AGENDA
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes – March 15, 2010
IV. Presentation of Petitions and Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
VI. City Council Action
1. Ordinance – First Reading – Amending Chapter 23, Section 503 (3) & 504 (2) Regarding Non-conforming Uses/Structures
2. Consideration of Acceptance offer from IDOT for Property Located on East Main Street
3. Bid Award – Gravel and Sand
4. Bid Award – Chemicals
5. Consideration of Paying Portion of Employee Costs For Health Club Membership
6. Request From SBIC for Budgeted Funding in the Amount of $15,000 to Continue Its Participation in Seeking and Retaining Business & Industry
7. IDOT Joint Agreement & Resolutions – Resurfacing Route 37
· Joint Agreement
· Resolution Appropriating Funds
· Resolution Approving Plans & Specifications
After Reports:
8. Executive Session –
· 5 ILCS 120/2 ( c )(6) Sale of Property
9. Approval of Closed Session Minutes – March 15, 2010, February 1, 2010, January 11, 2010, and December 21, 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
APRIL 5, 2010, 6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Salem City Council met in regular session on April 5, 2010, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Salem City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ferguson.
Council Members present upon roll call:
Councilman Kip Meador
Councilman Steve Huddlestun
Councilman David Black
Councilman Tom Carr
Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson
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
Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld
Chief of Police Ron Campo
Code Enforcement Officer Brad Crow
Assistant to the City Manager Bev West
Library Director Kim Keller
Media: Salem Times Commoner, WJBD Radio, Centralia Sentinel, US Sonet (video taping)
Several members of the public, along with Sherry Goodman a Political Science Student at Kaskaskia College.
Absent:
DOEM Director Terry Mulvany, Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
II. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Opening prayer led by Councilman Carr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APROVAL OF MINUTES – March 15, 2010
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of March 15, 2010 were presented for review. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Regular Council Meeting of March 15, 2010 as written and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. Presentation of petitions and Public Comments - None
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations - None
VI. City Council Action
1. Ordinance – First Reading – Amending Chapter 23, Section 503 (3) & 504 (2) Regarding Non-conforming Uses/Structures
An ordinance amending Chapter 23 was presented for first reading at the request of Mayor Ferguson. City Manager Christie explained the amending language creates an exception that would allow reconstruction of a non-conforming structure only if the structure is destroyed by a natural disaster or arson. He commented that this was approved by the Planning Commission. Councilman Meador and Black commented that this ordinance does not go far enough. Mayor Ferguson commented there are a lot of vacant lots that remain empty and this amendment would allow people to rebuild on same footprint if the house burns. City Manager Christie reported that the Planning Commission has granted variances to the only two requests that have come before them regarding non-conforming lots;
suggesting there is a process in place to take care of requests for variances. City Attorney Jones commented that this would be the first step, suggesting these concerns could go back to the Planning Commission to look at again. This being first reading, no action was taken.
2. Consideration of Acceptance offer from IDOT for Property Located on East Main Street
City Manager Christie reported that IDOT possess excess right-of-way on Wehmeyer Avenue, bordering East Main Street/Rt 50 East that they wish to donate to the City; the City could keep it or sell it as Council wishes. Public Works Director Pruden presented Council a map showing the exact location of the property and answered questions. Following discussion, Councilman Carr moved, and Councilman Black seconded the motion to accept the offer from IDOT for property located on Wehmeyer Avenue/East Main Street. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, Black and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Public Works Director Pruden will work with IDOT on this offer.
3. Bid Award – Gravel and Sand
Advertisement for Bids for gravel and fill sand was published in local newspaper. Bids were opened publicly on March 25th from three bidders. Public Works Director Pruden recommend acceptance of the low bids from Beelman Logistics, LLC for CA-6 Rock at $10.60/ton and for Fill Sand at $8.65/ton. Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to accept the low bid from Beelman Logistics for Gravel and Fill Sand for a cost of $10.60/ton for gravel and $8.65/ton for fill sand. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Huddlestun, Black, Carr, and Meador. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
4. Bid Award – Chemicals
Advertisement for Bids for chemicals to be used at the water treatment plant was published in local newspaper. Bids were opened publicly on March 25th from five bidders. Public Works Director Pruden recommended acceptance of the low bids as follows:
G.S. Robins - Alum Sulfate Liquid - $463.00/ton
Harcros Chemicals, Inc. - Soda Ash (grade 100) - $10.25/50# bag
Brentag Mid-South - Chlorine - $380.00/ton
Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to accept the low bids for chemicals: Alum Sulfate Liquid - $463.00/ton from G.S. Robins
Soda Ash (grade 100) - $10.25/50# bag from Harcros Chemicals, Inc.
Chlorine - $380.00/ton from Brentag Mid-South
Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, Meador, and Huddlestun. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
5. Consideration of Paying Portion of Employee Costs For Health Club Membership
City Manager Christie recommended approval of the City offsetting a fixed rate portion of an employee’s cost for yearly membership in one of the local health clubs in which the City would pay the membership fee to the club upfront for the year and the balance would be deducted from the employee’s pay per pay period for one year. This was discussed previously at the request of employees to help individuals to improve their health, thus lowering costs for health insurance. Mayor Ferguson expressed concern about approving additional costs at this time when the revenues are down. Jim Davison, #16 Bryan Lane addressed Council expressing strong disagreement about the City using his tax money to pay for additional employee benefits which he suggested individuals should be
responsible for themselves. Davison suggested the City should find out what other communities do regarding health club membership and what the annual benefit was. He commented that he would like to see this money spent on improved streets. Councilman Black, who was in favor of the original request because the costs would come out of the insurance fund, commented that Mr. Davison made some good points to consider and suggested that we should survey other communities. Councilman Carr commented that the wellness program would save the City money in that employees would be healthier and less insurance claims. Following additional discussion, Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to table discussion regarding the City paying a portion of Employee Health Club Membership until additional information can be presented. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: Councilman Carr. Motion declared carried.
6. Request From SBIC for Budgeted Funding in the Amount of $15,000 to Continue Its Participation in Seeking and Retaining Business & Industry
City Manager Christie recommended release of funds as requested by the SBIC that was tabled from bills payable at the previous meeting. Mayor Ferguson suggested that SBIC is sufficiently funded and that the $15,000 is not necessary at this time; that it can be used to meet some of the City’s budget shortfalls. Discussion continued with the concern appearing to be that the City has always been willing to provide financial assistance to SBIC and will still do so when it is necessary; but at this time there appears be some question as to whether SBIC actually needs the money at this time. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to table this discussion until they receive more facts regarding what SBIC needs the money for. Councilman Carr indicated
this money was budgeted and should have been paid two weeks ago. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: Councilman Carr. Motion declared carried.
7. IDOT Joint Agreement & Resolutions – Resurfacing Route 37
· Joint Agreement
· Resolution 2010-02 - Appropriating Funds
· Resolution 2010-03 - Approving Plans & Specifications
City Manager Christie and Public Works Director Pruden recommended approval of the IDOT Agreement along with resolution appropriating funds to cover the City’s participation (milling, resurfacing parking lanes; manhole and water valve adjustments in the amount of $7,561.25; and resolution approving plans and specifications covering work to be preformed on Route 37 from Madison Avenue in Salem to the Jefferson County line. * Salem city limits.
Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Meador seconded the motion to approve by omnibus vote the IDOT Joint Agreement, Resolution 2010-02 and Resolution 2010-03 regarding IDOT resurfacing Route 37. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Huddlestun, Black, Carr and Meador. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
After Reports:
8. Executive Session –
5 ILCS 120/2 ( c )(6) Sale of Property
VII. City Manager Report
No report.
VIII. City Attorney Report
No report.
IX. City Council Report
Councilman Carr – commented he hopes that everyone has returned their completed Census reports and that the Census representatives are still at the Library should anyone need to pick up a form.
Councilman Carr commented that he has received comments about having the grassy area on the north side of the pool prepared with turf for people to sit and watch the swim team events.
City Manager Christie commented that plans are already in place for grading of that area and any design plans would add to the cost of the construction.
Councilman Carr suggested Council have a meeting regarding future plans for the pool, adding that people are interested in the future of the pool and finding a way to develop the therapy pool.
Councilman Meador – commented on the progress of the new swimming pool, indicating that he has received a lot of positive comments and a few negative comments about it.
Councilman Huddlestun - also commented on seating for swim team events. Mayor Ferguson commented that seating can be looked into later.
Councilman Black – also commented everyone he talks to likes the pool, it looks great and they are just waiting for it to open.
8. Executive Session –
5 ILCS 120/2 ( c )(6) Sale of Property
At 7:15 p.m., Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss sale of City owned property. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Return to Open Session at 7:42 p.m.
9. Approval of Closed Session Minutes – March 15, 2010, February 1, 2010, January 11, 2010, and December 21, 2009
Councilman Carr moved, and Councilman Meador seconded the motion to approve Closed Session Minutes of December 21, 2009, January 11, 2010, and March 15, 2010 as written. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion at 7:45 p.m., Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to adjourn. Roll Call vote. AYES: Councilmen Huddlestun, Black, Carr, and Meador. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Jane Marshall, CMC
City Clerk
*Councilman Black pointed out clarification – change Item 7 to read “to the Salem city limits”.
Minutes approved as corrected by City Council on April 19, 2010.
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