Council Turns Down Face Covering Ordinance

An ordinance requiring the wearing of a mask or face covering within the city of Trenton in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 was defeated by the Trenton City Council on Monday night, however, that action may have little consequence after hearing that the Grundy County Health Department has been given authority by its board of trustees to issue a mandate that would be in effect for the entire county.
On a vote of 3-5, the council turned down the ordinance after much discussion and a presentation of information from local health care professionals representing Wright Memorial Hospital and Mosaic. In favor of the ordinance were Glen Briggs, Cathie Smith and John Dolan. Opposed were Kevin Klinginsmith, Danny Brewer, Marvin Humphreys, David Mlika and Duane Urich. Only Mrs. Smith, Briggs, Mlika and Brewer attended the meeting in person, with the other council members voting via Zoom.
Brewer opened discussion, stating he had been contacted by over 300 persons, most of who were opposed to the ordinance. Some expressed concerns about losing business while others said they would shop other places if required to wear a face covering. Mrs. Smith, who spoke in favor, said most of her calls were for the mandate, adding other communities in which local residents shop, in particular Chillicothe and the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas, already have mask mandates in place. Briggs said he was “on the fence” regarding the issue, noting that no matter how the council voted, a large number of people would be upset. Dolan said those who contacted him opposed to the mandate offered no solutions as to how the city could control the situation, which he referred to as “bad.”
Mayor Linda Crooks, who attended the meeting via Zoom, said there was nothing more important than the health and safety of the citizens of Trenton and asked council members to support the ordinance. She said residents should be wearing a mask when out in the community to show they care about each other.
During the discussion, it was announced that the health department’s board earlier in the evening had authorized Director Elizabeth Gibson to sign a mask order for 60 days. Ms. Gibson, who spoke to the council via Zoom, said the health department was hoping to get the city’s support to help strengthen the health department’s position, adding the GCHD was “ready to stand” with the city on this issue. Health department officials were scheduled to meet on Tuesday with the Grundy County Commission to discuss the same topic.
Three persons representing Wright Memorial Hospital spoke, with Chief Nursing Officer Catherine Hamilton talking about issues faced by staff in dealing with the influx of COVID patients while also treating those who are there for other medical reasons. She and CEO Steve Schieber noted the lack of critical care beds at both WMH and Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, with patients having to be taken to metro hospitals or facilities as far away as Oklahoma and Texas if and when beds become available.
Also speaking were Dr. Jennifer Bowe of Wright Memorial Hospital and Dr. Hesam Borhani from Mosaic Life Care, with both stating mask wearing has been proven to help reduce the spread of COVID. Both Schieber and Dr. Borhani called COVID a crisis, with Dr. Borhani adding that “people are dying every day.”
The ordinance did not include a specific timeframe for the mandate to be in place, however, Schieber had suggested 60 days with a start date of Friday, Dec. 11 “to give people time to get the word out.” The ordinance stated it could be repealed prior to the end date or extended, if needed.
In other business, the council:
• approved an ordinance placing the local use tax measure on the April 6, 2021 election ballot. The rate, which is charged on out-of-state Internet purchases made by local residents, is to be no more than the current total of city sales taxes, which is now 2.625 percent. City Administrator Ron Urton told council members the tax would be placed in general revenue to provide local services such as street maintenance, law enforcement, fire protection, etc.
• approved the low bid from BRS Construction of $276,370 for repairs at the 28th Street Muddy Creek Bridge and the raw water intake site. The raw water intake portion of the bid was $181,350, all of which will be paid for by the city, while the Muddy Creek Bridge work bid was $95,020, of which the city will pay $45,510 with the remainder being paid for by the county. FEMA funds will be used to pay 75 percent of those costs. Four bids were received.
• accepted the low bid of $30,175 from B&B Transformers for 17 pad and pole mount transformers. Urton said this will replenish the inventory for TMU, adding that two more transformers will be purchased for use at the new NCMC dormitories. Three bids were received.
An executive session for legal matters was held with no announcement made.