Administrative Committee Discusses Sidewalks, Parking

Sidewalks and parking dominated discussion held by the Administrative Committee of the Trenton City Council at its meeting on Tuesday night.
According to City Administrator Ron Urton, the committee discussed construction of a sidewalk along the north side Highway 6 from Fourth Street to the new Dollar General, but took no action. Urton said a $33,000 preliminary cost estimate was given for the work, which would involve about 600 feet of sidewalk. The total could be higher, depending on additional dirt work and engineering costs. Urton said he is waiting to hear from Dollar General officials as to whether or not they would be interested in paying for a portion of the project. Committee members are to review the site to determine the best possible location for pedestrians to be on a sidewalk and away from motorists passing by the area.
There was also discussion regarding vehicles being left in two-hour parking spaces along Main Street for longer than the time permits, thus leaving few close parking spaces for persons who come to those areas to do business. The public is reminded that signs designating the two-hour parking areas are posted. Urton said the committee is recommending that no changes to the limits be made at this time.
Urton told the committee he has presented an estimate of $149,000 to property owners interested in having Serendipity Lane brought up to city street code. The cost would include a street that is 28 feet wide with no curbs and having the street crew do the work. Urton said he is waiting to hear back from the property owners to see if they would be interested in paying for the work. Once the street is brought up to code, the city would take over maintenance.
The committee did vote to recommend selling several city-owned items as surplus property. To be sold on the Purple Wave website are the police department Hum-Vee, the fire department Suburban and several items from the street department, including a road grader, the old street sweeper, a 1996 Ford pickup, a dump truck, a ram jet, mosquito foggers (for parts), electric control panels from the old asphalt plant and fluorescent lights.
An adjustment is to be made to the city’s capital project budget to account for costs involving concrete repairs to the north apron of the fire station. Urton said the work is anticipated to cost $27,000, with $20,000 budgeted for overhead door replacement to be moved and added to the $7,200 already budgeted for the work. The door replacement would be moved back to the next fiscal year.
The committee agreed to refer a draft on policies regarding sanitary sewer and water service connections to the utility committee for further action.