South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular July 1, 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

Other present:

Interim City Manager Annette Sola

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

City Attorney Mike Jones

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Members of the Public and Media

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – None.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• Mayor Farley expressed his gratitude to the City for condolences on the passing of his stepmother.

• Mayor Farley expressed condolences to Brandy Drenckpohl and the ABC Pub family on the passing of Dug Drenckpohl. Mayor Farley indicated Mr. Drenckpohl was a community leader who would be missed.

• Mayor Farley indicated plans were in place for the 4th of July Celebration, which is to be on Thursday, including a contingency plan for rain. He further indicated the flags had been hung in recognition of the holiday.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from June 17, 2024 regular meeting and June 21, 2024 special meeting

(b) Approval to appoint Brenda Conrad to the Library Board

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

2. Opening of sealed bids for previous approved Public Works equipment to be sold as surplus (P2024-10 – Backhoe; P2024-11 Mower & Air Compressor)

Mayor Farley opened the submitted bids for each piece of equipment. One bid was received for the zero-turn mower: Bart Colclasure, $50. One bid was received for the air compressor: Martin’s Service Center, $100. Five bids were received for the backhoe: David Triggs, $18,567; ZoomX LLC, $7,254; Dave Sands, $3000; Richard Wilkins, $22,001; and Steve Down, $24,301. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to accept the high bid for each of the three items: zero-turn mower: Bart Colclasure, $50; air compressor: Martin’s Service Center, $100; backhoe: Steve Down, $24,301. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request to amend Chapter 5 Animals and Fowl from the City Code of Ordinances

City Manager Sola indicated the revisions are to clean up language, and codify with State law. References to Police Chief are changed to Animal Control officer; animals are held for ten days rather than fourteen; lines out expenses that are the pet-owners responsibility; and adds horses, mules, and donkeys as prohibited.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to accept the amendments to Chapter 5 Animals and Fowl in the City Code of Ordinances as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Approval of Illinois St./Spruce St. sewer repair project

Mayor Farley indicated one bid was received by Haier Plumbing in the amount of $353,216.00 to replace the sanitary sewer lines from Cedar Street to Spruce Street, on Illinois Avenue, and Spruce Street west to the end of the line. The bid is under budget. City Manager Sola indicated the streets will be saw-cut to access the sanitary sewer lines, and after the replacement, rock will be maintained on the streets through the winter months to allow for settling. The streets will be fixed next year.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to accept the bid by Haier Plumbing in the amount of $353,216.00 to replace the sanitary sewer lines for the Illinois Avenue/Spruce Street project. Roll call vote: Councilman Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated a rain-date for the fireworks will need to be determined by the morning (July 2nd) to inform the provider. The two options: Friday, July 5th or the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Friday, July 5th is problematic, as it has the same forecast as the 4th, and many communities already have their fireworks scheduled for this date. City Manager Sola will reach out to Marxman to secure Saturday, August 31st as the rain-date for fireworks;

• indicated Police Chief Ambuehl and Public Works Director Sanders have further reviewed their budgets and are able to cut costs;

• indicated the next City Council meeting is July 22nd, not the 15th, which was determined at the last Council meeting. The Sav-a-Lot Building bids will be opened at the meeting on the 22nd.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini:

• indicated a new business is being constructed on West Main Street, and houses are being built.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the Kell Street overlay project will start late July.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell:

• indicated there is a good staff at the pool.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated that all current liquor license holders are in compliance with the recent renewal;

• indicated that the 4th of July planning is coming together, albeit late. Five food trucks have registered to participate and the band lineup includes Luke Purcell, the Cody Phillips Band, and Murphy 500.

Police Chief Ambuehl:

• indicated the coax cable that came down at the East Main water tower is estimated to be $4000 to replace.

VII. City Attorney Report – no report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Koehler:

• indicated a representative from the Smithsonian Institute has plans to visit the William Jennings Bryan home in the fall;

• commended Public Works Director Sanders, City Manager Sola, and Todd Laird for moving a pillar and setting it up;

• indicated the William Jennings Bryan bust is on display;

• indicated the Bryan Fest planning committee has reached a plateau, but will reconvene in the fall;

• indicated Bryan Memorial Park looks good.

IX. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120(C)(21) – Semi-annual review of closed session minutes

Motion was made at 6:35 PM by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to enter into Executive Session after a five-minute break to celebrate the Mayor’s birthday, for the purposes of the semi-annual review of closed session minutes. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

X. Council Action after Executive Session

Return to open session at 6:49 PM.

5. Approval of minutes for the meeting dates: 1/16/2024, 1/22/2024, 2/20/2024, 5/6/2024

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the closed session minutes of 1/16/2024, 1/22/2024, 2/20/2024, and 5/6/2024, and keep them closed. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Approval of Resolution 2024-03 Semi-annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Resolution 2024-03 Semi-annual Review of Closed Session Minutes. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

XI. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_07-01.pdf