The Trenton City Council has gone on record in support of a combined county/city law enforcement center and will be assisting the Grundy County Law Enforcement Committee with efforts to get the ballot issue passed in February.
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The Trenton City Council has gone on record in support of a combined county/city law enforcement center and will be assisting the Grundy County Law Enforcement Committee with efforts to get the ballot issue passed in February.
During a meeting of the council on Monday night, members voted 7-0 to support efforts to construct a new law enforcement center that would house both the Grundy County Sheriff?s office, the Trenton Police Department and the 911 emergency services. Troy Smith was absent.
Members of the law enforcement committee met with the council to update them on work done on the project thus far. Co-chairman Allan Seidel reported that it was the committee?s position, based on telephone surveys and other discussions, that a combined county/city center was the most feasible and would allow for improved facilities for both entities. While all the financial commitments have yet to be finalized, Police Chief Bob Lewis and Grundy County Sheriff Greg Coon are to meet today with the Grundy County Commission and city officials to work out more definite details. City Administrator Kerry Sampson noted that past agreements have called for the city to pay for the dispatching services as well as its portion of the such things as utilities, etc., while the county would pay for the construction and general operation of the jail.
Grundy County voters will go to the polls on Feb. 8 to decide whether or not to support a one-half cent sales tax which would be use to construct and operate the new law enforcement facility. Once the construction work is done, the sales tax would be rolled back to three-eights cents and that money would be used for operational costs.
Seidel noted that a definite site for the jail has not yet been determined, although several sites are being considered. He noted that the ideal location would be close to the Grundy County Courthouse, but re-emphasized the committee would look at all options before making a final decision. He said that several property owners have contacted committee members about land that may be available for the new jail and that the committee will continue to look at all suggestions.
The committee is putting together a marketing effort for the February vote and will be making presentations concerning the need for a new jail. It was noted the committee hopes to also do a door-to-door and/or telephone campaign to visit with voters, especially those in the rural areas, where the measure received less support in the last election.
Police Chief Lewis announced that officer Josh Eckerson would be leaving the police department on Dec. 31 to take a position in Harrison County. The council voted to allow Eckerson to purchase the department?s drug dog at a cost of $1,550, with Eckerson taking the dog to Harrison County for use there. However, Lewis noted the dog would be available for use by local law enforcement authorities. The purchase was allowed because Eckerson has served as the dog?s trainer and handler since the dog was obtained in 2002 and there were some liability concerns by allowing the dog to either stay with the department or be sold to someone else. The $1,550 figure was determined based on how many years the animal can be used as a drug dog, which in this case is about two more years. It was noted that monies left from public donations made for the canine drug program will remain in a fund that could be used to purchase another dog or for other drug prevention-related activities. A determination will be made at a later time.
The council approved an ordinance, granting a conditional use permit to Larry D. Barnes on behalf of Preferred Family Healthcare. The permit allows Preferred Family to renovate an existing building behind its offices at 1622 Oklahoma Ave. for use as a 24-bed residential facility for its clients. Jonathan Smith, representing Preferred Family, noted that clients already spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the facilities and that the residential center would allow them to be located there full-time rather than having to be transported to and from another site. He noted that the majority of the clients are from the Green Hills Area and are placed there by Probation and Parole or the Division of Family Services. There is a full-time supervision of the clients served at the facility, he said.
Also approved was a special use permit for Dewayne Marlay on behalf of Kenneth Fellows, allowing Fellows to operate a pool hall at 807 Main St. A variance request from David Klingensmith to build a carport at 1703 Chestnut St. was denied as the Planning and Zoning Commission determined the carport would be located to close to the street. Klingensmith has already made application for another variance, with changes to his original plan, which will be heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission in January.
The council approved a contract with Dean Peyton Contracting to serve as general contractor for repairs to city-owned facilities damaged by the May hailstorms. Councilman Don Peyton was allowed to vote on the contract as he does not directly benefit from the work being done by the company, which is owned by his nephew.
The council approved the sale of two properties the city owns for the highest bids received. The successful bidders were Dale and Barbara Lovell, $400 for property at 1908 Lulu St., and Richard Orndorff, $610 for property at 923 Avalon. Two bids were received on each property. The city had adverised six properties for sale.
In other business the council:
? received a proposed mitigation emergency plan, which members are to review. Any changes are to be reported by next Monday so that the plan can be finalized and submitted to the State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval. The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is compiling the plan on behalf of the county and city.
? was told the police department would be down four officers on Jan. 1, with three being on national guard assignment. Attempts are being made to fill those positions, however, Lewis reported that the quality of applications has not been strong.
? was told Lt. Lance Croy is resigning from the fire department to accept a job in Kearney. Fire Chief Tony Ralston said applications to fill the position will be taken. He also reported that several rescue items have been donated to the fire department by ConAgra.
? was told the Oklahoma Avenue waterline project is progressing, with work under way and easements being obtained.
? discussed briefly a letter from Cebridge Connections concerning efforts to renew a franchise agreement with the city to continue providing cable television services to Trenton. Sampson noted that the city has sent an agreement to the company, but has yet to hear a response from officials.