The City of Salem Board of Aldermen approved an amendment (Bill No. 3501) to city code (ordinance 700.060) which provides clarity to the intent of the utility disconnect policy by specifying implementation at its regular meeting March 8. The amendment is largely related to discontinuance of service for non-payment during cold and hot weather.
The board voted down a similar amendment (Bill No. 3498) Jan. 25, citing a need to add additional clarity in the wording before codifying the changes to further amend policy following a previous amendment passed Dec. 28, 2021.
The December amendment changed shut off requirements to include specific weather and day of the week requirements that would prohibit the shut off of utilities. If, according to the National Weather Service, the temperature is scheduled to be below freezing in the following 24 hours and electricity is necessary as the primary heat source of a residence or if it is forecasted to be over 95-degrees or a heat index of greater than 105-degrees, then the city (by ordinance) cannot shut off utilities. The ordinance also provides that utilities cannot be shut off on days that no one is available to turn the service back on the immediately succeeding day. Essentially, service will not be disconnected on Fridays or on the day immediately prior to a holiday.
The March amendment clarifies that a residential customer previously disconnected for non-payment may be reconnected during the occurrence of a weather situation as stated above.
This important clarification excludes residential customers in default to the City of Salem and whose “account has been referred to a third-party for debt collection.” This amendment also includes clarification that when utilities are reconnected due to the updated weather policy shall be billed to the customer as usual.
There was no discussion regarding 3501 before the board voted 4-0 to pass the amendment. Changes were based off of the recommendation of the utility committee, which met in February and at which all four aldermen and the mayor were present.
• The board voted (on Bill No. 3500) to accept Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Amendment number two in a 4-0 decision. Bolerjack asked about why the ending date on the agreement had already passed. Walden explained that it is because the work was completed by the date indicated and is stated that way because the city will receive reimbursement for that work through the block grant.
• The board also unanimously passed a resolution (5-2022) authorizing the mayor to enter into a fee agreement with a law firm for representation and consultation regarding negotiating utility pole attachments and other matters as directed.
• The board also unanimously passed a resolution (6-2022) authorizing the city to purchase a new 2022 Caterpillar 28903 track loader.
Also at the meeting, during the city administrator’s report, Don Harkey of People Centric presented on some of the work the group is completing for the city. Namely, Harkey specifically noted their goal of creating a workable succession for key city positions like clerk, city administrator and other important supervisory roles. This plan will allow the city to more effectively prepare future office holders of those positions to be better prepared.
• The board also approved road closures in Salem for the Salem Run as presented by David Hancock. The board approved the request 3-0. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack abstained as he is a part of the sanctioning board for the May 28 event.
• The board unanimously approved closure of parts of downtown for a Sept. 17 Elvis Presley festival presented by Michael Florence.
