Diesel Generator Upgrades Discussed At Meeting

Members of the Trenton City Council Utility Committee reviewed cost projections regarding a potential upgrade to diesel generators at the south substation during a meeting on Tuesday night at city hall.
Also meeting was the Administrative Committee, which took no formal action due to a lack of quorum, but discussed several items.
Utility Committee
The Utility Committee will ask the full city council to discuss potential generator upgrades and their financial feasibility after reviewing a proposal from Foley Power Solutions to upgrade the program controls at an estimated cost of $56,000 per unit. City Administrator Ron Urton said that with the city having seven units, the total cost could run around $393,000. An optional replacement of two relays at a total cost of $28,000 was also included in the proposal.
It was noted that the current program controls are obsolete and that four of the major components in use can no longer be purchased. Urton said the upgrade is important as the city could need to start up the generators in case of a long outage. He said TMU needs to be able to generate electricity rather than always having to buy from an energy pool of users from across the state. The city receives about $13,000 a month in capacity credits from the pool because of the generators, he said.
Urton asked the committee to look at increasing the amount of money budgeted each year for sewer line work. That amount is currently $100,000, however, Urton said more is needed next year because of expenses involving upcoming projects, including line work on the west side of town and in the area of Lower Lake Trenton
Urton gave updates on the headworks portion of the effluent disinfection project at the sewer plant as well as the sewer rate analysis being done in conjunction with that work. He also reported that two fire hydrants located at 12th and Main streets and Main Street and Crowder Road are in need of replacement and that TMU has replaced 34 power poles since April, including four taller poles at the request of Mid-States Services for its fiber optics project. The Iowa Boulevard water tower project is anticipated to be done by the end of the month, with work then moving to the Princeton Road tower.
Committee members present were David Mlika, Travis Elbert and Jennifer Hottes.
Administrative Committee
Although the committee did not have a quorum present, Urton presented information that will be forwarded on to the council for further discussion.
With the city’s trash hauling contract expiring on Dec. 31, the council will be asked to look at the current agreement before bids are sought. Urton said he would like to begin work on bid specifications as soon as possible, with bids to be sought in September or October and a new agreement in place by Dec. 1. The city currently has a five-year contract with Rapid Removal. Urton said the city will need to look at its recycling agreement with Hope Haven as well.
The council will be asked to make changes in its ordinances regarding fencing for private pools/spas. The change would require fences to be a minimum of four feet high for pools/spas at least 24 inches deep. The change would also list that the design and construction of pools/spas would comply with the international building code, which the city recently adopted.
The committee is recommending the council approve a contract with Danny Stevens to rent the south end of the large hangar at the airport at a cost of $300 per month. Stevens plans to use the hangar for airplane storage.
Urton told the committee he has been approached by two individuals who have expressed an interest in serving as a part-time nuisance officer. The city council has discussed having an individual handle nuisances rather than requiring the police to perform those duties, but there was concern as to whether or not a part-time person could be hired. It was noted that a part-time person would not be able to work more than 28 hours per week or 1,400 hours a year for the city and that perhaps two part-time individuals could be considered. The finance committee would also need to meet to consider how to pay for the position(s).
Committee members present were Mlika and Ms. Hottes. Glenn Briggs and William Fisher were absent.