South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met June 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular June 17, 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 (arrived at 6:05)

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

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

City Attorney Mike Jones

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

a. A Salem citizen, Lincoln Cannon had concerns about oiling and chipping the city roads. He is concerned about the amount of dust after oiling and chipping. City Manager Annette Sola explained that this is a new product and has less dust than previous years. The City Manager asked him to contact her if he is still seeing it in a month.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• Mayor Farley announced that IDOT has announced that they will be repairing 2 places in Salem on the 2025-2030 IDOT plan. Those areas being a portion on the East side of town and they will be working on Route 50 on the west side of town.

• Mayor Farley also announced that he is looking for someone to be on the Drug Court Committee. • Accounts payable was accidentally left off of the agenda. Will call a special meeting 48 hours after the new agenda is posted. Decided to set meeting for June 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm.

IV. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

• Approval of Minutes from June 3, 2024 Council Meeting. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the minutes from the June 3, 2024 Council Meeting. AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley, NAYS: none. Motion carried;

2. Approval and authorization to execute a professional service agreement between Jacob and Klein and the City of Salem to establish Salem’s TIF District.

Economic Development director, Leah Dellicarpini stated that the City of Salem will be entering into an agreement starting TIF4. Jacob and Klein will take care of certain admin. criteria of everything that has to be met. Leah is wanting to connect the two TIF districts. She handed out a map explaining the TIF districts and how they can be connected. Councilman Morton asked about voting on TIF4. He can vote due to his business being in another TIF district.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve authorization to execute a professional service agreement between Jacon and Klein and the City of Salem to establish Salem’s TIF 4 District. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler. Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried;

3. Approval of inter-governmental agreements with taxing bodies for TIF 2 extension.

This bill is on Governor Pritzker’s desk waiting to be signed at the time of the council meeting. This is bill SB653. It will extend it 2 years when signed.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald for approval of inter-governmental agreements with taxing bodies for TIF 3 extension. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Approval of land lease to Mission Salem. This land lease is for a 10-year renewable lease with the City of Salem. The land is in a location where city utilities can be utilized. There should be no issues with that according to City Manager, Annette Sola. The members of Mission Salem were given an opportunity to speak. Angie Courtright spoke to the council and said that all members agree. There is a contact that will be set in place that will legally protect Mission Salem for the future. Mission Salem will be responsible for all issues and maintenance of the building. City Manager Annette Sola will meet with City Attorney Mike Jones and discuss the agreement. Angie Courtright extends personal gratitude to Annette, Leah, and the council.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the land lease to Mission Salem as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Review of Good Energy Contract extension.

Javier from Good Energy spoke to the council about changing rates and the contract that the City of Salem has. He recommends that the city goes with a shorter-term agreement than a long one. The contract that the city has currently ends in December. High rates are $. 12 based on the numbers, short term is better.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Good Energy contact. Roll call vote: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

V. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola –

• Able to obtain an attorney for asbestos in city hall. City Attorney Mike Jobes has been helping her.

• City Manager Sola has had a lot of calls on the old flower shop in Salem. Dave Lusch is already working on it and has contacted the owners.

• City Clerk Tabitha Meador has finalized everything with the fireworks for the 4th of July celebration. She also has bands lined up.

• There will no 8:30am staff meeting.

Finance Director Barrow – Nothing to report

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• The Salem Police Department had 15 applicants for the dispatcher position. The police department has reserved the Kaskaskia College extension center for testing on July 13, 2024.

• We are working with the Police commission on a new Sergeant’s list for the Salem Police Department. After that position has been secured, the police department will need to hire a patrolman.

• Sergeant Blake Phillips submitted his resignation. He will be moving out of state.

• Mayor Farley praised the Salem Police Department

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini - Nothing to report

Public Works Director Sanders –

• Reporting that they will finish oiling the roads next week (June 24-28).

• Still working on some storm clean up. Some on city property.

• One pump has been installed.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell –

• The pool is running and thing are good

City Clerk Meador/Deputy City Clerk Hartley

• Not present/Nothing to report

Library Director Keller - Not present

Dave Lusch - Not present

Department of Emergency Management Andrew Strong

• Nothing to report

VI. City Attorney Report

Nothing to report

VII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Bringwald –

• Wabash building is coming along well

• Mowing and watering the soccer park looks nice

Councilman Koehler—

• Reading program at the William Jennings Bryan Museum. It will be for kids K-3. It will be held on 6/29/24 from 10am-11am. The museum will be open for the day.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by councilwoman Crouch to adjourn the meeting at 6:45pm. 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_-_2024_06-17.pdf