The Trenton City Council Monday evening accepted building board recommendations and approved asbestos removal for two structures and the list of seven houses to be demolished – all keeping within the $30,000 budgeted for demolitions.
The council accepted a utility committee recommendation regarding a bid of $60,074 for a 40-foot by 60-foot storage building at the Trenton wastewater plant which also includes a second 14-foot by 14-foot door. Utility Director Ron Urton said a tractor and sludge spreader will be stored inside. Jamesport Builders submitted the lowest of two bids received coming in at $5,000 under the TMU budget item. The other bid came from Generational Buildings.
The council accepted Mayor Linda Crooks appointment of Donnie Vandevender to the Trenton Planning and Zoning Commission – and Board of Adjustments to replace Roger Hawkins who requested he be allowed to leave his position.
The council agreed to close out an unused health insurance trust account from many years ago. Some $88,000 will be moved to the city’s general revenue fund.
The council approved on a voice vote, Councilman Brad Chumbley’s motion to temporarily suspend having the police department respond to nuisance calls. His
request includes having the administrative committee review what can be done to allow what he called more consistent enforcement of nuisance violations. The Trenton Police Department has been advertising for an officer. Applications can be obtained from Police Chief Rex Ross.
Among reports, City Administrator Ron Urton reported Boone Construction Company is scheduled to begin demolition of the 17th Street Bridge on May 26th – the day after Memorial Day. Urton indicated the demolition work should take three or four days.
The notice to proceed with construction of the new bridge allows the contractor 150 days for that part of the job – meaning it would be the first of November when 17th Street could be re-opened with the new, longer bridge over the railroad tracks.
Regarding the 9th Street resurfacing project this year, Urton reported Emery Sapp and Sons has the low bid which he described as within ten percent of the estimate made by the MoDOT engineers. While the highways and transportation commission meets March 4th to review the two bids, Urton expressed his belief that the bid will be accepted and the resurfacing through Trenton will get done this year.
At the request of Trenton’s Administrative Committee, Trenton Police checked activity at the school crossing and bus stop located at 5th and Main Street which is near Rissler Elementary School. Observations were made during the morning and afternoon on 6 different days school was in session.
Up to four students crossed Main Street from west to east and during the afternoon, up to three students crossed Main Street. No elementary students were observed by police in crossing the highway. No action, nor discussion was taken by the council.
Seven members of the city council attended the 15-minute meeting Monday evening with Dave Mlika absent.