City of Salem City Council met Jan. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. Call to Order
The regular meeting of the Salem City Council was convened in the Council Chambers of Salem City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nicolas Farley at 6:00 pm.
Council members present:
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Royce Bringwald
Councilwoman Amy Troutt
Councilman Craig Morton
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 Economic Dev Dir Tabitha Meador City Attorney Mike Jones Asst Public Works Dir Cory Purintun Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch Members of the Media and Public
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer, with Mayor Farley leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Farley recognized Brock Waggoner. Councilman Koehler asked Mr. Waggoner if he intended to apologize to Council for insulting them and using profanity during his last address to Council. Mr. Waggoner responded that he did not.
Mr. Waggoner indicated he had addressed Council previously regarding the increase in water rates, and after obtaining information in response to his FOIA request, he agrees that an increase was needed, as the City was expending approximately $300,000 per year more than they were receiving in revenues. Waggoner indicated the real question is why are these expenses so high. Waggoner stated that he does not feel the City is managing its budget correctly, and the amounts under “other” in administrative costs are too high. Waggoner indicated he had requested a public hearing regarding the water rates, and was denied, and there was only one reading of the Ordinance, when City Council’s practice is to have two readings. Waggoner indicated he feels there needs to be a clearer explanation as to why the rates needed to be increased, and expanded transparency In city government.
Mayor Farley recognized DeWayne Collier. Mr. Collier indicated he also wants to address City Council regarding the water rate increase, and he indicated he raised several questions when he last addressed Council, and it yet to receive answers. Collier indicated he had asked what the life of the current Water Plant is. Mayor Farley responded that in discussions with Curry and Associates Engineers, it has been determined that the water plant has a 10-year life expectancy. Collier further asked what the City intends to do about the reservoir, as it holds very little water. Collier closed by indicating he just wants City Council to look at other options.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Farley indicated he recently toured the Iron Saddle Ranch with Economic Director Meador, and it is a very nice addition to the area. Farley added that even though the facility is outside the City limits, it will bring a lot of people to town.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes of December 20, 2021
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of December 20, 2021, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Councilwoman Troutt abstained, as she was not in attendance at the December 20th meeting. Motion carried.
2. Consideration and action on ordinance pertaining to allowing Cargo Shipping containers in some business and industrial districts.
Discussion ensued regarding how to handle shipping containers that are already on site. City Attorney Jones recommended the City do a survey of he existing shipping containers, and determine which ones comply with the setback and yard coverage requirements. Jones further recommended that those that comply be grandfathered, and not be required to obtain building permits.
Councilman Morton indicated he would like a report within a certain time frame. City Manager Barbee indicated he could have a report within 90 days.
Councilman Koehler asked if those shipping containers that are not in compliance will be forced to come into compliance. Councilwoman Troutt responded that there is no need to adopt an ordinance if we are not ready to enforce it. Councilman Koehler indicated he would just like to “grandfather” the existing containers, and move forward with new requests. Koehler added he does not think the City should required that the containers be moved. Koehler further added that action to force removal of derelict containers would be another story. City Manager Barbee indicated contact can be made with the owners of the shipping containers in a cooperative manner. Councilwoman Troutt indicated she feels as many should be brought into compliance as possible.
Discussion ensured regarding the difference between “shipping containers” and “semi containers”, with consensus being that semi-containers are not covered by this ordinance and are not permitted.
City Attorney Jones indicated the first step should be to adopt this ordinance, then do a survey to see who is already in compliance. Decisions can be made at that time as to how the City will enforce the ordinance, without automatically “grandfathering” those non compliant containers in.
Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Ordinance 2022-01, and request that a report be provided regarding shipping container compliance within 90 days. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Review of Impact of Water Rate Changes
City Manager Barbee indicated City Council had asked that the impact of the water rate increase be reviewed in January when the ordinance was adopted last summer, although there was no indication that an additional increase was scheduled. Barbee added that staff is working with Curry and Associates to find suppliers who can provide lower prices for chemicals. Additionally, there has been no dramatic increase in delinquencies. Barbee suggested the City look at considering another rate increase in June or July of this year.
Mayor Farley indicated he would like to see a better breakdown of expenses. City Manager Barbee responded that Finance Director Barrow had intended to provide those numbers for tonight’s meeting, but has been recovering from surgery and is currently out of the office. Barbee added that he will request that she provide those reports for the next meeting.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES
City Manager Barbee –
• indicated the office staff is appreciative of the revised operating hours.
• Indicated the rope on the US flag outside City Hall’s front door is broken. Dir. Brushwitz indicated she would take care of it.
• Indicated he was contacted by a local group, Mission Salem, who help out the needy of our area with handicapped ramps, home repairs, furnaces, etc. Barbee added that the work this group is doing is being emulated in other communities. Mission Salem has been using a privately owned storage building to work in, but that space is being reclaimed by its owner. Barbee indicated his suggestion was that they look at the former Save-A-Lot building, which has been purchased by the City for use as a police department, during the time when the remodel begins. Barbee indicated he had discussed this with Chief Reynolds, and he agreed it would be a good use of the building.
Angie Courtright of the Mission Salem group indicated they feel the building would be perfect for their needs. All donations received by Mission Salem are used for citizens, and there are no funds set aside for a building. Courtright added that they would be more than happy to use the building, for as long as it is available. Mayor Farley commended Mission Salem for their hard work. City Manager added that the location might provide the group with some exposure and give it the opportunity to thrive, encouraging financial support that could assist with construction of a permanent building. Ms. Courtright indicated they have formed a partnership with the building classes at SCHS, and the students are working with them, so they are helping shape the next generation of volunteers. Barbee indicated he would work on some parameters for use of the building, and bring this item back to Council at the next meeting.
Economic Development Director Meador –
• Indicated the application period for Downtown TIF projects opens tomorrow, and will close by the end of January. Dir. Meador indicated in the past, the City has selected three projects with a $15,000 limit, and she is suggesting five $10,000 awards to assist a greater number of businesses. Applications can be reviewed at the first meeting in February. Council concurred.
Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz –
• indicated she is working on an update email for Council that will be sent out Tuesday.
Chief of Police Reynolds –
• asked that the community keep the family of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley in their thoughts and prayers, and added that some of his officers are attending the visitation tonight. Reynolds added that Deputy Riley was responding to a routine call – just like the 17,000 routine calls his officers have responded to during the past year -- which shows that anything is possible.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT
Councilman Koehler indicated he is looking forward to good things in 2022.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) – Personnel
Motion was made at 6:40 pm by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Koehler to enter into Executive Session, following a five-minute break, for the purpose of discussing personnel. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Troutt, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Return to open session at 7:25 pm.
X. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2022_01-03.pdf
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