The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday, April 22, during which the board heard a presentation from entity Next to Rise advocating for protections against secondhand smoke. Other topics for the evening included approving a park fencing bid, a community support funding request for Salem R-80 Project Graduation, and the submission of a letter to legislators informing them on challenges the city faces.
In attendance included mayor Greg Parker, board members Nathan Kinsey, Rick Letchworth, Catherine Dent, and John Whelan. Other present city staff members included city administrator Sally Burbridge, city clerk Tammy Koller, finance director Stacey Houston, parks and recreation director Melissa DuBois, and public works director Steve Paine.
Next to Rise presentation
Next to Rise is a statewide youth engagement program funded by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MODHSS) with a mission of promoting a healthy Missouri free of the harmful effects of commercial tobacco addition.
Organizers shared several goals, including raising awareness around the need for comprehensive smokefree protections that protect workers and families across Missouri; achieving changes to local policies by implementing or strengthening smokefree community protections; and achieving statewide protection that ensures all workplaces and public places are 100% smoke and vape free.
Other objectives include meeting with key decision makers to discuss smokefree policies that protect the health of more Missourians; educate, train and mobilize individuals around the need to improve Missouri’s smokefree protections; and develop partnerships with organizations in order to strengthen the campaign’s support base.
Further, organizers shared:
• Exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk of getting cancer by 20-30%
• Exposure to secondhand smoke kills 1,200 Missourians every year
• 7 in 10 Missourians lack legal protection from secondhand smoke at work
They also commended Salem on its recent strides while drawing attention to current smokefree policy gaps.
“We want to recognize and applaud the city of Salem for taking a meaningful step forward in protecting public health with the passage of a smoke free and vape free ordinance in February 2024, which prohibits smoking and vaping on city owned east or operated property, including public parks and recreational spaces, demonstrating Salem's commitment to healthier outdoor environments, it reflects growing community support for smoke and vape free air, and sets a positive example for surrounding areas,” shared Stacy Sherrod, Show Me Smokefree’s campaign manager. “At the same time, there's still room to strengthen protections further. This ordinance does not yet include comprehensive coverage of all indoor public spaces, such as restaurants, workplaces or businesses. As public awareness and support continually grow. Salem has a valuable opportunity to build on this momentum and consider expanding the ordinance to create fully smoke and vape free environments across the city.”
Sherrod encouraged board members and attendees to show support for Show Me Smokefree by visiting tinyurl.com/showmesmokefreetakeaction.
Park fencing bid
On Nov. 8, 2024, a "100-year" flood event impacted multiple areas throughout Dent County and the City of Salem, including Salem City Parks. The floodwaters carried debris and caused erosion, resulting in extensive damage to the fencing surrounding the ball fields. Sections of fence were bent, displaced, or broken, creating hazardous conditions and rendering the fields unsafe for public use.
This project will address the repair and replacement of damaged fencing to restore the safety and security of the affected areas. Work will include repairs and installation of new fencing materials where necessary.
During the Parks Board meeting April 17, board members approved recommending accepting the bid to repair fencing in the Red/Green Ballfield and Al Brown Fields, for $3,500 and $14,500, respectively.
The board approved the bids, 4-0.
Letter to legislators
Burbridge informed the board that Chris McGuirt and Josh Hunt from the water and wastewater departments will be going to the capitol, where they will participate in the judging of the city’s tap water. While they are at the capitol, they may have an opportunity to meet with state legislators and deliver a letter.
“This letter is an opportunity to educate our state legislators, our representative and our senator about some of the legislative issues this area is facing,” informed Burbridge. “Again, it's meant to be informational for them, just so that they have this background information as they're considering legislation.”
In the letter Hunt and McGuirt will bring with them, several challenges are outlined that the city faces, including wastewater system challenges, drinking water needs, and emergency regulatory burdens.
“Salem faces an estimated $50 million in known water and wastewater system costs. These burdens threaten the financial stability of our community, where rate increases are becoming unsustainable for our residents,” the letter reads.
To read the letter in full, go to page 56 in the April 22 Aldermen Meeting packet at https://www.salemmo.com/city/government/reports/agendas___minutes.php.
The board approved sending and submitting the letters, 4-0.
Funding request
Salem R-80 Project Graduation requested $1,000 in funding support for their annual Project Graduation event. Participation is completely free for graduating seniors and concludes with prize giveaways of items intended to support their transition into adulthood, whether they are entering college, the workforce, or independent living. Funds will be used to purchase household essentials, small appliances, and electronics that are practical and beneficial for young adults beginning this new chapter in their lives.
The board approved the $1,000 to go toward the event, 4-0.
Reports of city officials
Sally Burbridge, City Administrator
Burbridge informed the board that there were mockups included in the Aldermen packet featuring different colors the new water tower could be, including green, orange, blue, or yellow. These are the top four colors recommended by city staff, presented to the board for consideration.
There will be a planning and zoning workshop on Monday, April 28 with Anne Friend from MRPC facilitating. During the workshop, recommended changes to the planning and zoning map will be discussed.
Stacey Houston, Finance Director
Total Sales Tax Revenues collected through April 2025 are $4,003,575 (including General Fund,
Parks & Rec Fund, and Capital Improvement fund), an increase of approximately 9% from the same time frame as last year.
Utility Usage & Revenue YTD, through March 2025
Electric kWh’s sold is 38,906,990 kWh’s, which is a decrease of approximately 1% compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed are $5,272,315, which is also a decrease.
Purchase of Power, what the city pays to MPUA to provide power, was $3,530,741, a slight increase compared to the same time frame as last year. Water consumption was 95,213,141 gallons, a slight increase compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed are $634,052. Sewer consumption sold is 86,447,708 million gallons, a slight decrease compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed are $997,464.
Fund Balance Summary shows data through March 31. The total of all funds is $13,879,773. In revenues, 62% has been brought in of what has been budgeted. In expenditures, there has been 55% spent of what has been budgeted. Revenues and expenditures are tracking behind what has been expected for this point in the budget year. This is due to grant projects that have started later than anticipated, explained Houston.
Mayor Greg Parker
The Community Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, May 3. Shortly after is the residential clean-up for Salem residents May 5-9.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
If residents have any utility issues, submit work orders by calling 573-729-4117. With other questions or concerns, contact the administrative building by calling 573-729-4811. After hours issues, call the police department’s non-emergency dispatch number at 573-729-4242. Social media does not generate work orders.
All departments have been conducting budget preparation, researching budget costs, and attending meetings with staff.
• Wastewater treatment plant continues working on FEMA reimbursement. Daily testing continues.
• Water department installed a new deep water service line.
• Electric department dealt with one outage due to the recent lightning storm.
• Line trimming crews continue making gains on work orders
• Streetlight repairs and replacements are continuing
• Planned power outages are to be conducted by Show-me Pole Replacement in June. Notifications to the public will be made as the date nears
• Construction crew prepared for curb and driveway concrete projects with water department. Crew members also worked on parks facilities to stop rainstorm leaks.
• Mechanic is maintaining multiple pieces of equipment citywide, and cemetery crew members are mowing with the grass growing season
