The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regularly scheduled meeting on March 12. Present were aldermen Shawn Bolerjack, Kala Sisco, Kyle Williams, John Whelan, and Mayor Greg Parker.
Wanda Suhr recited the oath of office and was unanimously approved by the board to serve as assistant city clerk.
There was a heated discussion surrounding Resolution No. 8-2024 between the aldermen and several members of the public. The resolution seeks to authorize the donation of property by the city for development of affordable housing by the Salem Housing Authority. If the resolution is approved – and should the Salem Housing Authority secure adequate funding for the construction of 24 affordable housing units – the city will donate approximately four acres of the old middle school grounds. Ownership of the old middle school grounds will be retained by the city if funding is not secured by Salem Housing Authority.
Sisco noted that she’s had several residents reach out to her urging the board to delay the decision on the resolution until more information is provided to the community. Sisco informed the citizens this is a single step toward the development of affordable houses and not the final decision, but the concern of the citizens was weighing on her.
Joyce Grover, a resident who lives near the old middle school grounds, spoke outside of public comment and shared that she felt the board was being flippant in its decision-making – desiring more communication regarding the Salem Housing Authority’s plans. She urged the board to table the decision until more information is shared.
In support of the resolution, Whelan shared the Salem Housing Authority’s history of providing increased property value and well-maintained units. He urged the citizens to consider how affordable housing might benefit the city’s economy and families that have gone without running water for two years. The citizens in the audience started to talk over the board to argue against the resolution and ask more questions. Williams stood up and began to raise his voice, to which Chase stood up to encourage decorum.
Sisco stated there are many steps between the resolution’s approval and the building of low-income units, “This is literally the very first step for them to be able to even see if this is a possibility,” reiterated Sisco.
Parker called for the board to vote. Whelan and Williams voted to approve. Sisco and Bolerjack voted no. The vote was tied, 2-2. Parker was the deciding vote and said no, citing the need for the public to attain more information. Parker called for the decision to table the resolution: Sisco, Bolerjack, and Williams voted yes; Whelan voted no. The resolution was tabled, 3-1.
The aldermen discussed scheduling a special meeting in which the housing authority could present its data, statistics, and plans with the community within the affected area and hopefully address concerns. Burbridge will be reaching out to the Housing Authority, along with the aldermen, to figure out a date to host a special meeting regarding Resolution No. 8-2024.
The board heard several public comments from concerned citizenry:
Michael Williams began his statement by identifying himself as a person with disabilities and requested reasonable accommodation, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act. The board agreed to Williams’ request and allowed more than three minutes for his public comment, along with a chair for which Williams to sit.
Williams’ comment surrounded the public policy for public hearings of persons – “At face value, the public policy seems innocuous,” said Williams. “But when looked at with some scrutiny, it becomes problematic on a constitutional level, specifically the first amendment.” He further cited Gitlow v. New York of 1925 within his argument for transparency and more leniency toward the hearings of persons.
Other public comments
• Debbie Murphy, regarding the lease for Healthy Dent County. The lease was not voted on during the meeting of March 14, it was only the first reading. Murphy insisted the board delay a decision for several people concerned about the vote are out of town.
• Lisa French was wondering what entity owned the building next to the airport with the weathervane. Burbridge informed French to reach out to her through email to follow-up.
Request for road closures
• Rob Benowitz has asked the board that Fourth Street, from Hwy. 19 to Jackson Street, be blocked for the 100 Acre Wood Rally Park Expose’. The street will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., March 16. All board members, except Williams who abstained, approved the road closure.
• Jonathon Stokes has requested road closures for the Salem High School senior class parade on May 11, 6 p.m. The parade will lineup at SBU and end at the high school. The road closure was approved unanimously.
The following resolutions were unanimously approved by the board:
• Resolution No. 9-2024: A resolution authorizing the mayor to renew the tower lease agreement between the City of Salem and Wave Internet Technologies LLC for the installation of wireless broadband access point with related equipment on a designated portion of the City of Salem’s water tower located at Tower and Condray Streets effective the 1st day of Feb. 2024, for the period of one year. The city has had an annual agreement with Wave Internet for use of space on top of the “bottle rocket” water tower for the past few years. Proposed is a renewal of the agreement without changes except for the dates which are retroactive to Feb. 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025.
• Resolution No. 10-2024: The city’s Al Brown ballfields have been unusable for some time due to the discovery of deteriorated wooden light poles which created an unsafe environment for some of the community’s youth sports programs. Previously, under the ESP program new poles and field lights were installed but no electrical lines were run. ESP presented a proposal to run the electrical lines with a quoted price of $86,000. Staff discussed the options and approached ESP about taking over this portion of the project and overseeing it in-house. Request for sealed bids was originally advertised in The Salem News on Nov. 8 and Nov.15, 2022 for both Labor Only and Labor and Materials. One company responded, BCS Electrical LLC, and was awarded a bid and contract for Labor Only in the amount of $41,760.88 and separately the city purchased materials for a total of $13,147.58.
Two bids were up for approval:
• In the previous aldermen meeting held March 5, the board had tabled the bid decision for the chain-link fence due to some concerns held by Donnie Moore, water and sewer manager. The city solicited bids from qualified contractors to install a commercial grade chain link fence around the industrial park water tower and well number four to secure the area and equipment. The water department budgeted $40,000 for fencing. Three bids were received: Leo Morgan Fencing, $24,000; Diamond Fence LLC, $45,000; and J&M Construction and Fencing LLC, $29,950. Required warranty information was not included in the bid from Leo Morgan Fencing, so it was considered non-responsive. The board unanimously approved the bid from J&M Construction and Fencing LLC.
• Bids were received from three vendors for streetlights: Fletcher Reinhardt, $6,957.50; Harry Cooper Supply, $9,057.50; and Butler Supply, $5,725.00. Fletcher Reinhardt and Harry Cooper Supply both offered a ten-year warranty, while Butler Supply only offered a five-year warranty. The purchase will be for 50 dusk to dawn LED streetlights. Kotschedoff recommended the board to approve the bid from Fletcher Reinhardt, as he’s had positive dealings with the company in the past. The board unanimously approved the bid from Fletcher Reinhardt.
The board heard the first readings of two bills:
• Bill No. 3601: An ordinance authorizing the sale of a piece of real property. During 2023, the property owner of 306 E. Second St was sent a citation letter for the property. The owner had inherited the property and does not live in the area and has no intention of moving to Salem. The property owner donated the property to Salem via the Voluntary Demolition Program. Last month the city was able to demolish the foundation and cistern, backfilling the lot bringing it to grade and seeding the property. With the lot cleaned up, discussions among staff have found no municipal or public use fitting the property due to its size and location. Sale of the property will be unanticipated revenue for Salem’s general fund.
• Bill No. 3602: An ordinance authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Council for a Healthy Dent County for lease of certain city owned property.
Melissa DuBois, director for Parks and Recreation, shared some updates:
• Soccer is underway with a total of 302 kids playing this year. It is the second biggest sport behind summer ball. Games will start Saturday, April 6. She encourages all to come out and encourage the kids playing.
• She has all the referees they need. Training is underway to ensure proper teachings.
• Signs for non-smoking are designed and the search for vendors to complete signing is underway.
• Public restrooms are not yet open due to upcoming cold snaps and general inconsistency of weather.
• There will be pavilion rentals this year. Stop by the city administration office or call (573) 729-4811 extension: utility. The pavilion near the basketball and tennis courts is $45; the pavilion behind the batting cages is $35.
• Salem High School is having a service day April 9. High school students are coming to the park to re-mulch the trees donated last year.
Police chief and interim public works director Joe Chase shared his report:
• Electric department has been working on Gateway antennas and making progress on repairs and improvements, as well as better diagnostics for utility bill issues.
• Street department went to Parkhill to pick up asphalt for various street maintenance projects. Crews have also been working on yard waste, street sweeping, and equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Sewer plant upgrades have been installed to allow for better inspection and testing.
• Cemetery mowers and equipment have been serviced.
• Chase met with Woodard & Curran. The company will be viewing the wastewater treatment plant to discuss engineering plans.
• Working on diagnostic process on meter wells due to the amount of rereads from Feb.
Parker reported on three different events in town coming up:
• Knights of Columbus are having a fish fry at the Catholic Church from the Feb. 16 to March 22, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 101 South Macarthur Ave, in honor of Lent.
• Mark Twain National Forest, Salem Ranger District will be hiring two to three high school students for the youth conservation corps program this summer. Students and recent graduates between the ages of 15 and 18 are welcome and encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is March 29 by close of business at 4:30 p.m. For more information or questions, contact the main office at (573)-729-6656.
Williams reported on the 100 Acre Wood rally coming into town, and that he would be racing. He shared there was an estimated amount of 800 to 1,200 people coming to view the rally. He also reported there would be a utility meeting on March 15 at 6:15 p.m. at the Armory.
Sisco requested that the utility committee review the utility deposit, as she’s concerned with averages on a 12-month billing period for new homeowners.
There will be a community involvement meeting on March 21 at 5 p.m. at the Armory.
Addressing gossip on social media, Sisco shared: “As far as I’m considered, we are one city, one board, and one goal: that is to take care of the city, the citizens, and their needs.” She said, “That is my goal.”
Sisco also wanted to gently remind citizens that weekly pickups were canceled last spring due to the cost and lack of manpower. Service must be scheduled with the administrator’s office for a $40 work order. Yards being cleaned and maintained is appreciated – but remember to put in the work order, as well.
Bolerjack and Whelan had nothing to report.
