The Salem City Council approved seeking a $2.7-million federal grant to pay for replacement of 400 legacy natural gas service lines no longer approved for natural gas distribution systems. The copper service lines are made of dissimilar materials, have outdated and non-certified fittings, and are subject to material degradation and joint failure. The city has been replacing some of the service lines each year out of gas system revenue. The grant would allow the project to be completed more quickly and not at city expense.
The council agreed to enter into an option with AC Power for a second possible solar field on the old Salem landfill off Lake Street in the southeast part of town. AC Power will pay $1,500 every six months for the option while they determine if the power from the field could be transferred to Ameren Illinois. The proposed field would produce 3 megawatts of power, with a payout to the city of $19,000 per megawatt.
The employee health insurance plan was approved for another year. The city will remain self-insured for the first $55,000 of each employee’s medical bills and will have insurance to cover any amount above that. City Manager Lisa Peck says the city’s maximum cost for the plan will be $2.2 million.
The council approved the write off $40,576 in utility bills that the Illinois Debt Recovery Program has been unable to collect. All 173 accounts are more than seven years old.
The council approved placing a stop sign on Monroe Avenue where it dead ends into Lakedale Drive at the request of an area resident. There currently is no traffic control at the intersection.
Public Works Director Travis Sanders reported the resurfacing project of Airport Road has been successfully completed.
Deputy Police Chief Tyler Rose reported applications are now being accepted for police officers as the Police Commission begins work on a new eligibility list as the old list has expired. Rose says applications are also being accepted for a telecommunicator to replace Justin Draper who has been named as the county’s new 911 coordinator.
