South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Aug. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular August 5, 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 

Deputy Chief of Police Susan Miller 

City Attorney Mike Jones 

Economic Development Director Leah 

Dellicarpini Finance Director Keli Barrow 

Public Works Director Travis Sanders 

Little Egypt Festival Chairman Jay Henke 

Members of the Public and Media

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Jim Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

• Ms. Martha Spencer indicated she has started a petition on change.org for the City to change the current method of delivering utility bills, citing the perforated postcards as causing issues with the United States Postal Service. Ms. Spencer suggests the City instead use letters enclosed in envelopes for delivery of utility bills. Ms. Spencer’s letter to the Council and change.org petition is included in these minutes as 08/05/2024 Attachment 1.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• expressed appreciation for Mayor Pro Tem Koehler running the previous meeting in his absence;

• indicated the Marion County Fair had a successful week of events, despite the weather challenges.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from July 22, 2024 Salem City Council meeting

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald 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 approval of Little Egypt Festival Resolution 2024-05 for temporary closure of streets for parade route.

Mayor Farley indicated this is the annual Resolution that asks permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the temporary closure of U.S. Route 50 and Illinois Route 37, and sets the detour route for the Little Egypt Festival on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Little Egypt Festival Chairman Jay Henke indicated this is the same request as years past. Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve Resolution 2024-05 for the temporary closure of highways for the Little Egypt parade route. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request approval of Resolution 2024-06 in support of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP ) grant application.

Mayor Farley indicated a public hearing was held prior to this evening’s Council meeting to provide interested parties an opportunity to express their views of the proposed federally and state funded project to include new ADA-compliant sidewalks and pedestrian lighting along Main Street/U.S. Route 50 from Pearl Street to Jefferson Street; McMackin Street from Pearl Street to Broadway/ Illinois Route 37; and Broadway/Illinois Route 37 from Alley Street to Church Street through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). Mayor Farley indicated the community continually asks for better sidewalks, and commends City staff for looking at grant funding for the sidewalk replacement.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Resolution 2024-06 in support of the ITEP grant application. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval of Service Agreement with Foresight to provide estimates and guidance for repair work to City Hall.

City Manager Sola indicated that with the recent rain, City Hall still has issues; water is coming in between the two old sections of the building. Two contractors have looked at the building, and recommended an inspection to suggest the scope of work. The service agreement with Foresight includes on-site inspections, roof core samples, drone fly overs, and assistance with a repair plan.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the service agreement with Foresight in the amount of $2,730.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request approval of Ordinance 2024-32 amending the TIF agreement between the City of Salem and Kenneth and Carol Bromley, Bromley Excavating.

Mayor Farley indicated the amendment includes the correct closing date of June 14, 2024; all other aspects of the agreement remain the same.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Ordinance 2024-32, amending the TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Kenneth and Carol Bromley, Bromley Excavating. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

6. Sav a Lot building sealed bids.

Mayor Farley indicated three sealed bids were received for the Sav a Lot Building located at 406 W. Main Street. The three bids received are as follows:

• Joe Wagner, ATVs and More - $1 with indication that a youth center will be built;

• Paul and Lynn Riehm, Sterling Avenue - $60,000 with indication they will move their existing business and expand;

• Gerald and Angel Molenhour, Molenhour Power Equipment - $1,998 with indication they would use the front half of the building for retail space and the back half for a shop. They would move their current business to this location.

Mayor Farley indicated the three bids do not recapture the expenditure of the building. He further indicated that he would like the City have the building appraised to find the value and involve a real estate agent to better market the building. Councilman Bringwald indicated the bids are not comparable and would like to see half of the purchase price of the building recouped.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to reject all bids on the Sav A Lot Building. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

After the roll call, Mr. Gerald Molenhour addressed the Council and suggested the Council look at the tax revenue to capture after the building is sold; and to consider the building needs significant work. He further indicated brick and mortar stores are struggling against internet sales and encouraging retail business is important.

7. Discuss surplus of outdoor movie screen and equipment.

Mayor Farley indicated the City is in possession of a projector and movie screen that has been used for movies in the park, which has been cut back due to the theatre. There has been interest shown to purchase the projector and movie screen from the City, which would need surplussed. City Manager Sola indicated the system itself has some age on it and takes multiple staff to set up/take down.

Motion by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to surplus the movie projector, screen, and equipment. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated she and Public Works Director Sanders have been getting updates from Ron Reagan; winter storage of gas is in good shape. The long-term discount program will be coming up for discussion soon.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated she will have revenue expense reports done Wednesday.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the Kell Street overlay project is almost completed; waiting on the curbing to be finished; the College Street overlay project is done.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini:

• indicated she worked with the Tourism Board on downtown Christmas lights, and the displays have arrived;

• indicated TOP Electric has the downtown lights, and is waiting on the temperatures to cool before installing;

• indicated frustration with the process of selling the Sav A Lot building: if the Council had preferred a minimum bid, that should have been communicated so that she could disperse that information out to potential bidders. She further indicated that it appears that Council would prefer to keep a degenerating building on Main Street rather than consider the tax revenue.

Police Chief Ambuehl:

• indicated the coax cable that had been damaged on the east water tower has been fixed at a cost much less than anticipated for under $1,200;

• indicated he will be meeting with City Manager Sola and Public Works Sanders to make plans for the Little Egypt Festival.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated candidate’s packets are now available for the 2025 Consolidated Election. Two four-year City Council seats are up for election; filing of petitions is to be October 21 – 28, 2024;

• indicated to City Council members and Department Heads that IML Conference registrations need to be turned in soon, in order to make conference and travel arrangements.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports – None.

IX. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5) – potential acquisition of real estate

Motion made at 6:39 PM by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter into Executive Session to discuss the potential acquisition of real estate after a five minute break. Roll call vote: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. Motion carried.

X. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 7:03 PM

XI. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_08-05.pdf