Local News – Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Tuesday at the City Hall Auditorium. The board heard from Tammy Walker, Brian Brooks and Terris Cates from Heartland Metal Finishing requesting clarification regarding the key elements of the Salem Pretreatment Program and how it could affect a potential purchaser of the closed business. Jeff Meadows with Archer Elgin helped clarify the data collection procedures to determine other industrial users and the amount of pollutants being discharged within the city limits. This process should be completed by year end with public meetings being held to allow for public input. The board approved the purchase of ultra-violet bulbs for the Wastewater Treatment Facility at a cost of $19,386.65. Resolution No. 27-2021 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to provide technical assistance for the American Rescue Plan Act Administration management was approved as well as Bill No. 3489 which created an ordinance to establish a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest for certain municipal office holders. Also approved was Bill No. 3490, an ordinance establishing rates for electric service as a result of supplier price increases and the February 2021 weather event. Resolution No. 28-2021 a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an employment agreement between the city and Ray Walden was approved with Alderman Kevin James reading a statement explaining how the new employment contract negotiated with City Administrator Walden has performance expectations. Mayor Kim Steelman thanked Walden for his part in the recent goals attained by the city and high standards being set. She commended him for being a very dedicated employee. Bill No. 3491, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract change order between the city and Nexgrid for electric AMI meters, was approved. Walden gave the City Administrators report and included a list of past, current and future projects that the city is working on. The board approved rescheduling the September 28th meeting to Thursday, September 30th at 6 PM, due to staff and aldermen attending a conference. Jeff Meadows with Archer Elgin gave several project updates within the city including the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the LWCF Soccer Field grant, the Route J and Highway 72 sewer extension and the TAP grant downtown revitalization grant. Mayor Steelman explained that future meetings will include a verbal report from the mayor, aldermen, city administrator, public works director, and the economic development director. These entities have always provided written reports to the alderman, but she wanted more transparency so these reports will be shared with the public verbally. Steelman will establish office hours at the City Administration building two days per week to allow for more citizen input. New automation software is being reviewed to allow for permits, license, etc to be submitted online. Citizens were recently asked to serve on boards and committees with a great response. A complete list of new committee members was distributed and approved. Due to state mandates only citizens within the city limits can serve on these committees, but she is looking to implement some county/city committees. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported there were 88 electric disconnects this month, with 66 being paid, there are currently only 9 that have not paid. They have installed a total of 2,695 electric meters and 2,228 water meters. They are working on rerouting storm water run-off behind the new Domino’s restaurant. The Aldermen then each gave a report. The board approved appointing Tammy Koller to attend the Lagers annual meeting as the employer representative. The City-wide Yard Sale is set for October 2nd and the fall clean-up will be held the week of October 11-15. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened in St. Louis County on Interstate 270 south of Interstate 44 at 8:50 Tuesday morning that took the life of a Rolla man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driven northbound by 48-year-old Miguel Hertog of Palmetto, Florida, was slowing for traffic when a 2019 Hino Conventional driven northbound by 34-year-old Justin Reeves of Rolla, failed to stop and the front of the Hino struck the rear tow unit of the Freightliner. Reeves was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fenton Fire and EMS personnel and his body was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by Lonning’s Mortuary Service. Hertog suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by the Fenton EMS. The Hino Conventional was totaled while the Freightliner itself suffered no damage, but the tow unit was totaled. The vehicles were removed from the scene by Miners Towing. Both drivers were wearing their seat restraints at the time of the accident.