Two weeks after approving a $4 increase to the base electric rate, Trenton City Council members spent part of Monday night’s meeting considering an increase to the base water rate. And while no one was excited about it, there doesn’t seem to be another way to pay for the necessary improvements to the city’s aging water plant and two pump stations.
The increase from $15.20 to $23.51 per meter, per month is being considered because it appears to be the only way to pay back what is expected to be a $2.5 million loan to pay for the project. Tyler Shoemaker of AllState Consultants of Marceline was at the meeting, having met with the utility committee last Tuesday. He shared the preliminary engineering report for the water treatment system improvements and answered questions about the scope and cost of the project. As was the case at the utility meeting, the high cost (nearly $1.8 million for improvements at the water plant, $300,700 for improvements at the river pump station and $513,000 for improvements at the reservoir pump station) was the main topic of discussion, with council members agreeing that the cost will only increase if the project is delayed. In addition, the “cost” might be more than money, the said.
“This will only cost more later,” said Fourth Ward Councilman Duane Urich. “It could cost a service disruption.”
Council members discussed the vital role a functioning water plant plays in attracting and keeping certain businesses and seemed to be in agreement that the cost, while hard to swallow, is probably necessary. The idea of seeking federal funds to help pay for it was discussed, but the delay in waiting for that funding would probably mean the cost would go up and any funds received could be offset by a higher construction cost.
Following a lengthy discussion, the council agreed to have Shoemaker submit the PER to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for design approval. Trenton City Administrator Ron Urton will begin looking into financing options and said he based the possible $8 increase in the base water rate on a $2.5 million loan at 3.5 percent interest and loan payments of $300,000 per year for 10 years. He said he will review the AllState proposal and bring it back to the council at the next meeting.
The council heard a presentation by Megan Derry, director of Main Street Trenton, and Jackie Soptic, president of the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association. The two organizations are seeking approval for the establishment of a “social district” in downtown Trenton that would entail a designated area where people age 21 and older could purchase an alcoholic beverage from a participating establishment during a designated event and carry and consume it outdoors. The district, as proposed, would be open during Main Street Trenton/Trenton Downtown Improvement Association events and would include an area within the MST/TDIA downtown district starting at Eighth Street to the Five Points Flag Pole, down Tinsman Avenue and Main Street and ending at East 11th Street. Other cities are using such a district to allow for fundraising and social events such as the Wine Walk that is held in downtown Trenton. Currently, those participating must finish their drink before exiting the participating business. If the district is approved, the designated cup could be carried outside. It was noted that the establishments that are serving the alcohol would need a “picnic license” that would be purchased for each event and for each “bar.” City Attorney Tara Walker will develop a proposed ordinance to be brought to the council for consideration.
In other business, the council:
• set the 2021 tax levy at .9816 on the $100 assessed valuation for General Revenue and .1806 for the park department. At that rate, which is about 10 cents lower than last year, the General Revenue Fund will receive around $500,000 and the park department would receive around $91,000. Those estimates are based on total assessed valuation of $57,082,832, an increase from $54,127,686 in 2020.
• approved, on the recommendation of the utility committee, an ordinance entering into an agreement with Mid-West Injection for the removal, transportation and disposal of lime sludge at the city’s water treatment facility. The cost will be $53.50 per dry ton up to 1,500 tons.
• approved a resolution in support of an application by MBL Development Company for Missouri Housing Development Commission funding for senior housing at “Trenton Senior Villas.” The 36-unit senior citizen affordable housing project, would be located on a five-acre tract on East 30th Street near another development by the same company.
• accepted, on the recommendation of the utility committee, a bid from Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC for tree trimming in the city. The recommendation was for a two-person crew at a cost of $151.45 per hour. It was noted at the utility committee meeting held Aug. 17 that $25,000 has been budgeted for the work.
• continued discussion of the possible sale of the portable restrooms owned by the city through a partnership with the TDIA, Park Board and Fair Board. Urich, owner of Black Silo Winery, has asked to enter into a lease agreement in which he will maintain the restrooms and make them available to the city for it’s events, and those of the partners, but will house them at the winery and use them there as needed. After discussing possible financial arrangements, the council and Urich seemed to agree that the “cost” to Urich would be to maintain and store the restrooms, which need around $600 in repairs most years due to being left outside, vandalism, etc. Mrs. Walker said the understanding would be that when the restrooms are returned at the end of the lease, they will be in good working order. The groups that use the restrooms would provide paper products, cleaning during their event, etc., with the winery responsible for the “dumping” of the facilities. Mrs. Walker will talk to the other stakeholders who provided the original funding for the purchase of the restrooms and bring an agreement back to the council for formal approval.
• learned about an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $264,000 that has been awarded to the Trenton Fire Department and the Grundy County Rural Fire Protection District.
The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
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