Meetings

SALEM CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

JULY 25, 2022 

The Salem City Council held a Regular Meeting on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Salem City Hall, 229 West Main Street Salem, WV. 

Mayor James Robert Samples called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. the Pledge of Allegiance was recited Mayor Samples asked for a volunteer to give the blessing. The blessing was given by Council Member John Golden.

 Mayor Samples called for roll call. 

 PRESENT: : Council Members John Sinnett,  Linda Stuart, Nancy Siders, John Golden, Shawnette Stout, City Manager Ronnie Davis and City Attorney Sam Harrold

A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for July 12, 2022. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. Salem Apple Butter Festival Committee 

Salem Apple Butter Festival Committee President Christy Howell thanked the city for sponsoring the fireworks for the festival this year like they have done in previous years. Ms. Howell requested that the city provide security during the festival, especially at night.  

Depot Lease — City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he has City Attorney Sam Harrold looking over the Depot Lease. The lease is for 10 years and will need to be signed by January 2023.

Phase III – Wastewater System Project  — City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that E.L. Robinson Representative Jeff Petry will be at the next council meeting to provide an update. In the meantime, Mr. Petry is looking for funding and working on secondary plan should the city not receive the funding needed to upgrade the waste water treatment plant. 

Phase IV – Water System Improvement Project — In the absence of The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes, City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there are no new updates to report. The city is waiting for grant money to be awarded. At this time, it is speculated that grants will not be awarded until Spring 2023.

Main Street Water Line Replacement Project — City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that The Thrasher Group Representative Steve Haynes will provide an update at the next council meeting. At a previous meeting, Mr. Haynes reported that the Main Street project consists of an approximately 1500 ft section from Church Street to Valley Street that will also include Irwin Street and the alley beside the Trail Side Pub. Once the DOH and Health Department Permits are received the project can go out to bid. 

Sidewalk Project  — There was nothing new to report. At a previous meeting, Steve Haynes, with Thrasher, informed Council Members that he spoke with the project manager under Josh Vincent at the DOH and a notice to proceed should be issued by the end of July.   

City Attorney’s Report — City Attorney Sam Harrold requested an Executive Session to go over some litigation issues. 

City Manager’s Report 

1. City Manager Ronnie Davis requested Executive Session to discuss ‘Personnel Matters’.

2. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he has been working with Thrasher to find a more feasible way for the city to rebuild the bridges on South Dale Avenue and Locust Street. Mr. Davis reported at the last council meeting that the bids came in higher than anticipated. The lowest bid was $236,692 with the highest bid coming in at $396,489.  

3. City Manager Ronnie Davis stated that he has been working on the HVAC system for the Armory. 

City Clerk’s Report — 1. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with General Fund Budget Revision number 1. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve General Fund Budget Revision number 1. 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. 

2. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with the 2022-2023 Sewer Fund Budget. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to approve the 2022-2023 Sewer Fund Budget. 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. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with the 2022-2023 Water Fund Budget. A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve the 2022-2023 Water Fund Budget. 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.

Public Sign-in Sheet

 1. Salem Resident Joseph Hof expressed his concerns regarding the sidewalks, streets, and the update of the City Charter. Mr. Hof stated further that he is displeased with the City’s Website. 

  2. Harrison County Resident Mr. Geoffrey Steele wanted to know where the $30,000 Rainy Day Funds went. Mayor Samples stated that the Rainy Day Funds went to the General Fund. Mr. Steele commented further questioning how the city plans to insure 24/7 police coverage and retain officers while cutting the department’s budget.  

3. Harrison County Resident and Salem Water Customer Ms. Brandi Hawley asked why water filters were not issued to water customers since the city purchases water from Clarksburg and Clarksburg issued water filters to its customers. City Manager Ronnie Davis stated that the City’s lead samples are good and that the City’s water doesn’t come from Clarksburg’s lead lines.  

4. Harrison County Resident Don Stamm stated that he had two matters of concern to discuss with Council. Firstly, Mr. Stamm stated that the city has not mowed the dam faces and they should be mowed annually. Secondly, Mr. Stamm stated that he has been having trouble with his property on East Main Street getting broken into. He caught a woman in the house this morning and she threatened his life. Mr. Stamm plans to prosecute this person. Mr. Stamm commented that the city needs to take care of the transients around Town. 

5. Harrison County Resident Don Myers stated that Council Members violated state law and provisions of the Salem City Charter by denying the citizens a special election in regards to the four petitions that were submitted to City Attorney Sam Harrold. Mr. Myers stated further that by violating the provisions of the Salem City Charter Council Members forfeited their jobs and asked them to resign. Mr. Myers also commented that he has filed election complaints with the WV Secretary of State’s Office and the Harrison County Magistrate’s Office. 

6. Salem Resident Al Swiger informed Council Members that the city is a non-state civil service agency and thusly needs to have a hearing board made up of three members including the Chief, a FOP Representative, and Chamber of Commerce Representative. Any disciplinary actions taken against a City Officer, EMT, or Paramedic should be brought before this board. 

A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to go into Executive Session. 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.

Council went into Executive Session at 6:39 pm. 

A motion was made by Council Member John Sinnett to return to Regular Session. 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.

Council returned to Regular Session at 7:10 pm. 

Mayor Samples stated that demolition of properties was discussed in Executive Session. 

Mayor Samples adjourned the meeting at 7:10 pm.