South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met June 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular June 19, 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

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilman Craig Morton

Others present:

City Manager Rex Barbee 

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

City Attorney Mike Jones 

Public Works Director Annette Sola

Finance Director Keli Roth 

Police Chief 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

• indicated he is excited about the Bicentennial events to be held on July 1, 2023. Of special note is the Daughters of the American Revolution dedication of the “Never Forget” garden in honor of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to take place at 10 AM;

• indicated an opening on the Library Board, in addition to an opening on the Historical Commission.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes – June 5, 2023

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of June 5, 2023, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. Nays: None. Motion carried.

2. Request to allow Wal-Mart volunteers to solicit donations at the corner of College and Main Streets.

City Manager Barbee indicated a request has been made by the management team of the local Wal-Mart Store to allow their employees to solicit donations from the public for the Children’s Miracle Network at the intersection of College and East Main Streets on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30. The choice of this intersection was recommended due to the increased semi traffic at the Main and Broadway intersections. They have made this solicitation for many years. Motion by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve Wal-Mart volunteers to solicit donations at the corner of College and Main Streets on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Proposal for lease agreement between the City and SCHS for use of Tully Park Softball fields. 

Mayor Farley indicated the SCHS Administration and Board are requesting a 10-year lease of the Tully Park softball fields for their teams use. In exchange for the lease, the high school proposes installing a new backstop and fencing to display the home team name and logo. The proposed use of the fields in the lease agreement would begin on March 1, 2024 and run from March 1 through June 15 of each year. The City would retain the usage of the facility in the off season and on dates that are not being used for practices and games by SCHS.

Dr. Brad Detering, Superintendent of Salem Community High School, indicated the school would replace the fence and backstop at the school’s cost, if the lease is renewed. The high school would like permission to play softball for another extended period of time. Mayor Farley indicated that the high school has been a great partner with the usage of the Tully Park softball fields. Motion by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the lease agreement between the City and SCHS for use of Tully Park softball fields for a term of 10- years. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Review and ratification of decision to use JK Trotter for emergency excavation at Salem Water Plant.

City Manager Barbee indicated at the previous Council meeting, the emergency need for to replace three valves to the settling tanks was reviewed and authorization was provided to the City Manager to enter into a working agreement with the low bidder for the project. The low bidder was JK Trotter with a bid of $35,000. Brad Furlong Plumbing gave a bid of $100,000 and Haier Plumbing gave a bid of $175,000. Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the bid received from JK Trotter in the amount of $35,000 for the emergency excavation and replacement of three valves to the settling tanks at the Water Plant. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Review of initial action with Enterprise Leasing to allow ordering of new vehicles. 

City Manager Barbee indicated that Department Heads have been working with Enterprise to isolate what specifics of vehicles are needed ahead of the window of opportunity to order vehicles. A one one-ton truck chassis for a dump bed for Public Works has been previously approved, and now four Ford Explorers with the Police Interceptor package for the Police Department are requested to be authorized for Enterprise to take action during the anticipated ordering window in July. The cost of the first year of lease vehicles with Enterprise will not exceed $75,000, which does not include the trade-in value of the replaced vehicles. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the ordering four Ford Explorers with the Police Interceptor package by Enterprise Leasing. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Request to surplus to older vehicles formerly used by Animal Control and DOEM.

City Manager Barbee indicated that the City has a 1990 Dodge Dakota and a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan that are sitting idle at the Police Department. Neither vehicle has run in 2-3 years, and best use would be salvage value. Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the surplus of the 1990 Dodge Dakota pickup and the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan, with the intent to scrap. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Review and approval of accounts payable list from May 15 – June 16, 2023.

Following review, motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Accounts Payable for May 15 – June 16, 2023. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Opening of bid(s) for sale of city property on a tract formerly used as a parking lot for the Armory building and an individual lot on Miller Street that was also part of the Armory property. 

Two City-owned properties have been determined as surplus and advertised for bids.

City Manager Barbee opened a sealed bid from Adam Phillips in the amount of $1000, with no contingencies, for the property on Miller Street. City Manager Barbee opened a sealed bid from Keith McNeil in the amount of $500, with no contingencies, for the property known as the Armory parking lot. City Manager Barbee indicated these will be discussed further during Executive Session, and there may be action when City Council returns to open session.

VI. Executive Session to consider sale of city property.

5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(6) – Sale of Real Estate

Motion was made at 6:21 PM by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Sale of Real Estate. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Return to open session at 6:41 PM.

VII. Return to open session and action from Executive session.

Motion by Councilman Koehler, seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to accept the $1000 bid by Adam Phillips to purchase the individual lot on Miller Street, formerly a part of the Armory property, with all closing costs to be paid by the buyer. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to accept the $500 bid by Keith McNeil to purchase the property formerly known as the Armory Parking lot, contingent on closing costs paid by the buyer. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VIII. City Manager and Dept Head Reports

City Manager Barbee –

• indicated the Missoula Children’s Theatre is in town this week;

• reported the Fire Department, DAR, and Rotary will have slide shows and displays at the Bicentennial Celebration on July 1.

City Clerk Meador –

• indicated the Bicentennial Celebration is shaping up to be a day full of events in Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, July 1 and she and Luke Purcell appeared on the Big Talk with Bruce Dickey show to promote the event;

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• indicated the body cameras are operational and taser training will take place this week;

• indicated an extra officer and the Chief will be on duty for the Bicentennial and the 4th of July celebrations;

• indicated he and Public Works Director Sola, along with Kevin Rakers and Sgt. Blake Phillips are in discussions about the Little Egypt parade detour.

Finance Director Roth –

• indicated she is working on audit preparation and will have the FY23 Budget Amendment for the next council meeting.

Public Works Director Sola –

• indicated the gas line replacement project on Circle Dr., Edgewood Rd., Oak Tree, and Pine Tree started today;

• indicated the Broadway waterline project is moving along. As part of the project, the sidewalk along the 100 block of South Broadway will be replaced, but the sidewalk will be rock for a period of time.

IX. City Attorney Report – No report.

X. City Council Member Report

Councilman Koehler –

• indicated he would like to see pickleball in the park. Public Works Director Sola indicated that the east end of the tennis courts is striped for pickleball courts;

Councilman Bringwald –

• provided a history of the Seal of the City of Salem.

XI. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2023_06-19.pdf