TMU Director Resigns Position

The Trenton City Council will be looking to fill a second administrative position following the announcement of the resignation of Trenton Municipal Utilities Director Chad Davis.
During Monday night’s council meeting, Davis announced he will be leaving on Sept. 2 to become operations manager for the city of Rolla’s municipal utilities system. Davis, who has been with TMU since July 1, 2002, said he will continue to work with all major projects in which the utility is involved until his departure in September and would also be available to provide verbal input after he leaves. He said he felt he was leaving the day-to-day operations in good hands, but encouraged the council to begin looking at filling his position “as soon as possible.” The position could not be discussed during Monday night’s meeting as it was not on the agenda and interim City Administrator Cindy Simpson said it would most likely be included on the Aug. 8 council agenda.
Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue recognized Davis for the work he has done with the utility and said he saw this as an opportunity for Davis to “move up” by serving a community with more utility customers that what are served in Trenton. Davis indicated the job would be “a step up” with a salary increase.
Councilman Travis Elbert also praised Davis’ work with TMU and said he hated to see him leave.
In his report, Davis said the city is moving closer to a final bypass elimination agreement for its sewer system with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Plans call for the agreement to be filed for final approval by Nov. 1. He also said he plans to schedule a meeting with the utility committee as well as the entire city council as soon as possible to update them on the agreement and answer any questions.
The city council approved an ordinance to hire Burns and McDonnell to begin the engineering process for water line improvements on 17th Street, from Harris Avenue to Madison Street, and on Harris Avenue from 18th to 26th streets. The project is the first phase of a five-year distribution line improvement plan that was approved by the council at the July 11 meeting. Burns and McDonnell is to be paid no more than $75,700 for the work, which is included in the TMU budget.
The vote was 7-0 with David Mlika absent.
A second ordinance, which involved an agreement between the city and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to receive $400,000 for airport improvements, was approved on a vote of 5-2, with Brad Chumbley and Larry Porter voting no. To receive the funds, the city will be required to provide a 10 percent match. The money will be used for repairs, which Airport Manager/Code Enforcement Officer Donnie Vandevender said includes sealing cracks in the runway.
Two awards were presented during the council meeting. Dr. Albert Cross received the “Tidy Up Award” for his efforts in cleaning up along First and Linn streets as part of the city’s Operation Sweep program. The Trenton Police Department received an award from MIRMA, the city’s liability insurance carrier, for having 100 percent of its personnel complete training during the past year.
The council also heard several reports during the evening, including:
• Police Chief Tommy Wright reported over $1,100 was raised at the Christmas in July Poker Run held over the weekend, with funds to be used for the Shop with a Cop Christmas program. He also reported that the department is short one officer, adding that he has only received one application since advertising the position eight weeks ago. He said a similar situation is being experienced nationwide.
• Councilman Allan Quilty, in addition to presenting the Tidy Up Award, reported that a group of area churches are teaming up for a community service weekend on Sept. 24-25 and are looking for up to 500 volunteers to assist with as many as 35 projects. More information will be announced soon.
• Fire Chief Brandon Gibler reported that the fire department had 47 calls during the month of June, which also included rental inspections, alarm installations and fire calls. He said 83 persons participated in two fire courses offered by the department. Gibler was given the go ahead for the department to “do what needed to be done” in response to the loss of a fireman in the Chillicothe area while fighting a trailer fire on Sunday.
• Street Supervisor Martin Schieb presented the monthly asphalt sales report and noted that the city has already sold over 7,500 tons of asphalt, meeting its projected goal with two months of production still to go. As of Monday, the city has recorded a profit of $70,429,84. He also said the street department is preparing roads in anticipation of completing its chip and seal road work in the next few weeks.
• Community Developer Ralph Boots said the list of available commercial buildings for sale in Trenton has been updated and that the city’s website is in the process of being updated. He also reported that Cathie Smith is the new president of the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association.
• Vandevender reported that the 2015-16 demolition project has been completed and that the Building and Nuisance Board has approved a list of houses for consideration for the 2016-17 demolition project year (see accompanying story). He also reported on a program offered by the National Guard that demolishes structures owned by public entities. The National Guard pays for the equipment, however, the entity is responsible for the cost of all other work, including disposal as well as fuel. Vandevender said there are some situations in which the city might consider that program.
An executive session was held for legal and real estate matters. No announcement was made.