AGENDA
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 3, 2010
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes, April 19, 2010
IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentation
Presentation of Official Oath – Boards and Commissions
VI. City Council Action
1. Selection of Mayor Pro-tem
2. Request from Grace United Methodist Church for Parking on West side of North Washington Street between East Schwartz Street and East North Alley Street until Construction is Completed in September or November
3. CDAP/RF Loan Request – Kid Kare, Inc.
4. Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds
5. Ordinance – Second Reading – Amending Chapter 23, Section 503 (3) & 504 (2) Regarding Non-conforming Uses/Structures
6. Ordinance – Second Reading – Amending Chapters 5 and 15 – Domestic Pet Restrictions in City Parks While City Recreation Department Sponsored Events are in Progress.
7. Authorization to Release $15,000 for SBIC Operation From Funds Budgeted in FY2009/2010
8. Consideration of Employee Wellness Program
9. consideration of Tuition Reimbursement Program
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 3, 2010
6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Salem City Council met in regular session on May 3, 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.
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
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
Several members of the public.
Absent:
City Clerk Jane Marshall
Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
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. APROVAL OF MINUTES – April 19, 2010
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of April 19, 2010 were presented for review. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Regular Council Meeting of April 19, 2010 and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Huddlestun, Black, Carr, and Meador. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
V. MAYOR’S REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS – Mayor Ferguson welcomed Tina Stauffer, a Political Science student from Kaskaskia College and Bradley Richards, who is working on his Eagle Scout badge. Mayor Ferguson also welcomed Councilman Huddlestun’s sons, Darrin and Devin, who are visiting.
Mayor Ferguson commended John Pruden, Annette Brushwitz, the Tree Board and the Parks Department for attaining their 20th year designation as a Tree City USA city, and congratulated KSB President Jane Marshall, Keep Salem Beautiful members, John Pruden, Annette Brushwitz, and all involved for the successful Keep Salem Beautiful Clean Up and Arbor Day Celebration held on April 24th.
Doris Purcell was sworn in for a three-year term on the Tree Board.
VI. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
1. Selection of Mayor Pro-tem
Mayor Ferguson indicated that Councilman Carr has served as Mayor Pro-Tem for many years, and has done a wonderful job. Mayor Ferguson recommended that Councilman Carr continue to serve. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Huddlestun seconded the motion to elect Councilman Carr to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, Meador, and Huddlestun. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
2. Request from Grace United Methodist Church for Parking on West Side of North Washington Street between East Schwartz Street and East North Alley Street until Construction is Completed in September or November
City Manager Christie indicated the Grace United Methodist Church is involved in a large facility expansion project. As a result, the church’s on-site parking is limited. The church is requesting waiver of enforcement of “No Parking” at a selected area until construction is completed. Manager Christie indicated that, as he attends this church, he will not be making a recommendation, as it could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Councilman Black asked if there would be sufficient space to get fire or emergency vehicles down the street. Manager Christie indicated there would be, and he did not perceive any operational problems with the lifting of this restriction. Mayor Ferguson recommended approval. Manager Christie added that the parking will be
available to all members of the public, on a first-come, first serve basis, and will not be reserved for church members. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Meador seconded that the “no parking” restriction on the west side of North Washington Street between E. Schwartz St. and E. North Alley St. be lifted until the church renovation is complete. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
3. CDAP Loan Request/Kid Care of Salem, Inc.
City Manager Christie recommended this item be tabled, as staff has become privy to new information today, which must be reviewed by the Loan Committee. Councilman Carr moved and Councilman Black seconded the motion to table the CDAP Loan Request for Kid Care of Salem, Inc. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
4. Resolution 2010-04 – MFT Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds
Public Works Director John Pruden indicated this resolution is part of the City’s annual oil and chip program. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Huddlestun approved the motion to approve Resolution 2010-04 appropriating MFT funds. AYES: Councilmen Huddlestun, Black, Carr, and Meador. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
5. Ordinance 2010-06 - Second Reading – Amending Chapter 23, Section 503(3) and 504(2) Regarding Non-conforming Uses/Structures
City Manager Christie indicated this ordinance is coming back for second reading after having been forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation. Manager Christie added that the revision is intended only to address non-conforming structures or uses that are a destroyed as a result of a natural disaster. Assistant to the City Manager West, who serves as staff advisor for the Planning Commission, indicated the Planning Commission still supports its original recommendation made in May of 2009 concerning reconstruction on non-conforming lots in cases of demolition, and read from the Planning Commission recommendation as follows: “…it is in favor of amending the code to allow exceptions in cases where a structure is destroyed by fire, natural disaster,
catastrophic event, or arson by a non-owner/interested party, as long as the replacement structure is reconstructed in the same footprint and square footage as the structure that was destroyed.” Councilman Black added that he would still like to see the code revised to allow reconstruction on lots that are non-conforming, where the structure has been demolished. Councilman Carr moved, and Councilman Huddlestun seconded that Ordinance 2010-06 be approved. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Black, Carr, Meador, and Huddlestun. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
6. Ordinance/Second Reading – Amending Chapters 5 and 15 – Domestic Pet Restrictions in City Parks while City Recreation Department Sponsored Events are in Progress
City Manager Christie indicated this ordinance was brought before the Council at the request of Recreation Director Daniels, as a result of a child having been bitten at a recreation event. As Director Daniels is unable to be at the Council Meeting due to a work commitment, Manager Christie is recommending this item be tabled. Councilman Black questioned the frequency of children having been bitten. Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Carr seconded that this item be tabled. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Carr, Meador, Huddlestun, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
7. Authorization to Release $15,000 for SBIC Operation from Funds Budgeted in FY2009-10
City Manager Christie indicated SBIC has submitted a letter requesting that the funds appropriated for them in the FY2010 budget be released. At Council request, they have provided a list of uses for the funds. Councilman Black moved, and Councilman Carr seconded that the City Manager be authorized to release the $15,000 to Salem Business and Industrial Commission. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Meador, Huddlestun, Black, and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
8. Consideration of Employee Wellness Program
City Manager Christie indicated the Insurance Committee was approached by some employees asking that the City consider subsidizing health club membership, and the Insurance Committee is asking that this be considered by Council. The proposal is that the City provide $100 for single plans and $150 for family plans, and pay the year’s membership up front, with the remainder of the fee (less the City’s participation) being deducted from the participating employees’ payroll checks for 26 pay periods. Manager Christie added that the Wellness Program would be part of the City’s self-funded insurance plan. Manager Christie summarized survey results from six communities who had provided information about their Wellness Plans, and noted that one community had
provided information from a Harvard study that indicated “medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and that absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent”. Manager Christie indicated the cost to the insurance program would fall between $2,000 and $4,000 per year.
Jim Davidson addressed Council, and submitted a petition with 75 names on it in objection to “tax dollars being used to provide additional ancillary benefits for city employees and their families”.
Councilman Black read a prepared statement outlining the benefits that a healthier work force can provide not only to the employees and their families, but to the~citizens, the City as an employer, and~City's self-insurance program.
Councilman Carr suggested offering the program only to non-smokers. Councilman Black responded that he felt that would be the wrong approach, since increased physical activity can be beneficial to those smokers trying to quit.
Councilman Huddlestun indicated he had done some research after the last meeting, and there are studies that show that after a year, only 20% of those starting a health program will still be active participants. Councilman Huddlestun added that the incentives should be on a reward basis, rather than paid up front.
Councilman Black moved, seconded by Councilman Meador that the Wellness Program be approved as presented. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, and Meador. NAYS: Councilman Huddlestun. Motion declared carried.
VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT – No Report
VII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – No Report
VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Carr - Councilman Carr indicated he is looking forward to the new pool opening, and that it is looking great. Councilman Carr asked if Director Pruden had come up with a solution for the Church of Christ’s road crossing problem. Director Pruden indicated he has sent an email and aerial photograph to IDOT, but it may be necessary to cut out a new entrance, as none of the existing cuts line up.
Councilman Meador– Councilman Meador indicated that Salem will be hosting the Class S State Track Meet (Junior High) this Saturday, May 8th, and requested the citizens’ and businesses’ assistance in welcoming the athletes and their families to our town.
Councilman Huddlestun – Councilman Huddlestun commended US Sonet on its new building facade, and mentioned that US Sonet will be holding an open house on Tuesday, May 4th between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m..
Councilman Black – Councilman Black asked Director Pruden to check on two street lights that are not working in Bryan Park. Councilman Black added that he noticed during the Keep Salem Beautiful clean up that the worst litter was in the area of the Skate Park. Black added that if the kids cannot treat the area respectfully, perhaps they should not be allowed to use it.
Mayor Ferguson – Asked Director Pruden to also check on the lighting at the Skate Park.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for discussion, at 7:25 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
by Bev West, Deputy City Clerk
Approved by City Council as written, 5/17/2010.
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