Regular Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2021
The Salem City Council held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 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 council member John Golden.
Mayor Sample called for roll call.
PRESENT were Council Members John Sinnett, Nancy Siders, John Golden, Shawnette Stout, City Manager Ronnie Davis and City Attorney Sam Harrold
ABSENT were: Council Members Linda Stuart and Crystal Ross
Approval of Meeting Minutes — A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for November 9, 2021. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nancy Sliders. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
WV State Treasurer’s Office — Local Government Specialist Mike Perri informed Council Members of the various programs that the State Treasurer’s Office has to offer including but not limited to: Unclaimed Property, Smart 529 College Savings, WV Able, Jumpstart, Hope Scholarship, WV Retirement Plus, and Banking.
Phase II—Wastewater System Project — In the absence of E.L. Robinson Representative Jeff Petry, City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that MR. Petry has moved forward looking for funding as request by council at previous meeting.
Phase IV—Water system Improvement Project — In the absence of the Thrasher Group representative Steve Haynes, City Manger Ronnie Davis presented Council Members with an invoice from Thrasher in the amount of $73,000. The payment of this invoice will cover a significant portion of the City’s $1000,000 contribution to the project. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve Thrasher’s invoice in the amount of $73,000. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Sidewalk Project: City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there were no new developments on the sidewalk project. At a previous meeting, The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes informed Council Members that he spoke with his contact at the WV DOH. The Thrasher Group submitted a Project Modification Directive (PMD) in April that the WV DOH is in the process of reviewing. Once the PMD is approved, an agreement to move forward with the final design will be issued and a request made for the City’s matching funds. After the agreement and funds are transferred a notice to proceed will be issued.
City Attorney’s Report: City Attorney Sam Harrold had nothing to report.
City Manager’s Report
1. City Manager Ronnie Davis presented Council Members with the Public Works Report for November 2021. Mr. Davis reported a 61% water loss for the month. Several leaks have recently been fixed.
2. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed council Members that
he will be placing the demolition of 83, 94, and 96 Water Street out to bid.
3. City Manager Ronnie Davis requested approval to sign a 60-day contract with a contactor that will remove the upstairs of the Park Barn for free for the wood. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to approve the 60-day contract. The motion was seconded by council Member Nancy Siders. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
4. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there are eight vacant properties that he will be placing out to bid for purchase. The City will maintain the right to refuse any or all bids.
5. City Manager Ronnie Davis requested an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.
6. City Manager Ronnie Davis discussed tabled item 16—Ambulance. Mr. Davis stated that he received one sealed bid on the ambulance. The sealed bid was from Cairo Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $5,000. A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to accept the bid of $5,000, from Cairo Volunteer Fire Department. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shawnette Stout. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
City Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with the financial summary for the moth of November 2021. The General Fund revenues were approximately $124,000 with expenditure nearly $204,000. The Water Fund revenue was approximately $42,000 with expenditures nearly $102,000. The Sewer Fund revenue was approximately $50,000 with expenditures just over $60,000. The Outstanding Checks were nearly $42,000. The Liability Forecast is approximately $74,000.
Police Report: In the month of November 2021, the Police Department conducted 343 hours of patrol; received 104 calls for service; and issued the following citations: 2 speeding, 2 no seatbelt, and 1 possession of a controlled substance. Five arrests were made.
EMS REPORT: City Manger Ronnie Davis introduced the new EMS Directory Tony Hayes and the Assistant EMS Director Danielle Corley. Mr. Hayes is a paramedic and comes to the city with over 23 years of experience. Mrs. Corley started with the city as an ambulance driver and has since become and EMT.
The EMS Department took 141 calls in November 2021. Payments received were $32,858.74 with a total of $114,426.78 pending current and outstanding total of $148,412.50.
Council Members decided that the next meeting for December 28, 2021, would be cancelled. If need for a meeting would arise, a special meeting could be called. The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be held on January 11, 2022.
A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nancy Siders. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council went into Executive Session at 6:50 pm.
A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Sinnett. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council returned to Regular Session at 7:19 pm.
In Executive Session, Council Members were informed that an anonymous restricted donation was made to the Police Department. One stipulation was to purchase a new take home vehicle for the department. City Manager Ronnie Davis would like to purchase a 2022 Ford Explorer in the amount of $34,500. A motion was made by was made by Council Member John Sinnett to accept the restricted donation and approve the purchase of a new take home vehicle for the Police Department in the amount of $34,500. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shawnette Stout. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. .
Council Member John Sinnett made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:21pm.