The Trenton City Council gave its support to a proposed county/city law enforcement center during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
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The Trenton City Council gave its support to a proposed county/city law enforcement center during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
Council members voted 8-0 to back a plan being proposed by the Grundy County Law Enforcement Committee, which plans to ask the county commission to place a one-half cent sales tax on the November ballot. That money would be used to construct and operate a facility for use by both county and city law enforcement.
Committee co-chairman Allen Berry said the issue put before voters last November would be used as the model for what would be proposed to voters later this year, however, he noted that there could be some slight changes in regard to location, size of facility and dispersal of tax funding. The committee has organized itself into four subgroups, two of which will look at the design and location of the jail. Berry said that while the first location, just south of the courthouse, is preferred, that doesn?t mean a different location couldn?t be used. He said that because of safety reasons, the committee feels the facility should be as close to the courthouse as possible.
A 34-bed facility is also still being considered. But that, too, could also change. However, Sheriff Greg Coon noted the committee has looked at other facilities where cuts were made after the original design was approved and that those facilities were now less than adequate. Coon said the committee is looking at a design that would be usable for many years to come.
Committee members discussed financing with the council as well as gave a history of the two buildings now being used by the county and city for its law enforcement efforts. In both cases it was noted that the space was no longer adequate and that the current needs have outgrown the original purpose of those buildings.
The committee plans to hold another meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the courthouse. Persons interested in working with the committee on the issue are invited to attend and the council was also extended a special invitation. It was noted that City Administrator Kerry Sampson has agreed to work with the committee on the marketing of the issue.
The council approved the appointment of six individuals to a TIF Commission. They include Earl Robinson, Steve Busch, Tim Allnutt, Mark Morse, Dale Swanton and Monty Bonnett. Other taxing entities in the county will now appoint their representatives to the committee and a meeting will be set up to elect a chairman. A commission has been requested to work with the group redeveloping the former Adams Middle School building.
The council heard a report concerning the possible purchase of storm sirens. Councilwoman Jackie Soptic presented information compiled by city staff regarding estimated costs for three different systems, with a cost estimated to be received from a fourth source. Mrs. Soptic asked that the council consider holding a special meeting next week to review all the information and make a decision in regard as to whether or not to move ahead with the effort. She said there were several funding mechanisms available to the city as well, including the possibility of having up to 55 percent of the costs being paid with funds available through the USDA?s Homeland Security program.
In other business, the council:
? approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and OATS to provide $22,500 for transportation servings within the city of Trenton.
? approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and Lockridge, Constant and Conrad for audit services at a cost of $9,500. The firm will audit both the city and TMU.
? approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and Larkin Group, Inc., to provide engineering services for the construction of an aquatic center. That vote was 7-1, with Jackie Soptic voting no.
? appointed Hayden Standiford to the Board of Public Works. He replaces Bill Redmond, who resigned. His term will run until June 2006.
? approved a bid from Dale Brown Chevrolet of St. Louis for a new police car. The bid was $17,153, with a trade in of $6,125, resulting in the city?s cost being $11,028. It was the lowest of three bids received, including two bids from Barnes-Baker Automotive at Trenton.
? approved a stormwater bid for work on Lake Manor from White Cloud Engineering at a cost of $24,444. The firm will also do two other engineering studies for the city at a cost of $12,400. Those areas include the watershed at Seventh and Jackson and the watershed at 11th and Tindall Avenue.
? approved a lease agreement with J.L. Computer Technologies of Sedalia for equipment used by the police department. The bid was for $579.30 per month for 36 months, at which time the city will be able to purchase the equipment outright for $1,834, if it so chooses.
? agreed to allow the mayor to have a cell phone and credit card for city business.
? turned over a drainage request to the city street department.
? turned over a sidewalk removal request to the Administrative Committee, which announced plans for a meeting at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday at city hall.
? heard concerns for a second time from Pam Monteer concerning location of a manhole in front of property she owns on Main Street. The manhole will be placed in the street.