South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular February 20, 2024 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

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilman Craig Morton

Others present:

Interim City Manager Annette Sola

Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Finance Director Keli Roth

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Members of the Media and Public

II. Prior to the Pledge, Mayor Farley requested an amendment to the agenda to include action on the request by the Salem Community High School Sports Boosters for use of Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 3, 2024 for a Triathlon fundraiser. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to amend the agenda to include action on the request by the SCHS Sports Boosters for use of Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 3, 2024 for a Triathlon fundraiser. Roll call vote: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

III. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – none.

V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• Indicated he will be giving the “State of the City” address in March, and would like input from Department Heads and City employees;

• announced the launch of salemeclipse.com, a central website for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. The website includes FAQs, events, lodging, and information about Salem.

VI. City Council Action

1. Request by the Salem Community High School Sports Boosters for use of Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 3, 2024 for a Triathlon fundraiser.

Mayor Farley indicated the SCHS Sports Boosters are seeking approval to use Bryan Memorial Park for a Triathlon fundraiser on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Sports Booster representative Christy Gillett indicated the organization is still working on details of the events, but are seeking to make it a sanctioned Triathlon, which would then provide the insurance for the event. It will be an open course race, and would utilize the pool and the park. The bicycle portion will utilize Route 37, up to Alma. The SCHS Sports Boosters will also be coordinating with the City’s DOEM, as well as the County’s ESDA. Chief Ambuehl and DOEM Director Strong indicated no issue with the event. Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell indicated there is no conflict at the pool and staff will be available. Motion by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to allow the SCHS Sports Booster to use Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 3, 2024 for a Triathlon fundraiser. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes – February 5, 2024

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes of February 5, 2024 Council meeting, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Request for approval for repair work due to water damage at City Hall.

Interim City Manager Sola indicated that at the February 5, 2024 meeting discussion was had in regards to the water damage in the kitchen area of City Hall. Estimates have been gathered and prices to replace the ceiling and walls in both restrooms as well as the kitchen area, new ceiling tile in both restrooms and new drywall on the kitchen ceiling. This includes finish of the drywall and paint. Fyke Contracting $7,081.41. A second estimate to remove the damaged wood and drywall on the wall behind the council table and rehang drywall and install a door. Finish drywall and paint. Fyke Contracting $4,374.93. McCoy Roofing has submitted an estimate of $38,900.00 to remove all damaged roofing, remove the old steel staircase, using a crane lift the HVAC units from the roof, tuck point 6ft up on the brick walls surrounding the roof and replace the roof and any damaged wood and reset the HVAC unit on stronger support beams. Total repair cost is $38,900.00. Not included at this time is the replacement of the kitchen cabinets and counter top. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the work from Fyke Contracting totaling $11,456.34 and McCoy Roofing totaling $38,900.00 for repair to damage of the roof, kitchen, and restroom areas at City Hall. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request for approval for purchase of replacement pumps at the Salem Landfill.

Mayor Farley indicated the Salem landfill has two underground pumps that are required to pump ground water and leachate from under the cells at the north end of the landfill. Both pumps were discovered to be non-operational and once pulled it was determined that they are not able to be repaired. Pumps were originally purchased in 1998 and replacement parts are obsolete. Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the bid by EPG Companies in the amount of $18,675.00 to replace two pumps at the Salem Landfill. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request for approval to enter into agreement with HAAS Alert program for DOEM.

DOEM Director Strong indicated he has received a price quote from HAAS Alert Systems to provide a device to be installed in emergency vehicles that when activated, an emergency signal would be sent to update navigation apps in vehicles (Waze, etc.) to notify drivers to avoid areas or be aware of emergency vehicles. The cost of the unit is $500.00 and they would require a 5- year contract. He would like to see a module placed in all three of his vehicles with a total annual cost of $1,500.00. He has presently received donations of $2,400.00 and will continue to seek donations to attempt to cover the remainder of the cost. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the purchase of one HAAS Alert module for use by DOEM at a cost of $500.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Review and approval of Accounts Payable for January 15 through February 16, 2024.

After review, motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the Accounts Payable list for January 15 through February 16, 2024. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VII. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Clerk Meador – no report.

Finance Director Roth – no report.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini – no report.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell –

• indicated the pool season will be starting soon;

• indicated approval has been given for the first six houses to be demolished, utilizing the IHDA grant.

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• indicated IEMA has not given any update on solar eclipse preparation; therefore, City officials will be meeting to finalize our local plans for the eclipse and will update if IEMA gives any further guidance.

DOEM Director Strong –

• indicated he agreed with Chief Ambuehl’s statement in regards to solar eclipse preparation.

Interim City Manager Sola -

• indicated City Department Heads have been working on policy updates to address issues with the grant compliance audit. These policy updates will be brought forth at the March 4 City Council meeting.

VIII. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(6) – potential sale of real estate

2. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5) – potential acquisition of real estate

Motion made at 6:31 PM by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to enter into Executive Session after a ten-minute break. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

IX. Council action after Executive Session –

Return to open session at 7:01 PM

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to table action on the acquisition of real estate. Roll call vote: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

X. City Attorney Report – Absent.

XI. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Koehler –

• indicated people are out and about and enjoying the Park. Interim City Manager Sola indicated the Lions Club has some funds to expend for the upkeep of the Inclusive Playground.

XII. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_02-20.pdf