City of Salem City Council met Jan. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular January 3, 2023 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
Councilwoman Amy Troutt
Councilman Craig Morton
Mayor Nicolas Farley
Council members absent: None
Others present:
City Manager Rex Barbee
City Attorney Mike Jones
Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl
Deputy Chief Susan Miller
City Clerk Bev Quinn
Asst. Public Works Dir. Courtney Mitchell
Public Works Director Annette Sola
Economic Development Dir Tabitha Meador
Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch
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 –
• wished everyone a Happy New Year;
• reported that he and City Manager Barbee have received and reluctantly accepted a letter of retirement from City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager Bev Quinn, effective May 31, 2023. Mayor Farley indicated he appreciates her years of service to the City;
• reported that he had received some anonymous correspondence concerning speeding taking place on Bobcat Lane by Franklin Park school. Mayor Farley indicated he had spoken to the school and police department, and the roadway is a private lane, so the police department does not have authority over it. Farley added that the police department will be showing a larger presence in the area the next two weeks of school;
• indicated he would like to see the City come up with some housing incentives by mid-February. Farley added that he doesn’t know if that could be tax rebates, extending the Enterprise Zone, or utility offsets, but other communities have found methods to encourage residential development, and he would like to see the City find creative ways to encourage development without cutting into the budget.
V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Consent Agenda
a) Approval of Minutes – December 19, 2022
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of December 19, 2022, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Councilwoman Troutt abstained.
2. Presentation of New K-9 Officer to the City Council
Chief Ambuehl indicated the new K-9 Officer Grant Green and Canine Civka have been called to a scene, and would not be able to make it to the meeting. Motion was made by Councilwoman Troutt and seconded by Councilman Koehler to table presentation of the new canine officers until the next meeting. AYES: Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
3. Ceremonial Swearing in of Patrolman Sarah Dice
Mayor Farley swore in new Patrol Officer Sarah Dice, and indicated that one of his greatest pleasures as Mayor is to swear in new officers.
4. Adoption of an Ordinance Authorizing the Position of Deputy Chief for the Salem Police Dept.
Mayor Farley indicated there was a revision in the organization of the Police Department in 2014, but the ordinance was never codified. This ordinance corrects that omission. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve Ordinance 2023-01 reorganizing the organization of the Police Department. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Troutt, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
City Manager Barbee –
• indicated the City of Salem has an excellent Public Works Department. Earlier this week, a railway truck ran over a fire hydrant, causing a break in a 10” water main causing flooding in a large area. Barbee indicated he appreciated the department getting it taken care of.
Finance Dir. Roth –
• indicated revenue reports will be sent out this week.
Economic Development Dir. Meador –
• indicated Downtown TIF applications will become available tomorrow, with a due date of Friday, January 27th. Meador added that last year the City approved $50,000, which was $10,000 for five applicants. This year the City has budgeted $60,000, and she is recommending six awards of $10,000 each. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of fewer grants at higher amounts. Consensus was to see what the applications are for.
Chief of Police Ambuehl –
• indicated their annual stats have been compiled, and will be provided in the weekly update.
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – no report.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilman Bringwald indicated he appreciated receiving the Animal Control reports, and wished everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. 5(ILCS 120/2 (C)(2) Personnel
Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald at 6:20 pm to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Troutt, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried Mayor Farley indicated there would be a five-minute break before the executive session.
Return to open session at 7:45 pm.
XI. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion was made by Councilwoman Trout and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehl
https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2023_01-03.pdf
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