News – Tuesday, August 13th 2024

In the fatality accident report in Monday’s Your World Today concerning the accident that took the lives of three people, Your World Today mistakenly printed that Brian Brown of Indianapolis had been killed in that accident, and it should have stated that 25-year-old Bailey Snider of Rolla had been killed on Saturday night. Our hearts go out to all the families involved and we apologize for the error.

The Dent County Commissioners met at the courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5650, 6400 and 6660 and repairs would be made to the new chip and seal on Dent County Road 5080 where someone cut donuts in the new surface. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4250,4253 and 4255. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4060, while only grading would be done on county roads 4400 and 4403. Polk stated brush was being cut on county roads 4410, 5320 and 5325, and a culvert was being installed on county road 4060. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the TAC meeting in St. James Thursday where they elected new officers and discussed the study concerning the Forward 44 program for the improvement to Interstate 44. People can comment on that project on the MoDOT.org website through August 21st. He also said MoDOT is offering a Bridge Engineering Assessment Program where they will fund up to $12,000 per bridge for a engineering study. Larson said he also attended the Housing Authority meeting where they elected new officers and he was elected Secretary, and they reviewed financials. Lason said an External Relations Committee meeting was held and the annual MRPC Awards Dinner and Banquet will be held October 24th at the Osage View. At the regular MRPC meeting, Larson said they heard updates from the state and federal legislature representatives on hand. Larson also said the commission needs to find a new Meramec Regional Community Foundation member to represent Dent County on that MRCF Board. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balance with the county collector and county assessor on all monthly collections, add-ons and abatements for July. At 10:00, Austin Hostettler from Great Rivers Engineering updated the commission on the status of the FLAP project on Dent County Road 6670. Hostettler said MoDOT did not change the initial plans submitted and tree clearing will be done through permitting. Hostettler said getting the right-of-way acquired is expected to take between six to 12 months as it will have to go through the National Park Service as it takes longer to deal with a federal government agency, and the right-of-way was not included in the scope of services. He said Great Rivers Engineering will ask MoDOT for an extension and the new supplemental agreement will have to be signed by the county with Great Rivers and MoDOT. They hope to have plan approval by the summer of next year. Hostettler also updated the commission on the new sidewalks TAP grant around the county courthouse. The old sidewalks will be removed and there will be an eight-foot-wide concrete area from the street curb to the grass area or retaining wall where needed, with an actual five-foot walkway and three-foot decorative area. Hostettler discussed a new concrete retracted area for the dumpster and possible replacement or relocation of the brick trash can holders. He asked about the water fountain, and it may be removed with just a water hydrant being left near the current fountain location. New rails will be needed on the step areas and possibly around the retaining wall as well. Hostettler said this project is ahead of the time on the MoDOT estimated completion schedule and they are hoping to put out for bids this winter and have the project completed. At the last meeting, Dent County Surveyor Michelle Elwood came in to discuss the re-monumentation corners. The commission approved doing eight corners for $700 each and the county will be reimbursed from the Department of Agriculture $350 for each corner. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. The Public Hearing on Tax Rates will precede the Call to Order, which will be followed by the approval of the agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by a State Transportation Presentation. The Board will consider the approval of bids for street lights and bids for replacement of the Al Brown Field lift station pump. In new and miscellaneous business the Board will consider the following. Resolution No. 19-2024 which authorizes the City of Salem to execute a 9-1-1 services and software license agreement between Indigital Inc. and the Salem Police Department. Resolution No. 20-2024 which authorizes execution of an agreement with the Industrial Development Authority of Dent County for the position of Economic Development Director. Resolution No. 21-2024 a resolution modifying Resolution No. 4-2022 to incorporate changes in the Affordable Housing Program modified agreement for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. Also to be considered is an invoice from Flynn Drilling Company. The second reading of Bills No. 3617, 3618, 3620, and 3621 will occur. The first and second reading will take place of Bill No. 3623, an ordinance levying for the year 2024 a tax of 67.50 cents upon each and every one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real estate and personal property within the corporate limits of the City of Salem for general revenue purposes, Bill No. 3624, an ordinance to rezone property at 905 and 907 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard from residential to commercial, Bill No. 3625, an ordinance to rezone property at 900 West Hobson from residential to commercial, and Bill No. 3626, an ordinance to rezone property at 909 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard from residential to commercial. Reports from City Officials will be heard followed by adjournment.