The Salem City Council Monday night will consider execution of a tax increment financing district redevelopment agreement with Bromley Excavating. The agreement would provide $65,000 in reimbursable expenses to acquire the property in the west side industrial park from the City of Salem and construct and operate a concrete recycling yard on Hotze Road in Salem to collect, stockpile, crush and sell recycled concrete and asphalt.
The council will consider the purchase of a lot at 203 West McMackin Street for no more than $45,000 using downtown tax increment financing district funds. Interim City Manager Annette Sola notes as the downtown area is located with the US 50 and Route 37 in the crosshairs, they are unable to hold events in the main downtown area. This lot would be used as a public outdoor space for farmers markets, art fairs/contests, concerts, pop-up food truck events and various other types of gathering. It could also be used to incentivize development on the peripheral area of downtown.
Library Director Kim Keller is requesting a no interest $50,000 loan to replace five aging HVAC units at the library. She reports the units have resulted in several emergency repairs eating up the maintenance budget for the library. The loan would be repaid at $10,000 per year for five years, using revenue from the .02 Building and Maintenance Tax. However, Sola and Finance Director Kelli Roth feel the requested amount is larger than they feel comfortable recommending. If an agreement can be reached, the two feel interest should be charged at a rate of not less than three-percent.
Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl is requesting an additional vehicle lease/purchase for the police department be added to the original agreement with Enterprise Leasing. The first year cost of the 2025 Ford Police Interceptor is $24,400.
The council will consider a proposal from Security Alarm to add three more security cameras at city hall at a cost of $4,732. One would record members of the public entering city hall. The other two would be on the area at the rear of city hall.
The council will also review the general fund portion of the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The meeting begins at six Monday night at Salem City Hall.
