The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 9, during which the board approved several changes in staff policies.
In attendance included Mayor Greg Parker, aldermen Nathan Kinsey, Rick Letchworth, John Whelan, and Catherine Dent. Also, in attendance included City Clerk Tammy Koller and Public Works Director Steve Paine.
The public hearing for annexation of property was postponed to the following meeting.
Employee Manual policy changes
Staff members have requested changing the name of what was known as “Seniority Pay” to “Annual Longevity Pay” in the Employee Manual. This is a lump sum provided in December to staff members who have been employed for a full year.
The sum is $41.60 for each completed year of service, up to a maximum annual payment of $832 (20 years of service.) This is only provided to those employed full-time, not part-time.
This has been provided to employees for the past 30 years, further contextualized Koller, but needs added to the official policies. After discussion, the board approved the addition to the Employee Manual.
The board also approved amendments to what used to be known as the “Cell Phone Policy,” reported as outdated and in need of change in order to include tablets. The updated policy would be renamed “Mobile Device Policy.” It is a complete rewrite of the original policy, explained City Administrator Sally Bubridge in the staff summary provided in the meeting packet.
Major changes included:
• Inclusion of mobile devices, such as tablets and iPads.
• Providing a stipend for those in first level supervisory positions who use their personal phone
• Identifying those positions who should have a city provided cell phone for FirstNet service, in case of emergencies
• Eliminating language that requires adding up the number of usage or minutes of city versus non city usage of cell phones.
Application for Emerging Contaminant Grant with DNR
As explained within the staff summary by Burbridge, the Salem WWTP receives municipal wastewater generated within the City of Salem limits and treats it with a suspended growth biological process. This process produces excess biomass which must routinely be wasted to maintain process equilibrium. These excess solids are stabilized in aerobic digesters and the resulting biosolids are dewatered in sludge reed beds.
Due to the nature of the operation of the sludge reed beds, biosolids have accumulated in the
sludge reed beds for approximately 10 years.
The city has performed testing of the accumulated biosolids and has determined that it contains numerous perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A review of the testing has revealed that the PFAS profile is consistent with chromium electroplating. Historically, the city has had a chromium electroplating industry discharging to the treatment facility; however, within the last five years, the facility has been closed.
The city desires to pursue an emerging contaminant grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Financial Assistance Center to afford disposal of the material at a landfill or incinerator. This is a 100% grant application totaling $792,326.94 with no local grant match. The board approved filing of an application for the grant.
The board also approved the following items:
• Cold mix asphalt bid from Willard Asphalt Paving bid for street infrastructure at $17,940
• An ordinance annexing certain adjacent territory into the city
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Greg Parker
Parker thanked city staff for hanging the new banners up in Downtown Salem in preparation for the Christmas parade. Similarly, he thanked the electric department for its work on the street lights, and the Salem Police for increased patrols. He thanked the water department for fixing leaks on East Center Street.
Alderwoman Catherine Dent
Dent reported that the Beautification Subcommittee of the Community Involvement Committee will be meeting about Craig Plaza 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The Salem Community Choir will be in concert at the Salem Christian Church with a musical 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.
Economics Development Director Carrie Sutterfield
Sutterfield requested approval of two reappointments to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board, which is a joint committee between Salem and Dent County that supports existing business expansion and new business development through local property tax abatements for eligible businesses.
Current members are Jamie Homeyer, Dustin Howard, Dean Jones (Chair), Jeff Dodson (taxing district seat), Nathan Wills (school district seat), Daniel Sayler, and Willie Strater. The terms of Dodson and Wills expire in December 2025 and both agreed at the Aug. 21 board meeting to serve another five-year term. The Dent County Commission has already approved the appointments Thursday, Dec. 4. The aldermen approved the appointments.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
Wastewater Treatment Plant: The plant is healthy with the Phase 2 improvements continuing.
Water department: The new water lead Kyle Wolford is settling into his role. He has been repairing several water leaks. Water department crew members also prepared the vac-truck for the parade, to showcase it as an asset within the department.
Electric department: Paine welcomed Brandon Schmidt to the team—he has previously been with Intercounty for 16 years. Crew members are finalizing underground wiring for the Doss Road cell tower. They have also replaced a transformer on West Franklin.
Construction department: Crew members finalized a concrete project at the concession stand at the park. Both Street and Construction worked to set up the temporary downtown light poles for the parade and ensured the parade routes were coned off.
Street department: Crew members continued to street sweep and clean drop-ins, to prevent leaves from making their way into the drainage system.
City Mechanic Jon Roos repaired and maintained multiple pieces of equipment citywide. Cemetery crew members dug graves and assisted with setup in the past two weeks.
Paine noted that if community members should ever notice lights are out at the welcome signs at the city limits, please call it in to the Public Works Department so it may be fixed. Further, he asked the public to not sweep leaves into the street, as it may plug up the drainage system.
