The Administrative Committee will review the wrecker rotation used by the police department as well as the possibility of requiring utility locations being disclosed on real estate transactions following discussion on Monday night by the Trenton City Council.
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Councilman Steve Perry had requested discussion of the wrecker rotation, which according to Police Bob Lewis is used when the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident has no preference as to whom removes the vehicle from the scene. The police currently use two local wrecker services in their rotation (one of which is located in the county, but outside the city limits), however, Lewis noted that services from other communities have been used. It was noted that the Highway Patrol also uses the same list.
Perry said he felt that it should not be left up to the police to determine which service is used and that a list of available services should be provided to the drivers so that they make the choice rather than the police. Lewis noted that if the driver does not have a preference, the investigating officer will call the dispatcher and asked he or she to send the next wrecker on the list, adding that the officer has no idea which service that might be.
Perry also said that should the police use services outside of the city, those businesses should be required to have a city license to operate in town. He said that the owner of the wrecker service that was located in the county, but out of the city limits, was told he would not be required to have a city license. City officials say that the individual who told the owner that was not someone at city hall.
The committee will also look at a suggestion by Councilman Dr. Nick McHargue that the city require real estate transactions to include disclosure of utility locations as well as whether or not the real estate uses city services. Trenton Municipal Utilities Director Chad Davis said that information concerning TMU services was available to prospective buyers, however, Dr. McHargue said he believed there were individuals who did not know that. Davis also noted that persons could call a toll-free number, 1-800-DIG-RITE, to also find out where services such as telephone lines, cable lines, etc., are located.
There was discussion as to whether or not the city could legally require the disclosure on transactions, with City Attorney Corey Herron noting those transaction are of a private nature and do not involve public safety issues that the city can regulate. He is to investigate the issue and report back to the Administrative Committee, which will consider the matter further.
Approval was given to an ordinance authorizing the agreement between the city and the county for use of the new law enforcement center, which will house the offices of the sheriff’s department and the police department. Specifics of the agreement were outlined during a report of the July 9 council meeting, which appeared in the Republican-Times on July 10.
Also approved was an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and Tyler Technologies of Lubbock, TX to update the city computer software.
City Building Inspector Gary Beverlin reported that the Building and Nuisance Board is considering nine properties to be demolished in the north part of the city as part of a demolition project it would like to do this fall.
The city had applied for a state grant to demolish several structures throughout the city, however, that grant was not received. As a result, the board decided to take the funds available in the city budget, around $20,000, and look at structures that could be torn down with the money. The property owners will be asked to provide $750 per property, which is the same amount they would have paid if the grant had been received, and those monies would be added to the city funds for the work.
It was decided by the board at a meeting prior to the council meeting that it would concentrate on a specific area, which members believe would allow them to have a lower cost for demolition and thus, let them tear down more structures.
The area being considered is north of Crowder Road around Bolser, Merrill and Carnes streets. Those property owners identified by the board are to be contacted to see if they would still like to participate, with Beverlin reporting back to the board in August so that work can continue. The board would like to have the structures down this fall, which members believe will give them a better chance at receiving state grant funds when another application is made next spring.
City Administrator Kerry Sampson said that an individual from a Springfield company will be in town today to look at the city’s fuel dispensing process at the airport. The FAA had inspected the process and recommended that the city not sell fuel until some equipment changes are made. A concern about LifeFlight was alleviated when it was reported that the helicopter gets fuel when it gets to Kansas City, allowing it to have 1 hour and 20 minutes worth of fuel available when it leaves Trenton. Sampson said he believes the problem can be remedied in a few days.
Sampson also reported that work continues at the airport, with the advisory board having met with Snyder and Associates and TMU concerning utility issues at the end of the runway. Work is to be done in that area, which will allow the city to move forward with other improvements planned at the airport for this fall and spring.
Fire Chief Tony Ralston reported that efforts to get firelanes designated at the city’s three main shopping areas is progressing and that a meeting was held last week with officials concerning the gas leak at 1601 Main St., which resulted in residents being evacuated for around two hours. Ralston noted that the entities involved were satisfied the incident had been handled properly.
Mayor Cathie Smith reported that she, Sampson and Economic Developer Sean Burge had met with representatives of the Veteran’s Administration concerning a benefits meeting that will be held in Trenton on Aug. 9. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the First Christian Church. She encouraged all veterans, including those who have served in Iraq, as well as individuals who think they may be entitled to military benefits to attend the meeting. VA representatives will be present to answer questions and assist with paperwork.
A meeting was also held last week with the Downtown Improvement Steering Committee concerning the downtown improvement plan, during which time comments on the plan were received. Mrs. Smith said once the plan is finalized, it will be brought back to the council for determination as to whether or not the city will move forward with the plan.
Sampson reported that efforts continue on repair and/or replacement of the 22nd Street Bridge. Bids received earlier this month showed that the work would cost about $240,000 more than the funds available and Sampson said that representatives of Union Pacific were to see whether or not it could provide additional funds for the bridge replacement. If not, efforts will be made to at least repair the bridge so that traffic such as school buses and trucks can use the structure.
Building & Nuisance Board
In addition to the determination of properties that could be demolished by the city, the Building and Nuisance Board set public hearings for Aug. 27 on properties owned by Carol Gregornik at 400 E. 8th St. and by Betty Friedman at 905 Rural St.
It was reported that work is being done on a house at 1428 Chestnut, owned by Lyle Investments, that had been the subject of neighborhood complaints. Beverlin reported that the roof on the back of the home had been repaired and that clean-up work was going on inside of the house.
Beverlin is to also meet with the owners of the home at 401 W. Crowder Road (the former Brassfield home) as to what their plans for the structure are. It was noted by Chairperson Jackie Soptic that the owners had determined that to repair one wall was going to cost around $200,000 and that there were other issues on the exterior of the home as well. Board member Dale Foland said he believed the home would also need to be completely rebuilt inside.
Beverlin said he believed the house was being offered for sale based on a call he had received from a Kansas man who indicated he was looking at purchasing the home. He added that the structures located behind the home also needed to be removed. Board members asked Beverlin to meet with the owners to get the buildings talem down in addition to finding out what their future plans are for the home.