If the discussion at Tuesday night’s Trenton City Council meeting is any indication, it would appear that city leaders have had enough of the complaints about Rapid Removal – and enough of the company’s refusal to address those concerns.
Council members reviewed the latest list of citizen complaints about the trash hauling company before the subject of when and how the city can get out of its contract with the company was discussed. The contract ends on Dec. 31, 2023 and City Attorney Tara Walker said there is probably “cause” to end the contract early.
“I personally would be interested in looking at another company,” remarked Third Ward Councilman Robert Romesburg, with Second Ward Councilman Danny Brewer agreeing.
“It seems like it (the problem) just keeps coming month after month. I’d like to stay local, but…,” he said.
In June, the council discussed issues with the service and in July, representatives of Rapid Removal came to the council meeting. After a lengthy discussion at that meeting, it was agreed that the company would provide a letter to be included in the Trenton Municipal Utilities bills, on which the trash service fee is included. The letter, which had a purpose of “educating the public” about what could and could not be picked up, was never provided to the city according to City Administrator/Utility Director Ron Urton.
Mrs. Walker said she would reach out to the attorney for Rapid Removal and report back to the council.
Council members approved a conditional use permit, as had been recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, for a 10-foot by 20-foot sign to be located on property at 1909 E. Ninth St., just east of Sonic Drive-In. The land is owned by Wayne and Mary Rorebeck and the request was made on behalf of Robinson Outdoor, which had a representative in attendance at the meeting. He said one side of the sign will be vinyl, with the other side being digital. The digital side will be enabled to put up messages for law enforcement (such as a lost child) as well as being connected to the National Weather Service and enabled to display a “tornado warning” message. Local events, such as the Missouri Day Festival, can also be included on the sign. The rest of the time, the sign will have messages from “mom and pop shops,” according to the representative.
The council heard a request from Grundy County Presiding Commissioner Phil Ray for the city to consider an agreement in which the county would pay $1 for rent at the City Public Safety Complex, where the county ambulance service is housed, and the city would pay $1 rent for space at the Grundy County Law Enforcement Center, where the county sheriff’s office is located. Ray said the county currently pays $1,100 per month rent and he is unsure what the city pays for rent at the LEC. He said he was just asking for consideration of such an agreement, which would not affect any other agreements between the two entities for such items as utilities. The issue will be back on the agenda for the Dec. 13 meeting.
In other business, the council:
• approved the filing dates for the April 5, 2022 municipal election as Tuesday, Dec. 7 through Tuesday, Dec. 28. The two-year terms expiring include those of Kevin Klinginsmith, first ward; Marvin Humphreys, second ward; David Mlika, third ward; and Duane Urich, fourth ward.
• approved an ordinance abolishing and vacating a portion of East 12th Street between Mable Street and Tinsman Avenue and reverting the right, title and interest to the property to the adjacent property owners. The Grundy County Museum plans to use the area for construction of a building that will allow some of their items to be stored indoors.
• approved an ordinance allowing the city to enter into a solar access easement with MJMEUC. The agreement is the same one the city had with the previous owner of the solar farm north of Trenton and was necessary because MJMEUC is purchasing the solar farm from Gardener Capital, Inc. and MCP-Trenton, LLC.
• approved a resolution determining the intent of the city to reimburse itself with proceeds of the tax-exempt bonds to be issued by the city for the water plant improvements. The action was recommended by bond counsel Gilmore and Bell.
• appointed/re-appointed the following people to the Domestic Violence Surcharge Board for three-year terms: Patti Quilty, Don Warren, Fred Zeiger, Jenna Vandel and Cathie Smith. Romesburg will serve as the city council representative.
• heard a report from Urton which included, among other announcements, information that the city employee health insurance, provided through MIRMA, will have a 3.9 percent decrease for 2022.
The council held an executive session to discuss a legal matter, with no announcement made at this time.
The next meeting of the council is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
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