The Trenton City Council approved a contract to purchase property and heard several concerns during a meeting Tuesday night at city hall.
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The Trenton City Council approved a contract to purchase property and heard several concerns during a meeting Tuesday night at city hall.
On a 7-0 vote, the council agreed to purchase property at 10th and Jefferson on which Trenton Municipal Utilities? downtown substation is located. TMU had previously leased the property, but the Board of Public Works during a recent meeting decided to go ahead and purchase the property, which is currently owned by Roy and Louise Brown. The purchase price is $2,750.
The council also approved appointment of John Woodrich of Trenton to the Police Personnel Board. He would serve the unexpired term of Jim Walker, who has moved from the community. The term would continue through February 2008.
A Trenton woman, Margie Lovett, appeared before the council to voice her concern with what she called ?boom cars,? stating that the noise being emitted from vehicles through certain types of stereo equipment causes a nuisance. She presented several packets of information to council members, outlining what has been done in other communities as well as the medical problems that such noise can cause. She also presented a list of individuals and merchants who are concerned about the situation as well.
Mrs. Lovett asked that the city enforce an ordinance it already has on the books concerning loud noise and asked that the council consider approving an ordinance that would prohibit the equipment used in ?boom cars.?
Police Chief Bob Lewis noted that the department has received complaints and has responded to them. He stated that individuals have been ticketed and City Attorney Chris Raynes said those individuals have been charged with peace disturbance under the city code.
The information was turned over to the Administrative Committee for further consideration.
It was announced that the cleanup of properties in the city?s Community Development Block Grant program has been completed and two property owners appeared at the meeting to express their appreciation. Ella May Walker and Tom Stickler both indicated they were pleased with the work done by city street and park department crews, who finished the project after the contractor hired by the city chose not to complete the work. Council member Kenneth Ewing and Mayor Gary Hall also complimented the city crews for their work.
Information about the city street department?s cost for the work was submitted to the council, which is awaiting a final cost report from the park department. City Administrator Kerry Sampson said when that information is received, a full report on the cost will be given.
Mrs. Walker also spoke with the council about a concern she has with an alley behind her property at 17th and Chicago streets in regard to the width as well as a problem with individuals using the alley as a race area. She is to meet with Sampson and other city officials concerning the issue.
Carolyn Garcia addressed the council about a trash can she has placed in front of her business that she said was ?purposely? struck by a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk. She said she felt the city should replace the trash can as she is collecting ?city trash.? She was told by the city attorney that if it could be proven that there was deliberate damage done to the trash can and that an individual can be identified as the culprit, the incident could be prosecuted for property damage. Police Chief Lewis said he would send officers to her business to view a videotape of the incident that Mrs. Garcia claimed she had.
Mrs. Garcia also criticized Police Chief Lewis for ?harassing? individuals who attempt to come into her business on the day of the Missouri Day Parade. She said those individuals are coming into her store to dress as characters that are included in the parade and said that Lewis harassed them by parking in front of her business. She asked that Lewis not be allowed to park there.
Lewis noted that the street in front of her business (Main Street) is closed beginning at 6 a.m. on the day of the parade to allow buses bringing bands in for the parade to use the street. Mrs. Garcia said that 31 cars were allowed to go through that area last year, a figure disputed by Lewis, who said that the street would be closed again this year for use by the buses.
In other business, the council:
? was told that the Tharp property on Oklahoma Avenue was close to being cleaned up, with a few tanks and debris still to be removed.
? was told a letter was sent to the Department of Natural Resources, at their request, concerning a sewage situation near Moberly Park. TMU Director Chad Davis said the Board of Public Works has discussed the concern and is looking at budgeting funds to address the situation in next year?s budget. He noted that funds in this year?s budget for such concerns have been earmarked for a project at 18th and Mable streets.
? was told the city is waiting on information as to whether or not the city would need to have additional work done at the old city landfill, north of town.
? was told the Administrative Committee has begun reviewing the city personnel handbook and has recommended some changes, which will be reviewed at a meeting planned for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20. It was noted the personnel book was last updated in 1981.
? received information that the city earned the MARCIT Achievement Award in recognition of it?s loss control efforts during the past year. MARCIT is the city?s workman?s compensation insurer. It was noted the city will receive a $8,364 rebate for being in compliance with the standards contained in MARCIT?s Loss Control Program. This is the maximum award level.