Council OKs Ordinances, Makes Budget Adjustments

The Trenton City Council approved two ordinances, hired a new police officer and closed out the 2014-15 fiscal year by approving budget adjustments during a meeting at city hall on Monday night.
On a vote of 7-1, with Travis Elbert opposed, the council approved an ordinance requiring that all non-owner occupied units have designated types of fire detectors installed as well as have a fire extinguisher of at least five pounds. Units with fossil fuel-burning equipment, such as gas heaters, would also be required to have a functional carbon monoxide alarm.
There was much discussion concerning the ordinance in regard to the fire extinguisher requirement, with one rental property owner, Vickie Meservey, statING her opposition. She noted that if a fire were to occur, the occupants’ first action should be to get persons out of the house. She voiced concern that persons would want to first try to extinguish the fire.
Both Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue and Fire Chief Rick Morris noted that having the fire extinguishers addresses a safety concern on behalf of the city with Dr. McHargue pointing to several instances in which he said having an extinguisher resulted in fires not being as severe as they could have been. He called himself a “proponent” of having fire extinguishers located in homes and buildings, even though they are not required by city ordinance in all situations.
Morris noted that many fires start out as small fireS and that in most cases, a fire extinguisher could have prevented them from spreading. He said that should a more severe fire occur, it should be a priority to get persons out of the structure and call the fire department. He added that the fire department does offer training for the public in the use of fire extinguishers, which was also a concern expressed by Mrs. Meservey.
Also under the ordinance, smoke detectors must be either an AC primary power source or a lithium battery with a functional life expectancy of 10 years or more. The carbon monoxide detectors are required only for those rentals that have fossil-fuel burning equipment.
Rental property owners will have 90 days to comply with the new regulations.
The second ordinance, approved unanimously, authorized the city to execute a “quit claim deed” to Tommy and Joy Wright for property the couple purchased from the city as part of a formal bidding process. The $200 bid for property at 1010 Tindall Ave. was the only one received and was approved at the June 8 council meeting.
In another safety related matter, the council voted 7-1 to no longer allow fundraising to be done at intersections such as Main and Ninth streets and Oklahoma Avenue and Ninth Street. The Administrative Committee had recommended the council prohibit this practice, with members having previously pointed out an incident in which a head-on collision nearly occurred while collections were being done over the Memorial Day weekend. Travis Elbert was the lone no vote.
The council also voted 8-0 to change the city fireworks sales ordinance to ban the sale of “sky lanterns,” effective with next year’s sales. Fire Chief Morris said the lanterns are not easily controlled and have been known to cause large fires, particularly during dry weather seasons.
On a vote of 8-0, the council voted to re-employ Derek Miller as a full-time police officer. A native of Trenton, Miller had previously been employed with the Trenton Police Department before taking a position with the Excelsior Springs department.
To show actual expenses for the 2014-15 fiscal year, the council approved several changes to the budget. Also approved was a request for the community-organized fireworks display to take place on Friday, July 3 rather than on July 4, as required by city ordinance. The change is being made this year to accommodate the schedule of the certified individual who will be shooting the fireworks.
The council approved the appointment of three individuals to serve on the Historic Preservation Committee. Appointed to three-year terms were Brandon Spencer, Phil Hoffman and Diane Lowrey.
The council heard several reports, including:
• MC Power Companies has set a groundbreaking ceremony for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8 for construction of a solar farm on property in north Trenton. MC Power has purchased 80 acres from the city to construct solar panel units that would provide electricity back into the city’s system.
• The Building and Nuisance Board will hold a tour of structures to be considered for demolition on Wednesday, July 22.
• The Utility Committee approved a request to replace a sewer line north of 18th Street along Tower Street. Anticipated cost is around $67,500 and TMU will bid out the work in order to get the line replaced in a timely matter. The replacement is being done after it was discovered there was an issue with the line, resulting in sewage backup in at least one home in that area. TMU Director Chad Davis said there have been problems with that line in the past.
• Both Police Chief Tommy Wright and Fire Chief Morris reported that all of their personnel are CPR-certified. This was related in a response a recent letter to the editor regarding emergency services certification of first responders.
• Street Supervisor Martin Schieb said that around 70 percent of the summer street maintenance project is complete, with three more streets to be done. He reported the city would be selling 300 tons of asphalt today to an outside contractor, adding that sales “have been good.”
• Building Inspector/Air-port Supervisor Donnie Vandevender reported that quotes for insurance of buildings at the airport that are in the flood plain came in at $25,000. He said the city is looking at other alternatives, including the possibility of self-insuring.
• It was reported that a ribbon cutting and open house would be held this Sunday at the new Lamplighter Apartments. Vandevender said he would be inspecting the units this week.
• Community Developer Ralph Boots reported that Trenton/Grundy County has a 95 percent completion rate for its National Career Readiness Certification. He also reported on the Missouri Economic Development Council Conference he recently attended as well as the Leadership Trenton program set for this fall.
• City Administrator Kerry Sampson announced that Police Chief Wright will be attending the Southern Police Institute this fall in  Louisville, KY. This is a three-month administrative course for police chiefs, with only a select group being chosen.
• Davis reported that work continues on the city’s wastewater operating permit application and that the sewer lining projects near ConAgra and Bolster/Merrill streets have been completed. TMU currently has several other items out for bid.
An executive session was held involving real estate, with no announcement made.
Building/Nuisance Board
The Building and Nuisance Board was to have met on Monday night, but was unable to take any action due to a lack of a quorum. Several properties were discussed. July 22 was set as the date to tour structures included on the city demolition list.