The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday, May 13, during which discussion revolved around a water rate increase, as recommended by the utility committee.
In attendance included mayor Greg Parker, board members Rick Letchworth, Nathan Kinsey, Catherine Dent, and John Whelan. Other present city staff members included assistant city clerk Wanda Suhr, city administrator Sally Burbridge, city attorney James Weber, public works director Steve Paine, and parks and recreation director Melissa DuBois.
The board discussed recommendations from the utility committee amending water rates with the first reading of Bill No. 3654.
Monthly residential water rates within city limits would increase from $6.00 to $8.00 base rate and from $5.39 to $7.50 volume rate, per 1,000 gallons. Monthly residential water rates outside city limits would increase from $12.00 to $16.00 base rate and from $6.78 to $9.49 volume rate, per 1,000 gallons.
Monthly commercial water rates within city limits would also increase from $6.00 to $8.00 base rate and from $5.39 to $7.50 volume rate, per 1,000 gallons. Monthly commercial water rates outside city limits would increase from $12.00 to $16.00 base rate and from $6.78 to $9.49 volume rate, per 1,000 gallons.
Meanwhile, monthly commercial manufacturing averaging over 350,000 gallons will have a base rate of $8.00 and a volume rate for 1,000 gallons of $4.86.
The change will result in an increase to the water fund in order to cover operating expenses.
Directed at alderman Kinsey, who serves on the Utility Committee, alderwoman Dent asked, “When you were considering these rates, were you considering prior year’s reserves?”
Kinsey answered in the affirmative, clarifying, “So, the idea was, do we try to pull it all from prior year’s reserves to come up with the next few years of projects, or do we try to subsidize it a little bit by doing partial funding to make the money go a little bit further and do a little bit of an increase so it doesn’t hurt us as much when it comes to the utility bills?”
Dent further asked Burbridge if the city would be willing to make any concessions to the residents of the city in regard to the rate increases. Burbridge shared that something of that nature would be at the pleasure of the board, with Burbridge further reminding that the rate increase is still just a first reading.
Bids
Burbridge explained that a pre-application was submitted to SEMA, along with an application for a CDBG grant in order to upgrade the storm siren system. With the recent storm season heightening concerns from administration, a request for bids was put out, with staff receiving three bids in response; however, an email had been received, missed due to an administrative error, inviting the city to submit a full application for the SEMA hazard mitigation grant, when it had only been a pre-application previously.
Burbidge explained that one bid may be approved—but, if a grant would like to be pursued, the board may also deny all bids at this time and then resubmit the grant application, due in September. The project will then have to be rebid, assuming the grant is awarded.
After some discussion on the operability of the current storm siren system in the meantime before grant application, with Police Chief Joe Chase confirming that it is operable, the board approved rejecting all bids.
• The city’s contract for auditing services expired recently, resulting in the city beginning to search for a qualified firm to perform the annual audit. Only one proposal was received from K Deluca Audit Services LLC. Despite repeated attempts to send out the bid, including sending directly to eight auditing firms, only one bid was received, with Burbridge sharing that many other cities are struggling to find auditors, as well. The bid from K Deluca Audit Services LLC was accepted unanimously.
• The contract with the current airport engineer is up and only one bid was received for an airport engineering firm, Airport Engineering Services. The firm does meet all qualifications that are listed and the city has been working with it for over the past several years, with no complaints.
First reading of bills
The following are a result of city staff completing a policy review and finding areas where language clean-up was necessary:
• Bill No. 3655: After review of the current utility policy with the utility committee, the amendments to 710.010 is to bring the code up-to-date with the policy and change the reconnection fee for when a utility account is disconnected. This only cleans up language as the city no longer completes disconnects and reconnects during after hours, unless it’s an emergency situation.
• Bill No. 3656: This amendment to 700.030 is another language update, bringing the code in line with policy and changes the months of good standing from twelve months to twenty-four months, to be exempt from providing a deposit. The amendment also states that no deposit will be required for dusk to dawn lights, includes changes to the verbiage of a deposit refund on the closing of a utility account, states deposits cannot be transferred to any other person not listed on the account, and a change allowing the transfer of a deposit for a resident moving within city limits between each account, and a change requires construction companies to pay a deposit when installing a temporary meter.
• Bill No. 3657: This is an amendment to 705.090, bringing the code in line with the policy and changing the requirements for a cash security deposit; changing the fine amount from $200.00 to $60.00 for an after-hour water meter valve, or electric meter shut off. This amendment also defines “Normal Working Hours” as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except on declared city holidays.
First and second reading of bills
On May 6, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing regarding a request to change the zoning designation of the 7.85-acre tract at 501 S. Grand, owned by Southwest Baptist University (SBU), from Residential to Commercial. The property is currently being used as the Salem SBU campus, where classrooms and office spaces are located.
Compass Health plans to utilize a portion of the existing building for offices and counseling services in the near future. Both the present use of this property as an institution for higher education, as well as the proposed use as offices and counseling services, require the property to be located in a commercial zone. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted recommending aldermen the zoning change approval.
Before 4-0 approval of the rezoning, Whelan shared concerns for what it could mean for that area but also that being zoned commercial seems to be where the area is headed.
In other news, the board approved the following:
• the annual agreement allowing the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce to operate the Visitor’s Center
• conditional use of 304 E. Center as a vacation rental
• the board appointment of Kim Steelman for the Planning and Zoning Commission
• change orders for the new well, contingent on DNR’s approval
Reports of city officials
City Administrator Sally Burbridge
The CDBG grant application for streetlight replacements to LEDs was denied, although staff were informed if projects that were selected aren’t ready, Salem may be moved up the list.
Burbridge warned that the next agenda will be lengthy.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
WWTP
FEMA representatives completed a walk around of the damaged areas of the plant to ensure everything was documented appropriately and to answer any questions. Burbridge added that Friday, May 9, was the last day to have identified all damage done. No new projects will be able to be added. Paine shared that one of the FEMA inspectors was a lineman and was quite thorough in his inspection.
WWTP crew members are continuing to prepare for the upcoming construction phase for upgrades to the sewer plant. Daily testing is continuing, with Paine sharing that the plant is healthy.
Water
Crew members worked to fix water breaks around town and assisted the WWTP with sewer main and sewer line blockages, as needed.
Electric
Line trimming crew continues to make gains on work orders across the city, with a three-year list almost completed. Paine encourages residents to reach out to the main office if trees or limbs are near powerlines. Streetlight repairs have continued across town. Until the budget renews, no more streetlight replacements will be completed.
Planned power outages will be conducted in June, with notifications to the public on exact timeframe incoming. The outages will be no more than 48-hours while they work on major lines.
Paine thanked the electric superintendent for his work, Josh Kotschedoff, who has put in his two-week notice.
Construction
Crew members prepped and poured a curb and driveway on Kaufman Street, amongst other approaches. They also demolished the back shed off of their shop and built an improved carport to house equipment. This was in the budget for this year, informed Paine, and is intended to protect provided equipment. Various concrete projects began for the summer.
Street
Crew members picked up another load of cold patch and have been completing water cut-out repairs around the city. Mowing continues across town with Paine sharing that there is a process and whatever problem areas there may be is likely in their rotation, although work orders are still encouraged. Street painting projects are in the works.
The city mechanic, Jon Roos, has been repairing and maintaining multiple pieces of equipment citywide and is currently troubleshooting the street sweeper.
Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois
• Summer ball practices have started. If you have not been contacted by a couch and have signed up, reach out to DuBois immediately so troubleshooting can be completed.
• A portion of the city playground will be repaired May 31 through June 13, in regard to the tile; word has not yet been received on what the solid surface will be.
• A walkthrough was completed with FEMA recently at the park and Al Brown.
• DuBois is in the process of hiring seasonal staff.
• Opening day of the pool will be May 24.
• Planning is underway for the next hot air balloon festival with a scheduled date of Oct. 25.
• Another event is being planned at the Al Brown Complex for September, with DuBois sharing it may be even bigger than the hot air balloon festival.
