Twelve structures are to be torn down by the city of Trenton after members of the city council approved bids at a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
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Red Rock of Hamilton and Truitts, located between Trenton and Chillicothe, will demolish those structures on which they submitted the lowest bids. There was a tie on three of the properties, with the council deciding that Red Rock would do one of the proprieties at a cost of $7,000 while Truitts would do the other two, which totaled $7,000.
By taking the low bids, the city will be paying $45,850 to demolish the structures, with a portion of the costs coming from a Community Development Block Grant the city has been using to conduct a demolition program the past two years. The city has also placed $40,000 in the 2013-14 budget which will also help pay for the work. The remainder of those funds will be used to demolish a portion of nine structures the city has on a waiting list.
Red Rock will receive $21,700 to tear down five structures located at 310 W. 22nd, 501 Monroe, 515 E. Eighth, 2212 Chicago and 3410 Oklahoma Ave. Truitt will receive $24,150 to tear down seven structures at 408 E. 12th, 408 Washington, 1220 Harris Ave., 1604 Carnes, 1607 Carnes, 1720 E. Eighth and 2504 N. Main.
The vote to approve the bids was 5-0 with councilmen Kenneth Ewing, Chuck Elliott and Travis Elbert absent. Councilman Mark Robinson was upset about a property that was not on the list that he claimed had been promised for inclusion in this round of demolition work. However, it was noted that property was on the waiting list.
Also approved on 5-0 votes were three ordinances and a resolution. The first ordinance granted a conditional use permit to Carolyn and Robert Brown on behalf of Kenneth Wilson for construction of living quarters and a restaurant at 1039 Oklahoma Ave. Wilson said he plans to start construction in about 30 days.
The second ordinance approved a zoning change at 710 E. 24th St. for property owned by K&W Ventures. The change is from MU-Mixed Use to B2-Community Business and would allow the owners, Bill and Linda Kennebeck, to be able to expand their business in the future. The Kennebecks own and operate K&W Popcorn.
The third ordinance approved a contract between the city and Olsson and Associates for engineering services regarding improvements at the airport. This phase includes design work and it was noted that no actual work is being done this fiscal year. The city would be responsible for 5 percent of the cost for the engineering work with the rest of the funding coming from a grant the city has already received.
A resolution was approved, stating the city would comply with all requirements to receive grant funding from the USDA-Rural Development. Community Planner Ralph Boots said the resolution is needed to allow the city to apply for a second grant to help fund a structure to be used to house a farmer’s market in downtown Trenton. The city has already received $30,000 and is expected to apply for up to another $22,500 in USDA funding. The farmer’s market is part of an overall plan being devised for the downtown area. A committee, headed by Councilman Jacob Black, is working on the downtown effort.
The council approved a bid from Vulcan Signs to provide street signs at a cost of $11,798. It was the lowest of five bids received. Street Supervisor Larry Griffin said it will take care of about half of the signs that will need to be replaced prior to a Dec. 31, 2014 deadline regarding new signage requirements. The remaining sign replacement will be included in next year’s city budget.
The council heard several reports at the meeting, including:
• Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said the Trenton Aquatic Center would open for the season on Saturday, May 25. Work is being done to get the pool ready. Daniel Gott will again be the pool manager and all 35 employees at the pool will be certified lifeguards to help with scheduling. He also reported TBA numbers are up this year and that renovation on Griffin Field is to start today.
• Building Inspector Donnie Vandevender said weather has slowed the construction schedule. He is to visit with Matt Morse concerning property on Oklahoma Avenue on which Morse has plans to rebuild an apartment complex to replace one that was destroyed by fire nearly two years ago. No structural work has been done. It was also reported that the installation of a hangar door at the airport has been put on hold until a window for the hangar door has been delivered.
• Community Planner Boots announced that the economic development committee would meet at 5:30 tonight to discuss a number of items. An executive session for real estate is also planned as part of the meeting.
• TMU Director Chad Davis reported on issues regarding the generators during the recent snow storm and also reported that work is under way on the water plant improvement project. The utility is interviewing four firms that have expressed an interest in doing a utility rate study, with one to be recommended once the interviews are complete. The Board of Public Works is slated to meet on May 28.
• Street Supervisor Larry Griffin reported milling work on several streets in Trenton will be done during the first week in June. Residents in those areas will be notified prior to the work being done.
• Airport Advisory Board Chairman Dyle Wilson announced that a pancake and sausage breakfast would be held at the airport on July 4 as part of Independence Day activities, which will also include opening ceremonies.
• City Administrator Kerry Sampson said an auction of surplus items will be held on May 31 at the airport. He said the city continues to monitor the Main Street stop sign, noting that no accidents have occurred at that site since the sign was installed. The city continues to work with MoDOT regarding lighting at the entrance to the airport and that inspections are going on this week at the airport.
• Police Chief Tommy Wright noted that the department was down two men and that the department has gone to 12-hour shifts, which Wright said the officers requested. He anticipates overtime to be reduced by this move, although not right away. He said the police department is collecting a voluntary list of persons in town with city licenses who do mowing and will make that list available to individuals needing to have their yards mowed. He also anticipates doing the same for snow removal in the winter.
• Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue expressed concerns about parking on sidewalks and grass clippings being blown out into the street, both of which are illegal under city ordinance.
An executive session for personnel and real estate was held. Sampson said that action was taken regarding personnel with an announcement to be made later.