South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met June 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular June 2, 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 6:04 PM)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None

Others present:

City Manager Annette Sola

City Attorney Matt Wilzbach

Incoming City Manager Lisa Peck

Finance Director Keli Barrow

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Chief of Police Todd Boles

Deputy Chief of Police Tyler Rose

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Koehler

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Myron Lloyd, Historical Commission Chairman

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner

Members of the Public

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

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

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

• Ms. Brittany Gowler, owner of Apple Tree Child Care Center provided the presentation:

Mayor Farley thanked Ms. Gowler for investing in Salem. He further indicated the City would communicate better moving forward.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• indicated the Small Business Association has a loan application open for flood victims until July 14;

• indicated Historical Commission members Jim Koehler and Myron Lloyd were in attendance and commended the new display at the Museum;

• commended outgoing City Manager Annette Sola for her job the last year, leading the City with a steady hand;

• indicated the exhumation from East Lawn Cemetery is progressing. He further indicated representatives from Southern Illinois University and other universities will be in attendance, as well as a team from the Daily Mail from London. Mayor Farley commended Henry Morton on his efforts with this project;

• indicated he has met with City Manager Sola, Chief Boles, and Deputy Chief Rose, reviewing the possibility of installation and funding of Flock cameras (license plate readers);

• indicated many of the new board members have been sworn in to their respective positions.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the May 19, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald 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. Request approval of bid for gas line replacement project

City Manager Sola indicated this is an ongoing process and the repairs are mandated. She indicated the City has sent out RFPs for the Gas Line Improvement project for the FY2026 budget. Requests were sent individually to four (4) companies as well as advertised on various websites; USDI has submitted a proposal to complete the work that consists of replacing 73 service lines and meters at a total cost of $239,100. This is below the budgeted cost of $320,000.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the bid for the FY2026 Gas Lin3e Replacement Project to USDI for a total cost of $239,100. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Swearing in ceremony for City Manager Lisa Peck

Mayor Farley administered the oath of office to incoming City Manager Lisa Peck.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Sola:

• thanked the Council for the opportunity and trust shown to her as City Manager. She indicated she is looking forward to the future.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated crews should finish the College Street/Boone Street project this week or next, depending on the weather.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated she is working on audit preparation;

• indicated End of Month reports should be done by end of week;

• indicated reimbursement for the house demolition grant was submitted last week. The grant is at around 50% expended.

Recreation Director Casburn:

• indicated the pool is keeping busy and he is proud of the staff;

• indicated men’s softball has eight teams registered and sand volleyball has eight team registered;

• indicated the 4th of July celebration will be advertised soon;

• indicated Family Day in the Park is June 7.

Police Chief Boles:

• indicated they are working on the Flock camera proposal and a grant has been submitted for funding;

• indicated a new scheduler and payroll system has been installed.

Deputy Chief Rose:

• indicated the written test for patrolman is scheduled for this coming Saturday.

DOEM Director Strong:

• indicated he is working on grants for technology updates;

• indicated Deputy DOEM Director Mansker attended a Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method training hosted by IEMA, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, and the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, held in Marion.

City Clerk Meador:

• indicated liquor licenses are in the renewal process. She further indicated one-third of the licenses have been renewed at this point; liquor licenses expire on June 30.

VII. City Council Members Reports

Councilman Bringwald:

• indicated he has been roaming around, checking out the soccer park, gas plant, water plant, and the fresh concrete on College Street and Boone Street;

• thanked City Manager Annette Sola for all her assistance throughout the years.

Councilman Molenhour:

• questioned if City crews are too busy to mow, has it ever been put out for bid? City Manager Sola indicated that the problem is not that the crews are too busy to mow, but weather cooperation and staffing, along with the legal process and the large expense, is the issue. She further indicated these are not City-owned properties, but are absentee owned.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 PM. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2025_06-02.pdf