The Administrative Committee of the Trenton City Council will meet with the city attorney to develop an ordinance outlining the process to be followed in regard to the wrecker rotation system being used by the police department.
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Action was taken during a meeting of the committee on Tuesday night. City Administrator Kerry Sampson said the committee discussed its options and decided it would meet with the city attorney and get information through the Missouri Municipal League as to what other communities do to develop an ordinance for Trenton. The document will then be brought back to the committee for consideration before being forwarded to the council for action.
The police department currently uses a system that includes two to three local wrecker services, which are called out on a rotational basis if those needing the service after an accident investigated by police do not have a preference.
Sampson noted police policy on lockouts was also discussed and will be addressed by the committee. However, more information is being sought before any decisions are made.
The Building and Nuisance Board is being asked to take a list of properties it has put together and get estimates as to what it would cost to have those properties demolished so that it can be determined which properties can be torn down with the money available to the city in the budget. Sampson said there is $20,000 earmarked in the budget and the committee is asking the board to look at ways the money can be leveraged so that as many properties as possible can be taken down. It was suggested that the board look at tearing down properties located in the same area in an effort to possibly get a lower bid, thus leaving more funds to take down other properties. The board will also be visiting with property owners to see how much money they are willing to put up to help with the demolition efforts.
Sampson said because the city did not get the state grant for which it had applied, the amount of money to do the demolition project is much less than what is most likely needed to take down the properties proposed. The committee discussed the possibility of looking at a one-eighth of a percent sales tax that could be used to raise funds for demolition purposes. A seven-year sunset clause was proposed, with the tax raising about $100,000 per year. Sampson noted that could allow the city to take down about 20 properties a year and also free up land on which new houses could be constructed. The committee is to continue looking into this suggestion.
The committee discussed improvements to Oklahoma Avenue that would help alleviate water issues along an approximate one-mile stretch of the road to 28th Street. A suggestion had been made that the city consider curbing and guttering the area, which Sampson said could run into several thousands of dollars. Add in the cost for guttering, drainage and other work, and it could cost up to $1 million to complete the work. Brock Pfost of White Cloud Engineering has looked at the area and has made suggestions for the city to consider and Street Supervisor Larry Griffin said the were things that could be done, including cleaning out ditches and shoulder work, that could help as well. The city will also be talking with the First Baptist Church about the possibility of a berm being constructed along the south side of the property, which would allow water to run off into an area in Scott and Haddox where it could then be drained into city stormwater drains.
The committee took no action on fireworks being shot in the city streets, however, Sampson said an aggressive educational campaign will be done prior to July 4 of next year to let persons know what is allowed and what isn’t in regard to the explosion of fireworks. There had been some issues of fireworks being shot onto residential homes during this past holiday, prompting the discussion.
The committee also took no action on a request to have utility disclosures included on real estate transactions. Sampson said such a requirement is above the scope of what a local government can require.