CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 2, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes – February 16, 2009
IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
VI. City Council Action
1. Resolution – As required by IDOT, Authorizing City Manager to Sign Surety Bond Regarding Mitchell Street Extension
2. Resolution – 2010 Census Partnership Agreement with the US Census Bureau
3. Resolution – 2009 MFT Streets Maintenance (Patch-Mix & Engineering)
4. Sludge Disposal Contract - Metro-Ag Inc.
5. Gateway Regional Water Company, Inc. Mutual Aid Emergency Water Supply Interconnection Agreement
6. Reconsideration of Recreation Fees for Swim Team
7. Discussion Regarding Possibility of Providing Incentives for Medicare-eligible Employees to Opt out of City Self-funded Health Insurance program
VII. City Manager Report
VIII. City Attorney Report
IX. City Council Report
X. Adjournment
Thomas F. Christie
City Manager
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MINUTES
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 2, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call To Order
The Salem City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 2, 2009, 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 Tom Carr
Councilman Harold Blank
Councilman David Black
Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson
Absent: Councilman Joe Hotze
Others Present:
City Manager Thomas F. Christie
City Attorney Michael R. Jones
City Clerk Jane Marshall
Finance Director Marilyn Shook
Public Works Director John Pruden
Assistant to City Manager Bev West
Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld
Code Enforcement Officer Brad Crow
Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
Media: Salem Times Commoner, WJBD Radio, Centralia Sentential, and several members of the public.
Absent: DOEM Director Terry Mulvany
Library Director Kim Keller
Chief of Police Ronald Campo
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening prayer led by Councilman Carr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. Approval of Minutes – february 17, 2009
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of February 17, 2009 were presented for review. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Regular Council Meeting of February 17, 2009 as written and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. Presentation of Petitions and Public Comments
Utility Reconnect Fee
Mayor Ferguson requested Council consideration to roll back the utility reconnect fee to try to help City utility customers during these economic times. Councilman Black asked the City manager to review this issue and bring back recommendations at next meeting.
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
None.
VI. City Council Action
Mayor Ferguson requested that Item 6 be discussed first, due to the number of persons in attendance regarding this issue.
Item 6 - Reconsideration of Recreation Fees for Swim Team
Several members of the public and the Salem Swordfish Swim Team were present expressing concern for the increased swimming pool fees. City Manager Christie reported that, based upon Director Daniels’ report, the reason for the increase was to have the program break-even, the swim team has ended the season with a deficit for the past several years, from a few hundred dollars to the current deficit of $5,017.00 for 2008 season. Christie agreed with Recreation Director Daniels’ recommendation that the fee schedule remain the same.
Brian Hood, representing the Swordfish Swim Team, addressed Council indicating some of the expenses shown on the Salem Recreation Department Swordfish Swim Team 2008 End-of-Season Report could be reduced, suggesting the Recreation Department not provide t-shirts and awards for the swim team. He commented that the requirement to purchase a pool pass is the big problem. After quite lengthy discussion, consensus of council was for the Swim Team representatives to meet with the City Manager and Recreation Director and try to work something out.
1. Resolution 2009-02 – As required by IDOT, Authorizing City Manager to Sign Surety Bond Regarding Mitchell Street Extension
City Manager Christie recommended approval of this resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a surety bond in the amount of $600,000 that is required by IDOT before they will issue a construction permit for the access portion of the Mitchell Street extension. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Carr seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2009-02, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a surety bond in the amount of $600,000 as required by IDOT before an IDOT construction permit will be issued for the access portion of the Mitchell Street Extension. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
2. Resolution 2009-03 – 2010 Census Partnership Agreement with the US Census Bureau
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the 2010 Census Partnership Agreement with the United States Census Bureau and creating the various committees and subcommittees was presented. Mayor Ferguson reported that he, Councilman Carr and the City Clerk would be meeting to discuss these appointments. He encouraged the media to help inform the public of the importance completion and returning their Census information. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2009-03, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the 2010 Census Partnership Agreement with the US Census Bureau. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
3. Resolution 2009-04 – 2009 MFT Streets Maintenance (Patch-Mix & Engineering)
A MFT resolution for 2009 Motor Fuel Tax streets maintenance – patch-mix and engineering in the amount of $24,500 was presented for action. Public Works Director and City Manager recommended approval. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2009-04, a MFT resolution for 2009 MFT streets maintenance and engineering. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
4. Sludge Disposal Contract - Metro-Ag Inc.
A Contract Agreement/Proposal from Metro-Ag Inc. was presented for sludge removal from the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The contract will be affect from March 1, 2009 to March 1, 2011 at a rate of 0.035 per gallon, for an estimated annual cost of $52,500.00. He indicated because of the difficulty in finding bidders, the City’s long relationship with Metro-Ag. And the modest increase of $1,500.00, he and Public Works Director recommend Council approval to waive the bidding process and authorize the City Manager to enter into a sludge hauling agreement with Metro-Ag. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to waive the bidding process for wastewater treatment plant sludge removal and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement. Roll
call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
5. Gateway Regional Water Company, Inc. Mutual Aid Emergency Water Supply Interconnection Agreement
A proposed Mutual Aid Emergency Supply Interconnect Agreement between Gateway Regional Water Company and the City was presented for Council action. City Manager Christie and Public Works Director Pruden recommended approval. Pruden indicated that he received today a record drawing of each of the interconnect locations from Gateway. Councilman Carr moved and Councilman Black seconded the motion authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement with Gateway Regional Water Company which would allow both the City of Salem and Gateway to withdraw either raw or potable water on a temporary or emergency basis. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, and Blank. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
6. Reconsideration of Recreation Fees for Swim Team
See first Item of Discussion.
7. Discussion Regarding Possibility of Providing Incentives for Medicare-eligible Employees to Opt out of City Self-funded Health Insurance program
City Manager Christie explained that currently the annual cost to the City for single coverage health insurance for an individual employee is $6,600.00. He proposed a voluntary situation, if the Medicare-eligible employee chooses to opt out of the City’s self-funded health insurance program, it would result in a considerable savings to the City. He suggested the City Council authorize the City Manager to spend up to $250.00 per month ($3,000 annually) to cover the Medicare-eligible employee costs for supplemental insurance and prescription coverage.
There was discussion concerning Medicare regulations and expansion of plan to any employee who may wish to opt out of City coverage to participate in spouse health insurance coverage.
Mayor Ferguson suggested that more research be done on this issue.
City Manager Christie indicated that an employee who will be eligible for Medicare needs to make a decision by end of March. He asked Council for authority to tell this employee to go ahead and opt out of the City health insurance coverage; if it is found that this meets Medicare regulations, the City Manager will address ability to offer similar option to employees who may be covered under their spouse insurance plans. No objections were heard.
VII. City Manager Report
Surplus Equipment – HP DesignJet 350C Plotter Donated to SCHS
City Manager Christie reported that Public Works Director Pruden made a budgeted purchase, and has received a new plotter (printer). Pruden suggested the City offer to donate the old HP DesignJet 350C plotter (Serial #ESA7329684, Model #C4700A) to the Salem Community High School for their AutoCAD Drafting Class at no charge; indicating if this equipment was held for public auction, probably would not receive much for it. City Manager Christie indicated that the good will and public relations would be better spent if we were to donate this equipment to the school.
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to declare the old HP 350C DesignJet plotter as surplus equipment and to donate it to the Salem Community High School for use by the AutoCAD Drafting Class. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
VIII. City Attorney Report
None.
IX. City Council Report
Councilman Carr reported that he received an acknowledgement of his letter to Representative Ron Stephens regarding the City of Salem Resolution in opposition to HB063 and SB043 regarding Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Financing Districts.
Councilman Hotze – Absent
Councilman Blank - None
Councilman Black reported that there the American flag that is hanging in Bryan Park by the stage is hanging by one corner.
Mayor Ferguson reminded Public Works Director to check on our supply of American Flags to be put up for Memorial Day.
City Clerk Marshall mentioned the Greater Chamber of Commerce and Ag Home Show is this Saturday and Sunday.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion at 7 15 p.m., Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to adjourn. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Jane Marshall, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved as written by City Council on March 16, 2009.
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