State highway and railroad officials have indicated “an interest” in installing crossbars and a lighted signal at the First Street railroad crossing and are currently accepting public comment concerning the proposed project.
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City Administrator Kerry Sampson told members of the Trenton City Council on Monday night that he, Mayor Cathie Smith and Police Chief Bob Lewis had met with officials from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad last week to discuss the crossing, the site of where three individuals were killed in an accident last December. He said that MoDOT has agreed to put a stop sign at the crossing temporarily and has begun the process in getting the signals and crossbars installed.
Part of that process involves public comment being received during the next 30 days regarding the proposed project. A public notice has been given to both the city and railroad and comments are being accepted through Aug. 26. Persons wanting to make comments can send them to Multimodal Operations, attn: Jack Wright, Missouri Department of Transportation, 2218 W. St. Mary’s Blvd., PO Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270. Comments both for and against the project will be received. After that time, according to Sampson, there will be a 90-day period in which a decision will be made by MoDOT as to whether or not to proceed with the project, based on the comments. If approved, officials would have up to one year to install the warning items.
Sampson said the city would have some participation in the project, mostly in regard to widening and asphalting the road leading up to the railroad tracks as well as striping and other cosmetic work.
Sampson also reported that the Union Pacific has purchased materials for new decking on the 17th Street bridge and plans to start work on that site in late August. The project is expected to take about a week to complete.
In other reports from Sampson, some issues regarding tubing are being taken care of as part of the Kitty Street project. USDA has provided $36,000 in funding for the city to help pay costs of equipment being purchased for the police and fire departments. He indicated a second round of funds for other departments is also anticipated, although a time frame has not been established.
Building Inspector Gary Beverlin gave an update on his work, including inspections he has been doing on construction of the new hospital and the R-9 renovation/construction projects. Beverlin said the hospital project is moving along “briskly” and that he has spent a lot of time on site as builders move forward. He said that the R-9 project is moving ahead after a one-day stoppage last week while awaiting approval from the city’s consulting engineers on plans involving installation of steel framing and concrete blocks at the high school site. He said the school’s architects had not gotten plans back to the engineers in a timely manner, causing the delay in approval. That work is moving forward this week and Beverlin said that the contractor also anticipates beginning work at the Rissler School site this week if tests determine the dirt is compacted enough for that project to start.
Beverlin also reported that demolition of 13 structures approved by the council earlier this month are anticipated to begin the first of August. Red Rock of Hamilton received the bid on the structures. Meanwhile, the city is compiling a list of buildings to be included on a third round of demolition work, all of which is being paid for through a Community Development Block Grant received by the city.
Community Developer Ralph Boots reported that the ATV races drew nearly 500 spectators along with 109 drivers from seven states. Although the final financial report has not been completed, Boots said he expects the city “to come out ahead,” adding that plans are already under way for a race this fall and the possibility of a series next year.
Boots said that while a final closing date to begin the construction work on the old Adams Middle School has not been set, the TIF Commission and the city council will need to hold meetings soon to close out the prior TIF project on the structure. Cardinal Developers of Springfield plan to convert the former AMS building into senior citizen/low-income housing.
Boots also reported meeting with the new owner of Sonic, who indicated that Trenton “was the most friendly town he has ever been in” and was pleased with the response to the restaurant’s reopening. Boots said he met with local realtors concerning a website the city has available for them to list commercial real estate and buildings they may have for sale. He thanked Trenton Municipal Utilities for use of its bucket truck to allow him to take pictures that will be used in a brochure to promote the downtown area. He said the city has applied to the Missouri Municipal League for the MML’s “innovation award” and will be submitting the city’s portable restroom project. The city has constructed two portable restrooms that are being used for special events in the downtown area as well as by other groups and organizations at events round the community.
In other business, the council:
• approved an ordinance to complete the sale of property the city owned at Harris and Speedway to Robert Draper. The council approved the sale at the July 12 meeting, with Draper submitting the only bid at $125.
• was told by Police Chief Bob Lewis that complaints concerning semi-trucks parked on city streets had been taken care of and that decals had been placed on two of the police cars, with two others to receive decals later.
• heard a report from Park Superintendent Jason Shuler, who thanked those who assisted in getting the ATV track ready for the recent races. He said the park department is getting ready for the fair and has installed a new flag pole Burleigh Grimes Field. He said he plans to meet with the park board concerning the closing of the aquatic center in late August to allow for painting of the pool to be completed this fall.
• was told by Street Supervisor Larry Griffin that crews are readying streets in the north end of town for chip and seal projects. Notes will be left on doors of residents in the area, explaining what will be done.
• was told the city is working with the animal shelter to get a place to take stray cats.
The council held an executive session for legal matters, however, no announcement was made.