Police Officer Hirings Draw Discussion

Two new police offers were hired by the Trenton City Council on Monday night, but not before one councilman questioned the financial feasibility of bringing the police department to full staff.
On a vote of 5-1, the council agreed to accept the recommendation from the Police Personnel Board and hire Jeff Spencer of Trenton and Dana Qader of Columbia to fill two officer vacancies. They are expected to begin their new duties later this month.
Councilman Brad Chumbley, who cast the lone no vote, expressed his concern about the city’s financial picture and said he wasn’t sure now was the time to fill both positions. While he supported filling one of the vacancies, Chumbley stated he did not want to hire a second person and then have to lay off one of the individuals if the council is forced to cut funding as part of the budget process.
“We have to sit down and look at what we can afford,” Chumbley said. “If we want to be able to compensate the employees we have and keep up with the upgrades and maintenance that we need to do on what we have, we are going to have to look at places that we can cut (expenses),” adding that cuts would also have to be looked at in other areas as well.
Lt. Rex Ross, who was representing the police department at the meeting, noted that the department has not been at full staff in over a year and that many of the current officers have been working overtime to cover those shifts. One of those vacancies has been that of Sgt. Jeb Walker, who has been serving with the National Guard in Kuwait the past year and is anticipated to come back to work on March 1. It was noted that the current budget as well as the one being proposed for next year has the cost for both positions included.
Councilman Travis Elbert said he would hate not filling the two vacancies at this time, given the city’s unsuccessful efforts in the past of finding qualified candidates to fill positions. Several councilman expressed their concerns about losing an officer candidate to another community.
Voting in favor of the hires were Glen Briggs, Allan Quilty, Elbert, David Mlika and Larry Crawford. Chumbley voted no. Larry Porter and Jennifer Hottes were absent.
Two ordinances received approval on a vote of 6-0. They included a contract with Decker Construction Services for the construction of the 17th Street and Harris Avenue water main project as well as an agreement with Community First National Bank to finance purchase of a new aerial fire truck. The cost for the water main project is listed at $342,286, payable as portions of the project are completed. The fire truck finance agreement is for $597,725, payable over a 15-year period at an interest rate of 3.61 percent. The fire department will be making a $50,000 down payment, with those funds coming from the city’s fire department sales tax.
Also approved on a 6-0 vote was the installation of water tower control valves at the Princeton Road and Iowa Boulevard towers at a cost of $43,770. Irvinbilt Constructors, Inc. of Chillicothe will do the work.
Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue addressed several topics, including asking the council to consider purchasing a new asphalt plant, which he said would help the city generate 25 to 50 percent more asphalt than the current unit. It has been estimated that a new plant would cost around $1.3 million, however, Dr. McHargue stated that the city realizes between $300,000 to $400,000 in asphalt sales each year and that the purchase could be paid for in “about five years.”
Dr. McHargue also asked to have a representative from Hope Haven Industries attend a council meeting to discuss recycling efforts in Trenton, including costs. He asked the council to look at raises for lower paid employees as part of the 2018-19 budget process and also brought up consideration of a special road district in an effort to get more of the city’s tax money which goes to the township back into city coffers for road work. He noted that the city pays the township around $116,000 in taxes, but only gets back around $16,000 to help with road expenses.
Dr. McHargue said he would like the administrative committee take a look at establishing a leash law in Trenton, but only if it was enforced. City Attorney Tara Walker said the city has an ordinance that requires residents to keep animals “under reasonable control,” adding that there is a minimum fine of $100 for individuals who are found guilty of a “dog-at-large” charge.
In other business:
• The council tabled consideration of an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding maintenance of Highway 6 through Trenton until Street Supervisor Martin Schieb could be present to discuss the document.
• The council heard from Tammy Corbin, who expressed her displeasure at the council’s action not to eliminate its breed-specific dog ban ordinance. Ms. Corbin, who appeared at previous meetings opposing the ordinance, said she felt it was unfair that persons who said they supported the ban expressed their feelings over the telephone and did not attend the council meetings. She added that most of the discussion on the ordinance had to do with pit bulls and not with dobermans, which is what she owns but which is also among those breeds banned.
• Administrator Ron Urton is to bring information back on possible changes in the ordinance regarding the city’s purchasing policy. The changes would involve used equipment purchases.
• Fire Chief Brandon Gibler reported that cabling is being done at the emergency services building for installation of the new fiber service. Loud and Clear Communications is doing the work.
An executive session for real estate was also held with no announcement made.