The Salem City Council will have further discussion Monday night on grandfathering in eight existing boat docks on the Salem Reservoir so they can be repaired and renovated. City Manager Rex Barbee says City Attorney Mike Jones has drafted an ordinance based on the intent at the last meeting to make property owners liable for all repairs or removal of the docks and hold the city harmless from liability. No new docks would be allowed.
The council will also discuss a sign-on bonus to newly hired police officers of $2,500 or more if the officer is making a lateral transfer from a similar department. Barbee says the police department is seeking fewer applicants for positions than 5 to 10 years ago and the lateral transfer would save the Salem Police Department time and money in excess of the sign-on bonus in testing and training costs for the position. Barbee is recommending a two-year trial run.
The council will be presented with an agreement for professional services with Gonzalez and Companies for engineering services for implementing the 2022 Motor Fuel Tax general maintenance program.
The meeting will begin at six Monday night. The city council will be returning to in-person meetings after a few months of going back to remote meetings due to an upsurge in COVID-19 numbers.
