South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met May 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular May 1, 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 Nicolas Farley at 6:00 pm

Council members present:

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent: None

Others present:

City Manager Rex Barbee

Retiring City Clerk Bev Quinn

City Attorney Mike Jones

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Finance Director Keli Roth

Public Works Director Annette Sola

Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Deputy Chief of Police Susan Miller

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Animal Control 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 that City officials are in the process of reviewing the Emergency Operations Plan and preparing for the Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 and the influx of visitors the event will bring to the area.

Mayor Farley congratulated retiring City Clerk Bev Quinn on her 31 years of service to the City of Salem. He presented her with a plaque of appreciation. City Clerk Quinn expressed her gratitude to her co-workers and current and past Mayors and Councilmembers.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes – May 1, 2023

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the minutes of May 1, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. Nays: None. Motion carried.

2. Swearing in of Tabitha Meador as City Clerk and Assistant City Manager

Mayor Farley swore in Tabitha Meador as City Clerk and Assistant City Manager.

3. Swearing in of Patrolman Keith Austin Schoreck for the Salem Police Department 

Mayor Farley swore in Keith Austin Schoreck as Patrolman for the Salem Police Department.

4. Request from Saved With Amazing Grace to have a small food stand during the Men’s Softball League games in Bryan Memorial Park

City Manager Barbee indicated Saved With Amazing Grace has had a food stand in the past, which raises money for their local charity. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Saved With Amazing Grace to have a small food stand during the Men’s Softball League games in Bryan Memorial Park. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Listing surplus property for sale and bid.

City Manager Barbee indicated that two properties have been previously listed as surplus. These properties are one lot of Pearl Street, which was formerly part of the Armory Property and one lot on the corner of N. College and W. Warmoth, known as the Armory Parking Lot. City Manager Barbee indicated a neighbor to the Pearl Street lot was interested in the purchase of the lot. City Manager Barbee also indicated that there is potential residential development for the Armory Parking Lot. Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald authorizing the advertisement for the sale of surplus properties located on Pearl Street and the corner of N. College and W. Warmoth. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Review of proposal to add additional cameras in Bryan Memorial Park due to vandalism occurring. 

Mayor Farley indicated there has been increased vandalism in Bryan Memorial Park to the new shelter and tables. The existing security cameras in the park have reached capacity. Security

Alarm provided the proposal.

Upon discussion over the ability to upgrade and adding cameras and the cost thereof, Council would like to see an additional proposal that includes one DVR monitor that will host all the cameras in the park. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to table the proposal to add additional cameras in Bryan Memorial Park due to vandalism occurring. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Review of Accounts Payable lists for period of April 17 – May 12, 2023.

Following review, motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Accounts Payable for April 17 – May 12, 2023. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Dept Head Reports

City Manager Barbee –

• expressed his thanks to the city staff during the transition of City Clerk Bev Quinn’s retirement and expressed his appreciation for all that the staff does;

• congratulated area graduates.

Finance Director Roth –

• indicated she is working on year-end and audit projects; the audit is scheduled for July 11-12.

Public Works Director Sola –

• indicated the maintenance shed is demolished and new construction begins tomorrow, May 16;

• indicated Whittaker Street is scheduled to have signs installed this week, IDOT must inspect and approve the road before it is opened to traffic, but has a possible opening of Friday, May 19;

• indicated the South Broadway waterline installation is progressing quickly.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell –

• indicated the pool is in the process of being filled.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini –

• indicated she is working on Strategic Planning;

• indicated the HR Directors meeting will be July 7 to discuss workforce development;

• indicated she is looking at TIF funds and resources.

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• expressed his appreciation to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police for their assistance with the recent fatal crash at Main Street and Hotze Road;

• indicated firearms training would be this week and body cam training June 1;

• indicated a surprise audit by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) on training compliance revealed that the Salem Police Department is in full compliance.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Report

Councilman Koehler –

• indicated the Bryan Home has been painted and there is potential to bring the Scopes Trial play from Dayton, Tennessee to the Salem Community Theatre.

Councilman Morton –

• questioned if part-time summer employees are being paid below minimum wage. Public Works Director Sola indicated that part-time summer employees are paid above the requirements. The State of Illinois has a scale dependent on age – 17 and below and 18 and above. 17 and below are paid $13/hour, which is above the $10.50 required. Lifeguards are paid $13.50/hour with training reimbursed by half, swimsuits are paid for, and recertifications are paid for to offset expenses. Public Works Director Sola further expressed frustration about concerns not being brought to her during the budget process;

• asked for a dog swim night at the pool.

IX. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2023_05-15_minutes_0.pdf