South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met June 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular June 3, 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 None

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived 6:04 PM)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent: None

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

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Members of the Media and Public

Mayor Farley requested an amendment to the agenda, to include the emergency purchase of pump at the East Main Underpass lift station. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to add Agenda Item #7 – Emergency Purchase of a pump at the East Main Underpass Lift Station. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

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

• thanked City staff for the rapid response during the recent storm. He indicated that initially there were 23 roads that were impassable due to downed trees, and after two hours, only four remained closed due to downed power lines;

• indicated there are openings on the Library Board, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. If anyone is interested in serving on one of these boards, a letter of interest can by sent via mail or email to the Mayor.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes of the May 20, 2024 Salem City Council meeting

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

2. Request to vacate a dead-end section of roadway.

Mayor Farley indicated a request to vacate a section of Jefferson St. between Mitchell St. and the railroad tracks has been presented. The property owners on either side of the roadway are mother and daughter and have maintained the area for many years. The road would have passed over the railroad tracks and was never developed. There are no City utilities and no known easements on the piece of property.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the section of Jefferson St. between Mitchell St. and the railroad tracks (50’ by 134’) be vacated and divide the land equally between the two adjacent property owners. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request to vacate an alley.

Mayor Farley indicated a request to vacate the east/west section of an alley off Vincent St. has been received by Rich Sinclair of 1007 W Main St. Mr. Sinclair owns the State Farm Insurance Office located at that location and has purchased the vacant lot at 100 S. Vincent. The two properties are divided with an alley that runs east and west behind 1007 W. Main and 925 W. Main; both property owners would like to see the alley vacated. Mr. Curt Ferguson, owner of 925 W. Main St. presented in favor of vacating the alley. Both Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Sinclair would like the alley vacated behind 1007 and 925 W. Main St., as well as the portion that runs adjacent east of 100 S. Vincent.

Motion by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to vacate the alley behind 1007 and 925 W. Main St. and adjacent east of 100 S. Vincent, pursuant to the property owners’ request. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval of tractor/mower purchase.

Mayor Farley indicated a new tractor with side boom mower was budgeted for FY 2025 at a total cost of $129,000 from the landfill budget. Public Works Director Sanders learned that we can purchase, at a much lower price, using the State bid process. City Manager Sola indicated the City’s existing John Deere 6330 tractor with mower will be traded in with a value of $44,000. This will bring the cost to about $6000 under budget.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to purchase, with trade-in, a John Deere 6135E Cab tractor and mower at a cost of $123,389.01. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request surplus of 3 pieces of equipment in the Public Works Department.

Mayor Farley indicated the Gas Department currently has a backhoe that has not been used due to the purchase of a new smaller piece of equipment. This newer backhoe will be moved to the water/sewer maintenance department and Public Works Director Sanders is requesting to surplus the water/sewer backhoe to be sold. A zero-turn mower that was previously used at the Animal Control facility has several mechanical issues that will cost more than the mower is valued at. A larger air compressor was needed in the Mechanics shop for power tools; the old compressor is still in working condition.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to surplus three pieces of equipment from the Public Works Department: (1) John Deere backhoe; (2) Exmark zero-turn mower; (3) Campbell Housfeld air compressor. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Request approval of price increases for water tap fees.

Mayor Farley indicated that Public Works Director Sanders is requesting a change in Chapter 20, Section 43 – Tapping Fees in the Code of Ordinances to reflect price increases on materials needed for water taps. The price adjustments are material prices currently being paid and the overage is presently being absorbed by the City. Public Works Director Sanders indicated this increase would affect new services only. The proposed fee structure:

Water Meter Size Amount

¾ inch $1,100.00 increase to $1,500.00

1 inch $1,400.00 increase to $2,500.00

2 inch $4,300.00 increase to $6,500.00

Over 2” cost of material plus 5%

Councilman Koehler indicated that he feels that we encourage new builds, but then turn around and increase costs on the developers, and he does not agree with that.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to increase the price of water tap fees as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilman Koehler. Motion carried.

7. Request approval for emergency purchase of pump for East Main Underpass Lift Station. Mayor Farley indicated there are no working pumps at the East Main Underpass Lift Station, which causes the underpass to flood with the heavy rainwaters. Interim City Manager Sola indicated Public Works Director Sanders is reaching out to IDOT for assistance. Public Works Director Sanders has received two quotes: one from Hydo-Kinetics for $33,500 + freight with a delayed ship date; and one from Municipal Equipment for $43,000 + freight, but with a ship date of 2-3 weeks. Police Chief Ambuehl indicated that when the underpass floods, it prohibits access to the east side of town for emergency response. Interim City Manager Sola indicated the cost of the pump would come from Fund 18.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to purchase the replacement pump for the East Main Underpass Lift Station from Municipal Equipment for $43,000 + freight. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

Interim City Manager Sola –

• indicated she has received notice that the Gold Star 500 bicycle ride will be in Salem on September 25, as they are traveling from Vienna to Rockford. The group intends to visit fallen soldier Casey Hills’ grave in East Lawn Cemetery;

• indicated she has received an update from AC Power on the solar project at the landfill. The application has been submitted to Ameren, and it could be three-four months before notification of possible approval is available;

• indicated that State Senator Jason Plummer is hosting an End of Session Roundtable at the Kaskaskia College Extension Center on Wednesday night.

Finance Director Barrow – no report.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell –

• indicated there is good attendance at the pool, and family-friendly rules have been implemented.

Public Works Director Sanders –

• indicated the storm clean-up will end Friday, June 7;

• indicated the first road oiling will be June 14.

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• indicated all employees have passed the cybersecurity training;

• indicated that Telecommunicator Justin Draper attended an active shooter response drill for dispatch;

• indicated with the retirement of Telecommunicator Juana Gilbert, applications are due by Friday, June 7.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports –

Councilman Koehler –

• indicated the park and pool look good after the storms passed through.

Mayor Farley –

• indicated he would like to see the Family Fun Day activities brought in with the 4th of July since Family Fun Day was canceled due to rain.

IX. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Morton to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_06-03.pdf