Fiscal Year 2022. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Councilman Koehler abstained.
4. Review and approval of bids for City Gas Line Project for S. College Ave. in FY22
City Manager Barbee indicated the Public Works Department has budgeted $275,000 for gas line replacements in FY22. Bid requests were sent to three vendors, but only one responded, due to the project needing to be completed prior to the end of the summer. The bid from Utility Safety and Design, Inc. (USDI) for construction was $171,696.75 and the quote they submitted for materials totaled $56,782.25, for a total of $228,479.00. This total bid is $46,521.00 under budget. Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the bid for construction of the FY22 Gas Line Project to USDI in the amount of $171,696.75 and the quote for materials from USDI in the amount of $56,782.25, for a total of $228,479.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
VII. CITY MANAGER REPORT WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES
• City Manager Barbee indicated he and Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz have been conducting interviews for the Assistant Public Works Director position. As a result, Public Works employee Cory Purintun has been offered the position and has accepted. Mr. Purintun will be training his replacement before moving into his new position.
City Manager Barbee indicated the City will be hosting “Family Fun Day” on Saturday, June 5th. Barbee added that we have received a request from a local church for a full-park event for the next day, but there are still details to be worked out.
• Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz indicated she has been interviewing candidates for two public works positions, and has offered a job to one candidate.
Dir. Brushwitz added that she will be sending Council some sample designs for the water tower painting. Brushwitz added that this has become “mission critical”, and she really need an answer at the next City Council meeting.
• Economic Development Director Meador indicated she will be co-hosting a “Lunch and Learn” with DCEO for managers and HR professionals on Wednesday, May 5th. Meador added that she currently has four food trucks lined up for the July 4th event, and things are moving forward.
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No report.
Mayor Farley indicated he received three letters of interest for the open Council seat, and he intends to discuss the candidates with Council in closed session. Farley added that he expects there to be action after the executive session, and invited everyone to stay until after the Executive Session to join us in a small reception for newly elected officials.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) – Appointment of Person to Fill Public Office (Council Seat)
Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald at 6:14 pm to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the appointment on a person to the open City Council seat. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Return to open session at 6:30 pm
X. APPOINTMENT OF PERSON TO FILL PUBLIC OFFICE (COUNCIL SEAT)
Following Executive Session, Mayor Farley indicated he is asking City Council to confirm his appointment of Amy Troutt to the open City Council seat. Farley added that Ms. Troutt is the Dean of Student Services at Kaskaskia College and has a Masters in Business Administration. Farley added that has been very impressed with her Ms. Troutt’s work, and feels she will be a breath of fresh air for City Council. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to appoint Amy Troutt to the unexpired two-year City Council position. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilman Koehler. Motion carried.
XI. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Koehler commented that things are going well in Salem – there are people wanting to open businesses and there seems to be a sense of excitement in town. Koehler added that the park is always full.
Councilman Bringwald thanked the voters and all the friends and family who supported him.
X. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, at 6:35 pm, motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2021_05-03.pdf
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