The City of Salem Board of Aldermen voted 3-1 Tuesday during its regular meeting to follow staff recommendation to no longer pursue an LWCF grant for a new soccer complex.
West ward aldermen Kyle Williams voted no, with Shawn Bolerjack, Amanda Duncan and Kala Sisco voting yes.
The primary reason stated for not continuing forward with the project was that the hike in material costs in the last couple of years made bids come in significantly over budget.
Also at the meeting, there were two hearing of persons. Steve Everett attended the meeting to discuss his concerns for the City of Salem’s aging water and sewer infrastructure.
“I believe it’s a ticking time bomb,” said Everett. He also indicated that he had spoken about the matter at length with Mark Nash, director of public works, and mayor Greg Parker, whom Everett said he felt were taking the matter seriously and taking steps to address the problems. He then encouraged the rest of the board to support the mayor’s leadership on the matter.
Lisa French addressed the board regarding questions she has presented in writing to the utility committee chairman, Kyle Williams. French was not pleased that she had not received answers to her questions directly from Williams in a timely manner. French did note that temporary city administrator Sally Burbridge had responded to her long list of questions, for which she was grateful.
A bit later in the meeting, Williams said that when he receives questions, he tries to take steps to make sure that the person receives the correct answers and that he often has to research and/or confer with city staff.
“I’m new to this,” said Williams. “I’ve only been in the position about six months,” he said. Williams stated that he is serious about addressing the concerns and questions of Salem residents.
French also asked about where to find meeting minutes on the city website.
The board made the following votes:
• 3-0 to accept a $22,000 bid from Welch Construction to do the contracting work for one of the houses taking part in the Welcome Home house rehabilitation program. Sisco abstained.
• 3-0 to rebid the contracting for another house currently enrolled in the Welcome Home program. The vote was 3-0 with Sisco abstaining.
• 4-0 to approve a final payment of approximately $30,000 to Godi Excavating for clearing the new certified site.
• 4-0 to approve City of Salem Clerk Tammy Koller attending the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System meeting in order to better understand what benefits are available to city employees regarding retirement.
• 4-0 to approve a new annual contract of approximately $3,200 between the City of Salem and the Missouri Meramec Regional Planning Commission for its ongoing services.
• 3-0 to approve a three-way contract between the City of Salem, Riverways Federal Credit Union and Dan and Barb Evans as a part of the Welcome Home program. Sisco abstained.
• 4-0 to approve an adjustment of an agreement between the City of Salem and Energy Solution Professionals, the company working to make city properties more energy efficient. The change resulted in an approximate $10,000 reduction in cost to the city. ESP will not be able to do tuckpointing on the brickwork on the front of the city hall building. Director of public works Mark Nash cited safety concerns regarding the proximity of power lines that prevent a boom truck from safely completing the work.
• 4-0 to table a bill that would adjust purchasing agent duties as spelled out in city code. City attorney James Weber said that he would like more time to fine tune the proposed city code change.
