City of Salem City Council met July 19.
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 Royce Bringwald
Councilwoman Amy Trout
Councilman Craig Morton
Mayor Nicolas Farley
Council members absent: Councilman Jim Koehler
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee Asst. Public Works Dir. Cory Purintun City Clerk Bev Quinn Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Finance Director Keli Barrow Members of the Media and Public City Attorney Mike Jones
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Bringwald offered the opening prayer, with Mayor Farley leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marty Denzik: Mayor Farley recognized Marty Denzik, who addressed City Council regarding residential and commercial use of lawnmowers without the safety shoots lowered. Denzik indicated his wife’s car window was hit by a flying rock, and he and his granddaughter were also narrowly missed while walking. Mr. Denzik asked that City Council take action to enforce use of the safety equipment on lawn mowers. Chief Reynolds indicated the City has an ordinance regarding grass clippings, but nothing regarding safety equipment. Mayor Farley responded that the City will check with the Illinois Municipal League to see what other municipalities have done, and suggested the Police Department incorporate this into one of their public service announcements. Mr. Denzik indicated he would appreciate anything the City can do. Mayor Farley thanked Mr. Denzik for bringing this to the City’s attention.
Brock Waggoner: Mayor Farley recognized Brock Waggoner, who addressed City Council regarding the 25% water rate increase. Mr. Waggoner indicated he has previously requested that the City explain exactly why it is necessary to implement a 25% increase, and that explanation has not been made. Waggoner indicated the City’s audit indicates the Water Fund was making money, until a $500,000 transfer was made to the General Fund.
Mayor Farley responded that the City will put together some numbers and make that information available to the public. City Manager Barbee added that he has a draft prepared for that purpose, and will finish it up and post it on the City website. Mr. Waggoner demanded that a date be set for the posting of this information. Mr. Barbee indicated he would have it posted by Friday of this week.
Mr. Waggoner indicated he is making a FOIA request for all correspondence and reports associated with the 25% increase, including emails from Curry and Associates.
Waggoner added that he works with the sale of chemicals, and chemical prices have not gone up significantly as implied by the City. Waggoner further demanded that City Council hold the City Manager accountable, and if he does not have the explanation for the increase posted by Friday, to reflect that in his next review. Mayor Farley thanked Mr. Waggoner for his comments.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Farley indicated he is very proud of the Salem Community Theatre for offering their first live show since COVID-19, “The Marvelous Wonderettes”, and that it was a great show. Mayor Farley also commended the Historical Commission for their grant opening of The Salem Area Historical Museum. Farley added that they had a number of great artifacts, and expressed his appreciation for all who made the museum possible.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes - request approval of minutes of July 6, 2021.
Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Troutt to approve the minutes of July 6, 2021, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Trout, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None.
Councilman Morton abstained. Motion carried.
2. Award of bid to paint water towers in the Industrial Park
City Manager Barbee indicated bids were sought for the painting of the water towers in the industrial park with the bid reflecting one tower to be repainted in 2021 and another one planned for 2022. Six companies submitted bids that were opened at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 14. Bids ranged from a high of $201,400 to a low of $102,050 by G & L Tank & Sandblasting of Shelby, TN for the tower on Hotze Road. G & L has worked for Centralia and other communities in our area and Roger Mensing of Curry and Associates believes that they do an excellent job. Barbee added that G & L submitted an alternate bid of $108,050 for the second tower on US Rt. 50.
City Manager Barbee indicated the bid from G & L Sandblasting is very good, and came in approximately $80,000 under budget. As a result, City Manager Barbee asked if City Council wanted to go ahead and approve the painting of both towers, or just the one. Both Mayor Farley and Councilman Bringwald indicated they would be comfortable awarding the bid to paint the first tower now and the second tower in 2022. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt to award the bid for painting of the water tower on Hotze Road to G & L Sandblasting in the amount of $102,050. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Discussion on the possibilities of refinancing bond debt for lower interest rates City Manager Barbee indicated Finance Director Barrow has started the process to see what kind of rates may be available on the possible refinancing of our two bond issues. No company or bank has been asked to bid on the refinance at this time. It is recommended that we utilize a third party to act as a bond Counsel and solicit the bond refinance packages to avoid any question of bias or a conflict of interest. Market rates are currently below our current bond contract rates which are set to mature in 2027 and 2029 but rates are starting to climb and this would be a good time to initiate a refinance to save on interest. Bond maturities would remain the same, with lower payments. I am recommending that Council authorize the Finance Director and City Manager to search out and engage a neutral bond counsel to solicit refinance packages. Dir. Barrow added the City can do an RFP for a bond advisor, or we can use the firm she has been working with. Once a bond advisor is selected, RFPs will go out to the open market, as well as to local banks. Barrow added that this could result in a total savings of $150,000 after fees, which may be approximately $16,000.
City Attorney Mike Jones indicated the City did an RFP for bond advisors in 2015, interviewed them, and all their fees were similar. It came down to personalities. Jones recommended not doing an RFP for a bond advisor, and added that the interviews are a waste of time Mayor Farley indicated he wants to be a good steward of the City’s money, and it would not be a bad idea to do an RFP. Councilwoman Troutt concurred. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt to authorize the Finance Director to do an RFP for Bond Advisor services for the bond debt refinancing, and to waive interviews and rely on Finance Director Barrow’s guidance on selecting a firm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Troutt, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
4. Review of Accounts Payable
Following review, motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the Accounts Payable of 6/21/21 – 7/16/21, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
XIII. CITY MANAGER REPORT WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES
• City Manager Barbee offered kudos to the Public Works Department, which has had its hands full with the heavy rains. Fortunately, crews had just cleaned part of Town Creek and it is flowing well. Barbee also offered kudos to the Water Plant Operators on their handling of the excess water in the reservoir and to the Street Department for their handling of the standing water calls.
• City Manager Barbee indicated the Rotary Club has indicated they are interested in providing some funds to install playground equipment at Kell Park. The Lion’s Club is also going to see if they have any funds available to assist with this, after completion of the Inclusive Playground.
• The SCAC Pool Party will be held this Saturday at 5:00 pm, and will have live music.
• City Manager Barbee congratulated the Salem Theater Board on their presentation of “The Marvelous Wonderettes”.
• City Manager Barbee expressed his congratulations to local athlete Riley Martin, who was selected as a sixth-round pick to join the Chicago Cubs.
• The Marion County Fair will begin Saturday, July 31st, and urged all to attend.
• City Manager Barbee indicated the Inclusive Playground was off to a good start, then they ran into an equipment problem. It will take at least three weeks to get the special ordered equipment in. Finance Dir. Barrow added that a walkway and platform were not made to the correct dimensions. Normally, they could have gotten the new equipment here within 3 days, but with restrictions caused by COVID, it will now take until the middle or end of August to get it here.
• Finance Director Barrow indicated the FY21 Audit is almost complete, and the auditors will likely present it at the second meeting in August.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT – No report.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2021_07-19.pdf
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