The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its monthly meeting Tuesday, July 22, during which members flew through the agenda, which included a subdivision recommended by the planning and zoning commission, bids for several departments, among other standard city business.
In attendance included Mayor Greg Parker, board members Nathan Kinsey, Catherine Dent, and John Whelan, along with City Clerk Tammy Koller, City Administrator Sally Bubridge, and Finance Director Stacey Houston. Not in attendance was board member Rick Letchworth.
Jarred Brown, building inspector, explained that a public hearing was held July 1 by the planning and zoning commission regarding the subdivision of property located at 803 E. Center St., owned by Bean Properties, LLC. The property seeks to create a site for new development. With no questions, the board approved the subdivision.
Bids
Patrol cars for Police Department
Bids were obtained from Behlman Dodge and Landmark Dodge for Dodge Durango Pursuits. Behlman Dodge has two available for purchase, and the bid from Landmark Dodge has an estimated 180-day delivery date. Scenic Rivers Industries (SRI) submitted a bid for the equipment, a local company that upfits and services public safety equipment in the patrol cars. The other equipment bid was from AFI Upfitting in Kansas City, which would require the department to shuttle the vehicles there and back for installation.
It was recommended by the department to go with the bid for the vehicles from Behlman Dodge, coming in at a cost of $40,617 per unit for a total of $81,234, and obtain the equipment from SRI for a total cost of $11,681.07. The board approved the bids.
Bucket truck for Electric Department
The department is currently utilizing a double bucket truck over 20 years old, showing consistent issues at the end of its expected life span and needing replaced. The electric lead reached out to three truck vendors, with three bids received, including from Terex, $325,000; Altec’s, $274,173; and Olathe Fleet, $282,194, which the department recommended as it will arrive within four to five months. The board approved the bid from Olathe Fleet.
Utility poles for Electric Department
Electric department needs to have more utility poles on hand—bids were received from Bridgewell Resources at $464 each, 37 total poles at a cost of $17,168, or Mereduc at $559 each, 31 total poles at a cost of $18,569, with the department recommending the bid from Bridgewell Resources. Purchasing the poles will ensure the department is covered for at least a year, if not two or three, explained Paine. The board approved the bid from Bridgewell Resources.
Also approved included the following items:
• Ordinance amending the 2024-25 budget, beginning July 1, 2024, and appropriating funds accordingly. The staff summary explained that the large decrease in revenues and expenditures were due to grant projects starting later than anticipated.
Reports of City Officials
City Administrator Sally Burbridge
Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool Committee (MMMPEP) of the Missouri Electric Commission (MEC) met on July 16, explained Burbridge in her provided board report within the meeting packet. Burbridge provided a synopsis, including background information and summary of the topics discussed at the meeting, within the packet.
A workshop for water utilities has been rescheduled from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26. This workshop will be held at the Armory in the Rotary Room. The board are invited to attend, along with the utility committee. Utility staff are also invited to attend, shared Burbridge.
Burbridge also invited the board members to future workshops, where city staff will present information for the board’s consideration and invite the board to participate in an open discussion, including several topics: city hall ordinances, user fees, and vacant buildings within the community. The board agreed to schedule the workshop regarding vacant buildings first, ideally before a board of aldermen meeting.
A walkthrough was completed with Archer-Elgin of the downtown area, shared Burbridge, with her sharing that several items still need addressed before the project can officially wrap up.
Mayor Greg Parker
Parker attended the MRPC Solid Waste Management District meeting on July 16. During which, members discussed grant opportunities for recycling programs and ways to keep plastics out of local riverways. MRPC would like to hold a recycling event in Salem 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13. Parker invited anyone willing to volunteer to serve alongside him during the three-hour recycling event.
Parker thanked everybody that participated in the most recent FFA/4-H Expo event, supporting future farmers.
The 11th annual Labor Day rodeo is Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 at the Dent County Commons. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with shows at 7 p.m. If vendors sign up by July 30, they will receive a $50 discount.
“Before I close on my notes tonight, I’d like to thank each and every city employee,” expressed Parker. “I’m gratefully appreciative of all the work and dedication that you put into what you do to keep the city going for its day-to-day operations.”
Public Works Director Steve Paine
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is beginning its Phase 2A, as well as constructing new fencing around the plant. Daily testing continues, with Paine reporting the plant is healthy.
Water department crew members have worked on several water line repairs, along with a water main break repair.
Electric department crew members continue working through line trimming, with crew members continuing to make gains on work orders and feeder lines across the city. Crew members have continued streetlight repairs and replacements.
Construction department crew members worked on the West Bergman curb and gutter project. Crew members will also be working on a FEMA mitigation project at the WWTP.
Street department crew members have been assisting with all other departments. Street painting projects are in the works.
City mechanic Jon Roos has repaired and maintained multiple pieces of equipment citywide.
Cemetery crew members continue maintenance and mowing.
Finance Director Stacey Houston
Houston provided a financial update to the board, sharing that:
• The total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2025 was reported at $4,814,909, including the General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, and Capital Improvement fund. This total is up approximately 8% from the prior year.
• For utility usage and revenue for FY 2025, Electric kWh’s sold is 49,055,770 kWh’s, reflecting a decrease of approximately 2.3% compared to the same time period as last year. Revenues billed are $6,658,011, which is also down from the prior year. Revenues have aligned closely with the budgeted amounts for FY 2025 Purchase of Power, what the city pays to MPUA to provide power. The city has paid out $4,523,218, which is slightly up compared to the same time period as last year. Water consumption billed totaled 125,804,974 gallons, showing a slight increase compared to the same period as last year. Revenues billed were $841,223, which came in slightly above the budgeted amounts for FY 2025. Sewer consumption billed was 114,869,207 gallons, showing a slight increase compared to the same period as last year. Revenues billed totaled $1,347,719, which came in slightly below the budgeted amounts for FY 2025.
• The ending total of all funds is $14,268,261. The city has brought in 82% of what was budgeted for revenues and has spent 73% of what was budgeted for expenditures. Revenues and expenditures have come in below expectations for FY 2025, primarily due to grant-funded projects starting later than originally anticipated.
