City of Salem City Council met July 18.
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 Nic Farley at 6:00 pm.
Council members present:
Councilman Jim Koehler
Councilman Royce Bringwald
Mayor Nicolas Farley
Council members absent:
Councilwoman Amy Troutt
Councilman Craig Morton
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
City Attorney Mike Jones
Public Works Director Annette Sola
Asst. to the Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell
Chief of Police Sean Reynolds
Finance Director Keli Roth
City Clerk Bev Quinn
Economic Development Director Tabitha Meador
Sgt. Kyle Ambuehl
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 PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Farley –
• reported that the CDC has upgraded those in the Marion County Health Department to “high” status for COVID;
• reported that he has been working with Deputy Chief Miller and City Manager Barbee on making Salem a “Dementia Friendly” community, and noted that Deputy Chief Miller is doing a tremendous job;
• commended the Salem Theatre Board for their presentation of “Biloxi Blues”, and added that he is always amazed at the talent in our community;
• indicated he did a 10-hour “ride along” with Officer Grant Green, and it just confirmed his belief that Salem has a great police department, with officers that show excellent professionalism. Farley added that it is a department to be proud of;
• announced that the Animal Control fundraiser at the Salem Family Aquatic Center has been rescheduled to Sunday, July 24th ;
• invited City Manager Barbee to announce his selection for Chief of Police to replace retiring Chief Reynolds.
City Manager Barbee announced that there were several good candidates for the position of Chief of Police, and it is his pleasure to announce that he has selected Sgt. Kyle Ambuehl to replace retiring Chief of Police Sean Reynolds. Ambuehl’ s appointment as Chief of Police will become effective on August 22, 2022. Barbee added that Sgt. Ambuehl has an outstanding resume, experience, and training, and will continue to be an asset to the City of Salem. City Manager Barbee indicated Salem is lucky to have exceptional people doing exceptional jobs. Mayor Farley added that he has nothing but respect for Sgt. Ambuehl, and the City Manager has made a great selection. Farley added that he is looking forward to working with the new Chief of Police. (Sgt. Ambuehl received a round of applause and congratulations from those present.)
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
(a) Approval of Minutes – July 5, 2022
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of July 5, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler and Mayor Farley. NAYS: None Motion carried.
2. Review and Approval of Planning Commission Recommendation for Special Use Permit City Manager Barbee indicated the Planning Commission is recommending issuance of a Special Use Permit to Coryell Investment Group, LLC, for placement of a double-wide mobile home at 712 E. Boone St. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the issuance of a Special Use Permit to Coryell Investment Group LLC for placement of a double-wide mobile home at 712 E. Boone St. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Review and Action on Bid for New Truck for Public Works Gas Department
City Manager Barbee indicated the Public Works Department had budgeted for a full-sized crew cab truck for the Gas Department, but the micro-chip shortage is causing the truck to be unavailable. These trucks are not available to order locally, and once they can be ordered, it will take 8-9 months for delivery. Public Works Dir. Sola added that she had planned to budget for a replacement truck for Unit 9 in the next budget, as it has over 100,000 miles on it, but decided to accept proposals for the Unit 9 truck now, and to budget for the full-sized crew cab in next year’s budget. City Manager Barbee indicated there was only one bid received, from Schmidt Ford, in the amount of $45,028.00, which is $12,000 under what was budgeted for the original purchase. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the purchase of a Ford Ranger 4WD Crew Cab with a utility shell and back-up camera from Schmidt Ford in the amount of $45,028.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
4. Request to Use Bryan Memorial Park for a Disc Golf Fundraiser for November 27, 2022
City Manager Barbee indicated the Greater Salem Area Foundation is requesting use of the Bryan Memorial Park disc golf course and Shelter #2 for a fundraiser on November 27, 2022. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve use of Bryan Memorial Park, the disc golf course, and Shelter #2 for their November 27th fundraising event. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
5. Review and Approval of Accounts Payable from June 20 – July 15, 2022
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve accounts payable from June 20 – July 15, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
City Manager Barbee-
• offered a “tip of the hat” to the Public Works employees, who have been very busy with water line breaks, oiling and chipping streets, and meter replacement. City Manager Barbee indicated he‘s aware that they have been working long hours, and he appreciates their efforts;
• thanked everyone who provided input on proposed revisions to the cemetery ordinance, which will be brought back in the near future;
• indicated the Animal Control facility will be holding its fundraiser at the Salem Family Aquatic Center on Sunday, July 24th from 12-4 pm, with entry being $5.00 and including a hot dog and a water;
• mentioned that there have been some problems keeping the Aquatic Center staffed, but Annette and Courtney are going a great job of keeping the poop operational.
Chief Reynolds –
• Indicated he received an email from City Manager Barbee advising him of his selection of Sgt. Ambuehl as the next Chief of Police on Wednesday, and he feels the City Manager has made an excellent choice. Reynolds added that he has worked with Sgt. Ambuehl for 21 years, and prior to that when Ambuehl was a reserve officer. Reynolds added that Sgt. Ambuehl will do a great job as Chief, and expressed his congratulations.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – no report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilman Bringwald –
• indicated Bryan Park looks great;
• mentioned that he has been approached by citizens indicating one of the emergency sirens is cleaning. City Manager Barbee responded that Marion County is looking into some early warning signals, Terry Mulvany will be testing the sirens in town tomorrow, and urged everyone to sign up for Nixle.
Councilman Koehler –
• indicated he and his wife attended the John Scopes Festival in Dayton, TN over the weekend, and they got to be part of the jury in the reenactment of the trial. Koehler indicated it was great experience, and he learned a lot. The community is the same size as Salem, and he would to see Salem do something similar regarding William Jennings Bryan.
• asked if anything had been done regarding the section of roadway Bob Grzegorek brought to Council’s attention at the last meeting, and what the status of the street light request for S. College St. is. Public Works Dir. Sola responded that they have patched the area Mr. Grzegorek mentioned as a temporary fix. Sola added that she has met with Ameren to look at the street lights in the Wells and College St area, and most of the lights were the old styles. Ameren has agreed to upgrade them to LED. Additionally, there is an existing pole that they will place a 250-watt LED light on. There will be some cost for the light, but the City will not have to pay for installation of a new pole.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION5 ILCS 120/2 (c)21
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes of 5/2/2022 and Semi- Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter into executive session at 6:30 pm to review closed session minutes of 5/02/2022 and semi-annual review of closed session minutes.
Return to open session at 6:32 pm.
X. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes of May 2, 2022
b. Approval of Resolution 2022-04 Semi Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the closed session minutes of 5/02/2022 and keep them closed, and to approve Resolution 2022-04 Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
XI. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Koehler to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2022_7-18.pdf
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