AGENDA
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes – March 2, 2009
IV. Presentation of Petitions and Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
1. Proclamation – SAFE
2. Proclamation – “April in Salem” Great American Cleanup
VI. City Council Action
1. Request for Use of Bryan Park Stage for Talent Show
SCHS Senior Project by Matthew Owen
2. Consideration of Moratorium Enforcement-Temporary Off Premises Signs
3. Consideration of Reducing Utility Reconnect Fee
4. Bills Payable
After Reports:
5. Executive Session – Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2( c )(2) To discuss salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
6. Approval of Closed Session Minutes – January 19, 2009, February 2, and February 9, 2009
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
MARCH 16, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call To Order
The Salem City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 16, 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 Joe Hotze
Councilman Harold Blank
Councilman David Black
Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson
Absent: 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
Chief of Police Ronald Campo
Assistant to City Manager Bev West
Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld
Code Enforcement Officer Brad Crow
Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
Library Director Kim Keller
Media: Salem Times Commoner, WJBD Radio, Centralia Sentential,
Several members of the public, along with Kaskaskia College Political Science Student Angela Sloss.
Absent:
DOEM Director Terry Mulvany
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 – MARCH 2, 2009
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of March 2, 2009 were presented for review. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Regular Council Meeting of March 2, 2009 as written and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. Presentation of Petitions and Public Comments
Tommy Donoho, Front Row Productions & Entertainment, updated Council on his Annual Acoustic Singer & Songwriter’s Competition at Bryan Park on July 3rd and 4th 2009.
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
1. Proclamation – SAFE
Mayor Ferguson asked Councilman Black to read a Proclamation by the Mayor, proclaiming April 2009 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Cyndi Addison representing S.A.F.E. was present and left some information regarding S.A.F.E. programs.
2. Proclamation – “April in Salem” Great American Cleanup
Mayor Ferguson asked City Clerk Jane Marshall, President of Keep Salem Beautiful to read a Proclamation by the Mayor, proclaiming April as April in Salem – Great American Cleanup Month. Several members of Keep Salem Beautiful were present.
3. Proclamation – Honoring Kaskaskia College Blue Angels Basketball Team
Mayor Ferguson read a Proclamation by the Mayor, proclaiming “Kaskaskia College Blue Angels Month” in honor of their accomplishments and services.
VI. City Council Action
1. Request for Use of Bryan Park Stage for Talent Show
SCHS Senior Project by Matthew Owen
City Manager Christie reported that a request has been received from Matthew Owen, 627 Old Salem Road, Kell, IL; a Salem Community High School senior, requesting Council permission to use the stage at Bryan Park around the end of April or beginning of May for a talent show as part of a senior project. City Manager Christie recommended approval contingent upon Matthew Owen coordinating the use with Recreation Director Daniels to avoid any conflicts of scheduling. Councilman Hotze moved and Councilman Black seconded the motion to approve the request from Matthew Owen to use the stage in Bryan Park for a Senior Project contingent upon him working out the details with Recreation Director Daniels. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Hotze, Blank, Black and Carr.
NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
2. Consideration of Moratorium Enforcement-Temporary Off Premises Signs
City Manager Christie reported a moratorium on the enforcement of Temporary Off-Premises signs is offered for Council consideration in response to concerns of small business owners who are dealing with a difficult sales environment and who need additional advertising opportunities. The moratorium would be for a period of four months with specific conditions. He commented it is important to be responsive to the needs of small business in this economy and recommended approval of the following suggestions:
1. the moratorium would be relevant to section 6-167 Temporary Signs
2. it would be for a four (4) month period beginning March 23 and extending through July 24, 2009 to cover special days of Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day
3. Temporary Signs would be allowed to be erected, off premises, for these special days under the following conditions:
a. Signs and banners can be erected, off premises, on commercial property (not residential), with the written permission of the commercial property owner.
b. Signs and banners must be free standing and have an area of o more than 32 square feet.
c. Signs and banners cannot be placed on City or State right-of-ways
d. Signs and banners can be no higher than six (6) feet above the ground
e. Signs and banners may be erected no sooner than five (5) days prior to the sale and must be removed no later than 24 hours following the sale.
f. Each temporary sign or banner must be permitted by the city. (This will allow the City to verify that the applicant has the written permission of the commercial property owner.)
g. Each applicant will be limited to two (2) signs per sale
h. A permit fee of $5.00 will be required for each sign.
Discussion continued regarding the sign and banner height and public Works Director Pruden suggested that Item 3, d, in the above listed conditions be eliminated. Following discussion, Councilman Hotze moved and Councilman Black seconded the motion to approve the above listed suggested four (4) month moratorium on enforcement of temporary off premises signs, with the elimination of item 3-d regarding height of banners and signs. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, Carr, and Hotze. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
3. Consideration of Reducing Utility Reconnect Fee
City Manager Christie reported this issue originated at the previous Council meeting and Council requested a report to determine if a reduction in fees was merited. City manager Christie reported that a comparison of the periods 03/07 thru 02/08 and 03/08 thru 02/09 reveals that the City collected less reconnection fees in the current year, even though the fee structure is higher. He concluded that the higher reconnect fee is serving as a deterrent, as it was intended to do, and he sees no reason to reduce the fees. Mayor Ferguson indicated he has concern for residents who are struggling due to the economic time and was trying to find ways the City could help them. It was discussed that the Utility Department staff works hard with individuals to help them make payment
arrangements. Following discussion, no motion was made and reconnect fee will remain as it is.
4. Bills Payable
Bills payable listing for period ending March 16, 2009 for a total amount of $$780,186.10 was presented for review and Council approval. Following review, Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve bills payable less bills payable to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $80.42. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, Hotze, and Blank. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve bills payable to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $80.42. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank, and Black. Abstain – Councilman Hotze. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
After Reports:
5. Executive Session – Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2( c )(2) To discuss salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
6. Approval of Closed Session Minutes – January 19, 2009, February 2, and February 9, 2009
VII. City Manager Report
1. Employee Health Insurance and Medicare-eligible Employees
City Manager Christie reported, in follow-up to discussion at last Council Meeting regarding providing incentives for Medicare-eligible employees to opt out of the city self-funded health insurance program; he has found that employees can opt out of city provided insurance program and receive Medicare benefits.
2. Closure of City Landfill
Consultants now tell us that capacity at the landfill should last through the next fiscal year. He indicated that he and Public Works Director have discussed this option and suggest operation of the landfill through next April, 2010, instead of closing in December. Pruden indicated that the consultants should have the results of their survey in the next few weeks.
VIII. City Attorney Report
None.
IX. City Council Report
Councilman Carr asked about the schedule for the leaf vac. – Public Works Director Pruden reported that the spring leaf vac service would begin on Monday, March 23 2009.~ The vacuum will follow the regular trash route and will run until Friday, April 3, 2009.~ Residents are asked to rake their leaves to the curb side for collection and not to rake leaves into the ditch or out into the road.~
Councilman Hotze commented that he would like to see the City start street maintenance on Illinois Street
Councilman Blank indicated the City should research the use of dry manure for fuel energy.
Councilman Black - No report
Others
Chief of Police Campo thanked Council for their support to him in instituting the SWAT program which handled an incident on Wednesday. Mayor Ferguson complimented the Police Department for the good job this incident was handled.
5. Executive Session – Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2( c )(2) To discuss salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
At 7:00 p.m. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to enter into closed session for the purpose to discuss salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Return to Open Session at 8:40 p.m.
6. Approval of Closed Session Minutes – January 19, 2009, February 2, and February 9, 2009
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Carr seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the Closed Session of January 19, 2009, February 2, 2009, and February 9, 2009. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Hotze, Blank, Black, Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion at 7:00 p.m., Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to adjourn. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, Carr and Hotze. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Jane Marshall, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved as written by City Council on April 6, 2009.
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