South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The regular January 16, 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

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilwoman Amy Troutt

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

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 –

• indicated he has received a letter of retirement from DOEM Dir. Terry Mulvany, effective 4/30/2023. Mayor Farley read the letter into the record, and added that he is accepting the retirement with regret. The City will be accepting applications for his position until February 16, 2023.

V. CITY COUNCIL ACTION

1. Consent Agenda

a) Approval of Minutes – January 3, 2023

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of January 3, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Presentation of New K-9 Officer to the City Council

Chief Ambuehl introduced our new Canine Officer Grant Green, and invited him to introduce Civka. Officer Green indicated Civka is a two-year-old Belgian Malanois, and added that he and Civka share a birthday. Green indicated Civka is trained in apprehension, tracking, and drug indication for Meth, Heroin and Cocaine, and has been on duty since 12/16/22. Officer Green indicated that he and Civka attended a 10-week training academy prior to working in Salem, and they will continue to work and train together to develop Civka’s skills.

3. Ceremonial Swearing in of Daniel Bosomworth as a Sergeant for the Salem

Police Department Mayor Farley swore Sergeant Bosomworth in as the department’s newest Sergeant, and congratulated him on his promotion.

4. Resolution supporting Tax Increment Financing in Illinois

Mayor Farley indicated the IML is requesting that municipalities who support Tax Increment Financing adopt a resolution of support and send it to them. Farley added that TIF districts are one of the economic development tools that we have, and he urged adopting the resolution. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adopt Resolution 2023-01, “A Resolution Supporting Tax Increment Financing”, and that it be sent to the IML. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request to approve a contract extension with Metro-Ag, Inc. for transportation and disposal of residuals from the wastewater and water treatment plants.

City Manager Barbee indicated there is a very slight increase in this contract of the last contract, from $0.051/gal to $0.060/gal., but they have provided good service over the years. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the contract with Metro-Ag for transportation and disposal of residuals from the water and wastewater plants at $0.060/gal for two years. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Review and discussion on water rates and the need to increase to cover current expenses.

City Manager Barbee indicated the last rate increase has helped to limit the loss from operations. Operating costs continue to rise with the necessary chemical cost increases. We continue to see the need to update or replace equipment at the water plant and the raising of the rate would help to offset that expense.

Finance Dir. Roth has prepared the following chart showing how a 15% increase and a 20% increase:

Councilman Morton suggested implementing a higher rate for the larger users, such as people with pools. Councilman Koehler indicated he felt a 15% increase would be sufficient.

Dir. Roth indicated a 15% increase would allow the City to add back to the reserves. After that, she would like to see minimal increase annually tied to the CPI. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to implement a 15% increase in water and sewer rates, effective with the May 2023 billing. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilman Morton. Motion carried.

7. Review and discussion on residential garbage surcharge from DBS Disposal.

City Manager Barbee indicated DBS Disposal has been implementing a $1.00/month/customer surcharge for the past several months, due to increased fuel costs and fees associated with the transfer stations. Barbee added that while fuel costs have come down some, they are forecasted to increase again before the summer months arrive. City Manager Barbee added that even with the surcharge, DBS Disposal’s rates are lower than other trash services. Barbee indicated the City has been absorbing the surcharge up to this point, but it is costing the City approximately $3,000/month, and Council may want to consider passing this increase on to our customers. Mayor Farley added that whatever motion is made needs to include another review in three or four months.

Councilman Morton indicated he does not think it is fair to the other bidders that DBS received the bid at one rate, and has been allowed to increase it. Mayor Farley concurred. Dir. Sola responded that even with the surcharge, DBS is still lower than the other bidders were, and added that they do a good job. Sola indicated the City can opt out of our contract and go out for new bids, but whatever rate we get will be much higher than what we are currently paying. DBS has the same option to opt out of their contract with us with 30 days notice. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded to continue to pay the $1.00/month/customer to DBS Disposal and to pass the surcharge on to our customers, with a review again in 90 days. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Review of accounts payable list for the period of December 19, 2022 through January 13, 2023.

Following review, motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the Accounts Payable as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. CITY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

City Manager Barbee –

• indicated the Marion County Bicentennial Committee is looking for items for their time capsule, and asked for anyone with suggestions to contact him.

• indicated AGE (Affordable Gas and Energy) has requested a meeting to discuss the possibility of installing solar complexes to provide electricity to City facilities. Barbee added that the only land available is in the Industrial Park.

Finance Dir. Roth –

• indicated she would be getting budget worksheets out tomorrow.

Public Works Dir. Sola –

• indicated they have started meeting with Aquatic Center Personnel. There are issues with the minimum wage laws. Sola indicated she will have to pay $13.00/hr and some will make more. If we do go below $13.00/hr, we will have trouble drawing applicants.

• there has been a lot of preliminary work done on the waterline replacement project, and it should be ready for bid by the end of the month

• the Bryan Park restroom roof repairs went well, and having the heat on has been very well received.

Chief of Police Ambuehl –

• indicated his department has put together a presentation on body cams, which he would like to show to City Council members individually, and invited them to contact him to schedule.

VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – no report.

VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilman Koehler indicated the SCHS Invitational Tournament starts this Wednesday. Koehler also added that Don Mills of the Historical Commission and Ted Tanner of WJBD have both passed away during the past week, and offered his sympathies.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. 5ILCS 120/2 (C)(2) Personnel

b. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(21) Minutes

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald at 6L48 pm to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel and minutes. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, 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 7:22 pm.

X. COUNCIL ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION (cont.)

a. Action on minutes from prior executive session for the following dates: 7/18/22, 8/15/22, 12/19/22 and 01/03/23.

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the executive session minutes of 7/18/22, 8/15/22, 12/19/22 and 1/03/23, and to keep them closed. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Resolution 2023-02 Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

b. Possible Action on Personnel

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve a three-year contract with Operating Engineers Local 399 (Public Works) and to add Martin

Luther King Day as one of the City’s observed holidays. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

XI. MOTION TO ADJOURN

Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2023_01-16.pdf