Bids were accepted and ordinances approved by the Trenton City Council during a brief meeting on Monday night at city hall.
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All votes were 7-0, with Chuck Elliott being absent.
The council accepted a bid from Aaron Bunnell to farm crop land the city has in the north part of town. Although it was the lowest of two bids received at $107.73 per acre, City Administrator Kerry Sampson said the second bid contained some inaccurate information in regard as to who would be responsible for making sure the rent money was paid to the city. That bid of $130.487 per acre was submitted by Derald and Nathan Whitney.
Only one bid was received for auditing services and was accepted by the council. Lockridge, Constant and Conrad will provide the auditing services for the year ending April 30, 2008 at a cost of $4,000 for the city and $7,500 for Trenton Municipal Utilities. Any additional work required for single audit reports would be an additional $1,000.
An ordinance approving a conditional use permit for Joe Bankson was approved. Bankson plans to build storage units on property he owns at 727 E. 24th St., which is currently zoned as B-2 (community business).
Also approved was an ordinance setting Dec. 19 to Jan. 22 as the dates for persons to file as candidates for the Trenton City Council, subject to the April 8 election. Four two-year terms expire, including those of Dr. Nick McHargue, first ward; Kenneth Ewing, second ward; Chuck Elliott, third ward; and David Trickel, fourth ward. Persons can file during regular business hours.
Several reports were presented by city personnel, including an update on a grant the city plans to seek for building demolition. Building Inspector Gary Beverlin said the city is in the process of updating an application it made to the state for funding last spring, identifying structures that would be demolished with the money, if received. As was the case with the last grant, individual property owners would be asked to monetarily contribute toward the work. The grant is to be submitted by April 1.
Kerry Sampson reported on a meeting he and Airport Manager John Beier attended in Jefferson City concerning the Missouri Department of Transportation program in which the city is involved. Sampson said regulation updates were presented, noting that Trenton is looking at improvements to the airport that would include removal of obstructions, drainage work, moving utility lines and lowering the road at the entrance to the airport. The city has $300,000 that must be spent within a certain time and Sampson said work is being identified to spend the funds as diligently as possible. Answering a question from Dr. McHargue, Sampson said the city’s cost for an engineering firm it is using for the project is around 7 to 10 percent, which he noted was negotiated down through MoDOT.
Street Supervisor Larry Griffin reported on costs for recent snow removal, including overtime and materials. That cost was listed at $8,408.43.
TMU Director Chad Davis reported that three projects are currently out for bid, including water line projects at Second and Ridgeway and Ninth and Haliburton. The third project involves wastewater plant improvements.
Sampson reminded residents not to push snow out into the streets when removing it from driveways and sidewalks as it impedes snow removal work by the city street crews. He suggested residents push the snow to the side of the driveway or sidewalk.
He also reported on a meeting with MoDOT last week concerning the Ninth and Main streets intersection. He said the state is exploring options in how to make the intersection safer and will get back with the city with workable improvement suggestions.
Police Chief Bob Lewis reported that two individuals have been trained on the Livescan equipment recently received by the department and will be able to provide instruction to others once the equipment is installed at the new law enforcement center.
Councilman Kenneth Ewing paid tribute to Gordon Joiner, a former member of the Park Board and Tree Board who died last week. Councilman Ed Holt concurred.
Because of the Christmas holiday, there will be no meeting on Dec. 24. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 14.