SALEM — City council approved an amended lease agreement with wireless infrastructure company American Towers LLC in its meeting Tuesday.

The amended agreement will see the city receive increased compensation for the property in exchange for giving American Towers the option to work with the city to add an additional 340 square feet to the lease agreement. City Law Director Brooke Zellers said that under the new agreement the city would receive a $20,000 signing bonus, the monthly rental fee increased to $1000 with a 2% annual increase over the 50 year term of the lease which will see that monthly fee increase to $2,700 by the end of the term, and a percentage of the revenue from any new utilities added to the tower.

Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey said that American Towers was seeking the additional square footage for a possible expansion because “some of the customers on the tower are now required to have generators in case the power goes out,” which she noted would also provide “a backup for [the city’s services].”

City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said that the city had not seen a rate increase for the property since the lease was originally signed 27 years ago, and that through negotiating for that additional square footage the city was able to increase the annual revenue gained from the lease from $2,000 to $12,000, in addition to the annual increase and signing bonus.

“Because they wanted this additional property, we were able to negotiate a 2% increase which isn’t what we asked for but better than what we have, so we’re much further ahead than where we were previously,” said Cappuzzello.

Other financial matters approved included: an ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025; an ordinance authorizing Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley to advertise for bids and enter contracts for the purchase of water and wastewater chemical and miscellaneous items used by the Salem Utilities Department from March 15, 2025 through March 14, 2026; and a resolution adopting and approving the 2024 city wide fee schedule.

During her report Dickey said that Gov. Mike DeWine would be visiting Salem at 1 p.m. Dec. 16 and that the city would be officially unveiling the new Abraham Lincoln Statue at Lincoln Plaza, and a flag raising ceremony with the AMVETS featuring patriotic songs by the Salem High School Band.

During his report City Auditor Sal Salvino announced that city hall would be holding an items and food drive for Angels for Animal now through Dec. 29 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Salvino said that any donations should be left at the drop-off site in the hall outside of city council chambers.

Other matters approved included an ordinance amending section 4.6 and 4.7 of the city of Salem personnel policy manual.

Council will meet next at 7 p.m. Dec. 17.