South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

I. Call to Order

The regular October 21, 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

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived 6:02 PM)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

Chief of Police Kyle Ambuehl

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Deputy Chief of Police Susan Miller

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

D.O.E.M. Director Andrew Strong

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 – None.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• congratulated the Salem Community Theatre for a great event of home-town comedian Dale Jones. The event was beneficial to not only the Theatre, but also the community, as many hotel stays were created by out-of-town attendees;

• indicated IDOT will be doing some roadwork around Salem. Detours have been posted;

• indicated Kaskaskia College will be hosting an “Enduring Freedom Celebration Event” on Wednesday, November 6, honoring veterans;

• indicated Trick-or-Treat will be held on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 2024;

• indicated this is Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl’s last meeting. Mayor Farley thanked Chief Ambuehl for his dedication and service to the City of Salem and its citizens – “It won’t be the same without you, Chief”.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes of the October 7, 2024 Salem City Council meeting;

(b) Approval of the IDOT General Maintenance Agreement between Gonzalez Companies and the City of Salem for FY2026 road maintenance.

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

2. Request approval of Ord. No. 2024-43 amending Chapter 17 of the Salem City Code

Mayor Farley indicated Ordinance 2024-43 addresses the current Salem Code of Ordinance Chapter 17, Sec. 17-4: Promulgation of Policies & Procedures. The ordinance change will add definition to allow the Salem City Manager the exclusive hiring authority for the rank of Chief of Police; and the Salem Chief of Police the exclusive hiring authority for the rank of Deputy Chief of Police. This practice is presently being followed; the request is to put clear language in place.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Ordinance 2024-43, amending Chapter Seventeen (17) of the Salem City Code to allow the Salem City Manager the exclusive hiring authority for the rank of Chief of Police, and the Salem Chief of Police the exclusive hiring authority for the rank of Deputy Chief of Police. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request approval to amend Chapter 18; Article 7 Sec. 18-174 Operation of Golf Cars

Mayor Farley indicated this request is to amend Chapter 18 Article 7, Sec. 18-174 of the City Code of Ordinances to increase the current fee structure for the (3) year golf car sticker. The present fee of $35.00 does not cover expenses for City personnel to complete the inspection process, along with office staff filing paperwork and issuing the permit sticker. Surrounding communities charge a minimum of $100.00 per year; we are looking to increase the three (3) year price from $35.00 to $60.00.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the increase of fees for the golf car license from $35.00 for a three (3) year sticker to $60.00 for a three (3) year sticker, effective January 1, 2025. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval to amend Chapter 11; Sec. 11-65 Expiration; License Fee

Mayor Farley indicated this is a request to amend Chapter 11, sec. 11-65 of the Code of Ordinance for license and fee structure for vendor food license. The current fee of $25.00 per year allows truck vendors to sell goods in Salem during a calendar year. The current fee does not cover costs for labor and processing provided by City staff. In checking with six area communities, the average price per community is $100.00 per calendar year. City Manager Sola indicated this will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve amending Chapter 11, sec.11-65 by increasing the mobile vendor permit fee to $100.00 per calendar year, effective January 1, 2025. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request approval of Resolution 2024-09 for Improvement of Roadway & Engineering Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Gonzalez Companies, LLC has submitted an Engineering Service Agreement to IDOT to complete roadwork in the FY2026 budget. The project consists of making repairs to several areas of Airport Road between Mills Cart Road and Boone Street, and repaving the entire road. Resolution 2024-09 approves Gonzalez Companies to proceed with the project as specified. Engineering costs include sub-contracted work with Micah Mulvaney and Holcomb, with a total engineering cost of $70,500.00.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve Resolution 2024-09 – IDOT Construction Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for a total cost of $70,500.00 for road improvement on Airport Road. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Request approval of Resolution 2024-10 for Improvement of Roadway & Engineering Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Gonzalez Companies, LLC has submitted an Engineering Service Agreement to IDOT to complete roadwork in the FY 2026 budget. The project consists of making repairs to several areas of Whittaker Street between Delmar and Westgate and repaving the entire road. The project will be funded through FAU funding, Resolution 2024-10 approves Gonzalez Companies, LLC to proceed with the project as specified. City Manager Sola indicated the $97,000 allocated is for engineering only.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Resolution 2024-10 – IDOT Construction Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for a total cost of $97,000.00 for road improvement on Whittaker Street. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman

Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. First reading of CY 2024 City of Salem Estimated Tax Levy

Mayor Farley indicated the Marion County Property Tax Levy request has been prepared by our Finance Director. The levy tries to anticipate the City’s revenue needs for the next year. This year a levy request of 3.99% is being requested. This is the first reading of the proposed property tax levy for CY 2024.

8. Request approval to amend Chapter 20; Article 4, Sec. 20-44 Rate Schedule

Mayor Farley indicated on December 4, 2024, the City intends to apply for a $1,000,000.00 grant to reline approximately 10,000 linear feet of sewer line. A portion of the grant eligibility requires that sanitary sewer charges for 5,000 gallons of sewage total $46.28. Presently, our sewer rate for this usage is $36.24.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to amend Chapter 20; Article 4, Sec. 20-44 Rate Schedule with a sewer rate increase from $36.24 to $46.28 for customers using between 4,999 and 5,000 gallons of sewage. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

9. Request approval for sanitary sewer rebate

City Manager Sola indicated the $10.04 would be issued as a credit to customers using between 4,999 to 5,000 gallons of sewage. The credit will sunset when sewage rates reach the cost of $46.28.

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve $10.04 be issued as a credit to customers using between 4,999 and 5,000 gallons of sewage, until the rate reaches $46.28. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

10. Approval of Accounts Payable from 9/16/2024 – 10/18/2024

Following review, motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Accounts Payable lists from September 16, 2024 through October 18, 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:

• expressed her congratulations to Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl on his upcoming retirement; “we will miss you and wish you the best”.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated filing is open until October 28, 2024 at 5 PM for the April 2025 Consolidated Election;

• indicated applications are due Friday, October 25, 2024 for the positions of Accounting Clerk, General Clerk, and Telecommunicator;

• expressed her gratitude to Deputy Clerk Amanda Hartley for filling in at the last City Council meeting, as she attended the Municipal Clerks Institute, where she completed year two of three for certification.

Recreation Director Casburn:

• indicated the blanket and toy drives start tomorrow;

• indicated the Halloween costume contest will be at the Salem Community Theatre; • indicated Fall Family night will be November 1;

• indicated preparations are underway for the December 6 Christmas Carnival and December 7 Downtown Christmas.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated the rebate for bonds will be brought up at the next Council meeting;

• indicated utility rates will also be reviewed.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the contractor should be done on Warmouth Street this week;

• indicated the new tractor is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini:

• indicated construction is underway on the apartments on Airport Road;

• indicated exciting new projects are in the works.

Assistant Public Works Director Mitchell:

• indicated another house has been demolished, making eight having been taken down; eight more are approved for demolition;

• indicated she is working with Shelli McIntosh for improvements at Addy’s Playground;

• indicated she is looking into a program to sponsor memorial benches.

Deputy Chief Miller:

• indicated two investigators completed lead homicide recertifications;

• indicated a representative from Fortress will be conducting an evidence vault audit. IPMG is providing a grant to cover the cost.

D.O.E.M. Director Strong:

• indicated it is business as usual.

Police Chief Ambuehl:

• expressed appreciation to the City for all the support he has received throughout his career, as he enjoyed working for the City of Salem. He further expressed appreciation to his wife and kids for their support. He plans to enjoy retirement.

VII. City Attorney Report – Absent

VIII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Koehler:

• indicated the Franklin Park baseball team won State, and the Franklin Park softball team won 2nd at State;

• indicated he has heard from several residents on Donoho Drive, and they say Kell Street is the best it has ever been;

• indicated the representative from the Smithsonian enjoyed a full day in Salem, visiting the Bryan Home, Statue, and the ABC Pub;

• indicated “Christmas with the Bryans” will be hosted at the Bryan Home on December 7th.

IX. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Morton to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2024_10-21.pdf