The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regularly scheduled meeting March 26. In attendance were aldermen Shawn Bolerjack, Kala Sisco, Kyle Williams, John Whelan, and Mayor Greg Parker. Bolerjack attended the meeting virtually. Sisco attended in-person until her health called her away.
Healthy Dent County’s meeting room was packed with citizens, so much so that there was a scramble to grab more chairs to seat the people lined outside the door before the meeting could even begin.
The hot topic of discussion was Resolution No. 8-2024, tabled during the Aldermen meeting of March 12 due to public demand. Resolution No. 8-2024, if passed, would authorize donation of the old middle school grounds by the City of Salem for development of affordable housing by the Salem Housing Authority. The donation would be contingent on the Salem Housing Authority being found eligible for a three-million-dollar grant. If not chosen to receive the grant, the city would retain the property.
Points of contention raised during public comments included concerns for further strain on the water and sewer infrastructure in the surrounding neighborhood. Citizens spoke on a common recurring issue of wastewater backing up into kitchen sinks and bathtubs during heavy rains, an issue the city has yet to fix, alleged some.
Several citizens felt slighted Salem Housing Authority did not give the surrounding neighborhood enough time to respond to the plans prior to the resolution being brought to aldermen. Others felt a low-income housing development would invite more traffic and increase noise levels, something that would ruin the rural appeal, said citizens. Others suggested building low-income housing in an area so far away from amenities, when many low-income earners lacked means of transportation, was poor planning.
Many suggested the property ought to be turned into a city park rather than low-income housing.
Sherman Odom, member of Salem Housing Authority’s board, gave a presentation on building plans for the old middle school grounds before inviting citizens into a Q&A session. Within a packet handed out to those in attendance was a pyramid depicting the “rural hierarchy of needs” – in order to achieve a workforce, a city must have housing, argues Odom.
Odom gave a presentation of past, current, and future projects for the Salem Housing Authority, vouching for its hard work and efforts, including success of its current units on North McGrath Lane and its efforts in revitalizing the city with its Community Renewal Program where dilapidated homes are purchased and torn down or renovated.
For the old middle school grounds, Odom shared a one acre “city pocket park” would be included in the plans, with additional parking being built on the west side of 12 low-income duplexes, totaling 24 units. Eight of the duplexes would be built in the middle of the 4.31 acre lot along a new city street with parking built next to each duplex to accommodate residents. Four of the units would face east toward North Hickory Street with parking built for each duplex.
The board received interim public works director Joe Chase’ resignation letter. Before approving the letter, Sisco expressed her thanks for Chase’ efforts while the city has been without a public works director.
“I think I speak for the rest of the board that you are very much appreciated, and we appreciate you for stepping up,” Sisco said to Chase.
The resignation was approved unanimously.
Assistant city clerk Wanda Suhr led the new public works director, Steven Paine, through the oath of office.
Request for street closure
Lyndell Decker has requested road closures for a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 17 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Events will be dirt bike stunts by Brad Bennett, vendors, and backpacks with school supplies. Road closures include Fourth to Iron Street and Iron Street to Fifth Street. The board unanimously approved the closure.
UM Extension for Dent County
There was a brief presentation of the annual report for 2023 for University of Missouri’s Extension for Dent County. It recently lost one of its board members, Amy Glenn. The extension is in the process of rehiring for that position.
The UM Extension is working with S&T to put together a rural infrastructure focus group. Dent, Pulaski, Texas, and Phelps were awarded a research grant to analyze rural infrastructure needs in the counties.
Financial report from Stacey Houston
Total sales tax revenues collected through March 2024 are $2,809,964, including general fund, parks and rec fund, capital improvement fund, and fuel and vehicle tax. This is down 1% from the same timeframe as last year. Collected from the additional 1% sales tax is $485,145.
Utilities usage and revenues are through Feb. 2024.
Electric kWh’s sold is 35.7 million kWh’s, which is down 4% compared to the same timeframe as last year. Revenues billed are $5,040,277 million. The city has spent $3,183,073 on the purchase of power.
Water consumption sold is 85 million gallons, which is down 12% compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed are $545,206. Sewer consumption sold is 77.5 million gallons. Revenues billed are $715,612.
Fund balance summary shows data through Feb. 29, 2024. The total of all funds is $9,551,062. The city has brought in 58% of what has been budgeted and has expended 52% of what has been budgeted. The city is 67% through the budget year.
Rose Kinerk of Salem Housing Authority is not running for re-appointment following her expired term. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Rushing to the Salem Housing Authority board of commissioners for a four-year term.
Bill No. 3607 had its first and second reading.
The ordinance authorizes the mayor to sign a second supplemental agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for additional funds for new ADA compliant sidewalks serving downtown businesses along Fourth Street. Given increased construction costs, the project bids came in higher than anticipated. In order to assist the City of Salem with the project, MoDOT made available additional funding in the amount of $129,837.63. The total new grant amount is $476,618.00. The board unanimously approved the ordinance.
TAP Grant bid approval
Bids were advertised in The Salem News beginning Jan. 23, 2024 – two bids were received: Hessling Construction, Inc. bid $669,526.01; Donald Maggi, Inc. bid $496,692.04. Williams moved to approve the bid from Donald Maggi, Inc. Williams, Whelan, and Bolerjack voted in favor. Sisco dropped from the Zoom call due to illness and was unable to vote. The bid from Donald Maggi, Inc. was approved 3-0.
The city is seeking financing for sewer upgrades through a $400,000 tax-exempt, bank-qualified fixed-rate bond. Phase 2a of the project will be covered by an ARPA Grant, while Phase 2b requires funding, which the city plans to obtain through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) pending approval from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The engineering design work for both phases is progressing simultaneously, necessitating immediate payment for Phase 2b's design work.
The city received three responses for short-term financing, with Town & Country Bank offering the lowest interest rate of 3.89%. Alternatively, the city could utilize funds from the Capital Improvement Fund or unspent funds from 2017 COPs earmarked for Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) issues. However, relying on these options may jeopardize future funding for I&I replacement, lead service line inventory, and upcoming PFAS testing requirements. If approved, a bond ordinance will be necessary for future proceedings.
Williams moved to approve Town & Country Bank’s purchase of city’s revenue bonds. Bolerjack abstained. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
First reading of bills
• Bill No. 3604 is an ordinance amending the amount of utility deposits for the city. At the March 13 Utility Committee meeting, the committee reconsidered the recent change in utility deposits and voted to recommend changing the deposits from a one month average of the past 12 months for the service address to a flat deposit rate of $300 for all utilities, or $200 if a letter of good standing was provided by the occupant’s previous utility provider.
• Bill No. 3605 is an ordinance amending provisions for delivery of utility bills and statements in the codes of the city – city administrator Sally Burbridge specified this ordinance is to allow for the emailing of utility bills, stating that the testing of the technology is done and ready to be rolled out to citizens pending the approval.
• Bill No. 3606 is an ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor, on behalf of the city, to enter into a power supply and administration agreement among Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission DBA Missouri Electric Commission and the city as a member of the Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool. This is a change to the purchase of power agreement with the Missouri Utility Commission – the intent of the changes are to strengthen the bond rating of MMMPEP’s financial standing and increase its bond rating, creating a savings in financing costs.
Second reading of bills
Bill No. 3601 is an ordinance authorizing the sale of a piece of real property. Property 306 East Second Street was donated to the city via the voluntary demolition program. The property was cleaned up but discussions among staff have found no municipal or public use fitting the property due to its size and location and recommend the property be sold. The board approved the bill, 3-0.
Bill No. 3602 is an ordinance authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a lease agreement with the Council for a Healthy Dent County for a lease of certain city owned property.
During public comments, a couple of citizens attended to support Healthy Dent County in acknowledgement of the bill, praising how the community center has brought connection and positivity to the area.
“As you heard from other people here, I do think there’s gives and takes with this on both sides,” Williams stated on Healthy Dent County’s lease. “But, I do think that the gives that we have given are reconciled by the benefits that the citizens of Salem do receive from having this space.”
The aldermen approved Bill No. 3602, 3-0.
Reports of City Officials
• City administrator Burbridge welcomed and thanked new public works director Paine. She stated she would be looking forward to showing him how things run and getting him adjusted.
Mayor Greg Parker reported:
• There will be a “Non-Newlywed” fundraiser on Friday, April 12 in the event room at Healthy Dent County. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the game starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Healthy Dent County.
• Dent County Commons will be having a spring flea market on April 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be food, live music, and those interested can sign up to be a vendor by contacting Benny at (573) 729-5924. There is no admission charge and free parking.
• Salem United Methodist Church is having its annual spring luncheon on Saturday, April 13 at 801 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard, starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are available until April 7. Must have ticket to attend. Contact Roma Jones at (573) 247-0077.
• Parker attended the MRPC Solid Waste Management Meeting on March 19. There are attempts to start recycling in Salem. New staff at DNR are adjusting what rules and regulations for what future recycling grants pertain to. In the near future, Parker hopes that the city can look into what type of recycling program grants are available to benefit the community.
• Parker reminds the community that election time is coming up April 2 (today). He encourages everyone to get out and exercise their right to vote.
Interim public works director Police Chief Joe Chase reported:
• Street department is continuing to work on patching potholes, working on dig outs, cleaning out ditches, and maintaining the street sweeper.
• Street department worked with the electric department on tree removal and worked on removing yard waste and brush; put in new signs at the landfill; worked in conjunction with the mechanics department on the grates covering clarifier outflow; installed a camera on a maintenance department service truck.
• Work was done on one of the zero-turn mowers for the cemetery.
• Sewer and water completed a new sewer-line connection.
• Met with wastewater treatment crew on the recent weather event and how crews are managing the outflow basin. Crews have been working on weather related sewer issues and clogs.
• A new employee at the sewer and water department has been working on a process manual for meter well diagnostics.
• Chief Chase met with Woodard & Curran, wastewater engineering company, to conduct peer review on the wastewater treatment plant.
• Electric department completed a replacement of the category six cable at the administration office.
Melissa DuBois of the parks and rec department reported that summer ball registration is open, including T-ball, softball, and baseball, from March 26 to April 11 with a registration fee of $35.
Bolerjack reported that municipal election is coming up, and there is a sample ballot printed in the March 26 edition of The Salem News. He encourages citizens to review the candidates and questions in advance and do their research and express their right to vote. He also welcomed Paine as the new public works director and thanked Chief Chase for serving as the interim public works director.
Williams also thanked Chief Chase and welcomed Paine as the new public works director. As the city liaison to the 100AW, he reported everything went smoothly for this past event and racers were incredibly grateful to the City of Salem.
“Since this will likely be my last regular meeting, I appreciate everything you guys have done,” Williams stated, gesturing to the city officials. “I now have a new insight on what happens in the city. I appreciate the citizens for putting me in this position.”
