Efforts to remove the current grandstands at the North Central Missouri Fairgrounds and replace them with a safer seating alternative moved forward on Monday when members of the Trenton City Council accepted a bid for demolition and agreed to purchase new bleachers that would seat around 950 persons.
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The council voted 8-0 to accept a bid of $4,500 from Red Rock of Hamilton to tear down the grandstand, which a structural engineer has indicated is unsafe. It was noted that Red Rock has said it could begin demolition this weekend with a deadline of July 16 to tear down the grandstand.
With the 2012 NCM Fair scheduled for the end of July, the council agreed to purchase five units of aluminum bleacher seating from Bleachers International of Kiowa, CO at a cost of $51,135. The bid includes shipping and set up and could be set up in time for use at the fair.
The bleachers are portable and can be moved for events in other places within the city, Community Developer Ralph Boots said. He suggested that entities who make a significant contribution toward the cost of the bleachers be allowed to use them at no cost, with rent charged to others wanting to use them.
As for payment, it was noted that the city, county (township) and North Central Missouri College are expected to receive a refund of just over $33,000 from the Missouri Department of Transportation for costs they paid for when the Highway 65 connector to Iowa Boulevard was constructed. In meeting with representatives from those entities, Boots said it is hoped that money can be used toward payment for the bleachers, adding that other groups have already indicated a willingness to help with the cost. Blake Baugher, president of the NCM Fair Board, said his group would be meeting on Thursday night and would be providing some type of financial assistance, which he noted would probably have to be done over a five-year period. Boots indicated that the school district has also expressed interest in helping with the costs.
In approving the purchase, some councilmen said they would like to see Boots inspect the bleachers before the city takes possession. No action was taken on that suggestion.
Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue attempted to make appointments to three different boards on Monday night, getting approval for two but having the third set of appointments tabled.
Re-appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission were Dan Dennis and Cathy Oesterling, who won approval on an 8-0 vote, while Dale Swanton, Marty Bonnett, Ann Constant and Greg Geib were re-appointed to the TIF Commission on a 7-1 vote. Mark Robinson voted no, indicating a concern with Swanton and stating that he “never knew him to have a job in 30 years.”
The third set of appointments involved the park board, where Dr. McHargue appointed four persons to serve three open terms, with a fourth term to become available when Molly Long moves from the community. They include Paul Bruinsma, who currently serves as park board president, current member Duane Helmandollar and Kari Whitaker and Mike Burchett.
Because the city does not have an official resignation notice from Mrs. Long, the question was asked from the media which of the four appointments would fill the three open positions and who would become a member once Mrs. Long resigns. Several councilmen offered their suggestions on how the four should be placed on the board with Robinson indicating he was opposed to Helmandollar because Helmandollar and another board member, Marti Williams “were disruptive” members and “caused trouble.” Councilman Chuck Elliott said the two needed to be “more respectful.”
When Dr. McHargue suggested that Helmandollar, Burchett and Mrs. Whitaker be placed on the board, with Bruinsma to come back on once Mrs. Long resigns, several councilman were quick to disagree, noting that Bruinsma serves in a leadership role on the board. It was at that point a suggestion was made to table the appointments for “better communication between the mayor and council.” By doing so, Helmandollar, Bruinsma and Mike Bosley will continue to serve on the board until a different decision is made. The terms are up this month.
The council sent a proposal to the Finance Committee that would allow for energy improvements in six city buildings, with the savings realized paying for the cost of the project in just over 14 1/2 years.
Representatives of McKinstry Consultants did an energy study of the buildings and found that nearly $400,000 in energy improvements were needed but that with low-interest money available through a state energy program as well as other low-interest private money, the city could pay back those costs with the savings it would realize once the work is completed. Sampson noted that much of what is covered in the report will need to be done regardless, including a federally-mandated change in lighting as well as replacement of an HVAC system at the fire station. Jon McCoy of McKinstry Consultants said this is an opportune time to be looking at such a program, noting that the state has some funding available through low-interest loans and that there are entities also willing to make money available at a cheap rate to supplement the different of the cost versus how much state money is received.
Mayor McHargue asked if it would be possible for local vendors to have a chance to bid on some of the projects and provide some of the items that would be needed for the work. McCoy said that request could be made. It was also noted that having some of the work done by city employees would be impractical and would not save the city much money, if at all.
Approval was given to two ordinances in which changes made reflect state statutes. The ordinances involved operation of motorized bicycles and the conflict of interest ordinance. Also approved was a bid from Tony and Erica Denney of $577.77 to purchase a jet ski owned by the city. It was the best of three bids received.
The newest member of the council, Beth Mack, was sworn in as first ward councilperson and attended her first meeting. She will serve until the April election.
The council heard several reports, including a delay in finishing a road project on the Lake Manor/Manor Drive area due to a shortage of personnel (see sidebar). Other reports included:
• Fire Chief Rick Morris and his crews have been inspecting fireworks stands in the city to make sure they meet state regulations.
• Boots has submitted the grant application to purchase a pavillion for the farmer’s market and has been working with the TDIA to hire a new director, Chasidy Boman, who was present at the meeting.
• Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said the skate park at Eastside Park has been closed for painting and maintenance and should be re-open for use next week. He also reported that TBA will finish its schedule next week and church and city league softball games will begin.
• Airport Advisory Board Chairman Dyle Wilson said a meeting of the board would be held on July 10 and that reflectors have been installed by MoDOT to better mark the entrance to the airport off Highway 6.
• Sampson reported that maintenance work at the airport is anticipated to begin in July and that the grant to lower the airport road is being closed out. He also distributed the annual city report to council members and said that work is being done to recodify the city ordinances, including changes to reflect state law. He said that the Union Pacific has indicated it will be addressing concerns with the 17th bridge, although no timetable has been established.
• TMU Director Chad Davis said that design work continued on state-mandated improvements at the water treatment plant and that TMU will be distributing its public notice for disinfection byproduct violations to customers in their next bill. It is the same violation for which the utility has been cited in the past and is what is being addressed in the water treatment project.
An executive session for legal matters was held with no action taken.
Building and Nuisance Board
The Building and Nuisance Board of the city council met prior to the council meeting and discussed several ongoing concerns, including the current demolition project.
Building Inspector Gary Beverlin said once it is determined how much money is left in the grant, he hopes to be able to come up with another list of properties to be demolished that can be bid out and completed this fall. He noted that there are “plenty” of other properties that could be put on a list and done next year if the city council chooses to continue including $20,000 for demolition work in next year’s budget.
Beverlin said he has been finishing up paperwork on properties in which the city, once attempts are made to locate the owner, will go onto unkempt property, mow and then put the cost of that work on the property owners tax bill. He noted that it does take time as “due diligence” has to taken to contact the owner before the city can proceed. Beverlin said he has moved forward on one property, but that it has been one week and he has yet to hear anything from the owner.
The board discussed improvements to the Gilworth building on Main Street, noting that nothing has been done to the structure in the last “three to four months.” Mayor McHargue said he has visited with the owner concerning the former use of the basement by a boxing club, including the return of a boxing ring the club used that was owned by the city. Board President Larry Huffstutter said efforts need to be made to get the ring back from the building owner. Building Inspector Beverlin said he would meet with the owner concerning work on the building and efforts are to be made by city officials in getting back the boxing ring.
Huffstutter welcomed the new members to the board – Luke Gibson and Vickie Meservey. Larry Bunnell was unable to attend. He also thanked the former members for their service.