The Trenton City Council and its Building and Nuisance Board held meetings Monday evening at city hall, with the council approving one ordinance.
City Council
The city council met briefly, with three of the councilmen and the mayor joining the meeting by Zoom.
The only action item taking place was the adoption of an ordinance approving a proposal between the city and SRI Contractors LLC for the restoration of the concrete roof at the Trenton Municipal Utilities sludge press building. The proposal is for a cost of $17,565 for the installation of a fabric-reinforced coating system on the roof, which has been on the building since 2008 and is beginning to leak into the motor control room. The council had budgeted $25,000 for the work.
City Administrator/Utility Director Ron Urton gave a report on activities of the various departments, with all department heads currently beginning work on the 2022 budget, which will go into effect May 1. Urton said the finance committee needs to schedule a meeting in mid-February to begin its work.
Mayor Linda Crooks, who along with councilmen Lance Otto, John Dolan and Marvin Humphreys joined the meeting by Zoom, updated the council on the Convention and Visitors Bureau, noting that the group is nearly ready to launch its website. That site will include a comprehensive showcase of what Trenton has to offer visitors.
The council held a closed session to discuss legal matters, with Urton reporting there was no action taken.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 14.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Building and Nuisance Board
The Building and Nuisance Board heard an update on what is happening at the Walden Apartments complex during its meeting, which took place prior to the council meeting.
Board members were told that the complex at 1010 Avalon St., which is currently listed under “Findings of Fact,” is in the process of being sold through a broker. The buyer is expected to rehabilitate the property and then sell it to another buyer. The property is currently government-owned and does not generate enough revenue through its income-based rentals to make the needed repairs. Once the property is privately-owned and upgraded, the income is expected to be higher due to higher rents being charged for its apartments. Noting that moving the complex to the “Certificate of Dangerous Building” could prolong or jeopardize the sale, the board chose to leave it at “Findings of Fact” for another 30 days.
Board members voted to leave property at 1514 Mable St., owned by Jon and Barbara Phillips on the “Declaration of Nuisance” list for another 60 days and gave the property at 503 E. 22nd St., owned by Morse and Sons, another 120 days on that list since the owner has signed a letter of intent to partner with the city to have it torn down through the city’s annual demolition project. The house was recently damaged in a fire.
Property at 601 E. 19th St., owned by John Berry, was scheduled for a public hearing, however the owner was ill and could not attend. Code Enforcement Officer Wes Barone said the owner is working on the property and recommended the board give Berry another 30 days, which was approved.
Under “Findings of Fact” the owner of 604 Linn St., Duane Lahn, was given another 120 days. Barone said the complaints that originally led to the nuisance violation have been addressed and work will continue on the house this spring when the owner returns from out of state.
A discussion was held on the property at 513 E. Ninth Ct., which has had multiple owners without the transfer of the deed. The deed is currently being put in the name of Carlos Hendricks and while there is work to be done, it will be removed from the list until the transfer is complete and will be re-visited at that time. It will be placed at the “Findings of Fact” stage since the property has already been declared a nuisance.
Property at 1614 Mable St., owned by Kathy Reeder and William Earl Gott, was given 30 more days at the “Findings of Fact” stage as the owner has indicated he plans to tear down the garage that has been the issue.
Board members declared property at 601 E. Ninth St., as a nuisance as shingles have been blowing off the residence. The property is owned by Bob Overton, who lives out of state. Also placed on the nuisance list was the 16th Street Storage Unit complex owned by McBee Farms. Many of the units are missing doors and Trenton Police Chief Rex Ross said he has had complaints of children playing in the open units.
Chief Ross gave an annual report on nuisances in 2021, noting that there were 104 investigated, including 48 for grass and weeds; 42 for trash and debris; 13 for unregistered vehicles; and 1 for open storage of a vehicle. Of those investigated, 19 were still active at the end of the year, with 63 cleared, 22 sent for prosecution and 25 remaining on the court docket as of Dec. 31.
As of Monday, 2022 has resulted in four cases being investigated, including two for trash and debris and two for unregistered vehicles, with all four still being active. There are 21 cases that are currently on the docket in municipal court.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at city hall.