South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular May 19, 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 Frank Addison

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilman Gerald Molenhour

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived 6:03 PM)

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

Sergeant Grant Green and Family Members

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Members of the Salem Police Department

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner

Members of the Public

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Bringwald offered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

• Mr. Henry Morton provided an update on the exhumation of the unknown Tonti train crash victim. Mr. Morton indicated the disinterment permit was signed by a judge, allowing the exhumation. He also indicated three forensic anthropologists and one archaeologist will be on site. Mr. Morton indicated he will seek guidance from the Council as to how to handle media attention. He further indicated Channel 5 has done one news story and his documentary is moving forward.

• Ms. Mariah White, who lives across the street from the Red Dog Saloon, indicated she has witnessed public urination, sex acts in the parking lot, open containers, and has been harassed by patrons, causing emotional distress to her, her husband, and her children. She indicated she has talked to the Mayor and Police Chief, and has done research on the bar and cites City and State liquor codes. She indicated she has contacted the Illinois State Police and Attorney General’s office, and has further reported the open fence gate to the Salem Police Department.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• congratulated two Salem Bobcat track athletes, Kylan Cassidy, state champion in the shot put, and Emily Parrett, for not only winning the state champion shot put, but also for breaking the state record.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the May 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

(b) Approval of Mayoral Appointment to the Airport Authority Board.

Cory Parker is being recommended to fill the vacancy of the Airport Authority Board.

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

2. Swearing-In Ceremony for Sergeant Grant Green

Mayor Farley administered the oath of office for the promotion of Officer Grant Green to Sergeant for the Salem Police Department.

3. Recommend approval to allow Salem Walmart to solicit for Children’s Miracle Network

Mayor Farley indicated Salem Walmart is requesting permission to allow Walmart employees to solicit for donations to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. He indicated employees will wear safety vests at the intersection of College Street and Main Street on two (2) separate occasions: May 23 and 24 and June 27 and 28 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Walmart permission to solicit donations for the Children’s Miracle Network at the intersection of College Street and Main Street on May 23 and 24 and June 27 and 28 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

4. Request approval for IDOT Resolution R2025-06, Airport Road Improvement Project

Mayor Farley indicated Resolution R2025-06 is for the approval to use MFT funds for the construction of Airport Road. He further indicated funds for engineering services were previously approved in the Fall, and this supplemental resolution is allowing the allocation of MFT funds to complete the project estimated at $360,000.00.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the Resolution R2025-06, approving $360,000.00 of MFT funds for the Airport Road Improvement Project. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Request approval for Resolution R2025-07, a TIF Inducement Agreement with Shawn Garrett

Mayor Farley indicated Resolution R2025-07 is a TIF 4 Inducement Resolution between the City of Salem and Shawn Garrett. Mayor Farley indicated should TIF 4 be enacted, the Council would agree to work with Mr. Garrett on a TIF 4 agreement, with the intention to redevelop PIN #1100022275 on Mitchell Street.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve Resolution R2025-07, a TIF 4 Inducement Resolution with Shawn Garrett as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

6. Request approval of bid for roof repairs at City Hall

Mayor Farley indicated bids were opened on May 8, 2025 for the repairs needed on the roof at City Hall. He further indicated Foresight has reviewed the four bids received and has recommended accepting the bid from Joiner Sheet Metal and Roofing as presented. The project is expected to begin within 140 days of acceptance and should be completed within 25 days.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the bid of $172,641.00 from Joiner Sheet Metal and Roofing for the replacement of the roof at City Hall. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

7. Request approval for replacement of sewer lift station

Mayor Farley indicated IPMG has settled the claim for the flood loss of the sewer lift station on Route 50 West. He further indicated the claim is valued at $155,602.26 and was assessed a $50,000 deductible per the policy guidelines.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the purchase of the new lift station, including pumps, control panel, and all appurtenances at a total cost of $155,602.26. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Request approval for surplus of City property

Mayor Farley indicated Public Works Director Sanders is recommending the surplus of two vehicles that have fallen in disrepair and have mechanical issues more costly than the vehicles are worth:

• 1978 Ford LN800 Sewer Jet Truck, VIN: N80FVC4652

• 2008 GMC 2500HD pickup VIN: 1GDHC24K18E134351

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the surplus of the 1978 Ford LN800 Sewer Jet Truck and the 2008 GMC 2500HD pickup. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

9. Request approval of Accounts Payable from 4/21/2025 – 5/16/2025

Following discussion, motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the Accounts Payable list, minus accounts payable to Molenhour Power Equipment, from 4/21/2025 – 5/16/2025 for a total of $292,192.64. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the accounts payable to Molenhour Power Equipment from 4/21/2025 – 5/16/2025 for a total of $901.01. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTENTIONS: Councilman Molenhour. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• indicated Public Works is waiting on summer help and weather cooperation to catch up on mowing.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated crews are trying to catch up on mowing;

• indicated paving on Jefferson Street is this week.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated she is working on end of year reports and audit preparation.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini:

• indicated seven downtown buildings have changed hands in the last year, but sixteen more are vacant; TIF 3 is actively utilized for redevelopment, as it is set to expire in 2026;

• indicated TIF 4 is currently in the public meeting process;

• indicated she is amazed at the results from conversation Building and Zoning Coordinator Jacob Washburn is having;

• following questions from Councilman Molenhour and Councilman Addison about abandoned downtown buildings, she indicated other communities have created derelict/vacant building registries to address the issue.

Recreation Director Casburn:

• indicated Spring programs are finishing, and the men’s softball season opens soon;

• indicated the aquatic center opens this weekend;

• indicated Fall programs are being advertised;

• indicated Family Day in the Park is June 7.

Police Chief Boles:

• indicated the LexisNexis agreements are in place and the department is waiting on set-up.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated Council members received a letter from Jacob & Klein, explaining conflicts of interest with owning property in a TIF district. Economic Development Dellicarpini indicated to Councilman Molenhour, that if TIF 4 is enacted, he does have property within that TIF district, and they will discuss options to address;

• indicated she is attending the International Institute of Municipal Clerks conference in St. Louis this week.

VII. City Council Members Reports

Mayor Farley:

• indicated Kaskaskia College will dedicate the John D. Cavaletto Agricultural Center on June 25th.

Councilman Morton:

• congratulated Mayor Farley on receiving the Distinguished Alumni award at Kaskaskia College.

VIII. 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_05-19.pdf