Local News – Thursday, May 16th, 2024

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The Board heard from Kelly Sink from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission about the CDBG grant in a public hearing which will help with the construction costs of the Phase 2B wastewater treatment improvements. Voters approved the bond to pay for the improvements that opened the door for the CDBG grant of $750,000 as well as state funding of two million dollars. If the city gets the grant, they would only need to finance around 1.4 million dollars in bonds. After the consent agenda, Mayor Greg Parker appointed one person to the Finance Committee and four people to the Capital Improvements Committee which the board approved. Alderwoman Kala Sisco said Healthy Dent County has agreed to use their 501 C (3) status for the collection of funds for the Fireworks display at the Commons. Sisco said Sierra Connell will be the contact person for donations and people can write checks to Healthy Dent County and write “Fireworks Fund” in the memo line. For more information, call Sierra Connell at 573-247-9722. Sisco said the board last year put $10,000 in the budget to help with the fireworks display and asked the board to approve that allocation for the expenses of the display such as the rental of The Commons and more. The board approved her request. The board approved the bid from Pierce Asphalt for hot mix asphalt to pave two streets for $107,289, then voted to reject all bids on the HVAC System for the Animal Pound and require a warranty be include in the bids. The board approved Resolution #13-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Tri-Cat Restoration, the City of Salem, and Judy Kysar for property at 403 E. Hunt; approved Resolution #14-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Tri-Cat Restoration, the City of Salem, and Richard LaBrash for property located at 1500 S. Louise Street; and approved Resolution No. 15-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Steven Thurmond, the City of Salem, and Oren Welch for property located at 403 W. Hunt. The board also approved conditional use permits for property at 906 S. Water Street and #2 North MacArthur to be used for short-term vacation rental. The board heard the first reading of Bill No. 3609, an ordinance amending Section 140.060 of the city code of the City of Salem regarding the creation and membership of the Airport Advisory Board to make it have an odd number of members. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the airport engineers will be having a pre-construction meeting this month and will have the materials delivered in June. Mayor Parker gave former alderman Kyle Williams a plaque for his service on the board. Public Works Director Steve Payne gave his report before Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois told the board the Splash Pad is now open. She also said signups for her Summer Parks Program are now open. Dubois also discussed the damage to the pool and showed the alderman the pictures showing the cracks and tears in the liner as well as damage to fencing from the hail. The damage is covered by insurance except for the deductable. The amount of damage is estimated at $145,000 and the city will have to put together the specs to go out for bid to replace the liner. Once the bid is awarded, it will still take a pool company about four weeks to remove and install the new liner, so the pool will not open this summer. After the aldermen gave their reports, the board went into closed session.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting this evening at 5:30 in the Salem R-80 board room. After the consent agenda is approved the Board will hear reports from Dr. Reed and Dr. Wills before the administration reports are heard from William Lynch, the Upper Elementary, Middle School, and the Senior High. Clay Moody will then give an update on athletics and activities followed by other reports. In New business, the board will declare Chromebooks surplus property and requst bids for purchase. They will approve an MSBA Policy with suggestions from Brian Andrews, plus approve a contract with Shield Solutions and the Career Ladder Plan. The Board will consider the Healthy Dent County sponsorship, approve the contract with Show-Me Therapy Services and First Student for ECSE. The Board will approve an MOU with University of Missouri for a College Advisor, plus approve out-of-state trip requests from FFA, Constructon Trades, and the Choir. The Board will also consider a ballot initiative for the August election, and approve a lease agreement with Dent County Developmental Disablilities, in additon to approving the Summer School Food Service Program. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn into Executive Session to discuss student attendance appeals, personnel, and real estate. The Board will then return to open session and adjourn. The meeting is open to the public.

There will be a collection box at Salem Public Library for old, damaged, or soiled American flags. Anyone may leave a flag between Monday, May 20 and Saturday, June 8. The library will deliver flags in need of retirement to American Legion Post 99. The Legion will properly dispose of them in accordance with the United States Flag Code.