SALEM–The city council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the police union Tuesday.

The council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey to enter a memorandum of understanding with members of the Salem Police Bargaining Unit One and Unit Two regarding temporary modified duty assignments. The memorandum states that a bargaining member “subject to a temporary disability, injury or illness, unrelated to their employment” that prevents them from performing their normal duties may request a temporary alternate assignment with documentation from a physician. Under the memorandum “there shall be no reduction of pay and no loss of benefits under the bargaining agreement while a bargaining unit member is assigned to a temporary modified duty assignment.” However, while on temporary assignment that member is not eligible “to work any departmental overtime, third-party job details or outside employment for the duration of the approved temporary modified duty assignment.” The memorandum also specifies that a member “temporarily unable to perform their regular duties due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions” are considered “the same as a temporarily disabled employee” for the purposes of the policy.

The council also voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation to remove and resurface state Route 9 from Mullins Street to West State Street, and state Route 14 from the Salem Regional Medical Center to Cunningham Road, and authorizing City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello to enter any contracts necessary to comply with project requirements and declaring an emergency.

During his report Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley said that phase three improvements at the city wastewater treatment plant had reached substantial completion, meaning that all the new equipment, processes, and buildings the department was required to install under its consent decree with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency were complete and operational. He also said that the department’s attorney was working to “get the balls rolling” with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office to have the consent decree lifted.

During their reports Dickey and City Law Director Brooke Zellers wished everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and thanked Councilman Andrew Null for his service as a member of the city council ahead of the end of his term Dec. 31.

During the report of standing committees Councilman Jeff Stockman announced that the rules and ordinance committee would meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 prior to the city council’s next meeting to review proposed language updates to the city’s housing ordinances, and an IT ordinance. Councilwomen Jayne Bricker said that language updates to the city’s ambulance ordinance would also be discussed at that meeting.

As the meeting concluded City Council President Evan Newman, Councilman Jim Harrington, Councilwoman Sara Baer, Bricker, and Stockman all thanked Null for his service to the city, leadership, and the positive example he has set for members of the city council. For his part, Null thanked them for their comments and said that he felt the current council and administration were “one of the best [the city] has had” and that he feels the city is in good hands.

The city council will meet next at 7 p.m. on Jan. 6.