South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Feb. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order 

The regular February 18,2025 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: 

Councilwoman Tracy Crouch (left at 6:45 PM) 

Councilman Royce Bringwald 

Councilman Jim Koehler 

Councilman Craig Morton 

Mayor Nicolas Farley 

Council members absent: 

None 

Others present: 

City Manager Annette Sola 

City Clerk Tabitha Meador 

Finance Director Keli Barrow 

Public Works Director Travis Sanders 

Jim Arndt, Arndt Municipal Support, Inc.

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio 

City Attorney Matt Wilzbach 

Acting Chief of Police Tyler Rose 

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini 

Recreation Director Jed Casburn 

Members of the Public 

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner 

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance 

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

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments 

• Mitch Hardiek, Milano & Grunloh Engineers, presented an update on grant applications in process or submitted on the City's behalf. Mr. Hardiek's report is attached to these minutes as Attachment A. 

IV. Mayo/s Report and Presentations 

• with regrets, accepted the resignation of Councilwoman Tracy Crouch due to family obligations. Mayor Farley indicated letters of interest for the open Council seat will be accepted through March 18,2025 via email at mavor@salemil.us or at Salem City Hall; 

• indicated Acting Chief Rose has called attention to changes in State law. Acting Chief Rose indicated the Community Emergency Services and Safety Act (CESSA) will go into effect on July 1, 2025. He further indicated the Salem Police Department and 911 Dispatch will participate in a pilot program starting February 23,20?5. CESSA will affect officers' response to non-violent mental health calls; these calls will be referred to the 988 operator who will then dispatch a mobile crisis team. Locally, the response team will be members of the Community Resource Center; 

• introduced the newest member of the City team, Jacob Washburn, who has been named the Building and Zoning Coordinator and Code Enforcement. 

City Council Action 

1. Consent Agenda 

(a) Approval of Minutes from the February 3, 2025 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. Request approval of Foresight agreement for City Hall repair oversight 

Mayor Farley Foresight has provided a service agreement to oversee the renovation work at City Hall. The agreement includes preparing and submitting documents for the bid process of the roofing and exterior improvements to the building, pre-bid meetin8s, quality control and assurance during the construction phase and final inspection upon job completion. City Manager sola indicated services will have individual costs, and the total agreement for all phases of the project is 527,840.00. She further indicated the plan is to move forward with the roof repair project. 

Motion mode by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the service agreement with Foresight to oversee the renovation work of City Holl lor o cost not to exceed $27,840.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Koehler, councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley, NAYS: None. Motion carried. 

3. Request approval of Ordinance 2025-03 IEPA Water Line Replacement Loan Agreement 

Mayor Farley indicated Ordinance 2025-03 gives notice of the City's intent to borrow funds through a loan agreement with the IEPA for the purpose of a water main replacement of Main Street from College Avenue to Jefferson Street. The project cost is estimated at 5820,500.00. Finance Director Barrow indicated this is a twenty-year loan. 

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve Ordinance 2025-03 IEPA Water Line Replacement Loan Agreement for an estimated cost of 5820,500.00. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley, NAYS: None. Motion carried, 

4. Request approval of Resolution R2025-04 IPWMAN Intergovernmental Agency Agreement 

Mayor Farley indicated the City has been a member of the Illinois Public Works Municipal Aid Network (IPWMAN) which is a mutual aid network of many municipalities in our region for several years. He indicated when disasters in surrounding communities have occurred, the IPWMAN network reaches out to members for assistance; the cost for membership into the organization is S100.00 annually. The organization has restructured and they are asking for acknowledged support from the Mayor and City Council. 

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Resolution R2025-04IPWMAN Intergovernmental Agency Agreement. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 

5. Request approval for July 4th Fireworks Display Contract 

Mayor Farley indicated the Fireworks Display Agreement with J&M Displays is S25,000.00. The contract amount remains the same as the previous contract, with the show lasting the same duration of time. The fireworks are scheduled to begin immediately following the band that will play in front of the Aquatic Center this year, City Mana8er Sola indicated the rain date would be Saturday, July 5, but that will need to be verified with the band. 

Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the Fireworks Display Agreement with J&M Displays in the amount of $25,o0o.00. Roll call vote: AYES: councilman Bringwald, councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None, Motion carried. 

6. Request approval of Proposal P2025-03 for FY 2026 Oil & Chip program 

Mayor Farley indicated a bid opening was held on February 5, 2025 at City Hall for the FY2026 oil and chip program. Don Anderson Company, Inc. was the sole bid for the oil, bidding 53.30 per gallon for 42,000 gallons for a total cost 5138,600.00; two bids were received for the chips, low bid was Hiestand Family Trucking, LLC at a cost of S23.40 ton. Public Works Director Sanders indicated the slag that was used the past few years is no longer available and we will be using CA-15 crushed stone that was used in the past. 

Motion made by councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilwoman Crouch to approve the FY2026 oil bid by Don Anderson Compony, Inc for 53.30/gallon for 42, 000 gallons tor a total cost oI5738,600.00 and the FY2O26 chip bid by Hiestand Family Trucking, LLC at d cost o1523.40/ton. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, councilman Morton, councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley, NAYS: None, Motion carried. 

7. Request approval of Proposal PZO25-O4 Bituminous Patch Mix 

Mayor Farley indicated a bid opening was held on February 5, 2025 at City Hall for the Bituminous Patching Mixture for the FY2026 budget year; General Contractors, Inc. submitted a bid price of 5103.00 per ton with a total quantity of 400 ton. 

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by councilman Bringwald to approve the FY2O26 Bituminous Patching Mixture bid by General Contractors, Inc for o price of $703.00/ton with o quantity of 40o ton, Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried, 

8. Request approval of Planning Commission Recommendation: zoning Changes 

Mayor Farley indicated the Planning Commission met on February 11, 2025 and have recommended to rezone the following properties: Tract 1, 1615 W. Boone Street; Tract 2, parcel on Hotze Road; and Tract 3, parcel on Airport Road to RS-2 Single-Family Residence. Economic Development Director Dellicarpini indicated these properties recently annexed into City limits. Mayor Farley indicated the potential for residential development is in line with the Strategic Plan. 

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the rezoning of Tract 7, 7675 W. Boone Street; Tract 2, parcel on Hotze Rood; and Tract 3, parcel on Airport Rood to R5-2 Single-Family Residence. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 

9. Request approval of Ordinance 2025-04 Establishment of TIF Interested Parties Registry 

Mayor Farley indicated Ordinance 2025-04 is an ordinance authorizing the establishment of a TIF "Interested Parties Registry" and the adoption of registration rules for the proposed TIF District 4. Economic Development Director Dellicarpini indicated this is the beginning of the public comment portion of the development of TIF District 4; it is not a registration of interested projects. 

Motion mode by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve ordinance 2025-04, establishing d TIF "Interested Parties Registry" and the adoption of registration rules for such registry, Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 

10. Request approval of Accounts Payable 

Following discussion, motion mode by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Accounts Payable list from January 20 through February 14, 2OZS. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilwoman Crouch, Councilman Morton, Councilman KoehleL Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Vl. City Manager and Department Head Reports 

Public Works Director Sonders: 

• indicated Public Works is getting ready for the next round of snow; 

• indicated work on Illinois Street will start back next week. 

Economic Development Director Dellicdrpini: 

• indicated she had a productive meeting with the high school Superintendent regarding his concerns with the development of TIF District 4. 

Recreation Di rector Casburn : 

• indicated programs have been successful with youth soccer registration, and co-ed volleyball; . indicated registrations are open for adult disc golf and Spring women's volleyball. 

Finance Director Barrow: 

• indicated the FY2026 bud8et is tight and all Department Heads have been working on it; the first presentation of the FY2026 budget is scheduled for the second meeting in March 

Acting Chief Rose; No report. 

City Clerk Meador; No report. 

City Manager Sola: 

. indicated the first presentation of the FY2026 budget is set for March L7, with the second half to be presented at the first Council meeting in April; vote on the budget will be the second meeting in April. 

VII. City Council Members Reports 

Councilman Koehler: 

• indicated the SCHS Girls Bowling team is going to State; 

• indicated the Scopes 100 Festival has been rescheduled lo July 12,2025; 

• indicated William Jennings Bryan's birthday will be celebrated March 15 with a historian coming from Bryan College 

Mayor Farley: 

• indicated the Theatre Board has approved the purchase of chairs for replacement. 

VIII. Executive Session 

1. 5 ILCS 120l2(C)(1) - Personnel 

2. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5) - Possible Acquisition of Real Estate 

Motion made by Councilwoman Crouch and seconded by Councilman Koehler to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and the possible acquisition of real estate after a five-minute break at 6:44 PM, Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilwoman Crouch, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None, Motion carried. 

IX. Return to Open Session 

Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to return to Open Session dt 8:58 PM, Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Councilwoman Crouch, Motion carried. 

X. City Council Action Continued 

11. Request approval of donation of land 

Motion mode by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to decline the donation of the building at 709 S. Broadway, Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None, ABSENT Councilwoman Crouch. Motion carried. 

XI. Motion to Adjourn 

Motion was made by councilman Morton and seconded by councilman Koehler to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. ABSENT: Councilwoman Crouch. NAYS: None, Motion carried

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2025_02-18.pdf