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Salem council unanimously confirms assistant law director and passes seven ordinances
Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting, Salem City Council unanimously confirmed Alec Beachch as assistant law director (retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026) and passed ordinances 07—1, including fuel contracts, electricity aggregation, housing code changes, IPMC updates and short-term rental rules.
Salem City Council unanimously approved multiple items Feb. 3, confirming an appointment and passing seven ordinances that city staff said will update procurement and local codes.
Appointment: Council voted to confirm Alec Beachch as assistant law director, with the motion made by Mr. Stockman and seconded by Mrs. Bear; the appointment was made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. Beachch told the council, "I just want to say thank you all very much. I look forward to working with you."
Ordinances: Council suspended rules and approved the following items by recorded roll-call votes, each recorded as "yes" by the members present:
- Ordinance 07 (emergency): Authorized the director of public service and safety to advertise for bids and enter contracts for gasoline and diesel for a one-year period. - Ordinance 08 (emergency): Authorized the city to enter an agreement with an electricity supplier through Aspen Energy Corporation for the city's electricity aggregation program; staff noted residents inside city limits are automatically enrolled unless they opt out. - Ordinance 09 (emergency): Authorized application submission and local match commitment for the national railroad partnership intercity passenger rail grant (see separate report on the South Lincoln Avenue overpass). - Ordinance 10: Amended section 1198.10 of the codified ordinances. - Ordinance 11 (emergency): Amended chapter 1309 regarding the housing code; committee changes included a $72 occupancy license and clarified inspection policies. - Ordinance 12: Updated chapter 1337 to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code for residential and commercial properties. - Ordinance 13: Created chapter 1339 regulating short-term rental operations (annual permits, $72 occupancy fee, required fire inspections); committee estimated 20—25 short-term rentals already operate in Salem.
Council members praised city employees for snow removal and noted upcoming administrative events, including a Feb. 17 orientation and a March 3 student presentation from St. Paul Elementary. The meeting adjourned after the votes.
