South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Oct. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular October 7, 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 (arrived at 6:30)

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived at 6:05)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent: None

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

City Attorney Mike Jones

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

Deputy City Clerk Amanda Hartley

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Deputy Chief Susan Miller

Members of Public and Media

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, Josh Dunahee stated that he received a call from a public official asking if the Benz Crossing neighborhood would like to be annex into the City of Salem. Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini asked if the answer was “Yes” or “No.” Mr. Dunahee replied with “No.”

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• Mayor Farley complimented everyone with the Little Egypt Festival. It was “pretty big.” There were lots of people and lots of entries. Everything went smoothly. There was a very good turnout. • Mayor Farley also announced that he was very impressed with the Tales from East Lawn Tour. He thanked everyone that was involved.

City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from September 16, 2024 Council meeting.

(b) Request to close a section of E. McMackin Street on December 7, 2024 for Downtown Christmas Event.

(c) Request approval to close the checking account for Little Egypt Lane Development Project.

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

2. Requesting approval of the Land Sale and Redevelopment agreement between the City of Salem and CEPT Properties, LLC & Air Apply LLC.

The agreement to sell property located at 406 Wain Street for the previously agreed amount price of $83.475.00. The agreement includes language to reimburse the developer, through TIF finds a total of $40,000.00 in eligible project costs and to place time lines on improvements to the property.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the land sale and redevelopment agreement between the City of Salem and CEPT Properties, LLC & Air Supply LLC. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Absent: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried;

3. Approval of adding the full-time position of the Recreation Director.

It is too expensive to run activities using the YMCA and it is not in the City’s best financial interest. Jed Casburn has moved from running the YMCA to now being employed by the City of Salem. He will also handle the swimming pool along with all Recreation Department items. Mayor Farley noted that the YMCA did benefit the city and they did good. Councilman Koehler stated that “Jed will do a “very good job.”

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald for adding a full time Recreation Director position and appointing Jed Casburn. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Absent: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

4. Approval of the Asset Management Plan as prepared by Milano & Grunloh.

The City of Salem has applied for a loan through the IEPA for the construction of a water main on Main Street in Salem from College Street to Jefferson Street. They city must adopt an Asset Management Plan for policy and procedure.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the adoption of an asset management plan for an IEPA loan for policy and procedure. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

5. Approval to allow Haier Plumbing to make emergency repairs to the sewer main on W. Warmouth not to exceed $300,000.00.

The City’s sewer line on W. Warmouth between College Street and Ohio Street has collapsed and needs emergency repair. Haier Plumbing is already in town to fix a repair and can fix this one as well, They have agreed to handle the emergency repair at the same contracted rate as the current sewer replacement job. Spending out of reserves. The roads will be done after. Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the emergency plumbing repair on W. Warmouth street not to exceed $300,000.00. Roll call vote: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Absent: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

6.Approval of property annexation.

The Shanafelt Trust, Dixie Graham, Trustee has submitted a petition for annexation for the 80- acre property located at Mills Cart and North Hotze Road. (Property Pin # 11-09-000-001). The city will also maintain Hotze Road including “Beer Can Alley.”

Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the annexation of Property Pin# 11-09-000-001. Roll call vote: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Absent: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

City Manager Sola –

• The City of Salem has job openings.

• Cindy Eller will retire in December, 2024.

• Kim Eblin will retire in Spring of 2025.

Finance Director Barrow –

Nothing to report

Police Chief Ambuehl –

• High Risk Traffic Stop Training.

• Expresses thank you to all of the surrounding departments that assisted SPD with the parade.

• Thank you to Travis with Public Works with the detour.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini

Enterprise Zone Conference.

Tightening up the process with an application.

Downtown TIF deals.

Public Works Director Sanders –

• Curbs replaced at Hawthorn Estates.

• Sewer line on Illinois Street is complete.

• Citywide clean up is the week of October 14, 2024.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell

Not Present

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

Not present

Deputy Chief Susan Miller

Nothing to report

V. City Attorney Report

Nothing to report

VI. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Bringwald –

• Wabash building is coming along well

• Mowing and watering the soccer park looks nice

Councilman Koehler—

A woman that is with the American History part of the Smithsonian will be coming to William Jennings Bryan’s home.

On October 17, 2024 They will be hosting “October Nights” at William Jennings Bryan’s home. The entire home will be lit with oil lamps. Selling Salem on the GI Bill of rights. Councilman Koehler has also been told that we are the only city that has a statue that has been in Washington D.C. Councilman Koehler doesn’t know if that’s true.

Councilman Morton---

Councilman Morton stated that the “lights look awesome” and Mayor Farley agreed.

VII. Executive Session

5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1)—Personnel

Motion was made at 6:27 pm by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter Executive Session to discuss Personnel after a five-minute break.

Councilwoman Crouch arrived at 6:30 pm.

Closed Session started at 6:32pm.

Motion was made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:27pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman, Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried.

VIII. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 6:52pm

IX. City Council Action Continued

Deputy Chief Susan Miller has been named the next Chief of Police for the Salem Police Department. She will be sworn in on November 1, 2024. Mayor Farley is very proud to have Susan Miller as the next Chief. She was the first female at the Salem Police Department and now, she is the first female Chief. There is nobody more deserving. Mayor Farley also stated that Chief Ambuehl’s last day will be November 1, 2024 and he thanked Kyle for everything and what he has done with the department.

X. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:55pm. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman, Koehler, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_minutes_-_2024_10-07.pdf