REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 2022
The Salem City Council held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 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. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. Ms. Becky Nesbitt gave the blessing.
Mayor Samples called for roll call. PRESENT: Council Members John Golden, Shawnette Stout, Timothy Jamison, Nancy Siders, and Linda Stuart, City Manager Ronnie Davis, City Attorney Sam Harrold
A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for September 27, 2022 with one correction. The motion was seconded by Council Member Linda Stuart. The motion passed by unanimous voice. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
The Second Reading of An Ordinance Entitled: An Ordinance Regulating the Use of Video Recording Devices at Public Meetings
A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to approve this ordinance. The motion was seconded by Council Member Linda Stuart. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
A motion was made by Council Member John Golden appointing Timothy Jamison as Ward II Council Member. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shawnette Stout. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
Mayor Samples swore in Timothy Jamison as Ward II Council Member.
Phase III – Wastewater System Project — E.L. Robinson Representative Jeff Petry informed Council Members that he has looked into other ways to add capacity to the facility and other funding options. One option was to remove the boat clarifier and add an external clarifier but that would only give the plant an additional 50,000 gallons extra capacity. This would cost approximately $2,000,000. The other option is the original $10,400,000 treatment plant expansion project that would double the capacity of the plant from 400,000 gallons to 800,000.
Mr. Petry and Region VI Representative Sheena Hunt have been looking into funding sources for grants and low interest, long term loans. Mrs. Hunt stated that given the City’s MHI, rates should be favorable for the city. One funding source, the IJDC, accepts applications every month. Mr. Petry and Mrs. Hunt commented that they could possibly have an application submitted by December 10, 2022 if Council Members wanted them to go ahead and apply.
A motion was made by Council Member Shawnette Stout to proceed with the Waste Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project and submit an application to IJDC. The motion was seconded by Council Member Timothy Jamison. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Jamison – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
Phase IV – Water System Improvement Project — Region VI Representative Sheena Hunt informed Council Members that the city is waiting for grant money to be awarded. The development office has made their recommendations on which projects should move forward and then it is up to Governor Justice to decide who will receive grant funds. If the project doesn’t get funded the City can reapply.
The original project is $3.1 million however; at a previous meeting Thrasher Representative Steve Haynes stated that there is a smaller $2 million backup plan should the city not receive the CDBG grant. The Preliminary Engineering Report would just need to be revised but we’re holding off on that until we know the grants have been awarded.
Sidewalk Project – There was nothing new to report on this project. At a previous meeting, Thrasher Representative Steve Haynes informed Council Members that he spoke with the project manager at the DOH. The finance division will be opening the project up on October 1st and at that time the PMD will be approved.
City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Sam Harrold informed Council Members that 22 Gain Street was sold for taxes. Mr. Harrold stated that he has spoken with the state and the cost to redeem the property and the current year’s taxes are approximately $1,300. Council Members agreed to allow Mr. Harrold to move forward.
City Manager’s Report
1. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there was a 63% water loss for the month of September 2022.
2. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that there have been individuals interested in purchasing four properties that the City has already cleaned up. These properties have gone out to bid once before; however, the bids were low and Council Members decided not to sell. Mr. Davis requested Council Members’ guidance on what the minimum bid should be on these properties. Mayor Samples requested to discuss the matter in Executive Session.
3. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he would like to bid out the asbestos removal and demolition of the properties at 159 East Main Street, 161 East Main Street, and 22 Gain Street. The sealed bids would be opened at the next meeting. Funds from the DEP grant will be used to pay for the demolitions.
4. City Manager Ronnie Davis informed Council Members that he would like to purchase $5,550 in road salt, which is $110 per ton for 55 tons. A motion was made by Council Member Shawnette Stout to purchase 55 tons of road salt for winter in the amount of $5,550. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Jamison – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
5. City Manager Ronnie Davis requested Executive Session to discuss his agenda item ‘Personnel Matters’.
Council Members rescheduled the next meeting to Tuesday, November 15, 2022 due to the election.
City Clerk’s Report — 1. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas presented Council Members with the financial summary for the month of September 2022. The General Fund revenues were approximately $124,000 with expenditures nearly $211,000. The Water Fund revenue was approximately $57,000 with expenditures nearly $68,000. The Sewer Fund revenue was approximately $54,000 with expenditures just over $63,000. The Outstanding Checks were approximately $38,000. The Liability Forecast is approximately $78,000.
2. City Clerk Kayla Nicholas informed Council Members that former Council Member John Sinnett needed to be removed as check signer on all West Union Bank Accounts. A motion was made by Council Member John Golden to remove former Council Member John Sinnett as check signer on all West Union Bank Accounts. The motion was seconded by Council Member Linda Stuart. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Jamison – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye.
Police Report — In the month of September 2022, the Police Department conducted 820 hours of patrol; received 103 calls for service; and issued the following citations: 1 speeding, 3 driving suspended, 1 no proof of insurance, 1 shoplifting, 4 expired registration, 1 wrong way on a one-way, 2 no seat belt, 1 no motor vehicle inspection, 7 expired motor vehicle inspection, and 3 possessions of controlled substance/paraphernalia. Eight arrests were made. There were five K-9 utilizations, four K-9 positive indications, and three agency call outs for assistance.
EMS Report — EMS Administrator Tony Hayes provided Council Members with the EMS Report for September 2022. The EMS Department took 110 calls. Payments received were $24,907.86 with a total of $97,798.43 pending current and an outstanding total of $183,672.93.
Public Sign-in Sheet — Salem Resident Joseph Hof stated that he wanted to make the city aware that there is a sink hole between the bank and the Dollar General.
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 Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Jamison – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye. Council went into Executive Session at 7:18 pm.
A motion was made by Council Member Nancy Siders to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded by Council Member John Golden. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Golden – aye, Council Member Stout – aye, Council Member Jamison – aye, Council Member Siders – aye, Council Member Stuart – aye, Mayor Samples – aye. Council returned to Regular Session at 7:43 pm.
Mayor Samples stated that financial matters were discussed in Executive Session.
Mayor Samples adjourned the meeting at 7:43 pm.