Council OKs Demo Bids

Bids for the second round of the city’s demolition project were approved by the Trenton City Council during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.

Red Rock of Hamilton, which has previously done demolition work for both the city and North Central Missouri College, was the low bidder and was approved to demolish 13 structures that are included in the second phase of the city’s demolition efforts. The bid for all structures was $34,390 (a discount of $2,700 when bid separately) and was the lowest of three received. Truitt’s Dirt Work bid $50,885 for all projects while the bid from Perkins Dozing was $58,250. When looking at the separate bids and taking the low bids into consideration, Red Rock’s total bid was still $1,475 lower than if the low bid on each structure had been accepted.
A notice to proceed will be issued by the city and work will start approximately 10 days after that time. City Administrator Kerry Sampson anticipates Red Rock to be on site and ready to go by the end of July.
Structures to be torn down include 144 E. 7th St.; 410, E. 11th St.; 1417 and 1419 Cedar St.; 935 Custer St.; 411 W. 12th St.; 120 and 124 E. 7th St.; 1418 Chestnut St.; and 111, 115, 117 and 119 E. 17th St.
The council approved the purchase of a 2011 SUV from Barnes-Baker Automotive of Trenton at a cost of $17,601. While it wasn’t the low bid, it was deemed by the council as the best bid, due to the businesses being local. The Barnes-Baker bid was just $257 higher than a bid from Joe Machens of Columbia and it was noted that Barnes-Baker has done much for the community over the years, particularly with the youth and education.
A USDA grant will pay 55 percent of the cost of the vehicle, with the city responsible for the other 45 percent. USDA grants of 55 percent, with a 45 percent match, will also be used to cover purchase of a self-contained breathing apparatus and accessories from Towers Fire Apparatus Co. for $30,542 and the removal of radios and accessories and reinstalling them into a new vehicle by Midwest Mobile Radio Services at a cost of $1,750. Those were the only bids received for those items. Sampson noted this was the first of three sets of bids that will be presented to the council in which USDA funds will be used to help cover the cost of items being purchased by the city.
Approval was given to a resolution establishing a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interest for certain officials as required by state statute. The resolution covers the city’s chief purchasing agent, which in the case of Trenton is the city administrator, Kerry Sampson
The council approved the appointment of Steve Perry to the Park Board as well as the appointment of Tonya Wilcutts to the Historic Preservation Committee. Perry’s vote was 8-0 while Joe Foster cast the lone dissenting vote approving Ms. Wilcutts.
A bid from Robert Draper to purchase city-owned property at Speedway and Harris was approved. The bid was for $125.
Building Board Chairman Larry Huffstutter asked Police Chief Bob Lewis to investigate complaints he has received concerning the parking of semi-trucks and trailers on city streets. Lewis said city ordinance prohibits trucks licensed 24,000 pounds and over from parking on city streets. It was also noted that no vehicle is to be parked on a sidewalk.
Among reports heard by the council during the meeting:
• Sampson said he will be meeting with Missouri Department of Transportation officials next week concerning the First Street railroad crossing and hopes to have information to share with the council soon afterward. He also said the city was reviewing renovation plans with the contractor for the former Adams Middle School to ensure codes are being met. He also announced that the city would be having an auction of surplus items at the airport on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
• Community Developer Ralph Boots said that the ATV races postponed last month due to the weather will be held this Saturday night. Work is nearly complete on the track, located in the grandstand area of the North Central Missouri Fairgrounds. There will be practices on both Friday and Saturday, with heat races to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday. He also reported on the recent Economic Development and Historic Preservation committee meetings.
• Fire Chief Tony Ralston said that there are 14 enrolled in the basic firefighter class and that an information meeting is to be held in August to determine interest in a Firefighter I and II class that would be held in September.
• Airport Supervisor John Beier said a MIMS 300 class is available July 20-21 at Kirksville for those who need the training. He and Sampson were scheduled to meet with the airport engineer today concerning the relocation of utilities at the airport so that work can be done to lower the road into the facility.
• Councilman Joe Foster reported that he is working with Police Chief Lewis on the lettering that will be placed on the city police cars.
• Downtown Improvement Association Director Debbie Carman reported on work that is going on in downtown Trenton, including the location of two new businesses. She also reported that the Nutty Grill has expanded its hours to 8 o’clock in the evening. In response to a questions from Dr. Nick McHargue, she indicated she was unaware of any plans to construct a trolley route from Five Points to the depot building that was recently purchased by the TDIA. She also noted that 10th Street between Main and Washington will remain closed until repairs to the TDIA and American Legion buildings can be completed. Sampson noted the street has been closed for the safety of pedestrians in the area until the work can be finished.