South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Nov. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The regular November 21, 2022 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 Royce Bringwald

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilwoman Amy Troutt

Others present:

City Manager Rex Barbee

City Attorney Mike Jones

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Finance Dir. Keli Roth

Economic Development Dir Tabitha Meador

City Clerk Bev Quinn

Asst. to the Public Works Dir. Courtney Mitchell

Members of the Media and Public

II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilman Bringwald 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 there are several Christmas events coming up, and he thanked all those in the community who make those events possible.

V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION

1. Consent Agenda

a) Approval of Minutes – November 7, 2022

Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the minutes as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Change of Date for Greater Salem Area Foundation Disc Golf Fundraiser

Mayor Farley indicated the Greater Salem Area Foundation has requested a change of date for their Disc Golf Foundation Fundraiser from November 27th to November 25th, due to weather. Code Enforcement Officer Lusch commented that he spoke with the organizer prior to the meeting, and they no longer need any action taken. Mayor Farley suggested approving them to use the park for the fundraiser on Friday, November 25th or Sunday, November 27th, whichever works out better for them. Public Works Director indicated that if she doesn’t hear anything different by tomorrow morning, she is going to cancel the employees she had scheduled to clean bathrooms and remove trash on Friday, since those are holiday overtime hours. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the Greater Salem Area Foundation using the disc golf course in Bryan Park on either November 25th or 27th. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Discussion on the Topic of Changes to Allow Residential Occupancy Above Downtown Commercial Buildings

Mayor Farley indicated he would prefer to postpone discussion on this topic, as there are only three members of the City Council present. Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to table discussion on changes to allow residential occupancy above downtown commercial buildings. AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Public Works has an Expenditure for Budgeted Items for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to Repair One Mixer Tank Pump with New Seals

City Manager Barbee indicated the Public Works Department is looking to expend monies that have been budgeted for this year for repairs to one of the mixer tank pumps at the wastewater plant. The amount budgeted for this year was $8,000.00 and due to the need to replace some new seals on the pump, the cost for materials and labor from Vandevanter Engineering, who has performed similar work for the City in the past, amounts to $10,165.00. Another project that has been completed in-house, saved $3,000.00 in budgeted expenditures, which will cover the overage on the item. Replacement cost on a new pump would be approximately $19,200 plus freight and installation. The recommendation would be to contract with Vandevanter Engineering in the amount of $10,165.00 for the repairs to one of the mixer tank pumps with new seals at the wastewater treatment plant. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the expenditure of $10,165.00 to Vandevanter Engineering for repairs to one of the mixer tank pumps with new seals at the wastewater treatment plant. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Public Works Requesting Permission to Replace Four (4) Variable Flow Drive Pumps and Rotor Assemblies

City Manager Barbee indicated the second requisition for Public Works is for the replacement of four (4) VFD (variable flow drive) pumps and rotor assemblies for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The variable flow pumps bring the pump pressure up gradually, easing the impact on the lines and not causing sudden bursts of high pressure that could damage the lines. Three bids were received on the replacement pumps; WD Automation bid $12,566.00, MEC bid came in at $13,770.00 and Foremost Industrial Technologies bid came in at $11,597.00. The budgeted amount is $12,000.00. Recommending this expenditure be award to Foremost Industrial Technologies in the amount of $11,597.00 for the replacement of 4 VFD pumps and rotor assemblies for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the expenditure for four variable flow drive pumps and rotor assemblies from Foremost Industrial Technologies in the amount of $11,597.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Review of Accounts Payable for the period of October 15 through November 18, 2022 Following review, motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the accounts payable for October 15 through November 18, 2022. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. CITY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

Economic Development Dir. Meador reported –

• the Community Carnival event will be held at the Salem Community Activities Center on Friday evening, December 2nd, from 6-8. There will be games and food and everything is free. On Saturday December 3rd, the City’s Christmas on Broadway will begin with the movie Elf shown at Salem Theatre at 2:00 pm, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus at 3:45 pm, pictures with Santa from 4-6 pm, toy giveaway, the lighting of the Christmas tree at 5:45 pm, and Mrs. Claus will be at the Salem Historical Museum. There will be hot chocolate and food trucks all afternoon.

Public Works Dir. Sola reported –

• the leaf vac is running, and may finish early this year;

• Guinzy Construction intends to pour concrete on Whittaker Street next week. Sola added that they need about 15 days of good weather to complete the project. Guinzy’s intends to pour concrete at the end of Whittaker closest to College St. first, so that section can be reopened;

• Courtney Mitchell coordinated with Westport and got the sand changed in the filters at the pool;

• Christmas Décor will be putting up the pole decorations next week;

• IEPA conducted a landfill inspection last week, and there is quite a bit that will have to be done. Sola is waiting for the written report, and indicated she would like to invite Council members to schedule a trip to the landfill after the holidays so they can see the unbudgeted work that IEPA is requiring.

Chief of Police Ambuehl reported –

• the latest patrolman candidate passed his psychological exam and polygraph test, and is registered to begin the academy in January.

City Manager Barbee reported –

• YMCA/Recreation Dir. Casburn and Dir. Meador have been working hard on events for the Christmas season;

• the YMCA is doing a “Gift of Magic” toy drive;

• the City party is December 9th, and reminded those who are attending to RSVP;

• his appreciation for the crews running the leaf vac.

VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – no report.

VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilman Bringwald –

• indicated the officer who responded to his house at 1:45 am gets an “A+” for his “cop knock”.

IX. MOTION TO ADJOURN

Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2022_11-21.pdf