BELLE — Belle Board of Aldermen awarded an asphalt paving bid worth $80,000 during the July 14 meeting.

The city received two asphalt bids for streets, including one from Pierce Asphalt for $80,115 and a second from Capital Paving at $91,626. They approved the bid from Pierce Asphalt with a 4-0 vote. The project will be paid for from multiple funds, including $55,000 from the Street fund; $8,530 from Capital Improvements fund; and $16,585 from Special Road District No. 6.

Interim Public Works Director Daryl Jenkins asked the board to approve a purchase of 50 tons of road salt not to exceed $4,668.50.

The price on road salt is good ‘till March of next year,” Jenkins told the board. “I also think we should get extra road oil. We could spend more since we won’t have the extra expense on some other stuff leftover from last year and stock up for next year.”

Alderman Tony Gieck made a motion to approve the purchase using monies from salt/cinders, and pea gravel line item in the budget. The board approved the purchase with a 4-0 vote.

Board members also renewed the contract with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) to continue to employee Chuck Cantrell as the city’s building inspector. Gieck made the motion to approve the contract renewal. It passed with a 4-0 vote.

Tony Baretich, a former Belle patrolman, will be taking over as the city public works director in August.

Aldermen reviewed eight applications in closed session and came up with two final applicants. Gieck made a motion to hire Jason Lewis, the current public works director of the city of Bland. The motion died due to a lack of a second vote. Alderman Jeanette Struemph made a motion to hire Baretich, who has been working for the public works department in Owensville. The motion passed with a 3-0-1 vote — Gieck abstained.

Former public works director Nathan Abel stepped down at the beginning of July to take a position elsewhere.

Mayor Steve Vogt asked if the board wanted to host another citywide recycling event with MRPC.

“It only costs an employee,” Vogt said. “They take anything with a cord.”

The board said they wanted to proceed with the event and Vogt said he would look into it.

Vogt also asked about ordering 12 United States flags to replace the ragged ones on electric poles. The local VFW has already offered to dispose of the ragged flags. The board consensus was to make the purchase.

During the visitors’ line item, Matt Blatter with Cable America asked about climbing the city’s water towers to check the feasibility of bringing another internet provider to the town.

“Is it 5G,” Struemph asked.

“That’s a broad term,” Blatter said. “What we have up there is 5 gigahertz, but not 5G which is 5th generation. If you need proof that we have insurance to climb the towers, we can give you that.”

Board agreed with a 4-0 vote to allow Blatter to climb the water towers after he provides a copy of his insurance to the city.