The Salem City Council held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Salem City Hall, 229 West Main Street Salem, WV.
Mayor James Robert Samples called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. Mayor Samples asked for a volunteer to give the blessing. The blessing was given by Mayor Samples.
Mayor Samples called for roll call. PRESENT: Council Members John Sinnett, Linda Stuart, Nancy Siders, John Golden, Council Member Shawnette Stout and City Manager Ronnie Davis: ABSENT: Crystal Ross and City Attorney Sam Harrold
Approval of Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for June 22, 2021. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
President Kathy Wagner of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce presented Council Members with information regarding Leadership Harrison.
Phase II – Wastewater System Project
City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that E.L. Robinson Representative Jeff Petry should be at the next Council Meeting to provide Council Members with suggestions for the project. Mr. Davis stated that they are lining up the vacuum truck to clean out the lines.
Phase III – Water System Improvement Project
The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes had nothing new to report on this project.
Phase IV – Water System Improvement Project
The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes informed Council Members that the Preliminary Engineering Report has been completed and submitted. IJDC has accepted the Preliminary Application. The project came in at $3.1 million with proposed funding in the amount of $2 million from CDBG, $1 million from IJDC, and the City’s contribution of $100,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds. The Phase IV Water System Improvement Project will entail replacing the 8-inch cast iron line from the entrance of Dog Run at East Main Street to Harbert Funeral Home.
Sidewalk Project
The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes informed Council Members that there was nothing new to report. The state is still looking over the information and has yet to respond. Mayor Samples requested that a meeting be scheduled between the City, Thrasher, and a State Representative or even Governor Justice.
City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Sam Harrold was absent for this meeting.
City Manager’s Report
1. City Manager Ronnie Davis presented Council Member with the Public Works Report. Mr. Davis reported a 66% water loss for the month of June 2021.
2. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the bridge on Locust and South Dale Streets need repaired. Mr. Davis stated that he would like to have an engineer look at the bridges in order to provide specifications on materials and construction design.
3. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he would like to donate $7,000 to the Salem Apple Butter Festival for fireworks. A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to donate $7,000 to the Salem Apple Butter Festival for fireworks. The motion was seconded by Council Member Linda Stuart. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
4. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the bar screen basket at the waste water treatment plant needs to be replaced in the amount of $5,259.05. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve the purchase of the bar screen basket in the amount of $5,259.05. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
5. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he would like to have the lift station and the bypass tank cleaned out for the waste water system. There have been problems with rocks coming through at the treatment plant. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to allow City Manager Ronnie Davis to spend up to $5,500 to have the lift station and bypass tank cleaned. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Sinnett. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
6. City Manager Ronnie Davis opened the sealed bids for the demolition of 167, 169, and 169 ½ West Main Street. Bids were as follows:
a. Reclaim Co. – $40,730
b. Enviroclean LLC – $23,945
c. Feline Excavation and Construction, Inc. – $19,000
A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to accept the bid from Feline Excavation and Construction, Inc. in the amount of $19,000 to demolition 167, 169, and 169 ½ West Main Street upon the submission of license and insurance. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shawnette Stout. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
7. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the Park Barn is clear of asbestos and all that is needed now is a letter from the State allowing for the demolition.
City Clerk’s Report
1. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with the financial summary for the first thirteen days of the fiscal year. The Water Fund revenue is approximately $23,000. The Sewer Fund revenue is approximately $27,000. The General Fund revenues are $31,000. The Outstanding Checks total approximately $245,000. The Liability Forecast is approximately $8,000. The General Fund expenditures are approximately $110,000. The Water Fund expenditures are approximately $45,000. The Sewer Fund expenditures are approximately $40,000.
2. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with Coal Severance Fund Budget Revision # 1. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve Coal Severance Fund Budget Revision # 1. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
Police Report
Chief Adam Zahradnik provided Council Members with the Police Report for the month June 2021. The Police Department conducted 300 hours of patrol; received 101 calls for service; and issued the following citations: 1 speeding, 2 driving suspended, 2 no insurance, 1 shoplifting, 1 possession of a controlled substance, 1 possession of methamphetamines, 2 trespassing, and 1 failure to obey traffic control device. Eight arrests were made.
EMS Report
1. The EMS Department took 132 calls in June 2021. Payments received were $58,079.48 with a total of $102,022.93 pending current and an outstanding total of $156,634.42.
2. City Manager Ronnie Davis reported that Ambulance 99 will be put out for bid. There are several places that are interested in purchasing it.
Council Member Stuart
Council Member Linda Stuart expressed her interest in starting a neighborhood watch program particularly with residents and businesses along the rail trail. The purpose of the neighborhood watch would be neighbors helping neighbors; getting to know the police officers better; alerting the police department of activities and not intervening when something is happening; learning criminal vs. nuisance behaviors; possibly having safe houses along the trail; and welfare checks on the sick, elderly, or shut-ins.
Council Member Stuart would like to start the process by scheduling a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ to see who is interested. The ‘Coffee with a Cop’ will take place at 5 pm before the next regular council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th.
Mayor Samples requested that this agenda item be placed on the Table Item list.
Mayor Samples
1. Mayor Samples requested that his agenda item ‘Leadership Harrison’ be placed on the Tabled Items list.
2. Mayor Samples discussed the WV Rural Water Conference that will be taking place in August at Snowshoe. Mayor Samples would like a representative from the City to attend. Mayor Samples requested that the City pay for someone to go however; if they bring their spouse they would have to pay for them. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to pay expenses for any employee or Council Member to attend the WV Rural Water Conference in August at Snowshoe. The motion was seconded by Council Member Linda Stuart. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
3. Mayor Samples stated that there have been issues down at the depot area with destruction of property and loitering. Better lighting could help deter these problems. Mayor Samples requested that his agenda item ‘Lighting at Pavilion, Depot, and Stage Areas’ be placed on the Tabled Items list.
Public Sign-In Sheet
Mrs. Annette Gibson thanked Council Members for letting her serve on Council and for letting ACTS serve as the Beautification Committee. She also thanked City Manager Ronnie Davis for working so well with the group and taking down the parking meter poles.
Mrs. Gibson also addressed her concerns and disapproval regarding a letter to Mr. Geoffrey Steele from City Attorney Sam Harrold on the City’s behalf.
A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 pm.