The Trenton City Council approved several appointments and heard a number of reports during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
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June is the normal month for appointments to city boards to be made and Mayor Cathie Smith presented several names for consideration. All were approved on a vote of 7-0, with Ed Holt absent, except for the appointment of Jeff Spencer to the park board, which was approved 6-0 with one abstention (Larry Huffstutter, who is Spencer’s uncle).
In addition to Spencer, others appointed to the park board were Pam Hattesohl and Mitch Dougan. They replace Marti Williams, Chuck Lankheit and Beth Gross, whose terms expired.
Appointed to the Building and Nuisance Board were David Trickel and Forrest Foland. Foland is being re-appointed while Trickel is replacing Pam Infranca. Trickel had been the city council representative to the board.
Appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board/ Board of Adjust-ments was Richard Hattesohl. He replaces Dr. Curtis Cox, who had spent 40 years as a member of the board and was one of its first members.
Phil Hoffman was re-appointed to another term on the Board of Public Works. He currently serves as chairman.
The council gave approval to a bid from Don Brown Chevrolet of St. Louis for a new police car, a 2008 Chevy Impala with a police package. The bid of $18,674 was the state bid and was the lowest of three bids received from the state. There were no local bids. Police Chief Bob Lewis said the bid was the amount that had been budgeted for a new car.
Also approved was a bid for $4,025 for a police car camera from Digital-Ally of Overland Park, KS. It was the only bid received and was $700 less than had been budgeted, according to Lewis. Additional funding will be required to have the old system taken out of the police car in which it is to be placed and the new one installed.
On a 7-0 vote, the council approved an ordinance granting a conditional use permit to Bobby Burkeybile. The permit allows him to construct a four-plex apartment at 1315 E. 10th St. It was noted a duplex is located next to the building site and that the new structure will have a similar look.
Doris Hobbs, manager of Hope Haven Industries, updated the council on recycling in the city and noted that during the month of March, 1,300 households used the services and averaged around 17 pounds. City Administrator Kerry Sampson said this represents nearly half of the households in the city who are charged for the service. Ms. Hobbs also said that 35 tons of recyclables were picked up at households during March, April and May, with another 10 tons per month being averaged by persons who bring in recycling items as well as those picked up commercially. Ms. Hobbs also reported that a recycling promotion was held in March at Rissler Elementary School.
Ms. Hobbs was asked for information concerning which areas in town were using the recycling service and she is to present that to the council.
Park Superintendent Jason Shuler reported that weather has slowed work on the Grimes Field renovation project which, when it gets under way, is expected to take three to four weeks. He also reported on mower issues and that he would be traveling to Minnesota today to pick up sealer equipment purchased jointly by the park board and Trenton R-9 School District and would receive training on the equipment while there.
Sampson reported that a meeting would be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 concerning the DREAM Initiative. The meeting will be held in the Sugg Conference Room at the Ketcham Community Center. Information from a recent survey of residents as well as a survey of buildings in the downtown area will be presented.
Sampson said a site visit is planned for June 18 by state officials regarding the city’s Community Development Block Grant application for the demolition of properties in the city. He noted that is usually a good sign.
He said things are in place for the World Changers, who will be in Trenton the week of June 23 to repair homes in the city. A representative of Congressman Sam Graves’ office, Dan Hageman, will be at city hall on June 25 to meet with area residents.
TMU Director Chad Davis said that despite the weather, the wastewater expansion program was on schedule. He said TMU would be doing some water line work this week in the area of the new NCMC allied health building and that electric work will be done in that area later. Davis also reported that the city generated power for one hour on Saturday for the power pool of which Trenton is a member.
It was reported that spraying was being done for mosquitoes and that the city brush dump would be open on July 12 because of the July 4 holiday.
Davis, Lewis and Fire Chief Tony Ralston all reported a loss of personnel due for the next few months to their involvement in National Guard duties. Ralston also noted that testing would be done for two individuals who are interested in being pay-per-call firemen.
There was also discussion concerning concrete hauling charges for new sidewalks as well as tickets being written for unkempt properties. Sampson said persons are encouraged to report property issues to city hall by either calling or coming in. A complaint form is also available on the city’s website, which can be forward to city hall.
Citizens are reminded that it is against city ordinance to blow grass cuttings into the street.