South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular May 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

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Deputy City Clerk Amanda Hartley

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Members of the Media and Public

I. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. II.Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments –None.

III. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• Mayor Farley calls to remove Agenda Item 7. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to remove Agenda Item 7. Roll Call vote: AYES: Councilman Mourton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley, NAYS: None. Motion carried.

IV. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

• Approval of the May 20, 2024 Consent Agenda, as presented:

(a) Approval of the minutes of the May 6, 2024 Salem City Council Meeting

(b) Approval to appoint Erica Nix, a 4th grade teacher at Franklin Park, to the Library Board Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the May 20, 2024 Consent Agenda, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Mourton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley, NAYS: None. Motion carried.

2. Mayor Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem. Mayor Nic Farley has recommended Councilman Koehler as Mayor Pro-tem. Councilmen Koehler sworn in, in council chambers during council meeting. Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Mayor Pro Tem as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. Abstain: Councilman Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Chris Watkins is asking to sell concessions in the park during the men’s softball game for the 2024 season. Proceeds from the sales will go to Saved with Amazing Grace. Councilman Koehler commented what a great program this is and what a great service this provides for the residents. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the selling of concessions in the park during the men’s softball game by Chris Watkins as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Renewal of the YMCA service agreement between the City of Salem and the YMCA. City Manager Sola reports that the last contract was sparse and there are not a lot of stipulations. The City Manager was invited to have a meeting with the YMCA. The City of Salem did agree to maintain budget changes the last two years. The city has been paying more. The YMCA is wanting a 3% increase. City Manager Sola is asking to table this until she can get more information. Mayor Farley stated that we are paying more now than hiring a Recreation Director. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve tabling the service agreement between the YMCA and the City of Salem as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Bids for W. Kell Street and N. College St. Bids were opened on Thursday, May 16, 2024 for street resurfacing on W. Kell from Rt 37 to College St. from Boone to Broughton Rd. The recommended approval of the low bid was from Rooters American Maintenance, Inc. Their bid was $371.299.87. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve street resurfacing on W. Kell St. and N. College Ave. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Low speed vehicle ordinance. The new type of low-speed vehicle that is now on the market that allows owners to license the vehicle and ride it on the road. These vehicles are being sold in Salem and The City of Salem needs to adopt or rewrite a city ordinance to keep these vehicles off of the main roads. Chief Kyle Ambuehl stated that these vehicles would cause a lot of confusions for the vehicles that are already on the side streets. DOEM director Strong said that some of these new vehicles go over 25 mph. Existing ordinance needs to adapt and add classification. Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Low-Speed Vehicle Ordinance. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: none. Motion Carried.

7. Removed by Mayor Farley. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to remove Agenda Item VII. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Gas Line Replacement Project bids were opened on Monday, May 13, 2024. There were 4 bids that were sent out and only one bid that was received. USDI’s bid of $170,250.00 was the only bid. It was accepted for the completion of the construction of the 2024 Natural Gas Line Improvement Project (FY25) Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the Gas Line Replacement Project bid. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Roll call vote: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

9. Constellation Energy Contract- There are a lot of overages on the electric bills for the City of Salem. It’s not just one department, it’s all of them. City Manager Sola wants to open or cancel contract with Constellation Energy. Bills keep going up every month. City Manager Sola has contacted Ameren to clarify. Mayor Farley gave the City Manager permission to pull out of any contracts and to cancel contract with Constellation Energy with any city account. City Manager Sola is considering cancelling a few city accounts and seeing if Ameren is cheaper of Constellation Energy. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to open the contract with the possibility of cancelling the contract with constellation to reduce electric costs for the City. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

10. City council reviewed the City’s Account’s Payables for the period of April 15, 2024-May 17, 2024. Questions were asked about employee gym memberships, website companies, Salem Police Department’s k-9 medications, cameras being installed, legal fees for Mike and grant funds. Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the City of Salem’s Account’s Payables for the period of April 15, 2024-May 17, 2024 for the City. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

V. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola –

• Salem Aquatic Center will be opening on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

• Preparation for the Memorial Day celebration at the cemetery is underway.

Finance Director Barrow –

• “End of FY things”

• Auditors will be here the end of July

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• Salem Police Department dispatcher, Juana Gilbert will be retiring after 44 years and she does not want any recognition. Chief Ambuehl thinks she should get it anyway.

Public Works Director Sanders –

• Flushing pumps under the well in landfill.

• EPA will be back in May or June to the landfill.

City Clerk Meador – absent.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini – absent.

Code Enforcement Officer Lusch -

• Business as usual. Coming along nicely on home demos. 6 more to submit. 5 on his desk.

VI. City Attorney Report – Absent.

VII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Bringwald –

• Courtney Mitchell gave him a tour of the pool and the pump room.

Councilwoman Crouch —

• Asking who is responsible for street/road repairs between Walmart and Green Street. Mayor Farley answered that it is IDOT and he has tried to contact them.

• Has noticed an increase number in transient/homeless people in town. Chief Ambuehl replied by saying the only way for the police department to keep track of them is only if we have had contact with them.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn

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

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_minutes_-_2024_05-20.pdf