South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Aug. 19..

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular August 19, 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

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent

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

Code Enforcement Officer Dave Lusch

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Planning Commission Chairman Frank Addison

Historical Commission Chairman Luke Purcell

Sgt. Dustin Duncan and Family Members

Members of the Salem Police Department

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

• Mr. Ricardo Salgado indicated he was organizing the first-annual Mexican festival at the Salem Community Activities Center, scheduled for September 7, 2024. The festival will be family-friendly, with vendors, food trucks, and kids’ activities.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• indicated he signed two proclamations prior to this evening’s City Council meeting. One for the Daughters of the American Revolution, proclaiming September 17 – 23, 2024 as “Constitution Week” and the other, for the National Society United State Daughters of 1812 and Kaskaskia Chapter, Greenville, Illinois, proclaiming September 14, 2024 as “Star Spangled Banner Day”;

• indicated Congressman Mike Bost visited Salem last week and toured a local industry and met with small business leaders in a roundtable discussion;

• indicated that he is competing against the mayor of Centralia for Shriners Week at Raccoon Grade School, in both a pie-in-the-face and dunking booth contest. Donation jars will be located at City Hall, Salem Community High School, and two local businesses; all proceeds will be donated to the Shriner’s Hospital.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the August 5, 2024 Public Hearing for ITEP grant application and the August 5, 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. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Morton. Motion carried.

2. Presentation of Promotion – Salem Police Commission Board names new Sergeant. 

Mayor Farley indicated it is his distinct honor to swear in Dustin Duncan as the newest Sergeant for the Salem Police Department. Duncan is currently the senior patrolman, having been with the Salem Police Department since 2009.

Mayor Farley administers the oath of office to Sergeant Duncan, who is joined by his wife and family.

3. SCHS Booster Club requesting permission for park use August 2, 2025 for Triathlon and 5k. 

Mayor Farley indicated the Salem Community High School Booster Club would like to use the pool and park on Saturday, August 2, 2025 for a fundraiser sprint triathlon and 5k run. The sprint triathlon includes a swim, bike, and run. These events generally take place early in the morning and should not disrupt normal pool operations. SCHS Booster Club member Christy Gillett indicated this was a good event this year, and they would like to see the event grow. Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the use of Bryan Memorial Park and the Salem Aquatic Center on August 2, 2025 by the SCHS Booster club. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Salem Grace Church, Troy Williams, is requesting the use of Bryan Memorial Park on October 20.

Mayor Farley indicated the Salem Grace Church is asking for use of Bryan Memorial Park on Sunday, October 20, 2024 to hold a church sponsored event. They would like use of Shelter 2, the stage, and surrounding area. Activities include a Color Run in the morning, disc golf, pumpkin carving, a small, fenced-in petting zoo, and marshmallow roasting. Salem Grace Church representative Troy Williams indicated this would be advertised as a “Fall Fest open to the community, hosted by Salem Grace”. He further indicated they would also like to have a hayride through the park and the marshmallow roasting would be in portable firepits, monitored by firefighters.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the use of Bryan Memorial Park on Sunday, October 2, 2024 by Salem Grace Church. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Discussion on 406 W. Main St., Sav A Lot Building.

Mayor Farley indicated two more bids have been received on the Sav A Lot Building at 406 W. Main St. The two bids received are as follows:

• Paul and Lynn Riehm, Sterling Avenue - $70,000 contingent on $20,000 TIF reimbursement for property and no less than $70k in TIF reimbursable expenses for construction/building improvements.

• Chad Eagan, Air Apply Aerial Application - $83,475 – a cash offer contingent on $40,000 Tax Increment Financing as previously discussed with the Salem Economic Development Director.

City Manager Sola indicated at this point, the City needs to move forward with how to get out from underneath this; we can no longer look at the past. Economic Development Director Dellicarpini indicated that both businesses are viable options, and there are pros and cons to each. Chad Eagan, owner of Air Apply Aerial Application, addressed the Council; he indicated that his business is the aerial application of crop dusters, based out of the Flora Airport. It is his intention to offer sales and service with an office and showroom. He will begin with three employees. Mayor Farley indicated that Air Apply Aerial Application will support job creation and sales tax and property tax benefits.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to allow the City Manager to prepare a sales contract to Air Apply Aerial Application for the purchase of 406 W. Main, the Sav A Lot building. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: Councilman Morton. Motion carried.

6. Approval of Ordinance 2024-34 Extension of TIF District 2.

Mayor Farley indicated on May 26, 2024 the Illinois General Assembly approved Senate Bill 3563 extending the life of the TIF 2 (Industrial) District for an additional twelve (12) years. On August 9, 2024 the Governor signed the legislation, approving the extension. Ordinance 2024- 34 will codify the twelve-year extension into City Ordinance, establishing an expiration date of December 31, 2037 for the TIF 2 District.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve Ordinance 2024-34, extending the Salem TIF 2 (Industrial) District to December 31, 2037. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Request approval of Planning Commission recommendation to rezone 525 E. Lake St. Mayor Farley indicated the Planning Commission has made the recommendation to approve the rezoning of 525 E. Lake St. from Industrial to RM-1 Multi-Family Residence to allow for the construction of a small multi-family housing development. Planning Commission Chairman Addison indicated this is straight-forward, as it is a county property within the 1 ½ mile zoning jurisdiction of the City.

Motion by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the recommendation made by the Planning Commission to rezone 525 E. Lake St. from Industrial to RM-1 Multi-Family Residence. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Accounts Payable from 7-15-2024 – 8-16-2024

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Accounts Payable from 7-15-2024 – 8-16-2024. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated staff is working on the issues with the current system of utility bills and how to address the delayed delivery of the bills by the post office. She distributed the following spreadsheet that outlines the costs for changing to a letter, rather than postcard:

City Manager Sola indicated a perforated letter will be necessary, to allow clerks to track payments at the counter. She further indicated that future discussion should include how to offset the additional cost, but could incentivize signing up for Xpress Bill Pay. She also indicated that Civic has stated it will take a couple months to set up the system to a letter format;

• indicated the first meeting in September will be on Tuesday the 3rd, due to the Labor Day holiday;

• indicated that starting on Wednesday, August 21, W. Kell St. will be closed at Route 37 for construction.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini: No report.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated the auditors will be here September 16 to present;

• indicated the tobacco grant audit should be closed out soon.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated that starting on Wednesday, August 21, W. Kell St. will be closed at Route 37 for construction;

• indicated 200-feet of sewer line was replaced on Dawley Street in an emergency repair;

• indicated the east underpass pumps are in transit.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell:

• indicated it was a good year at the pool and the season is now closed.

Police Chief Ambuehl:

• indicated they are in the process of the background check for the Telecommunications Officer;

• indicated a new officer will be taking over the Little Egypt detour route planning.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated Little Egypt parade entry forms are available at City Hall, and informed Council members they have an entry. The Little Egypt Festival is Saturday, October 5, 2024.

VII. City Attorney Report – No report.

VIII. City Council Member Reports – None.

IX. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2) – Personnel

Motion made at 6:47 PM by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to enter into Executive Session to discuss Personnel after a five-minute break. Roll call vote: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

X. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 7:36 PM

XI. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_08-19.pdf