The Salem City Council Monday night approved tearing off the two west bays of the Public Works Building in Tully Park and rebuilding them.
Public Works Director Annette Sola says the west end of the building is in poor shape and floods during heavy rains.
“We’ve rearranged everybody so they’ve scooted down a bay. So for the next year we will have an empty space. We will build a new office and meeting area for everybody. The next phase of this will be to add an additional shed where that blank space will be, but that will be in the next budget year.”
Due to the heavy work load of contractors, the city received only one bid. The proposal from Randy Winkler Constructors for $127,300 was approved.
The council approved allowing vendors in Bryan Memorial Park for the July 1st Bicentennial Celebration. They also approved a July 22nd event in Bryan Memorial Park to raise money for the comic and toy expo in 2024. Organizer Darrell Shaw also wants to incorporate a Christmas in July for downtown merchants that would include a scavenger hunt and a possible visit from Santa on Sweney Corner.
After considerable discussion the council agreed to try and acquire their first vehicle through a new lease purchase agreement with Enterprise. Morton cast a no vote because it would be less expensive for the city to just purchase the truck outright. The program is designed to save money in the long run by trading in most vehicles after a few years and having a newer fleet on the road.
The council agreed to increase the maximum meal expense for employees while they were out of town. The maximum cost will increase $10 for each meal. That means breakfast can cost up to $25, lunch $30 and dinner $40. The maximum cost for a motel will remain at $300. The city will not pay for the cost of any alcohol consumed.
