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SALEM -- City council approved several pieces of legislation in its final meeting of the year Tuesday.
Several of the eight pieces of legislation approved were routine ordinances that the city approves each year, including ordinances authorizing Safety Service Director Joe Cappuzzello to advertise for requests for qualifications and enter contract for engineering services for the 2024 Salem streets project, and Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley to advertise for bids and enter into contract for the purchase of water and wastewater chemicals and miscellaneous items used by the Salem utilities Department for the year beginning March 15, 2024 through March 14, 2025. An ordinance approving appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the city for 2024 was also approved.
Financial matters approved included a pair of ordinances authorizing necessary appropriations, transfers and reductions and a resolution authorizing Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey to enter a two-year agreement with the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center as part of the city's ongoing economic development efforts. The contract will see the city pay the SOD Center $75,000 in year one in quarterly payments of $18,750, and $85,000 in year two in quarterly payments of $21,250, for a total of $160,000 over the two years.
Other financial matters approved included a resolution authorizing Dickey to enter an intergovernmental annexation agreement with the Perry Township Board of Trustees regarding an approximately 19.251 acres property owned by Freshmark. An ordinance establishing and adjusting salaries, wages and other benefits for non-represented city employees and officials was also on the agenda; however, it was tabled to allow for the ordinance to be updated to reflect recently made changes to the hours and compensation of the city health commissioner position.
Other legislative matters included approval of an update to the city's parking regulations adding sections that define and prohibit "human habitation" in vehicles "within the travel portion of the public right of way, municipal lot or parking facility or any other public property," establish parking regulations for off-street municipal parking, and codifies guidelines for the parking of recreational vehicles. A first reading of an ordinance rezoning a property on North Ellsworth Avenue from C2 general commercial to RA multiple family for the installation of a possible retirement community by Shepherd of the Valley.
During her report Dickey announced that the city had found its new health commissioner ahead of the resignation of current Commissioner Alana Hughes Dec. 31. Dickey said Kayla Crowl will be taking up the position beginning Dec. 11. Crowl currently works for the East Liverpool Health Department and has a significant amount of experience in the position, including conducting housing inspections and housing code enforcement.
This experience promises to be significant as Dickey said the health commissioner would now be a full-time position which would take a more direct role in the city's housing enforcement which the health department oversees following current Housing Inspector Sal Salvino's exit from his position to serve as the city auditor Jan. 1. Dickey said Cowl will work with the assistance of two part-time housing inspectors, and that the cost of benefits from the former full-time housing inspector position would cover the cost, allowing the city to have three people working on housing rather than two at the same cost.
"That's doable because we're making that a full-time position and using the benefits from (Salvino)'s full-time position to cover that so the money will be less and allows us to get another part-time housing inspector so there will be three people working on housing inspections and enforcement instead of just two for the same money," said Dickey.
Dickey also said that the city is currently accepting applications for a part-time housing inspector for 28 hours a week and that the city is interviewing for a housing clerk as the prior clerk had taken a position as deputy auditor. Dickey also wished all residents and safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
In his report Cappuzzello said that the second round of leaf bag pickup was currently under way, and that they would be continuing throughout this week and potentially part of next week, weather permitting. Councilman Ron Zellers commended the street department on its efforts with this year's leaf bag program noting the department "really did a bang-up job."
Cappuzzello said that progress was continuing on the Lincoln Plaza project, and that he had confirmed work will be continuing through the winter, including on the construction of the central gazebo. Cappuzzello also said that work was continuing on the water line break on North Lincoln Avenue which would remain closed between Third Street to State Street until at least the end of the business day Wednesday.
During pleasure of council Councilman Jake Gano, Evan Newman, Jeff Stockman, Ron Zellers and Andrew Null all took a moment to thank councilmen Steve Faber and Dennis Plegge for their service, guidance and collaboration on city council during their final scheduled meeting as part of city council following their defeats in November's general election. Null also thanked Auditor Betty Brothers for her years of service, patience and knowledge ahead of her impending retirement.
Plegge and Faber also both made statements prior to the meetings close, noting that serving on council had been an honor.
"I just want to say it's been a pleasure serving with you all. There's so much to learn that the public doesn't know and has no idea what it's like to sit up here time after time and vote on things that affect all our lives. I'm not going anywhere I've still got the super cruise to take care of and parades to take care of, so I'll still be around," said Plegge.
"Between the parks director's job and city council, I'll have my first and third Tuesday nights back after 32 years. I might even get to see a Salem basketball game. But it has been an honor to represent the first ward, it's been my privilege to serve with these council members. We don't always agree but we get along and that's what's important and I trust that will continue. I think the city is in good hands and I wish you all well," said Faber.
All the members of council also wished Salem's residents a merry and safe Christmas and New Year.
The city council will meet next 7 p.m. Jan. 2.