The Salem City Council held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 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 ofAmerica. Mayor Samples asked for a volunteer to give the blessing. The blessing was given by Tim Jamison.
Mayor Samples called for roll call. PRESENT: Council Members John Sinnett,,Linda Stuart, Nancy Siders, John Golden, Shawnette Stout, City Manager Ronnie Davis, City Attorney Sam Harrold
ABSENT: Council Member Crystal Ross
Approval of Meeting Minutes — A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for December 14, 2021 with one correction. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nancy Siders. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett -aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day — Mayor Samples read a proclamation declaring January 9, 2022 as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Phase II – Wastewater System Project — Region VI Representative Sheena Hunt informed Council Members that the City is applying for a matching grant with the Federal Economic Development Administration. In order to apply for this grant, area businesses will need to fill out a Beneficiary Information Form. Without these forms the grant will not go through. The City will request that a few of the larger employers will fill out these forms as it pertains to job creation, job retention, and business expansion.
Phase IV – Water System Improvement Project — Region VI Rep- resentative Sheena Hunt informed Council Members that the WV Devel- opment Office has released the Community Development Block Grant applications and the applications are due by the beginning of March 2022.
Sidewalk Project — City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there were no new developments on the sidewalk project. At a previous meeting late last year, 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 2021 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 December 2021. Mr. Davis reported a 62% water loss for the month.
2. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the legal advertisement for the demolition of 83, 94, and 96 Water Street has been placed and sealed bids will be opened at the next council meet- ing.
3. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the legal advertisement has been placed for the purchase of the eight va- cant City owned properties and sealed bids will be opened at the next council meeting.
4. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that a Planning and Zoning Board Member, Greg Clevenger, has moved out of town and he would like to replace him with Isaac Samples. A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to removed Greg Clevenger from the Planning and Zoning Board and replace him with Isaac Samples. 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 – abstained.
5. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that the 60-day contract has been signed with the contractor to remove the upstairs of the Park Barn and that should be completed by March 8th.
6. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Mem- bers that the playground equipment for Van Horn Memorial Park should be arriving soon.
7. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Mem- bers that the cost to upfit the new cruiser is $23,225 and is covered by the restricted donation made to the Police Department. A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to upfit the new cruiser in the amount of $23,225. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nancy Siders. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Sinnett – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Coun- cil Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
City Clerk’s Report
1. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with
the financial summary for the month of December 2021. The General Fund revenues were approximately $206,000 with expenditures nearly $197,000. The Water Fund revenue was approximately $40,000 with ex- penditures nearly $37,000. The Sewer Fund revenue was approximately $48,000 with expenditures just over $62,000. The Outstanding Checks were approximately $46,000. The Liability Forecast is approximately $22,000.
2. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Member with a quote for a new server from DTR Systems and relicensing of the billing software from ASI in the amount of $13,556.75. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve the purchase of the new server from DTR Systems and relicensing of the billing software from ASI in the amount of $14,000. 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.
3. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with General Fund Budget Revision number 3. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to approve General Fund Budget number 3. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nancy Siders. 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.
Police Report — In the month of December 2021, the Police Depart- ment conducted 343 hours of patrol; received 103 calls for service; and issued the following citations: 1 speeding, 4 driving suspended, 1 no op- erators, 1 no insurance, 1 expired registration, 1 improper registration, 10 no seatbelt, and 1 possession of heroin. Four arrests were made.
EMS Report — Assistant EMS Director Danielle Corley presented Council Members with the EMS Report for December 2021. The EMSDepartment took 148 calls in December 2021. Payments received were $54,392.65 with a total of $98,145.83 pending current and an outstanding total of $131,414.66.
Council Member Stuart
1. Council Member Stuart stated that there is an interest in the community for a Historical Committee. Mrs. Stuart would like to belong to this committee and since it would not be associated with the City she asked if there was anything prohibiting her from doing so. There are no prohibitions against her joining this committee.
2. Council Member Stuart informed Council Members that she would like to start holding the Neighborhood Watch meetings during the weekend and provide a more educational platform with specialized speakers.
Mayor Samples
1. Mayor Samples briefly discussed repairs to the pavilion.
2. Mayor Samples briefly discussed replacing the roof at the pavilion and stage.
Council Member John Sinnett made a motion to adjourn the meeting.