City of Salem City Council met Jan. 17.
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 Pro Tem Koehler at 6:00 pm.
Council members present:
Mayor Pro Tem/Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Royce Bringwald
Councilwoman Amy Troutt
Councilman Craig Morton
Council members absent: Mayor Nicolas Farley (due to illness)
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
Members of the Media and Public
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Koehle announced that there are a lot of good things happening in Salem, and noted that both the Franklin Park Lady Bobcats and the Selmaville Lady Rockets basketball teams are both regional champs for their divisions. Koehler added that SCHS Wildcats will be holding their invitational tournament this weekend.
Mayor Pro Tem Koehler indicated the Historical Museum received a $1,000 donation from an out-of-town visitor.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes of Minutes – January 3, 2022
Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Troutt to approve the minutes of January 3, 2022 as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Bringwald, Troutt, Morton, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
2. Request from Local Girl Scout Troop to Use City Property for Fundraiser
City Manager Barbee indicate he has received a request from a local Girl Scout troop, asking to use the former Save-A-Lot parking lot for a fundraiser on February 19th between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. The fundraiser will be outside, and shouldn’t cause any conflicts with any activities inside the building. Barbee added that this request needs City Council approval, as they will be raising money on city-owned property. Motion was made y Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Troutt to approve use of the former Save-A-Lot parking lot by the Girl Scouts for a fundraiser on February 1th between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Troutt, Morton, Bringwald, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Agreement with Mission Salem to Utilize the Save-A-Lot Building for Construction or Ramps, etc.
City Manager Barbee indicated Mission Salem is looking for a new space to hold meetings and construct their handicap ramps and prepare other items to assist local residents. It is suggested that we allow them to use the Save A Lot building until the City is in a position to re-issue a bond issue to cover the cost of converting the building into an updated Police Station. In exchange for access and use of the building they are willing to assist in removing some of the surplus mini-walls, clean up the flooring and convert the rear double door entrance into a roll-up 12’ x 12’ doorway. Barbee added that it is possible that the Sleep In Heavenly Peace group might want to utilize the building, as well. Barbee indicated he is requesting authorization to proceed with having Mike Jones prepare a month-to-month lease. Mayor Pro Tem Koehler responded that this group does a great job of outreach in the community, and not a penny raised goes for anything except materials. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve moving forward on developing a month-to-month lease agreement between the City and Mission Salem and Sleep in Heavenly Peace for use of 406 W. Main. Roll call vote: AYES: Morton, Bringwald, Troutt, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried. City Attorney Jones indicated he will talk to Bob Kane regarding the liability issues involved, and will bring a contract back to the next meeting for City Council action.
4. Authorization to Proceed with Water Line Installation on West Kell St.
City Manager Barbee indicated Public Works has included the cost to install a new water line on West Kell St. from South College to Rt 37 in this year’s budget. This would create a full loop on the water line on the south end of town and provide better water pressure to customers in the area. The project had originally been planned and then a possible grant was going to be used but the grant has not been issued. We will need to get new pricing on the project before going out for bid but feel that the project is needed now and could help commercial and residential customers alike. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to move forward on the W. Kell St. water line installation. Roll call vote: AYES: Bringwald, Troutt, Morton, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
5. Authorization to Proceed with Repairs and Pavement Overlay at Kell and Rt. 37 South Intersection
City Manager Barbee indicated Public Works has budgeted funds to repair and resurface the east end of West Kell St to improve the access ramp and road surface on West Kell to coincide with the installation of a new water line. The money has been budget in the last few years but the project has not been started because we were waiting to see if grant funds would be forthcoming. The grant funds appear to not be appropriated yet and the project needs to move forward. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to authorize moving forward with repairs and pavement overlay at the intersection of Kell St. and Rt. 37 South. Roll call vote: AYES: Troutt, Morton, Bringwald, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
6. Update on Water Rate Balances and Costs
City Manager Barbee indicated the water rate implemented in August of 2021 has produced an increase in revenue to help minimize the shortfall in the water department budget. Additional cost savings can be attributed to the revision in procedures and cost management by our water department staff. The time frame for the collection of additional revenues from September through December does not adequately reflect the entire year’s usage, and it is premature to determine what the fund balances will be like after a year of usage. It is recommended that the current rates remain the same until we can obtain a full year of revenue figures. Finance Director Barrow added that by that time, we will have the audit financials, and she can provide a more complete picture of how the fund is doing.
Councilwoman Troutt indicated she can see how the City might need a full year to do a deep dive on the water fund, but in September she would like to see a full comprehensive report addressing the 10-year life span of the treatment plant. Troutt added that she would like to have a strategic plan in place for the water department. Finance Director Barrow indicated she would prepare a report for the second meeting in September.
7. Accounts Payable Review for Period of December 16, 2021 through January 13, 2022 Following review , motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the accounts payable for December 16, 2021 through January 13, 2022. Roll call vote: AYES: Morton, Bringwald, Troutt, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES
City Manager Barbee –
• reported that he attended the Tourism Board meeting last Monday, and Sam Phillips, owner of UcamP RV Park, for the City to become more involved in finding ways to attract tourism off of the interstate. There was discussion regarding interstate signage, but Mr. Phillips indicated he does most of his research over the internet when they are traveling. Barbee added that the Tourism Board is currently in the process of revamping its website. Councilwoman Troutt indicated she feels the City could better pull visitors from the north than the south.
• reported that he received a phone call from Marion County Board Chairwoman Deb Smith regarding partnering with Salem for Animal Control. The County had an agreement with Centralia, which is not longer in place. Barbee indicated he and Animal Control Facility Manager Steffanie Rakers discussed the County’s request, and neither feel the City has enough space or manpower to take this on. Barbee added that there have been improvements to the facility and operations, and partnering with the County would not be in the best interest of the facility at this time. Councilman Koehler indicated he feels the City should stick with providing Animal Control services inside Salem.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT
Councilwoman Troutt indicated she wanted to acknowledge Martin Luther King on this day. Troutt referenced Mr. King’s quote “The time is always right to do what is right”, and urged all to do the right thing in serving others.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) – Personnel
2. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21) – Semi Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes
Councilman Morton asked if there was any problem with postponing executive session items until the next meeting, when the Mayor can be present. City Attorney Jones responded that there is not. Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilwoman Troutt to postpone the Executive Session until the next meeting. Roll call vote: AYES: Morton, Bringwald, Troutt, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
X. CITY COUNCIL ACTION (cont.)
a. Approval of Executive Session Minutes of 9/30/2021 and 1/03/2022
b. Approval of Resolution 2022-01 Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes Action postponed until next meeting.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilwoman Troutt to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Bringwald, Troutt, Morton, Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2022_01-17.pdf
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