South Central Reporter

City of Salem City Council met Sept. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular September 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

Mayor Nicolas Farley

Council members absent:

Councilman Craig Morton

Staff members present:

City Manager Lisa Peck City Attorney Matt Wilzbach

City Clerk Tabitha Meador

Finance Director Keli Barrow

Chief of Police Todd Boles

Deputy Chief Tyler Rose

Public Works Director Travis Sanders

Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini

Recreation Director Jed Casburn

Patrolman Brett Niepoetter

Others present:

Family of Patrolman Brett Niepoetter

Members of the Public

Bruce Kropp, WJBD-WSIQ Radio

Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times-Commoner

II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

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

III. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments – None.

IV. Mayor’s Report and Presentations

• indicated Discover Downstate Illinois will host their annual appreciation dinner on October 7 at Iron Saddle;

• indicated Salem has been designated a gig-certified community in collaboration with Wabash Communications. The ceremony will be held September 10 at 10 AM at Shelter 2 in Bryan Memorial Park;

• indicated the theatre project is coming along, with the center seats installed by volunteers;

• indicated he signed a proclamation, designating September 14 as “Star-Spangled Banner Day”;

• indicated the Salem Super Cruise will be held on September 6 in Bryan Memorial Park.

V. City Council Action

1. Consent Agenda

(a) Approval of Minutes from the August 18, 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 Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour,

Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

2. Swearing in of new police officer Brett Niepoetter

Mayor Farley administered the oath of office to Patrol Officer Brett Niepoetter. Officer Niepoetter indicated he is thankful for the opportunity and is happy to serve the community.

3. Executing Engineering Agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC for design work related to the construction of Maverick Street in the amount of $376,042

Mayor Farley indicated the engineering agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC is for design work related to the construction of Maverick Street in the amount of $376,042; funding for this agreement will come from MFT. Mayor Farley indicated construction of this street will allow for new development in the area.

Motion made by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the engineering agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC for design work related to the construction of Maverick Street in the amount of $376,042.

Roll call vote:

AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Addison,

Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

4. Awarding the Public Works Maintenance Fence project to Century Fence Company as low bidder in the amount of $57,200

Mayor Farley indicated bids were opened on August 22, 2025 for a new fence for the Public Works Maintenance Facility, and the low bid was from Century Fence Company in the amount of $57,200. Public Works Director Sanders indicated the contractor is out of Effingham, but has recently partnered with a company from Wisconsin. He further indicated the project was a budgeted item at $55,000.

Motion made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to approve the Public Works Maintenance Shed Fence project to Century Fence Company in the amount of $57,200.

Roll call vote:

AYES: Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald,

Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

VI. City Manager and Department Head Reports

City Manager Peck:

• indicated the gig-certification ceremony is on September 10 at 10 AM.

City Clerk Meador: No report.

Recreation Director Casburn:

• indicated he is busy with Fall programs.

Economic Development Director Dellicarpini: No report.

Public Works Director Sanders:

• indicated the culvert replacement project on Franklin St. has started.

Finance Director Barrow:

• indicated she expects to have revenue/expense reports for August done later this week.

Deputy Chief Rose:

• indicated the new officers are starting week three in the Academy and are doing well;

• indicated Officer Niepoetter is in week two of FTO.

Police Chief Boles:

• gave the following statistics for the month of August: dispatch received 1349 calls - 828 for Salem Police Department and 535 911 calls; officers handled 19 accidents; 21 arrests; 85 traffic stops; and issued 21 citations.

VII. City Council Members Reports

Councilman Addison:

• questioned if the gas line replacement project was near completion and if Public Works Director Sanders had received any complaints. Public Works Director Sanders indicated that it is an invasive project to properties, but they are being taken care of; the project is not yet near completion.

Councilman Bringwald:

• indicated his appreciation to Mayor Farley for taking him on a tour of the theatre renovations. Meredith Fyke, Salem Community Theatre board member, from the audience, thanked the Council for their support of the theatre.

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 6:17 PM by Councilman Bringwald and seconded by Councilman Addison to enter into Executive Session to discuss the potential sale of property and pending litigation.

Roll call vote:

AYES: Councilman Addison, Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour,

Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

IX. Return to Open Session

Return to Open Session at 6:49 PM.

X. Motion to Adjourn

Motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Bringwald to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM.

Roll call vote:

AYES: Councilman Bringwald, Councilman Molenhour, Councilman Addison,

Mayor Farley

NAYS: None

Motion carried.

https://www.salemil.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif1161/f/minutes/cc_-_2025_09-02.pdf