South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular May 5, 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:

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilman Jim Koehler

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived 6:03 PM)

Councilman Frank Addison

Councilman Gerald Molenhour

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None.

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

City Attorney Matt Wilzbach

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Chief of Police Todd Boles

Deputy Chief of Police Tyler Rose

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Mrs. Angie Koehler

Members of the Addison Family

Members of the Molenhour Family

Patrolman Eli Cox and Family

Members of the Salem Police Department

Cody and Crea Rose

Jered Gambill

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. Swearing-in of newly elected City Council officials

Mayor Farley recognized Councilman Jim Koehler for his years of service to the Salem City Council, and thanked him for his commitment to Salem.

Mayor Farley administered the Oaths of Office for Council members Royce Bringwald, Gerald Molenhour, and Frank Addison. New Council members then took their seats.

IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – None.

V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• indicated the Little Egypt CEO program Trade Show will be May 14 at the Harvest Room in the Orchard;

• indicated the Midland Area Agency on Aging will be at Grace United Methodist Church on May 28 to advocate to fill in the gaps in funding;

• indicated a new police officer has been sent to the Academy.

VI. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the April 21, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

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

2. Swearing-In Ceremony for Patrolman Eli Cox

Mayor Farley administered the oath of office for Patrolman Eli Cox.

3. Recommend approval of Professional Service Agreement with Milano & Grunloh

Mayor Farley indicated Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC have submitted a request to enter into a Professional Service Agreement for design engineering and construction engineering for the proposed sewer system improvement project through IEPA/DCEO funding. Mayor Farley indicated the City shall pay the Consultant an estimated amount of $80,000.00 for design engineering and $70,000.00 for construction engineering, with payments to be billed monthly; in the event funding is not secured, the City shall not be responsible for any payment to the Consultant.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the Professional Service Agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC for the proposed sewer system improvement project through IEPA/DCEO funding. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Recommend approval of LexisNexis Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Police Chief Todd Boles is requesting approval of an agreement from LexisNexis. LexisNexis complies with law enforcement information regarding vehicle accidents, citations, and other incidents digitally and provides proper documentation to the department as needed. Presently, all information is processed manually and copied individually or faxed to Ecrash through the State. Mayor Farley indicated there is no cost to the City for this service; the Agency receives funding through requests for reports from various entities.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the agreement with LexisNexis. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Recommend approval of change to Mission Salem Lease Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Mission Salem has requested a change to the existing lease agreement on their new location on Hotze Road. He indicated the initial lease agreement included a 150’ square based from the property boundary directly south of the Ameren substation property. Once the building neared completion and delivery trucks attempted to enter the property, it was determined a larger boundary would be necessary to allow for deliveries and parking for volunteers. Mayor Farley indicated the request is for an additional sixty feet (60’) making the square 210’.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve modifying the Mission Salem lease to include an additional sixty feet (60’), making the property square 210’. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Request ratification of Ordinance 2025-13 TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini is requesting approval of Ordinance 2025-13, authorizing the execution of a TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement with CCR Capital Investments, LLC, Revival Health and Wellness Clinic, PLLC, and Cody & Crea Rose. He indicated the agreement authorizes reimbursement to renovate and rehabilitate the existing building at 207 East Main Street, up to a maximum of $45,000 for TIF eligible project costs. Mrs. Crea Rose indicated Revival Health and Wellness Clinic will be a primary care clinic. Mayor Farley indicated this aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan to revitalize downtown, and thanked the Roses for their investment in Salem.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve Ordinance 2025-15, authorizing a TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement with CCR Capital Investments, LLC, Revival Health and Wellness Clinic PLLC, and Cody & Crea Rose for 207 East Main Street. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Request ratification of Ordinance 2025-14 TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement

Mayor Farley indicated Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini is requesting approval of Ordinance 2025-14, authorizing the execution of a TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement with Jered Gambill. Mayor Farley indicated the agreement authorizes reimbursement to renovate and rehabilitate the building at 210 West Main Street, up to a maximum reimbursement of $110,000. He further indicated the initial reimbursement at the time of property acquisition of up to $80,000 and upon completion of the project up to the remaining $30,000. The project must be complete and verified prior to final payment with all work completed by April 30, 2026. Economic Development Director Dellicarpini indicated Mr. Gambill is purchasing the building and it needs a new roof, tuckpointing, and painting to improve the structural integrity of the building. She further indicated Mr. Gambill will be coming before the Planning Commission in June for a Special Use Permit to restore the upstairs apartment.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve Ordinance 2025-14, authorizing a TIF 3 Redevelopment Agreement with Jered Gambill for 210 West Main Street. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Request amendment to Ordinance Personnel Policy Chapter 2 Div. 4 Sec 2-131, 139, 141 & 142

Mayor Farley indicated the Paid Leave Act for All Workers of 2024 requires all employees to receive paid leave compensation for hours worked and requires employers to allow the time off work to be used after 90 consecutive days of employment. He further indicated the current personnel policy has a twelve (12) month waiting period for newly hired employees before the accrued time off can be used; these changes will bring the policy current with State Law. Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve updating the Code of Ordinances Personnel Policy Chapter 2 Div. 4 Sec 2-131, 139, 141, & 142 to allow time accrued to be used after ninety (90) consecutive days of employment . Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

VII. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated she will be going on vacation tomorrow, and will be out until next Tuesday.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the contractor working on Jefferson and College has been delayed due to weather;

• indicated mowing is behind, due to weather.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated Council members received a handout from the auditors regarding the audit services and risk assessment.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini: No report.

Police Chief Boles:

• indicated that he is getting acquainted and learning where things are.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated liquor license renewal applications have been delivered; current licenses expire June 30.

VIII. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)3 – Selection to fill Public Office

Motion by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to enter into Executive Session to discuss the selection to fill a public office after a five-minute break at 6:45 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

IX. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 6:52 PM

X. City Council Action Continued

9. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem for FY2026

Mayor Farley indicated he recommends Royce Bringwald as Mayor Pro Tem for FY2026. Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to appoint Royce Bringwald Mayor Pro Tem for FY2026. Roll call vote: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Bringwald. Motion carried.

Mayor Farley administered the Oath of Office for Mayor Pro Tem Royce Bringwald.

XI. City Council Members Reports

Councilman Bringwald:

• thanked everyone for their support and looks forward to working with the new Councilmen.

XII. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Addison to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2025_05-05.pdf