South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular October 2, 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 Royce Bringwald

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent: None

Others present:

City Manager Rex Barbee

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

City Attorney Mike Jones

Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl

Public Works Director Annette Sola

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Finance Director Keli Roth

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Library Director Kim Keller

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 the Little Egypt Festival is this weekend; activities also include the 5k and Car Show;

• complimented the Salem Community Theatre on their recent production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time;

• complimented the recent Super Cruise for their event at Bryan Memorial Park;

• congratulated the SCHS Marching Wildcats on another band competition award;

• indicated the Bryan Bennett Library will be hosting a Planetarium, which opens on Saturday, October 14;

• indicated the Downtown Christmas will be Saturday, December 2;

• indicated that City Manager Barbee, City Clerk Meador, Economic Development Director Dellicarpini, and himself attended the Illinois Municipal League Conference in Chicago which provided useful sessions and networking opportunities.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes – September 18, 2023

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of September 18, 2023 meeting, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Mayoral appointment to fill an open seat on the Salem Historical Commission.

Mayor Farley indicated that the Salem Historical Commission recommends the appointment of Chuck Lear to the board. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to appoint Chuck Lear to the Salem Historical Commission. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

3. Request from the Salem Chamber of Commerce to host a Trick-or-Treat booth at Sweney Corner on 10-31-2023.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce is requesting permission to set up a booth on Sweney Corner to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 during the City’s set timeframe. Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to allow the Salem Chamber of Commerce to host a Trick-or-Treat booth at Sweney Corner on 10- 31-2023. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Adoption of the City’s Strategic Plan 2023.

Mayor Farley indicated the Strategic Plan 2023 sets the City up for the next five years with priorities and goals for the community. Economic Development Director Dellicarpini navigated this process with Arndt Municipal Support, Inc that included community listening sessions and a workshop day with Department Heads and community leaders. Councilman Morton indicated that the first follow-up will be made in two months (December 2023). Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adopt the City’s Strategic Plan 2023. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request to block traffic in the 100 block of East McMackin on Saturday, December 2, 2023 for the City/YMCA Christmas Downtown Celebration.

City Manager Barbee indicated the annual Downtown Christmas Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 and the committee is requesting the closure of the 100 block of East McMackin Street to allow for food trucks to be set up for the event. Motion by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the closure of the 100 block of East McMackin Street on Saturday, December 2, 2023 for the City/YMCA Christmas Downtown Celebration. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. First reading of proposed changes to the gas rate structure for residential and commercial users in the City of Salem gas service system.

Mayor Farley indicated the City gas rate structure has not been upgraded in 10 years and the cost for the meters, service line materials and related costs have all risen during this time frame. A new gas rate structure is being proposed that breaks the customer category into updated residential and commercial users based on their usage rates and involves a higher flat fee for the meter charge, with adjustments to the rate per therm that the city charges. The changes in the meter rate will allow the city to be able to better handle the costs for replacement meters and upgrades in the future. The rate per therm will have some users seeing a small increase in their monthly portion and some commercial users seeing a reduction in their monthly rate per therms used. This is the first reading of the proposed changes with rate changes scheduled for January 2024.

7. Adoption of Resolution 2023-08 for the Bryan Bennett Library to levy an additional 0.02% portion of the County property tax for maintenance, repairs, and alterations of Library buildings and Equipment.

Motion by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to Resolution 2023-08 Agreeing to levy an additional 0.02% tax for the Bryan Bennett Library for the maintenance, repairs, and alterations of library buildings and equipment. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Barbee –

• indicated the planetarium opens at the Library on October 14, 2023;

• indicated the downtown Christmas on Broadway will be Saturday, December 2, 2023.

City Clerk Meador – no report.

Library Director Keller –

• indicated she hopes to see all at the planetarium display.

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• indicated officers are working hard, while the Safe-T Act has provided frustrations.

Director of Emergency Management Strong –

• indicated the EMPG grant has been submitted;

• indicated EMA has assisted with traffic control at recent motor vehicle accidents.

Public Works Director Sola –

• indicated Public Works crews will be assisting the Police Department with the Little Egypt Parade;

• indicated the Dog Park now has a fence separating the small and large dog areas, and improvements are nearing completion;

• indicated the S. Broadway waterline and Lakewood gas line projects are finishing up.

Finance Director Roth –

• indicated September Revenue/Expense reports are done;

• indicated that bids had come in for a 2-year CD, and Peoples State Bank had the best interest rate: $500,000 at 5.01%.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini –

• Indicated she is working on the annual TIF reports and the Joint Review Board meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2023 at 3:30 PM.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Koehler –

• indicated this Friday is Homecoming and Senior Night at Salem Community High School.

Mayor Farley –

• indicated tickets are still available for “Tales from East Lawn” on October 6 and 7.

IX. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Koehler. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2023_10-02.pdf