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Salem City Council approves $95,000 mower, awards $258,851 restroom bid and OKs $2.87M in bills
Summary
At its July 1 meeting the Salem City Council approved purchase of a $95,000 Toro mower included in the adopted budget, awarded a $258,851 bid for east-side restrooms at Loafer Soccer Park, approved a FY2027 fee schedule and a MAG senior meals contract, and authorized payment of $2,867,991.74 in bills.
The Salem City Council on July 1 approved several consent and procurement items, voting unanimously to purchase a Toro Groundsmaster 4000 for $95,000, award construction of east-side restrooms at Loafer Soccer Park to HalesBuilt for $258,851, approve the FY2027 fee schedule and a MAG congregate meals contract, and authorize payment of $2,867,991.74 in outstanding bills.
The mower purchase was moved by Councilperson Craig Sacco and seconded by Councilperson Delys Snyder. Staff told the council the price was negotiated down from just over $100,000 to $95,000 and that the purchase is included in the city's approved budget. The motion passed 5–0 (De Graw, Snyder, Sacco, Taylor, Rees voting aye).
For the Loafer Soccer Park restroom project, staff recommended HalesBuilt's low bid of $258,851, which the staff noted was $76,247 less than the next-lowest bid. The approved scope covers the east-side restroom with an interior storage area; staff said current budget capacity covers only the east-side restroom but additional funds could allow a west-side restroom in the future. The motion to accept HalesBuilt's bid was made by Councilperson Delys Snyder, seconded by Councilperson Cynthia Deveraux Rees, and approved 5–0.
The council also approved the MAG senior meals contract for FY2027. Assistant Recreation Director Coleman Jacklin and Recreation Director Jen Wright told council the program typically serves about 45–65 congregate meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an estimated cost of roughly $6.00 per meal. The contract amount for Salem City is $20,481.74; participants are encouraged to make a suggested $4 donation that is remitted to MAG, and staff explained MAG reimburses Salem City by a per-day and per-meal arrangement. The motion to approve the contract passed 5–0.
Finance Director and City Recorder Jeffrey Nielson presented the FY2027 fee schedule; planning and engineering staff described proposed increases to subdivision plat review fees to better reflect staff time and legal review. Council approved the fee schedule unanimously.
Council approved minor corrections and accepted the minutes from June 3 and June 17, 2026, and then approved payment of $2,867,991.74 in bills; Councilperson Delys Snyder moved the bills payment, seconded by Councilperson Craig Sacco, and the motion carried 5–0.
Council members asked questions about project timing and budget details during discussion. For the restroom project, council sought clarification on parking and landscaping timing; staff responded that parking construction timing is separate from the current restroom approval and budgeted funds at present cover only the east-side restroom.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
