The Salem Board of Aldermen met Sept. 5. Immediately following roll call, City Administrator Ray Walden presented a proposal on behalf of Dent County Connect to hold a Paddle Mania fundraiser for the All-Inclusive Park. Their goal is to help raise additional funds for equipment and upgrades for the park.
This proposal is in compliance with the recently passed resolution number 4-2017 for the City of Salem regarding fundraising and donations being presented to the city aldermen before funds related to the city are solicited.
The fundraising event is tentatively to be held 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Dent County Commons. Alternate dates are being discussed should Sept. 23 be in conflict with other activities at the park. Participating companies include Scoops Ice Cream; Magnabilities; Thirty-One Gifts; Lemongrass Spa; Norwex; Scentsy; Pampered Chef; Mary Kay Cosmetics; Origami Owl; Rodan & Fields; LuLaRoe; Jamberry; Tupperware; My Amelia Grace.
Kim Shelton, East Ward alderwoman, commented that the park is already fully funded and requested clarification on what the funds are being solicited for. West Ward alderwoman Molly Zettel also requested clarification on liability issues pertaining to any new additions to the park.
Walden recommended that if the park is fully funded the proposal be approved with the stipulation that the park board and the aldermen approve what the additional funds raised are spent for. By having the park board’s approval on new additions, liability responsibility would be monitored. According to the proposal no additional liability is expected for the city with this project.
The board approved the fund raising project proposal with the stipulation that it has to go through park board approval prior to the funds being spent and funds be appropriated for needed items first and foremost. Contact Trina Straub at (573) 247-7291 with any questions or for more information on the fundraiser.
Next on the agenda was the presentation of bids and discussion of the Splash Pad at the City Park. Tye Lydon, Parks and Recreation Director, presented the requested bids. Bid 1 was received from My Splash Pad with an all-inclusive bid of $36,158 and Bid 2 from Westport Pools with a bid of $250,000 and the shade structure system at an additional fee. The first bid of $36,158 from My Splash Pad was unanimously approved by the board. Funding for this project would be derived from existing budgets of $20,000 an allotment for pool maintenance, $15,000 already budgeted for the splash pad and a $10,000 Healthy Dent County Grant, thereby fully funding the Splash Pad project.
• Past agendas were unanimously approved.
• Walden provided updates to the board on items concerning the city. The Middle School selection committee is reviewing options and recommendations for board consideration are anticipated at the next aldermen meeting.
• The Salem Community Center at the Armory had 5,266 users of their services and programs for Aug. 2017.
• The Missouri Community Betterment judges will be in Salem 3 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. today (Tuesday), this is a time and date change from a previous announcement.
• Also a reminder to everyone of the Electronic Waste Recycling Event Sept. 30 at the Grand and Third streets shop. More information will be provided via the local media in upcoming weeks.
• Bill No. 3341, an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute a contract between the City of Salem and WCA Waste Corp. to collect, haul and dispose of all refuse, rubbish and other waste generated from residences in the City of Salem. The board voted to accept the bid from WCA Waste Corp. at the last board meeting. This ordinance is required authorizing the mayor to sign the contract. This bill was unanimously approved. Residents participating within the city limits will have a fee of $13.65 per month for the upcoming year.
• Last item on the agenda presented by Mary Happel, City Clerk, was the need to appoint a Board of Aldermen employer delegate for the Annual Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System, LAGERS. This annual meeting will be held Oct. 19- Oct. 20 at Tan Tar A Resort in Osage Beach. The City of Salem elected Jerry Brown as employee delegate on their behalf. Happel was nominated and unanimously approved to represent The Board of Alderman on their behalf.
The board meeting was adjourned from open session and continued with closed session regarding real estate and contracts.
