South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular August 4, 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: Council members absent:

Councilman Royce Bringwald

Councilman Frank Addison

Councilman Gerald Molenhour

Councilman Craig Morton (arrived at 6:05pm)

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent

None

Others present:

City Manager Lisa Peck

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Deputy City Clerk Amanda Hartley

Chief of Police Todd Boles

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

DOEM Director Andrew Strong

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Opening prayer was given by Councilman Addison and Mayor Farley led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

No public comment.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentation

• Mayor Farley gave a report on the remodel of the Salem Theatre. All of the seats are now in and they are a nice addition to the theatre. Things still a mess but they are still working.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

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

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Roll Call Vote:

AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Mayor Farley.

Nays: None

Abstain: Councilman Addison

Motion carried.

2. School Resource Officer: Agreement with Salem Community High School District #600 and Elementary District #111, extending the 2022 Agreement wherein the School Districts reimburses the 75% of the wages and benefits in exchange for officers in the schools. Council voted to extend the agreement with Salem High School and Salem Elementary School.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the agreement with the Salem Community High School # 600 and the Salem Elementary School #111, extending the 2022 Agreement School Resource Officer agreement.

Roll Call Vote:

AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

3. Establishing a 501(C)(3): The City of Salem is requesting to set up a nonprofit in order to be able to apply for and receive more grants. The 501(C)(3) will be under supervision of the Mayor and the City Council and will be a part of the City. All of the accounting for the nonprofit organization will go through City Hall and be audited with all other funds. There may be a start up or annual fee that the city would have to pay.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Molenhour to approve the City of Salem establishing a 501(C)(3).

Roll Call Vote: AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman, Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

4. Requisition 2025-01: Requesting to roll funds over from TIF2 to TIF4. Additional funds are needed in the TIF4 account, a request has been made to transfer monies from TIF2. Will be transferring $265,800.00 from TIF 2 to the new TIF 4.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the transfer of rolling funds from TIF2 to TIF4.

Roll Call Vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

5. Requisition 2025-02: Transfer funds from the TIF 4 fund to the general fund. Ordinance 2025- 07 approved reimbursing Scott Conant (Hilda Garden Apartments) for infrastructure expenses via a general fund load, as TIF4 was not yet established. Not that TIF4 has been established, TIF funds may be rolled and the general fund may be paid back and made whole. For the purposes of establishing a paper trail, requisition forms have been created, reviewed, and signed off on by Jacob & Klein. This falls back on the previous agenda item and all funds are covered.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Adddison to approve the transfer of funds from the TIF4 general fund.

Roll Call Vote: AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

6. EMA: Emergency Management received the quote for the replacement of the “Taco Bell” warning siren equipment for $47,863 and received insurance reimbursement for $19,006.31. There is a $10,000.00 insurance deductible that the city would need to pay. There would be additional costs for the city and there is already a deficit for EMA. Finance Director Keli Barrow stated that additional funds would be replaced with gaming funds. EMA Director Strong explained that the new equipment can be remotely monitored, is solar powered, and more reliable. Councilman Addison asked what the warranty on the batteries were? EMA Strong will find out the specifics. Mayor Farley asked about checking the batteries every six months and EMA Strong stated that Himself and Assistant Director Shane Mansker check the batteries every couple of months and that is how they caught the issues with the NAL siren. Councilman Morton asked about overall warranty. EMA Strong explained how these have less electronics in them. ETA on getting it up would be two months. The siren at the old Sealed Air Factory needs a full replacement and will not be done. All other sirens are good at this time.

Motion made by Councilman Molenhour and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the EMA quote for replacement of the warning siren equipment.

Roll Call Vote:

AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Morton, Mayor Farley

Nays: None

Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Peck: No report.

City Clerk Meador/Deputy City Clerk Hartley: No report.

Finance Director Barrow:

• Expense reports should be done the end of the week.

Recreation Director Casburn: No report.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini: No report.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• Needing Part time help. Public Works is shorthanded. It is short-term and will only be until December. This is for the leaf vac position.

Police Chief Boles: No report.

EMA Director Strong: No report.

VII. City Council Members Reports

Councilman Morton:

• Inquiring about the recycling bin. Where it has been and when it will be back.

VIII. Executive Session

1. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(6)- Potential Sale of Property

2. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 11-Pending Litigation

Motion made at 6:52 PM by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Potential Sale of Property and Pending Litigation.

Roll Call Vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

IX. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 6:52 PM

X. Motion to Adjourn

Motion made by Councilman Morton and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 PM

Roll Call Vote: AYES: Councilman Morton, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Addison, Mayor Farley.

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_2025_08-04_minutes.pdf