South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met July 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular July 22, 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 Pro Tem Jim Koehler at 6:03 PM.

Council members present: :

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Koehler

Council members absent

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch

Mayor Nicolas Farley

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

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Members of the Public and Media

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Pro Tem Koehler offered the Prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Lou Daniels.

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

• Mr. Lou Daniels, 327 E. Bryan Street, indicated that another year has passed, and the issues still remain on E. Bryan Street. Mr. Daniels provided a packet of information to the Council.

• Ms. Joan Kless, Vice-President of the Zoning Board of Appeals, indicated that she believes illegal immigrants are living at the Days Inn. She further indicated that she expects more out of the Council and understands that funding is related to housing of illegal immigrants.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

Mayor Pro Tem Koehler:

• thanked all City staff for their efforts in handling the flash flood;

• indicated the petunias have stayed nice in the vaults around downtown.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from July 1, 2024 Salem City Council meeting

(b) Salem Chamber Director has asked to use Sweney Corner for trick-or treat on October 31 in conjunction with downtown trick or treat. Halloween falls on Friday this year, so the general consensus would be to leave trick-or-treat on the 31st.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Morton. Motion carried.

2. Ordinance 2024-14 allows the property located at 206 W. Main to be sold as surplus.

City Manager Sola indicated sealed bids were due by close of business today, July 22, 2024, to be opened at the City Council meeting. No bids for the property were received. She indicated that an RFP would be issued to local real estate agents to list the property.

3. Request approval of the FY2024 Budget Amendment.

City Manager Sola indicated Finance Director Barrow has worked on finalizing the FY2024 budget year. The FY2024 Budget Amendment ordinance includes Schedule A that outlines changes that were made:

01: General $600,000

Soccer Park donation, Public Works building and bay, City Hall Repairs, Streets Maintenance, Traffic Control, Health Insurance

02: Emergency Management $10,000

Car maintenance, Tablet and Laptop, Drone and accessories, Floodlight Batteries, Digital Transponder, Car Maintenance from Accident

03: Garbage $37,000

Collection Fee Increase, Equipment Maintenance, Leachate and Groundwater Pumps

05: Historical Commission $10,000

Painting at the William Jennings Bryan Home

08: Recreation $7,000

New Disc Golf Baskets

10: Police Pension $76,000

Retiree pensions are higher than anticipated.

16: Water and Sewer $300,000

Higher Electric Bills, Raw Water Line Maintenance, Sludge Removal, Repairs on Mixer, Vac Truck Repairs, Pump Replacement, Higher Chemical Cost

17: Gas Fund $1,005,000

Wholesale price higher than budgeted and Debt Service Payment of $700,000.00

20: Video Gaming Fund $49,000

Higher transfer to Police Pension due to higher gaming revenues.

21: TIF #2 $500.00

Check to Salem Fire Protection District to help with purchase of new rig.

24: EDA Sewer Project Fund $44,000

Depreciation

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve Ordinance 2024-29, amending the FY2024 Budget, as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval of agreement to teleview sewer lines

Mayor Pro Tem Koehler indicated RFPs were sent out to televise sewer lines on the southeast quadrant of town for an upcoming grant application. Two bids were received; Midwest Underground Discovery being the low bid at $17,281.25. Public Works Director Sanders indicated this is necessary to prove the deterioration of the sewer lines. This is not a budgeted item, but necessary for the grant application. The project will be in the area between McMackin Street and Marion Street.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to accept the bid from Midwest Underground Discovery in the amount of $17,281.25 to teleview sewer lines in the southeast quadrant of town. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request to vacate 2 sections of alley behind 321 W. Boone St.

Mayor Pro Tem Koehler indicated a request has been made by Leon Chapman to vacate the alley on the west and south sides of his property. Mr. Chapman owns the land directly to the south of the alley and shares the alley to the west with a neighboring property owner. The vacate would be shared on the west side but fully granted to Mr. Chapman on the south side. The existing alley to the east will remain as platted.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to vacate the alley on the west and south sides of 321 W. Boone St. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Accounts Payable from 6-17-2024 – 7-12-2024

After review, motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the Accounts Payable from 6-17-2024 – 7-12-2024. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Clerk Meador: No report.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the pump at the underpass should have been shipped, but is delayed; the little pump has been installed.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini:

• indicated SCIRP-DC has submitted the grant for the McMackin Street project.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated auditors were on site last week and everything went smoothly.

Code Enforcement Officer Lusch: no report.

Police Chief Ambuehl:

• indicated eight candidates tested for the telecommunicator position, interviews will follow;

• indicated the Sergeant’s list has been finalized and he will be naming a sergeant in a couple weeks;

• indicated the Police Commission has set September 21 as the patrolman’s testing date

City Manager Sola:

• indicated she is extremely proud of staff for their work during the flash flood; • indicated City Hall is receiving many phonecalls on the changes on the utility billing process, but it seems to be going well.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports – None.

IX. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Pro Tem Koehler. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_07-22.pdf