City of Salem City Council met March 7.
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 Farley at 6:00 pm.
Council members present:
Mayor Nicolas Farley
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Royce Bringwald
Councilman Craig Morton
Council member absent:
Councilwoman Amy Troutt
Others Present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz
City Attorney Mike Jones
City Clerk Bev Quinn
Finance Director Keli Barrow
Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Members of the Media and Public
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.
IV. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATION
Mayor Farley -
• advised those present that the Salem Historical Commission will be holding an event at the William Jennings Bryan home (412 S. Broadway) on Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 9:00 am to noon in recognition of Mr. Bryan’s birthday. The event will include a Bryan impersonator, dulcimer music, tours guided by local historians, and refreshments;
• congratulated the new owner of Chicos for continuing the Chico’s tradition;
• indicated he participated in a taste test at the Iron Saddle, and it was fantastic. Farley added that they will be a great addition to the community.
• Indicated the Bryan Bennett Library will be holding a Walk-A-Thon fundraiser on April 9th in connection with National Library Week. The library is requesting some brief road closures, which will be on the next agenda.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
(a) Approval of Minutes – February 22, 2022
Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the minutes of February 22, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Councilwoman Troutt abstained. Motion carried.
2. Review and approval of bids for Chemicals for Water Plant (for next fiscal year)
City Manager Barbee indicated bid requests for bids were sent out to 10 vendors. Bids and/or quotes were received from four of the vendors solicited. Public Works Director Brushwitz is recommending approval of the bid from Water Solutions Unlimited for Soda Ash at $22.00 per bag.
Director Brushwitz indicated two bids were received for chlorine. Although the bid from Brenntag Mid-South was lower, the chlorine cylinders would be delivered in a box van, which would require city employees to roll it around and try to get the cylinders lifted prior to getting it to the area of the new crane hoist. The chlorine from DPC Enterprises will be delivered in a truck that can pull up to the crane hoist (which was purchased for this purpose) and will present a much lower opportunity for damage to the cylinders or employee injury. Dir. Brushwitz is recommending approval of the bid from DBC Enterprises at $1,750 per ton for Chlorine. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the bids from Water Solutions for Soda Ash at $22.00 per bag and from DPC Enterprises for Chlorine at $1,750 per ton. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald and Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Review and approval of bids for Rock and Sand (for next fiscal year)
City Manager Barbee indicated bids were solicited and received for rock and sand for general City maintenance. The low bids were from Brink Bros. Grain & Trucking at $13.15/ton for CA-6 rock and $14.50/ton for FA-1 sand. Director Brushwitz is recommending approval. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to accept the bids from Brink Bros. Grain and Trucking of $13.15/ton for CA-6 rock and $14.50/ton for FA-1 sand. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
4. Approval of bid for replacement mower for the cemetery (this year’s budget)
City Manager Barbee indicated bids were solicited for a replacement 50” zero-turn mower for the cemetery from four vendors. The low bidder for equipment that meets specs was Ramsour Farm Supply from Centralia in the amount of $11,154.00; however, the bid from ATVs and More also meets specs, and was for $11,157.24, which is a difference of $3.24 from the low bid. In factoring in the 10% difference permitted for local bidders, City Manager Barbee and Dir. Brushwitz are recommending approval of the bid from ATVs and More in the amount of $11,157.24. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to accept the bid from ATVs and More for a 60” zero-turn mower in the amount of $11,157.24. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Farley mentioned that he was contacted today by someone recommending that the City consider rear-discharge mowers in the future. Director Brushwitz responded tat they have looked at rear-discharge mowers in the past, and since our headstones are not all uniformly placed, the rear-discharge mowers don’t work as well.
VI. CITY MANAGER AND DEPT HEAD REPORTS
City Manager Barbee -
• noted that he had received comments about various street signs needing replaced, and public works is working on that;
• indicated Annette found a sign for the new four-way stop at Boone and Shelby that has a flashing red strobe light on it facing north and south. Additionally, there is additional signage indicating there is a stop sign ahead;
• Public Works is working on a grant process that would provide concrete for another park shelter.
Public Works Director Brushwitz –
• Indicated her guys were called out twice to activate the pumps on E. Main St. at the underpass over the weekend. One pump has been pulled, and is at the pump shop to see if it can be rebuilt. Additionally, they will be changing the float system to see if that helps.
Finance Director Barrow –
• indicated she intends to get draft budgets out on Friday.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – None.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilman Bringwald –
• indicated he visited the museum again, and they have changed displays again. Bringwald urged all who haven’t visited the museum to do so.
Cecil Rowe indicated he didn’t realize he should have addressed City Council during the Public Comments portion of the meeting, but asked if he could speak now. Mayor Farley invited him to speak.
Mr. Rowe indicated he lives at 1419 S. College, and the ditch in front of his home needs to be cleaned as it doesn’t drain. Rowe indicated the ditch across the street was recently cleaned, and he has been asking for five years. Dir. Brushwitz indicated she would take a look at it.
IX. MOTION TO ADJOURN
As there was no further business to discuss, upon motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Cou7ncilman Morton, the meeting was adjourned at 6:33 pm. 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_-_2022_03-07.pdf
Alerts Sign-up