The Trenton City Council approved five ordinances, made a board appointment and discussed topics ranging from rental safety to housing needs during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
On a 6-1 vote, the council approved an amendment of its current contract with the Green Hills Animal Shelter, allowing the city to house additional animals at the shelter at a cost of $8 per day rather than the $10 as was included in the original contract. The city has already met its maximum number of animals allowed at the lower rate under the old contract. The change would have the city pay the shelter $3,000, allowing an additional 375 days until the contract. Voting in favor were councilmen Bryan Hamilton, Jacob Black, Kenneth Ewing, Ed Spencer, Larry Huffstutter and Jim Bush. Mark Robinson was opposed, stating he did not feel the city should spend any more money with the shelter and suggested that the city suspend with picking up stray animals until a new contract goes into effect. Chuck Elliott was absent.
Also approved was an ordinance to change in zoning property at 1011 Cedar St. from R-2 one-two family dwelling to B-1 downtown business, allowing for construction of an addition to the building on the property owned by Dr. Curtis Cox, who made the request on behalf of Dr. Paul Cox. The business plans to expand with Andy Cox expected to join the business following his graduation from dental school. The vote was 7-0.
Other ordinances approved unanimously included an agreement between the city and the First Christian Church to rent church property to house fire department equipment at a cost of $1 per year; changes in the city code involving speed limits in certain areas of town; and establishment of conditional use permit violation penalties up to $500 per day as well as civil action that could be taken if the penalty is not paid within a 10-day period. An ordinance authorizing an agreement for a GIS data license was pulled from consideration.
A bid of $2,100 from Rhonda Hughs was accepted to purchase the property at 208 E. 10th Ct. that formerly housed the old Cullers Hospital. It was the best of two bids received. Also approved was the re-appointment of Tim Allnutt to the Police Personnel Board.
Although no vote was taken, Mayor Nick McHargue indicated the city would provide $50 to the Tree Board to pay for the Arbor Day poster contest prizes. The Tree Board conducts the contest annually with fifth grade classes at the Trenton Middle School.
A letter received from the local American Legion Post, indicating its intention to donate its former meeting site on East 10th Street to the city, was tabled.
The council discussed the need to better ensure the safety of renters in town and talked about the city’s current inspection regulations, which require inspection of rental properties prior to a new tenant moving into the structure. Landlords are supposed to report a change in occupants so that an inspection can be done, however, city utility bills are also used to track the changes. That has become difficult, according to City Administrator Kerry Sampson, because of some landlords keeping utilities in their names and thus a change in occupants is hard to identify.
Councilman Bryan Hamilton said he would like to see the city come up with a better system that would see all rentals be inspected and the suggestion of an annual inspection requirement was made. However, it was noted that law prohibits the city from entering rental properties for such inspections without permission from the occupant. The rental issue is among the items to be discussed by the Administrative Committee at a meeting today at city hall.
Sampson also told council members that the 2012 international building code was out and that efforts would be made to review it for adaptation by the city, which is currently under the 2006 code.
Sampson reported that bids for spring maintenance work at the airport came in at $217,000, which is some $71,000 lower than had originally been estimated. Bids for branded fuel options at the airport are to be opened this afternoon during a meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee, which will also be discussing upcoming projects at the airport.
Sampson visited with the council concerning work being done by a staff committee on ways to come up with a plan that would help encourage development of housing in the $80,000 to $130,000 range, including incentives to help lower the construction costs. That information will be forwarded to the economic development committee for further discussion.
Several reports were given by department heads, including an update by Street Supervisor Larry Griffin on the cost of chatting several streets during the month of December, which totaled $6,516 for labor, fuel and sand. Community Developer Ralph Boots reported the flag pole committee received a $1,000 grant from the MFA Foundation, which helped raise enough funds for purchase of the pole. However, funds are still needed for lighting. Committee chairman Mark Robinson said it is hoped the flag pole can be in place and a dedication ceremony held in early May.
Three members of the Leadership Trenton class were also present at the meeting and told what the program meant to them as well as thanked the council for allowing the program to take place. They included Stephanie Eaton, Matt Osterthun and Dr. Kevin Harris. As a class project, members plan to paint the facades of downtown business buildings with three owners having agreed to purchase the needed supplies.
An executive session for legal matters was held with no announcement made.