Archive for 2022

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board approved raising the price for airport hangers by $10 a month as recommended by the airport board, approved raising the trash fees by $1.00 per account through the remainder of the contract next year, and approved renewing the annual contract for texting service notifications from Trumpia at a cost of $6,000. Currently about 330 people are signed up for a texting service with 286 of them getting all the city’s notifications. The board approved a one-year contract with Global Site Location Industries, LLC to market the city’s certified building site and vacant commercial spaces for $4,950. After a discussion, the board approved the “Welcome Home” repair bids from 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services for work on the properties at 810 East Jack Street and 510 South Hickory Streets for $21,450 and $18,825 respectively. City of Salem Finance Director Stacey Houston gave the financial update for the funds through August 31st and Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge discussed with the board the need for the five-year arbitrage analysis for the 2017 Certificates of Participation for the wastewater plant improvements. Burbridge recommended the firm of Gilmore and Bell, PC who has acted as the special tax counsel for the bonds, prepare the arbitrage analysis as well as the final written allocation requirement at a cost of $5,500 which the board approved through Resolution #31-2022. The board went on to approved Resolution # 32-2022 and 33-2022 for separate contracts between the City of Salem, 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, and the property owners for the “Welcome Home” program: Lana Grove for the property at 810 East Jack Street for $21,450 and Dorian Garafola for $18,825 for the property at 501 South Hickory. The board approved Bill #3521 that raised the sewer volume rate for all customers and the flat rate for those who only have sewer service. There is no increase to the base rate. The volume rate went from $5.65 per 1,000 gallons to $8.48 per 1,000 gallons for monthly residential and commercial customers within the city limits of Salem, and from $7.09 per 1,000 gallons to $10.64 per 1,000 gallons for residential and commercial customers who have city sewer service who live outside the city limits. By raising the volume rate, the city will receive higher scoring in the application for the ARPA Wastewater Grant going from 5 points to 15 points meeting the requirement of the city generating revenue equal to or more than the 2% of the median household income for Salem from their sewer rates. The board approved the bid for the Boom Mower replacement from Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company out of Springfield for the Street Department Tractor for $73,147 which includes delivery back to Salem when completed. The board also approved the bid from Wayde’s Equipment in Cuba for a new Kubota Mower for the cemetery at $12,445.72. After some discussion with Public Works Director Mark Nash, they approved the bid from Salem Metals and Roberts-Judson Lumber Company for a total of $3,601 with the labor provided by the city’s construction crew, and they approved the purchase of 20 dusk-to-dawn lights from Fleicher-Reinhardt for $3,350. City of Salem Temporary administrator Sally Burbridge said the MRPC would hold their annual banquet on October 13th, and the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Board will need a representative from the city. She said the “Welcome Home” Round 2 homes are ready to go and those in Round 3 are ready for pre-inspections. Mayor Greg Parker said the Community Wide Yard Sale will be this Saturday and double spaces are still available at the City Administrative Building parking lot for $8.00. Call the city for more information at 729-4117. Nash reported the city had a water main break near the city park that was repaired and there was a number of potholes filled. Nash said the city has also reduced the amount of chlorine used from around 18 loads per year to one load and each load costs about $2,500. Nash also said the amount of water wasted through leaks was 26 to 35 million gallons per year and that has been reduced to around 1.2 million gallons. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said “Good Neighbor Week” is going on now through October 4th through the Missouri Extension. The goal is for Missouri residents to document 10,000 acts of kindness toward neighbors. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 13th. DCHC Administrator Zach Moser presented the communicable disease report which included 105 new COVID-19 cases for August. Moser reported on the recent FDA and CDC authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 month and older and noted that DCHC has not yet received a shipment of the new vaccine. He said the Pediatric C19 vaccine is available at the Health Center and Walmart, and the adult vaccine is available at the DCHC and all local pharmacies. Moser also reported on the FDA authorization of the bivalent booster, which contains the original COVID strain and the Omicron strain, for ages 12 and up. He said that a replacement communicable disease nurse has been hired to replace the one that resigned, but reports on TB, STI’s, animal bites, etc., will be limited until she is up to speed. Moser indicated that the number of tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas are up. Individuals who think they might be infected can call the DCHC at (573) 729-3106 to set up an appointment for testing and treatment. In the diagnostics report, Moser said that 141 blood draw appointments were completed and the DCHC can conduct most tests at reduced cost for those without insurance. There were 141 COVID tests during the month. COVID tests are $10 for rapid antigen test, $35 for COVID/FLU combo test, and $50 for molecular C19 Test. Most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 80 COVID-19 vaccines were administered, plus 346 other vaccines. There was a total of 667 appointments held during the month. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 10 inspections and fielded 15 environmental questions. In the Administrators report, Moser said that the new flooring has been installed, plus the new electronic sign is in and operational. He reported that the first checks for the childcare subsidy program have been sent out. Moser said the health center had a booth at the recent “Girls Night Out” and they will be holding in a drive through flu and COVID vaccination clinic on October 6th from 1:00 until 6:00 at the Dent County Fire Station. Moser said representatives of the DCHC will be at Health Expo at the Salem Community Center@The Armory on October 13th. Moser presented a bid for the installation of blown-in cellulose for sound mitigation, but the Board took no action and instructed him to search for sound mitigation options. He also presented an estimate for some concrete work for a ramp to the back door to access Exam Room 1 as an alternative location for treatment of COVID and other patients. The Board approved the work providing 50% or more can be funded by a grant. The Board went in to closed session where no actions were taken. Dent County Health Center expenses for August were not available for approval. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, October 20th.

Dr. Kyle Ouzts of the Dent County Veterinary Clinic in Salem will be hosting a live fifteen-minute radio call in show on KSMO AM 1340 and 95.7 FM at 1:00 in the afternoon. The program is also streamed on ksmoradio.com and on the KSMO Stream Facebook page. Dr. Ouzts talks about pet health and safety as well as different topics that could affect your furry friends. So, get your questions ready and call Dr. Ouzts starting at 1:00 at 573-729-6659.