South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular April 15, 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 6:02 PM.

Council members present:

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilman Jim Koehler

Others present:

Interim City Manager Annette Sola

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

City Attorney Mike Jones

Deputy Chief of Police Susan Miller

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Members of the Daffy Dill Garden Club

Members of the Media and Public

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

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

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – none.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• indicated Agenda Item VIII should be amended to read “pending” litigation rather than “potential”. Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to amend the wording of Agenda Item VII to read “discussion of pending litigation”. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.;

• congratulated Salem Community High School on a successful Prom and indicated his appreciation for the volunteers at Post Prom;

• indicated he signed a proclamation, declaring May 18 as “Poppy Day” in the City of Salem, in recognition of those who died in service;

• thanked the volunteers of Keep Salem Beautiful’s clean-up day;

• thanked the Police Department for a successful bicycle giveaway.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes of the April 15, 2024 Salem City Council meeting

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Daffy Dill Garden Club request to use Bryan Memorial Park on June 22, 2024 for Festival of Flowers event.

Mayor Farley indicated the request was brought before Council at our last meeting from the Daffy Dill Garden Club to use the Bryan Statue area of Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024 for a Festival of Flowers event. The event will include vendors and food trucks. Daffy Dill Garden

Club member Sharon Blair thanked the City for their support of the club, and indicated the format of the event will be different, in that there will not be a home tour, but a tour of the garden itself. It is a free event to attend; Idyllwood Entertainment Center has been notified of the potential traffic. Chief Ambuehl indicated he would like to see Vail Street closed from Boone Street to Lyford. Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Daffy Dill Garden Club to use Bryan Memorial Park Statue Garden on June 22, 2024 for Festival of Flowers event. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

Interim City Manager Sola –

• indicated packets for the sale of the Sav-a-Lot building will be put together in June, the matter will be brought forth in July;

• indicated she intends to have the YMCA contract at the next Council meeting. City Clerk Meador – no report.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini –

• indicated Mr. Conant has brought in the site plan and building plan for the multi-family development on Airport Road.

Finance Director Barrow –

• indicated budget books are out;

• indicated she is working on end-of-month reports.

Public Works Director Sanders –

• indicated two bid lettings are next week;

• indicated crews are lined up to raise flags for Memorial Day.

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• indicated 46 pounds of drugs were taken in during the drug take-back event;

• indicated the bicycle giveaway was a success;

• indicated all officers completed the recertifications in firearms, use of force, beanbag, and taser.

DOEM Director Strong –

• indicated the tornado sirens at the tennis courts and the fairgrounds are now functioning. The east-side siren has been damaged by lightning and is not functioning. He expressed thanks to Centralia DOEM and Marion County ESDA for equipment that pieced the repairs together;

• indicated the HAAS alert system’s monthly report shows the 253 vehicles were notified of emergency vehicles.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. Executive Session – Discussion of pending litigation - 5 ILCS 120/2 (2)(11) Motion made at 6:17 PM by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley.

IX. Return to Open Session – return to Open Session at 6:39 PM.

X. City Council Member Reports – none.

XI. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_05-06.pdf