The Salem City Council Monday night agreed to repaint and pay for both Westside Industrial Park Water Towers this fiscal year.
The council changed an award to paint just one of the two towers at the last meeting. But that was before City Manager Rex Barbee discovered there was an alternate bid that was provided by all six bidders to paint both towers now with either immediate payment for both or making the contractor wait for payment on the second tower until the next fiscal year begins on May 1st.
Mayor Nic Farley expressed concern over painting the second water tower now even though it will likely save the city money in the long run.
“I understand, it’s just messy when we don’t budget for these things. I’m just a little cautious when we don’t budget for something, especially as big as something over $100,000.”
After Finance Director Kelli Barrow noted the half-cent sales tax for infrastructure improvements already had the extra money needed, the council agreed to pay for the painting of both towers now.
The bid from G and L Sandblasting was $78,000 under budget for a single tower, so painting both now only puts the city $38,000 over budget to paint both. The city will also save $6,000 by paying for both tower paintings now.
In other action, the council agreed to work with PMA Services as bond advisor on the refinancing of the remaining bonds on the Salem Aquatic Center and Waste Water Treatment Plant. Overall, Barrow says the PMA Services bid will cost the city less and is capped at $10,000. She is estimating a $100,000 to $150,000 savings in interest costs by refinancing to a lower rate of interest.
The council appointed Mark Larimer to the Historical Commission. Mayor Farley told the council there was a petition circulating asking the city council to take action to control the city’s growing deer population.
