Plans to construct a new building to house Orscheln Farm and Home got a boost on Monday night when the Trenton City Council approved an ordinance to start the process of establishing Tax Increment Financing to develop property at the intersection of 28th Street and Highway 65.
The ordinance approves an agreement between the city and Orscheln Farm and Home of Moberly that requires the company to deposit $15,000 for use by the city to pay for costs incurred during the TIF process, including legal services and public hearing advertising expenses. The city will be using Gilmore and Bell as its legal counsel during the TIF process.
City Councilwoman Cathie Smith said the agreement protects the city from obligating any funds during the TIF process. Any money spent from the fund would be recouped by Orscheln through a break on any new property taxes generated once development of the property is completed. A TIF Commission, which includes members appointed by the city council as well as representatives from various county taxing entities, handles the process and once Orscheln’s development plans are approved, the business and city will be able to negotiate a final agreement regarding the tax break. Mrs. Smith said she didn’t see any reason the TIF would not move forward.
Approval was given to an ordinance authorizing an agreement with Coreslab Structures of Marshall to lease property at the airport to park vehicles being used by the company during a portion of the Trenton R-9 performing arts center construction project. City Administrator Ron Urton said the company will be in Trenton approximately four weeks to install precast walls for the PAC. The city is not charging for use of the property.
Two ordinances were approved, authorizing agreements with Burns and McDonnell for engineering services associated with projects at the city water treatment plant. The first contract, approved on a 7-1 vote with Brad Chumbley voting no, involves the use of hydrogen peroxide to remove organic carbons during the disinfection byproduct process rather than treating it once it gets to the plant. Water Plant Supervisor Steve Reid said this would be a test to see if the Missouri Department of Natural Resources would allow the city to continue this process if successful. He noted that other communities have used this process successfully. Chumbley expressed concern about additional costs that could be incurred by the city due to the process being “a test.”
The second agreement, approved unanimously, calls for the engineering firm to develop a conceptual design for clarifier modifications at the water treatment plant. Cost for the hydrogen peroxide work would be no more than $7,500 while the design work cost would be no more than $22,900.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing a contract with Meyer Electric Inc. for replacement and repair of runway lights at the airport. The cost will be $67,547, with the project to be submitted to FEMA for cost reimbursement as damage to the lights occurred during flooding last fall.
Approval was given to work additional water main work on 17th Street, which will include extension of the water line to Chicago Street as well as work at the intersection of 17th Street and Pleasant Plain. The cost has been estimated at $37,774, with funds coming from leftover monies from a previous water project.
In other business, the council:
• unanimously approved a new sign policy allowing signs to be erected along the right-of-way adjoining the residence of a minor under the age of 18 with a physician certified disability that substantially limits the minor’s major life activities. The policy had previously allowed signs for only minors with hearing impairments.
• approved a crop-lease agreement for property the city owns in the city’s industrial area in north Trenton. The lease will now be for a one-year period, with renewals up to five years and include 65 acres, rather than the 45 acres in the original agreement. The vote was 7-1 with Glen Briggs voting no. He stated concerns with the city advertising to lease the bid, then deciding to make changes to the agreement after bids were submitted.
• unanimously approved two ordinances amending the city code regarding floodplains, updating the code based on FEMA mapping changes.
• unanimously approved four ordinances amending the city code to add regulation changes regarding campers, recreation vehicles and trailers. Included are when a parked camper/RV/trailer is deemed to obscure the vision of a driver or vehicle approaching a street intersection or existing driveway and when a trailer is allowed to be parked on a public street.
• tabled action on repairs to the force main that runs under Muddy Creek until cost estimates are received.
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