Your World Today

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the Old City Hall Auditorium Tuesday night. Before the start of the regular meeting, Mayor Parker opened a public hearing to discuss the proposed increase in sewer rates for the city of Salem. He stated the main reason for the increase was the rising costs associated with operations and maintenance of our sewer system. Additionally, the development of an updated Capacity Management Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) plan is a significant factor. The plan outlines essential improvements and best practices for the maintenance and monitoring of the sewer collection system. As well, the plan calls for increasing the number of staff in the sewer department. The proposed increases are as follows: the base rate will increase from $6.00 to $12.00; the volume rate per thousand gallons will increase from $8.48 to $9.85; and for customers outside of city limits (both residential and commercial), the base rates will increase from $12.00 to $24.00, and the volume rate per thousand gallons will increase from $10.64 to $12.35. For the properties without a water meter, the monthly sewer rates will increase from $79.19 to $91.94, and each additional unit will increase from $52.84 to $61.35. Mayor Parker then opened the hearing to hear any public comments for the sewer rate increases. A citizen approached the podium and asked if the board would be answering questions on this topic, to which the board clarified that this was just a hearing to hear concerns and no questions would be answered at this time. With no other citizen comments, the public hearing was concluded, and the regular meeting was called to order. During public comments, a citizen stated having witnessed a city employee smoking a cigarette on a city property just that morning. The citizen cited Salem’s smoke free ordinance section 240.040 that prohibits smoking on all outdoor property owned, leased, or operated by the City of Salem. He went on to cite section 240.070 that states enforcement by the city administrator, code enforcement officer, or police department. He was concerned that if the city is enforcing this ordinance at the city park during baseball games and other activities held at the park, it should be enforced at all city properties. The board then moved on to bids for the Salem TAP 9901 Downtown Project which includes downtown sidewalk improvements. TAP funding was approved by the city on June 1st, 2021, in the amount of $346,780.37. On March 26th, 2024, the board approved additional funding from MoDOT in the amount of $129,837.63, for a total grant amount of $476,618.00. Sally Burbridge explained during this recent round of bids, the lowest bidder, UDT Construction for $508,944.00, was disqualified for not meeting all of the bid requirements. After conferring with MoDOT, it was recommended that the city move forward with the second lowest bid by Maggi Construction at $582,944.00. The Board then voted 3-0 to approve the bid from Maggi Construction. In New and Miscellaneous Business, Resolution #16-2024 which authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between City of Salem and Meramec Regional Planning Commission for floodplain technical assistance at a cost of $4,000.00 (which is the same as last year’s contract), was passed in a 3-0 vote. Resolutions #17-2024 and #18-2024 were approved for construction and utility easements for a new water line feeding from the new city water well and tower northwest of town, as well as a utility easement after construction between the city and Mr. & Mrs. Moser and Kenneth Tyler Sherrell. The Board heard the first readings of Bill #3617, an ordinance establishing rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem; Bill #3618, an ordinance establishing new rates for sewer services provided by the City of Salem; Bill #3620, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem beginning July 1st, 2023; and Bill #3622, an ordinance of the City of Salem and the MO Highway and Transportation commission for the city to provide funds to aid in the shoulder resurfacing at Route J and MacArthur street locations. The board read the first and second reading of Bill #3619 authorizing the mayor to sign an MPUA Mutual Aide Agreement, and Bill #3622, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with Donald Maggi Inc. for downtown sidewalk improvements for the TAP 9901 Downtown Project. During the reports of city officials, Sally Burbridge acknowledged that 6% of the 4,870 new meters are not reading accurately. The city is aware and has a man working to read these manually. Utility Director Steve Paine reported the city’s wastewater treatment plant is continuing to conduct smoke tests to look for problem areas within the main line. Testing is expected to be completed this week. The trunk line extends from Schwarz Auto to the Sewer plant. The results of the smoke tests will be compiled and presented at a later date. There will be interviews to fill two open positions at the sewer plant. The pump and wiring that was damaged by lightning will be repaired near the hospital. Stacy Houston gave an update on the end of fiscal year report. The city is below budget due to several ongoing projects that have yet to be completed or reimbursed. The board then went into closed session.

Judging kicked off a few minutes after 7:00 Friday morning at the 2024 4-H and FFA Expo where nearly 50 head of market hogs and 13 breeding hogs competed. The seven market hog class winners were Oliver Hutchings, Toby Hayes, Blake Manthey, Delilah Shelton, Wyatt Martin, Lola Clancy, and Justin Fleener. Judge Ethan Blake from Mountain Grove selected Blake Manthey’s 288-pound barrow as Grand Champion Market Hog and Wyatt Martin’s 330-pound hog as Reserve Champion. In the swine breeding stock competition class winners were Westyn Ragsdale, Daxton Hutchings, Oliver Hutchings, Delilah Shelton, James Garcia, Brentlee Easter, and Hayden Ragsdale. Daxton Hutchings’ gilt was selected as Grand Champion and Oliver Hutching’s gilt took Reserve Champion. As usual there was a lot of competition for the Showmanship Awards. Daxton Hutchings won the 8–12-year-old Junior Division, Bryce Martin won the Intermediate age group for 13–15-year-olds, and Wyatt Martin took the Seniors’ division for ages 16-19 years old. Those younger than 8 can show in a non-competitive Pee-Wee Clinic. Exhibitors in this division were Lynlee Easter, Cora Shelton, and Hadlee Tilley. The Sheep and Goat show followed the swine show with 19 head of sheep and 24 goats competing. Market Lamb class winners Tierra Warden, Audrey Barnett, Reagann Chambers, Henley Headrick, Preslie Strader, and Edlyn Cunningham. Strader’s 128-pound lamb was selected as Grand Champion and Joleigh Nash’s 115-pound lamb was Reserve Champion. In the breeding sheep division Preslie Strader’s ewe was chosen as the Grand Champion and Joleigh Nash’s was Reserve Champion. Showmanship winners were Joleigh Nash in the Junior Division, Stetson Mobray in the Intermediate and Preslie Strader won the Senior Division. There was only one Pee-Wee Sheep exhibitor and that was Trevor Brand. In the market goat show class winners were Harley Camden, Kynlee Garrison, Clara Ball, and Payton Parks. Garrison’s goat was selected as Grand Champion and Clara Ball exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Goat. In the breeding goat division class winners were Sawyer Camden and Kynlee Garrison. Garrison’s 7–12-month-old doeling was selected as Grand Champion and Porter Seay’s 7–12-month-old doeling was named Reserve Champion. Goat Showmanship Awards went to Junior Kynlee Garrison, Intermediate Clara Ball and Senior Porter Seay. Participating in the Pee-Wee Goat Clinic were Wyatt Shaw and Haddie Simpson.

To celebrate 35 years of river conservation, Stream Teams United and the Missouri Stream Team Program are hosting the 2024 Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27th. Missouri Stream Teams from around the state are invited to attend the festival, which also celebrates the 25th anniversary of Stream Teams United, a non-profit partner of the program. The Missouri Stream Team Program is a volunteer-led effort to conserve Missouri streams. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the program focuses on education, stewardship, and advocacy for Missouri stream resources. In 1988, a small group of anglers became fed up with unsightly trash disrupting their fishing in Roubidoux Creek in Pulaski County. These conservation-minded Missourians decided to clean this section of stream, thus forming the first Missouri Stream Team in 1989. The Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association, Stream Team #1, is still going strong 35 years later. The program has since grown to more than 6,000 Stream Teams around the state with more than 135,000 volunteers. MDC Engagement Specialist Cara Coates Coates says the ongoing work of more than 6,000 Stream Teams and their volunteers have made significant positive impacts on the health of Missouri’s streams over the last 35 years. That work includes volunteers giving more than 3.5 million hours of time, removing more than 14,127 tons of trash from Missouri waterways, planting 405,794 trees along streams, conducting 35,049 water quality monitoring trips, and stenciling 21,741 storm drains. As part of the Missouri Stream Team Program celebrations they invite all Teams to attend the 28th Annual Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch provided by the Missouri Stream Team Program, kids games and crafts, tubing on the Meramec River with complimentary shuttle and other activities including free camping offered to Stream Teams Friday and Saturday evenings on a first-come, first-serve at Group Site A at Meramec State Park. Registration is required to estimate attendance. To learn more about Missouri Stream Teams and how you can participate, visit mostreamteam.org.

Tomorrow afternoon from 2:00 until 3:30 at the Bonebrake Center, children and their parents can attend the next Mudbugs program, Critter Condos. The children will look at some different animal homes, an maybe try their hand at making some insect-friendly houses. Plus the long-awaited annual Mudbugs FAIRY HOUSE building will be held by special request! The suggested donation is $2.00 per child and additional donations are always welcome. All funds raised go to the Bonebrake Center. The Mudbug Programs are geared for children from ages 6-12, but all ages are welcome! For more information, contact Managing Agent Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse without First District Commissioner Wes Mobray who had a prior commitment. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART tax receipts for July and reported the county received $83,066.63 which is up $3,926.70 from the 2023 July amount,  and is up $22,316.44 year-to-date. Rick Emory was at the meeting from Dent County Road 5130 and wanted to make sure the new “no truck” signs are not going to affect local log trucks or other local truck traffic from using the county roads. The commission said the local truck traffic on the roads will be permitted. He also said he had a culvert problem he talked with Commissioner Mobray about where after rains, ponding occurs. He was checking on the progress and Road Supervisor Jason Akins, who was in attendance for Mobray, said they have not gotten to that yet. In the road report, Akins said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4160, 5600 and 6460; while brush would be cut on county roads 5020, 5030 and 5105. Akins did say new cutting edges were being installed on Grader #39. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said grading was being done on Dent County Road 2050 while rock was being added on county roads 2070 and 2120. Polk also stated workers would be checking out county roads 3180 where a truck supposedly got stuck to check for damage. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commission is still working on Senate Bill 190 as it was modified by Senate Bill 756 and will not go into effect until August 28th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said today is the first day of “no excuse” absentee voting and this will continue until August 5th. She said Wednesday is the last day to mail out an absentee ballot, and sample ballots are available for free in her office. Curley said that her office and the treasurer balanced on all accounts for the month of June. The road and bridge department took phone fuel bids with Phil-Mart the lowest bidder at $2.85 a gallon. Albert Schneider attended the meeting and asked for the weeds to cut on Dent County Road 4020 where they are extremely high and drivers cannot see oncoming traffic around a curve. Commissioner Polk said he would get that on the list of work to be done. Sheriff Bob Wells and Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt attended the meeting to discuss the FEMA requirements for the county. Marfitt said both the county and city need to have an Emergency Management Director and he doesn’t believe the city has had one since Allen Kimrey. Marfitt is currently going through the old emergency management plan which was from 2012 and needed to know how the county was going to coordinate the needed changes with the city. Commissioner Larson said he would talk with City Administrator Sally Burbridge and/or Mayor Greg Parker to see how they want to handle this situation. The commission then heard from Susan Cunningham from SDR, Inc. about the 911 mapping and improved services and the new requirements from the state. Field work is currently going on and is expected to be completed by the end of July. The new requirements from the state. Field work is currently going on and is expected to be completed by the end of July. The new requirements will be used for addressing as well as 9-1-1 calls and extensive training by the assessor will be needed. Cunningham stated though it is unknown how the state will provide the training, she asked the commission to contact Scott Cason, NG911 coordinator, to set up a meeting with the state GIS, and if Dent County would need monthly or quarterly reports. Cunningham also said the state has not yet figured out where they will get the financial support for this project. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer turned over the real estate and personal property totals for 2024 tax books to the collector and county clerk. For this year 2024, there were no appeals with the Board of Equalization on the assessed values. It was also announced the next commissioner meeting will be Monday, the 29th, at the courthouse.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is accepting grant applications for the 2025 grant round, beginning July 1st. Grant nonprofit organizations, citizens and other interested parties to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. The district’s list of targeted materials is based on the state-targeted materials list. In addition, the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has identified multiple priority project areas to address specific considered.  Potential projects can focus on district priorities for education, end-market development for recycled materials, waste reduction and reuse, hard to recycle items such as carpet and mattresses, food waste reduction or composting, construction and demolition waste, and special events/business/multi-family dwelling recycling. Some $125,000 is available for grants this round. A more detailed list of priorities and targeted materials is included in the grant application and available at www.ozarkrivers.org. Last year, Ozark Rivers awarded $160,244.26 to fund or partially fund nine projects throughout the seven-county district. A grant application workshop is scheduled from 10:00 in the morning to noon on July 24th at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) office at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. This workshop will also be offered in-person and via Zoom, and those interested in participating must register with Jill Hollowell, MRPC environmental specialist by calling 573-265-2993. This workshop ensures that potential grantees know application requirements and understand the benefits and obligations, should they receive reimbursement funding for their projects. The grant dollars awarded by Ozark Rivers comes through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and represents a portion of the landfill tipping fees collected state-wide. The grant application is available online at www.ozarkrivers.org. For more information, contact Hollowell at 573-265-2993.