AGENDA
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 19, 2008
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes, May 5, 2008 & Budget Workshop April 14, 2008
IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
VI. City Council Action
1. Bid Award – Residential Garbage & Refuse Collection Contract
2. Bid Award – Construct 12” Arterial Feeder Main to East Elevated Water Storage Reservoir
3. Christmas Decorations/Rental Program
4. Bid Award/Administrative Vehicle
5. Street Paving/Sidewalk Replacement
6. Bills Payable
VII. City Manager Report
VIII. City Attorney Report
IX. City Council Report
X. Adjournment
Thomas F. Christie,
City Manager
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 19, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Salem City Council met in regular session on May 19, 2008, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Salem City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson.
Council Members present upon roll call:
Councilman David Black
Councilman Harold Blank
Councilman Tom Carr
Councilman Joe Hotze
Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson
Other present:
City Manager Thomas F. Christie
City Attorney Michael R. Jones
Public Works Director John Pruden
Finance Director Marilyn Shook
Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
Library Director Kim Keller
Police Sergeant Sean Reynolds
Code Enforcement Officer Brad Crow
Media: Salem Times Commoner, WJBD Radio, Centralia Sentinel
Members of the public
Absent:
City Clerk Jane Marshall
Finance Director Marilyn Shook
Chief of Police Ron Campo
Economic Development Director Tracy McDaneld
Assistant City Manager Bev West
DOEM Director Terry Mulvany
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Opening prayer was led by Councilman Tom Carr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL of MINUTES - May 5, 2008
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 5, 2008 were presented for review. Motion to approve the minutes of May 5, 2008, as presented and waive the reading was made by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Tom Carr. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
APPROVAL of MINUTES - April 14, 2008
Minutes of the Budget Meeting of April 14, 2008, were presented for review. Motion to approve the minutes of April 14, 2008 as presented and waive the reading was made by Councilman Tom Carr, seconded by Councilman David Black. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. PRESENTATION of PETITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
David Dial, Courtyard Coffee Shop, 107 East Main, addressed Council asking Council’s permission to move tables from the front of his business to the west side of his business, outside the new door in the courtyard (Sweney corner). City Manager Thomas Christie responded that this is Council’s decision. Councilman David Black expressed his opposition, commenting that the City would be providing a patio for a private business. Councilman Tom Carr was in favor of allowing Mr. Dial to move his tables to City owned property, adding that the sidewalk was City owned property. Councilman Joe Hotze agreed with Councilman Carr, stating that “it’s no different than the sidewalk. City Manager Christie reminded the Council that consistence was needed when making
such decisions. He reminded the Council of a similar situation with the Bicentennial Plaza next to Quandts ABC Liquors, advising Council that Quandts ABC has inquired about purchasing the Plaza.
Councilman Hotze moved, seconded by Councilman Carr, to allow Mr. David Dial to temporarily place tables on the west side of his business, and to work with the Sweney Corner Committee as their plans are put in place. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Hotze, Councilman Carr, Mayor Ferguson. NAYS: Councilman Blank, Councilman Black. Motion declared carried.
V. MAYOR’S REPORT and PRESENTATIONS
No report; however, the Mayor reminded people of the Salem Foundation dinner on Friday, May 23rd.
VI. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Bid Award - Residential Garbage & Refuse Collection Contract
City Manager Thomas Christie stated that bids were received from two companies for a one-year contract for residential garbage collection. Specifications and requirements are the same as the previous year. Director Pruden is recommending that the Council consider accepting the low bid from D.B.S. Disposal of Farina, IL. The City Manager concurred with Director Pruden’s recommendation; however, since this bid represents an 11.7 percent increase in cost, the Council is advised to consider a rate increase to customers of $0.75 per month.
Mayor Ferguson stated that there has been no increase in 13 to 15 years. Councilman Carr commented that trash could be reduced by half if the City had a good recycling program. Councilman Hotze suggested increase the monthly rate by $3.00.
Mayor Ferguson asked the City Manager to bring a recommendation for increase back to the next City Council meeting. City Manager Christie suggested the Council consider increasing rates by $1.00 this year and another $1.00 next year. Motion was made by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank to award the bid for residential garbage collection to D.B.S. Disposal of Farina, IL. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
2. Bid Award - Construct a 12” Arterial Feeder Main to East Elevated Water Storage Reservoir
City Manager Christie advised the City Council that the water main project was budgeted for this year. The estimated cost of the project is $21,000. Bids were solicited and received. Director Pruden is recommending awarding the bid to the low bidder, Tri-S Excavating, LLC of Odin, IL, in the amount of $16,888.
Councilman David Black commented on the storage tank needing to be painted. ** indicating the money that was to be spent on painting the tank was spent on the skate park.
Motion was made by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Harold
Blank to award the bid to construct 12” arterial feeder main to east elevated
Water storage reservoir to Tri-S Excavating, LLC in Odin, IL. Roll call vote: AYES:
Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
3. Christmas Decorations Rental Program
City Manager Christie requested the City Council to authorize him to enter into a contract with Christmas Decor Systems of Jonesboro, IN, to acquire new Christmas decorations for 50 poles for the Christmas season. The cost will be approximately $6,250 per year for three years. This is a budgeted item.
There was some discussion on a banner program. The City Manager will research this program.
Motion was made by Councilman Joe Hotze, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank, to enter into an agreement with Christmas Decor Systems of Jonesboro, IN to acquire new Christmas decorations for 50 poles for the Christmas season, at a cost of $6,250 per year for three years. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
4. Bid Award - Administrative Vehicle
City Manager Christie stated that bids have been solicited and were opened late Friday for an administrative vehicle to replace the 1999 Silhouette van with 104,000+ miles. This is a budgeted item.
Mayor Ferguson asked about the blue vehicle that has been sitting in the parking lot behind the fire station for the past eight years. City Manager indicated that this vehicle is used by employees to attend training and conferences - he would like to add the van as an additional school vehicle. Mayor Ferguson asked why we would keep a vehicle that the City Manager doesn’t want to drive, yet allow a City employee to drive it. The City Manager responded that it isn’t that he doesn’t want to drive it, but asked if the City wants to continue putting money into a vehicle valued at $1,500.
Motion made by Councilman Tom Carr, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank to approve the purchase of a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4 x 4 from Max Dye, Inc. at a price of $19,600. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black NAYS: Councilman Hotze. Motion declared carried.
5. Street Paving/Sidewalk Replacement
City Manager Christie stated that based upon information previously furnished to the Council by Director Pruden, Council is requested to determine the streets to be paved and the sidewalks to be replaced this fiscal year. The budget for paving is $300,000 and $34,000 for sidewalk repair. As a basis for determining priority, Director Pruden used traffic as his basis for determining priorities--giving priority to the streets which carried the most traffic on a daily basis, that were in need of resurfacing. Director Pruden’s recommendations for the 2008 program are Whittaker Street from Westgate Avenue to Delmar Avenue, rotomill and 3” bitum. at a cost of $175,000 and North Illinois from Main to Boone, repair, rotomill, and 3” bitum overlay at a cost of $108,000. If
the Council were to concur with these two recommendations, this would consume the budget for this year, which is $300,000 for street paving. The City Manager asked for direction from City Council so the bidding process can begin.
Mayor Ferguson asked, “Where are we getting the money?” The City Manager responded that $105,000 was from MFT, with $195,000 coming from Fund 18, which includes the half percent sales tax monies.
Motion was made by Councilman Tom Carr, seconded by Councilman David Black that Director Pruden’s recommendation (Westgate Avenue, Delmar Avenue, Whittaker Street and North Illinois from Main to Boone) be approved. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Councilman Hotze mentioned that he would like to “rototill” Airport Road, then oil and chip. Councilman Carr preferred waiting until Director Prudent is in attendance to further discuss street repairs. Regarding sidewalks, the City Manager relayed Director Pruden’s recommendation of the 100 block of North Walnut (Main to Schwartz) at a cost of $26,000 as well as South College at CSX RR 162 feet plus one handicap ramp at a cost of $4,240 at a total cost of $30,240.
Councilman Tom Carr moved to accept Director Pruden’s recommendation, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
6. Bills Payable
The bills payable for a total amount of $1,118,748.83 were presented to City Council for approval. Motion to approve the bills payable as presented, with the exception of bill payable to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $630.08, was made by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Tom Carr. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Motion to approve the bills payable to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $620.08 was made by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Abstain: Councilman Hotze. Motion declared carried.
VII. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Christie reminded the Council that during the process of soliciting citizen support for the 1/2 percent sales tax, meetings were held to allow questions and comments from the citizens. City Manager Christi recommends scheduling a Town Meeting for May 27 or June 3 to allow citizens to bring up anything they wish to discuss.
Councilman Carr voiced his support of Town Meetings, saying it would be worthwhile and would be a means of explaining the garbage rate increase, roads, etc. Councilman Black expressed that it was up to the people to ask about these things. **Councilman Black stated that he thinks it is a good idea to give the public an open opportunity to come in and ask question.
After some discussion on dates, June 9 was selected as a date to hold a Town Meeting.
The City Manager expressed his concern with derelict and abandoned houses in Salem, and asked for Council’s support in taking a much more aggressive posture, which will cost more money. Councilman asked if there was a difference if the property was a health hazard, to which the City Manager responded that it must be a danger to the public. Councilman Hotze commented that the “town doesn’t read well”. After much discussion, the consensus of the Council was “do what you can do--you’ve got $10,000.”
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No Report
IX. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Carr
Asked when the City will be having a hazardous waste pick-up. Response was that this was a state pick-up.
A couple of people have inquired about using ATVs and golf carts on City streets. Responses came forth that golf carts would need tail lights, signals, etc.
Councilman Hotze: Suggested allowing golf carts on roadways.
Councilman Blank: No report
Councilman Black: **Expressed concern and disagreed with the Municipal League’s recommendation to oppose HB 4139 regarding Police Firearm Possession. He read the article from the Legislative Action newsletter, Illinois Municipal League Legislative Bulletin in which it stated that “HB 4139 makes it a criminal offense for any State agency, county government, local municipality, or institute of higher learning to prohibit a peace officer from carrying a firearm. IML stated, please contact your Senators and urge them to oppose HB 4139.” The City Manager responded that the League is dominated by people from the collar counties of Chicago.
Other: There were no staff reports.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made at 7:55 p.m. by Councilman David Black, seconded by Councilman Harold Blank, to adjourn. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Jane Marshall, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes Recorded by Sherry Daniels
Minutes approved by City Council as amended on June 2, 2008.
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