Local News – Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Healthy Dent County are teaming up to host a Second Chance Job Fair today from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center at the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Street in Salem. The job fair focuses on employers willing to hire individuals who are justice involved or in recovery from substance-use-disorder. Numerous employers will be attending include Walmart, Royal Oak and Eagle Stop to name a few, as well as the Missouri Job Center, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health and Invent Yourself, LLC who can provide resources to potential employees. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This project is funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, totaling $1,000,000 awarded to MRPC in 2021.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois gave her report saying the soccer program went well even though the weather was challenging, they were able to get all the games in for the season. Dubois said the Summer Baseball, Softball and T-Ball program has 402 athletes signed up this year which is down from last year. She said her Summer Park Camp this year will be held in June from 8:00 in the morning until 1:00 and is limited to 25 children. Signups for that continue and people can find out more information by going to the Salem Park and Recreation Department Facebook Page, calling Melissa at 573-247-6031 or e-mailing her at salemparks@salemmo.com. The cost per child is $200. Dubois said she is considering holding a “Skills and Drills” Basketball Camp which would be a three-day camp, but she has not finalized all the details as of yet. She said the Al Brown Field Lighting Project is still not completed as the electricians are waiting on a missing piece needed for the transformer. She said the city crews will be building an elevated pad near the creek for the transformer once things dry out. Dubois said there was extensive damage to the pool liner from the hail storms in the area and an RFP has been put out for a replacement liner. She also reported the Tennis Courts have a new sign which was funded by the Salem High School Tennis Team and she thanks them for their support. She said the cracks in the concrete have been repaired but the skate park needs work and a new ramp she is looking at costs $6,700. She said the first park pavilion had the roof replaced by the construction crew, and if anyone has an interest in reserving a pavilion, please call 729-4811. She would also like to install a sign at the Al Brown Fields similar to the one at the Salem City Park on Rolla Road. Dubois also wanted to thank the high school students on their service day for digging and spreading the mulch around the trees at the Salem City Park. City of Salem Finance Director Stacey Houston and City Administrator Sally Burbridge went over the proposed budget with the Park Board. In revenues, Houston added $150,000 for the expected amount of insurance the city is going to get for the pool liner, but also added $200,000 as the cost of the liner. Houston said adjustments had been made for the amount of payroll with the pool being closed, and her initial budget deficit was $50,577. After some discussion, Houston had not made adjustments for the chemicals needed for the pool, plus the need to adjust the cost for electric and water which will be reduced with the pool not being open. Dubois also stated other items that were needed were a new pool filter using glass media, updates to the Al Brown Concession Building, the replacement of the roof at the City Park Concession and Restrooms near the softball fields, new bleachers at Al Brown Fields, and pool lighting repair or replacement. Park board member Luke Heithold asked if the roofs and pool lights had been inspected by the insurance adjuster for damages from the hail and Dubois said only by the construction crew. Heithold said he lives in the vicinity and he and his neighbors are all getting new roofs due to the storm. The park board then requested the city get the insurance adjuster to look at these items and see if there is hail damage that may be covered. Administrator Burbridge said new this year, they will be encumbering funds based on the useful life of park and rec assets for replacement. This would include mowers, vehicles, playground equipment, pool liners, etc. That figure came to just over $38,000 this year that will be set aside for asset replacement. This is different than the reserve funds of 25% of the previous years expenses which is kept aside for a “just in case” event. After more discussion, the park board approved the proposed budget which shows $837,651 in revenues and $849,900 in expenses, plus the $38,328 for the replacement fund using the park and rec fund balance to make up any budget deficit with a contingency. The contingency was that if there is more insurance money coming from other claims, the alderman will take that into consideration when considering the park board budget. The board postponed discussing a three to five year plan, but they did hear a wish-list from Park and Recreation Director Dubois that she would like them to consider when determining the three to five year plan. The meeting was then adjourned.