Archive for 2023

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. Board President Shawn Bolerjack presided over the meeting since the Mayor was not in attendance. In the hearing of persons, John Hambacker and Jay Anderson talked about their suggestions to upgrade signage, add plant identification and benches to the railroad walking trail. Since the trail is maintained by the Park and Recreation Department, the Aldermen suggested they present their ideas to this board first. Debbie Murphy talked about ways the board could better communicate with citizens. She is concerned that for citizens to speak at a meeting they must get on the agenda on the Wednesday before the next Tuesday’s meeting when the agenda for the meeting isn’t posted until 24 hours before the meeting. She suggested that instead of having citizens complete a form to get on the agenda, that the board allow for an open comment period at each meeting. She also suggested that the City utilize TownScreen to promote events as well as meeting notices. In New Business, the board approved to purchase a new air conditioning unit for the wastewater treatment facility from Ice Qube, Inc. for $5,410. They also approved the increase in supply costs for the Al Brown Field lighting project for $18,331.57 from Butler Supply, and approved the purchase of salt for the street department for a total of $7,043.25 from Compass Minerals. City Clerk Tammy Koller gave the first reading of Bill #3573 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Buildtec Construction, LLC to build six T-hangers at the Salem Airport. With the adoption of the City’s current budget, changes were made to the process for funding community support. The board heard from the Dent County Extension asking for $5,800 to fund their 4-H program and the Salem Area Community Betterment Association asked for $5,000 for their beautification committee. Both organizations were approved for funding. The board also approved Resolution 28-2023 for the yearly membership cost for the Meramec Region Planning Commission for $3,306.45. The board approved several bills dealing with the rezoning on Babb Lane from commercial to manufacturing- industrial. They include 1101 Babb Lane owned by MFA, 1200 Babb Lane owned by Peggy Whitaker Trust, 1207 Babb Lane owned by BKC Properties, 1400 Babb Lane owned by City of Salem. Due to a conflict of interest by Alderwoman Sisco, the properties located at 1301 Babb Lane, 1209 Babb Lane and 1203 Babb Lane were tabled for a future meeting when a quorum is present. The board approved Bill No. 3569 to rezone all of lot 4 block A of the Oak Park Addition from residential to commercial. This is property owned by South Central Missouri Community Health Center. Approval was also given to Bill No 3570 to amend the sewer installation hook up fees for a four-inch line as the new cost will be $1,536 and for a six-inch line, the new cost will be $1,648.  Bill No 3571 was approved that amended the water hook up fees. For a 3/4 inch line, the new cost would be $2,030; for a 1 inch line, the new cost is $2,730; for a 2 inch line, the new cost is $5,216 and for a 2 inch line with a compound meter, the new cost is $5,415. The board approved Bill No 3572 that adds electric fees to city codes to keep all utility fees with the same enforcement ability. A person obtaining a dawn to dusk light or a utility pole will pay the cost of these items, plus two hours labor for two electric utility staff and two hours of equipment usage for each pole. City Administrator Burbridge reported that the City Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 7th with spots being available to rent at the city administration building. Alderman Sisco reported that a Park and Recreation Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 19 at 5:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. She also asked that anyone interested in serving on the Community Service Committee to work on plans for the Fourth of July celebration to please contact the city. Alderman Williams reported he has been in contact with the MRPC regarding a Transportation System in Dent County as well as regarding recycling programs and grants. The board then went into closed session.

Missouri State Park representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions that the public may have during a series of open houses and town hall meetings to be held this month at state parks and historic sites throughout the state. In our area, an open house will be held at Dillard Mill State Historic Site beginning at 1:00 at the mill located at 142 Dillard Mill Road near Davisville this Saturday. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being held virtually or in-person in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. For more information on public meetings, visit mostateparks.com.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will meet tonight at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. Reports and updates will be heard including financials, utility billing and payments, and information from Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA). Information will be shared about the MPUA Annual Conference that will be held September 27-29, the Mid-Missouri Power Energy Pool (MMMPEP) Committee-Plum Point Participants Meeting to be held November 1st, and MMMPEP Committee Meeting to be held November 2nd. A Water Testing Quote and outside the city utilities will be addressed, followed by a question and comment period. The meeting of the City of Salem’s Utility Committee, which is open to the public, has been called by Committee Chair Kyle Williams.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to present the sales tax monies received this month. She reported the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $84,626.65 which is $26,662 less than for September of 2022. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are down $42,689.84. The Road and Bridge Fund received $37,865.91 this month, down $14,947.12 from September of 2022. Year-to-date, that fund is down $21,154.20. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $76,153.48 and that is down $29,439.04 from September 2022 receipts. Year-to-date, that fund is down $38,409.50. These figures are all net of the monthly withholding by the Department of Revenue which for all funds is $11,108.91. The amount still owed by the county to the Missouri Department of Revenue is $866,484.77. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6090 while only grading would be done on county roads 5160 and 5630. Mobray said brush would be cut on county road 6370 and work crews would be putting up missing road signs. He also went on to say the diesel and gas fuel phone bids would be taken. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4290 while only grading would be done on county roads 2405, 6123 and 6160. Polk went on to say brush would be cut on county road 6160 and crews would be patching a hole on chip and seal road 3240. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the electronics and tire collection this past Saturday was very successful that was sponsored by the county, City of Salem, MRPC and the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District. Mobray also chimed in a big thank you to the MRPC and solid waste management district for providing a semi-truck to collect the tires from the county road and bridge department shed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended her Missouri County Clerk and Election Authority Conference last week where those attending heard a number of speakers, officials and legislators on a wide variety of topics. Curley said there were discussions on Cybersecurity, handicapped accessible voting practices, security and safety at elections. There were also updates from legislators, the election assistance commission, the ethics commission and a presentation by MoDOT on TAP grants that may be available. Curley said the clerk’s association also discussed new resolutions and received reports from their committees. Commissioner Larson stated Dent County was lucky to have Curley as their county clerk with her knowledge and experience as this year alone there were 38 new county clerks who are trying to learn about the position which can be intimidating. The county commission then opened bids on a lease/purchase for the two new graders they will be receiving later this month. They received bids from Town and Country Bank, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Bank of Salem. Town and Country Bank was the low bid for the lease/purchase for a total of $485,896.15. The lease will be paid back in five equal installments at a 4.45% interest rate. All bank fees associated with the lease/purchase were waived. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Sunday evening just before 7:00 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about five miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Honda Accord being driven by 41-year-old Kenneth Houston of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Two passengers in the vehicle, a 5-year-old male juvenile and 12-year-old female juvenile, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health hospital. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing. The driver and both passengers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, John Hambacker and Jay Anderson will talk about the railroad walking trail, Bill Parsons will ask for street closures for Spooktober, and Debbie Murphey will talk about communication. In New Business, the board will discuss a new air conditioning unit for the wastewater treatment facility, the increase in supplies for the Al Brown Field lighting, the purchase of salt, and the first reading of Bill #3573 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Buildtec Construction, LLC to build six T-hangers at the Salem Airport. The board will hear about a personnel policy amendment, hear two community requests for funding for the Dent County Extension and SACBA, and discuss Resolution #28-2023 to approve the MRPC annual contract. Mayor Greg Parker will recommend Carolyn Boyle to serve on the finance committee before a number of bills will be read for the second time dealing with rezoning on Babb Lane, rezoning lot 10 in the JKD subdivision and the rezoning of Lot 4 in Block A of the Oak Park Addition. Bills # 3570, 3571 and 3572 amending hook up fees for sewer, water and electric for the City of Salem will also be read for the second time. After reports of the city officials, the board will go into closed session. The meeting tonight is open to the public.