South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular March 17, 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 6:05 PM.

Council members present:

Councilman Royce Bringwald None

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Craig Morton

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

City Attorney Matt Wilzbach

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Acting Chief of Police Tyler Rose

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Assistant DOEM Director Shane Mansker

Kristie Blackman, Sunrise Sanitation

Javier Barrios, Good Energy

Joe Eames, AssuredPartners

Henderick Morton, Journalism Student

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner

Members of the Public

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Koehler offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – None.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

Mayor Farley thanked the Department of Emergency Management, Public Works, and Police Department for the preparation for the possible severe storms last week. He indicated never to apologize for overpreparing and there was a plan in place for response, if needed.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the March 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting & March 6, 2025 Special Council Meeting

(b) Annual approval of the City of Salem Zoning Map with updates

(c) Approval to allow Saved with Amazing Grace to provide concessions at Men’s Softball

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

2. Request approval to secure employee health insurance coverage with Assured Partners Mayor Farley introduced Joe Eames of AssuredPartners. Mr. Eames reviewed the following proposal for employee health insurance:

Mr. Eames indicated that the current ACP/MRP/Maxi Plans will go away May 1. The plan with AssuredPartners will have the same co-pays, deductibles, stop-loss, and network; prescriptions will have opportunities for savings. Mr. Eames is preparing a guide for employees with detailed coverage explanations. City Manager Sola indicated this is health insurance for one year, as coverage is done on an annual basis.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the health insurance plan with AssuredPartners. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Request approval to amend the trash collection contract to allow for a 2nd City Wide Clean up in April of 2025

Mayor Farley indicated Kristie Blackman, Sunrise Sanitation, Inc., provided a bid at the March 3, 2025 meeting to add a second City-Wide Cleanup in April 2025. The cost of the additional service is $0.39 per resident/monthly ($1,045.59). City Manager Sola suggested to offer the additional spring clean-up this year, with the opportunity to adjust the annual clean-up to spring rather than fall in the future. She further indicated the cost will not be passed on as an increase to customers.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the additional city-wide clean-up in April 2025 at a cost of $0.39 per resident/month for a one year term. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval to renew the electric aggregation contract with Good Energy

Mayor Farley introduced Javier Barrios with Good Energy to present on the electric aggregation program. Mr. Barrios indicated Good Energy’s rate will be determined on Thursday, March 20, 2025, with the range likely being between 10.5 – 11.1 and will be a fixed rate. Ameren’s rate will come out in June, but is likely in the 11+ range, and could fluctuate. Mayor Farley indicated with the volatility in the energy market this provides some stability to residents. City Manager Sola indicated the safety-net to residents is the option to opt-out of the program.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Koehler to approve the electrical aggregation contract with Good Energy for a term of twelve months. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request approval to grant permission for the exhumation of a body from East Lawn Cemetery

Mayor Farley indicated Henry Morton has received approval from the Tourism Board for the funding needed to begin the process of exhuming a body from East Lawn Cemetery in an attempt to identify the unknown remains from the 1971 Tonti train derailment. City Attorney Wilzbach indicated since there is no family, the City as owner of the cemetery grants permission for the process, as needed for the permit through the State of Illinois.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler to approve the exhumation of the body from the 1971 Tonti train derailment from East Lawn Cemetery and amended to include exhumation work shall be provided by the City cemetery crews and the City Attorney to be the assigned designee for the project management. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Morton. Motion carried.

6. Request approval of the new contract for City Manager

Mayor Farley indicated the selection process for the next City Manager included candidates meeting with City staff and the City Council interviewing three of fifty-two candidates. Mayor Farley indicated it was a unanimous decision and the name will be released later this week, as the selected candidate needs to notify her employer. Mayor Farley indicated she will start in June, and the salary offered is comparable to area City Managers and what the job entails. Mayor Farley expressed appreciation to Arndt Municipal Support

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the City Manager employment contract as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Request approval of quote from Kassen Excavating for lift station repairs

Mayor Farley indicated Kassen Excavating has provided a quote to replace the suction piping, install a bypass connection, and bypass the lift station while repairs are being made at the Cottonwood lift station. City Manager Sola indicated these are necessary repairs that are not budgeted. Public Works Director Sanders indicated the suction piping is broke in the wet well.

Motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the quote from Kassen Excavating for $20,000.000 for repairs at the Cottonwood Lift Station. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Review of the General Fund Budgets for FY2026

City Manager Sola indicated Department Heads have worked for several months on the FY2026 Budget, and it is balanced. City Manager Sola indicated this is the first reading of the proposed FY2026 Budget and reviewed the following General Fund Budget Summary:

9. Request approval of Accounts Payable from 2/17/2025 – 3/14/2025

Following review, motion made by Councilman Koehler and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Accounts Payable from 2/17/2025 – 3/14/2025. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Koehler, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated she was proud of the work put into storm preparation and thankful we were spared;

• indicated a new Chief of Police has been hired. Todd Boles will be coming from the Charleston Police Department with April 14, 2025 as his first day on duty;

• indicated the Police Department has a new floor, plumbing, and electric; painting is scheduled.

Acting Chief Rose:

• indicated his appreciation to Public Works and fellow officers for their help in moving things around in the Police Department during the flooring installation.

Finance Director Barrow: No report.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini: No report.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated Rooters will start work on College Street and Jefferson Street tomorrow; this project was bid in October.

DOEM Director Strong:

• indicated ‘thank you’ to Department Heads and the Police Department for their service during the storms of Friday night.

City Clerk Meador: No report.

VII. City Council Members Reports

Councilman Koehler:

• questioned whether the trees were being cut down on Beer Can Alley, to which City Manager Sola indicated no, that is rumor that was a circulated fabricated discussion;

• complimented Michelle Barbee for allowing Safe Sheds to be used during the storms of Friday night. Mayor Farley indicated there were sixteen people and four dogs who sought shelter;

• indicated William Jennings Bryan’s birthday celebration was this past weekend and Salem will celebrate 100 years of Scopes this summer.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn

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

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2025_03-17_0.pdf