The Trenton City Council has voted to support the Grundy County Law Enforcement Committee?s plan to place a one-half cent law enforcement sales tax on the November ballot to construct and operate a combined county/city law enforcement center.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
The Trenton City Council has voted to support the Grundy County Law Enforcement Committee?s plan to place a one-half cent law enforcement sales tax on the November ballot to construct and operate a combined county/city law enforcement center.
During a meeting Monday night, the council voted 7-1 in favor of the concept worked out by the county commission and city officials regarding operations of the new facility as well as continued use of the city?s public safety complex by both the city and county.
A written contract between the two entities has yet to be agreed to, although it was noted at the meeting that such an agreement could be available for council approval at its next meeting on Sept. 23. Last week, county commissioners met with representatives of the city, including Mayor Tim Whitaker and City Administrator Kerry Sampson, and worked out a deal that would have the city responsible for all dispatching services while the county would be responsible for the jailing operations. In addition, the county would continue to pay $12,000 a year to house the ambulance service at the public safety complex.
Co-chairman of the law enforcement committee, Allan Seidel, presented information as to what steps the committee has taken to come up with the jail proposal, including consideration of other possibilities such as remodeling the present jail or closing the jail and moving prisoners to other facilities. After deciding the current jail was not adequate to meet the needs of the county, the committee decided to ask voters to approve a law enforcement tax to build a new jail, which would be located on property south of the courthouse at the corner of Seventh and Main streets.
Police Chief Bob Lewis reviewed plans for the building, which would include a 34-bed unit for housing both county and city prisoners. The building would face Seventh Street, where the public would also enter the building, while law enforcement personnel would bring prisoners in through a sallyport on the east side on Washington Street. The county personnel would occupy the east end of the building, while the city would be on the west end, however, there would be several shared areas in the facility. The jail would be located in the basement of the building.
In discussing the facility, councilman Larry Crawford expressed concern about not having a written agreement between the two entities at the time of the city?s vote, however, added he felt that the jail was needed. Councilman Dr. Nick McHargue, who cast the lone no vote, asked whether or not the sales tax would be placed in general revenue in the county?s budget, rather than segregated out, and was told that the money collected from this tax could go for law enforcement purposes only, as outlined by state statute allowing for such a tax.
The council?s Finance Committee will meet at noon on Wednesday to discuss options regarding the repair or replacement of the fire department?s pumper truck. Fire Chief Tony Ralston said the pump has quit working on the truck and that other repairs are needed to the engine and the brakes. At least $17,000 will be needed to replace the pump while another $9,000 to $10,000 would be required for engine and brake work. Some $15,248 has already been spent for repair work on the truck in the last year and Ralston wants to meet with the committee to discuss whether or not to go ahead with repairs or look at the possibility of purchasing a replacement vehicle.
Hours of operation for the city?s brush dump were discussed by council members, who were told that there were some concerns by residents that the time established was not convenient. The brush dump, which is located at the city street department, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. The dump is available for city residents only and commercial brush as well as brush from out in the county is not allowed to be dumped there. It was noted that there have been problems with persons leaving items other than brush at the dump, which is why certain hours for the brush dump to be opened were set. To leave it open at other times would require a person to be on site and Mayor Whitaker said the city does not have the funds to staff the dump during hours on weekends. Street Supervisor Larry Griffin said that persons needing to have the brush dump open at other times can call the street department to make arrangements.
In other business, the council:
? approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and the Missouri Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant to demolish 60 structures in Trenton. City Administrator Sampson said bids are being readied for up to 20 structures, with plans for the work to begin later this fall.
? approved an ordinance updating the city?s flood plain management regulations.
? was told the Dangerous Buildings Board would meet Sept. 4 with the city attorney and hold its regular meeting on Sept. 5.
? was told asphalt work on the new walking trail would be completed this week and that cleanup work was under way in preparation for the alumni weekend activities.
? was told that the ?smart trailer,? that clocks how fast a vehicle is traveling down the road, has been made available to the police department for the next two weeks. Persons who would like the trailer in their neighborhood can contact Police Chief Lewis.
? was told there would be no council meeting on Sept. 9 so that city officials can attend the Missouri Municipal League meeting in St. Louis. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be Sept. 23.