South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met June 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular June 16, 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 None

Councilman Frank Addison

Councilman Molenhour

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived at 6:03 PM)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

None

Others present:

City Manager Lisa Peck

Retiring City Manager Annette Sola

Chief of Police Todd Boles

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Deputy City Clerk Amanda Hartley

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Deputy Chief of Police Tyler Rose

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

City Attorney Matt Wilzbach

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times Commoner

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Dr. Brad Detering, SCHS Superintendent

Members of the Public

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

Dr. Brad Detering, Superintendent at Salem Community High School was present to express TIF issues. There were not enough people present at the Public Hearing on Monday, June 9, 2025 and he wanted everyone to hear what he needed to say before approval on July 7th, 2025. He has had several concerns and issues. He also voiced that he has tried for several months that he has tried to get emails from Economic Development and he has been unable to get them in the correct format.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

Mayor Farley complimented the DNA project that is happening in Salem with the Tonti Train Accident. He would like to thank Public Works to exhume the body, Merz Vault, Crouse Funeral Home, The Coroner’s Office, and Henry Morton. There are two documentaries that will be coming out in late July and two student projects. It will be at least six months before there will be any DNA data. It does look like there I smore than one person in the grave and they will rebury the bodies. It has been a respectful process and there has been positive comments from everyone. There are flyers being left at City Hall for the DNA Doe project.

The Mayor would like to thank Retiring City Manager Annette Sola. She has been with the City for almost 25 years. Mayor Farley is proud of all of the accomplishments and the City has benefited from her. We are indebted for her leadership. Retiring City Manager Annette Sola was presented with a plaque and she thanked everyone.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes from the June 2, 2025 regular Council Meeting as presented.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the minutes from the June 2, 2025 Council Meeting. AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: none. Motion carried.

2. City of Salem, Illinois Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Streetscape Plan: This Document will assist the City in Obtaining grants through ITEP and Safe Routes to Schools. The plan can be amended.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the City of Salem, Illinois Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Streetscape Plan. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

3. Repeal and Replace Floodplain Ordinance: ODNR requires this ordinance be updated.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Addison to Repeal and Replace the Floodplain Ordinance that IDNR is requiring to be updated. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. Motion carried.

4. Bid Award-Public Works, 2 new Service Trucks-1 for Gas Department, 1 for Water/Sewer Maintenance Department: Bid responses under budgeted amounts Recommended purchasing the less expensive trucks (6.8L motor-which is more than sufficient). Schmidt Ford was the lowest bidder.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Morton to approve the purchase of 2 new service trucks from Schmidt Ford: 1 for the Gas Department and 1 for the Water/Sewer Department. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

5. Bid Award-Public Works, 2 New Mowers for Parks Department: Bid responses under budgeted amounts. Ace Auto was the lowest bidder.

Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the purchase of 2 mowers for the parks department. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: Councilman Molenhour. Motion carried.

6. Bid Award-Surplus vehicle 1978 Ford LN 800 Sewer Jet Truck: Recommendation already approved to surplus and out for Bid. Bid to be opened during 6/16/2025 Council meeting. Action taken - Tabled.

7. Bid Award-Surplus Vehicle 2008 GMC 2500HD Pickup: Recommendation already approved to surplus and put out for Bid. Bid to be opened during 6/16/2025 council meeting.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the Bid Award-Surplus Vehicle 2008 GMC 2500HD Pickup to Kulhman Construction in the amount of $3000. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

8. Glen Henderson Pre-Development Agreement: Recommend approval of TIF 4 Pre-Development Agreement with Glen Henderson, allowing him to remodel and expand his operation in Salem. EDP funds have been awarded related to this project, and the City desires to expedite its timeline with regards to the expenditure of those funds. Motion made by: Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the TIF 4 Pre-Development Agreement with Glen Henderson, allowing him to remodel and expand his operation in Salem. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

9. Jered Gambill Special Use Permit (apartment above first floor at 210 W. Main) Recommended ratifying Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation to approve the Special Use Permit. The Council asked questions about the space above 210 W. Main previously being an apartment at one time. No issues. Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve a Special Use permit to Jared Gambill. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

10. Moore Than Behavior Special Use Permit (For operating an applied behavior analysis clinic in an existing building in a RS-2 zoning district). Since this property used to be a daycare, it will need a different permit to be used for this type of business. Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve a Special Use permit to Moore than Behavior for operating a behavior analysis clinic in an existing building in a RS-2 zoning district. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

11. Annexation petition by Ms. Rebecca Hall of 1700 W Blair Street (PINs: 1110000010 & 1110000031) to annex into city limits: The council had no questions, comments, or issues with this. Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Addison to grant Ms. Rebecca Hall’s petition to annex into the city limits. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman, Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

12. Update City Manager signatory for city bank accounts: Housekeeping item. Recommend updating bank account signatories by removing previous city manager and adding current city manager as signatory to bank accounts. The Council had no questions, comments, or issues with this. Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to update City Manager signatory for city bank accounts and remove the previous city manager. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion Carried.

13. Flock Cameras: FLOCK safety License plate readers. The Council asked questions about who will replace damaged cameras. Will the City be responsible for the vandalism or theft or them? The Council also asked how long the grant would be good for. If the budget did not come through and pay for the cameras, what the cost would be to the city and could we reapply for the grant next year? Councilman Molenhour inquired about different companies and Chief Boles prefers this company due to all of the other local agencies using this one. Councilman Addison would rather do 4 cameras instead of 6. If the grant comes through this year, it would be $12,000 to budget for next year. Councilman Addison is contingent on waiting to see if the grant money comes through before making a motion.

Motion dies.

14. Request approval of accounts payable from 5/19/2025-6/13/2025.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve accounts payable, minus accounts payable to Molenhour Power Equipment, from 5/19/2025- 6/13/2025 for a total of $1,155,376.33. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman, Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, 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 5/19/2025-6/13/2025 for a total of $544.02. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: Councilman Molenhour. Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Peck –

City Manager Peck thanks everyone

Finance Director Barrow –

The audit will be July 21 & July 22.

The theatre will be tearing out the seats the week of July 21, 2025.

Police Chief Boles–

Nothing to report

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini--

Nothing to report

Public Works Director Sanders –

Update on sidewalks and streets

Replacing any damaged concrete

College and Boone Street looks really nice

City Clerk Meador/Deputy City Clerk Hartley

Not present/Nothing to report

Department of Emergency Management Director Andrew Strong

County wide Outdoor Storm received an update and only the sirens in the area of the threat will receive an alert. The “Taco Bell” siren was inspected by insurance. There was a $1,000 grant received from the Farm Bureau. DOEM has received an invite from The National Weather Service to a 2-day conference in July. Director Strong gave a “shout-out” to our Salem Police Department.

VII. City Council Member Reports

Councilman Molenhour

The City is looking good

Welcoming the new City Manager and saying goodbye to Retiring City Manager Annette Sola Impressed with how the new Sterling Avenue store is looking.

VIII. Executive Session

5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6)—Sale of real estate

5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11)— Litigation

Motion was made to go into executive session by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter Executive Session to discuss Sale of real estate and Litigation after a five-minute break. Motion was made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to enter into Executive Session. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman, Addison, Councilman Molenhour Mayor Farley. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

IX. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session

X. Motion to Adjourn

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

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_minutes_-_2025_06-16.pdf