Voters in the city of Trenton will be going to the polls in April 2020 to decide if the city should impose a five percent hotel/motel tax following action taken at Monday night’s Trenton City Council meeting.
The lodging tax, which would be used to fund a convention and visitors bureau, will be on the April 7, 2020 ballot after the council voted unanimously to let voters decide the issue. Council members in attendance were Glen Briggs, first ward; Danny Brewer and Brad Chumbley, second ward; David Mlika, third ward; and Larry Crawford, fourth ward. Those absent from the meeting were William Fisher, first ward; Cathie Smith, third ward; and John Dolan, fourth ward.
There was much discussion about the issue, with Chumbley saying he had not heard much support for the tax, which would be paid by those who stay at a motel or hotel within the city. It was noted that Trenton currently has only one motel and it has been closed due to foreclosure, although it has been reported that it will re-open within about 30 days under a new name. Gary Dryer, who was attending the meeting as Trenton Street Department Superintendent, said he feels it is unfair that the city’s only motel is being asked to fund the entire visitor’s bureau and when it is opened, the owner might feel “picked on.” Council members countered that the only motel also has a monopoly on lodging and would benefit greatly from increased tourism. It was also noted that most cities already have a tax on lodging for tourism or other uses.
The council also discussed how the money would be used. If the issue passes at the polls, a Convention and Visitor’s Bureau board would be established to determine how the money is to be spent, with the board submitting a proposed line item budget to the city council for approval. Chumbley said people he has heard from do not want an unmanned building put up with leaflets. He was assured that is not how the funds would be used.
In discussing the effort that will have to be put forth to help voters understand how the tax will be assessed and used, council members said there will have to be a concerted effort to get the information to voters. Former Trenton City Councilman Travis Elbert asked if the result would be worth the “political capital” it would take to get it passed, wondering if that energy could be used for a better cause. City Attorney Tara Walker said she has thought the same thing, asking if that effort should be put into getting a use tax passed.
When all was said and done, the council decided to put the issue in the hands of the voters, who will already be going to the polls to vote on city council members in April. The two-year terms of Fisher, Chumbley, Mlika and Crawford will expire. Those wishing to file for one of the open seats may do so during regular hours at city hall from Dec. 17 through Jan. 21, 2020. Since the city would already be required to hold an election, adding the lodging tax to the ballot will only result in minimal extra cost to the city.
Several bids were accepted, with the council also rejecting all bids for hay ground at the trap and skeet range. On that issue, the council decided to reject the two bids that had been submitted and send the issue back to the administrative committee. The ground, which is about 35 acres, would instead be designated as crop ground and be bid that way with other crop ground. Brewer said the change would bring in substantially more money. Briggs felt the change should be made for next year since the city had already sought and received bids for hay ground. After discussing the need to designate a part of the area to be used to get fill dirt when needed, the council voted 4-1 to reject all bids, with Briggs voting no.
On the recommendation of the finance committee, the council approved a bid for health insurance through the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Associa-tion. There was a 14.7 percent increase for the regular individual coverage plan, which would go from $638.99 to $733 per month per employee. Regular coverage that includes spouse, children and family will also increase in the 14.2 to 14.6 percent range. This plan would have a $2,500 deductible for an in-network provider and a $5,000 deductible for an out-of-network provider. A second plan, which has a higher deductible ($4,000 for in-network and $9,000 for out-of-network) will actually see a decrease in premiums, with the individual employee cost going from $632.36 to $603 per month. Spouse, child and family rates will also decrease under the higher-deductible plan.
Other bids accepted during the meeting included: sand for the asphalt plant, Norris Quarries, at a cost of $8.25 per ton; one-half inch rock, also Norris Quarries, $16.50 per ton; and removal and replacement of two overhead garage doors, CSI Overhead Doors, $5,200. The city had also sought bids for snow removal for sidewalks on bridges, but none were received.
In other business, the council:
• tabled action on a policy for signs requested by citizens, such as “Children at Play” signs. The policy that was under consideration would have the city only install traffic control and driver information signs to assist motorists in traveling and finding locations of interest. As existing specialized signs become damaged, obsolete or unnecessary, they would be removed. Chumbley expressed his concern that areas around daycares and neighborhoods that have minor children with disabilities need to have specialty signs in order to protect the children. Council members agreed that whatever is decided, there needs to be a policy as right now there is not a written policy as to when a sign should be installed. The issue was sent back to the administrative committee.
• approved a change in the schedule of fees involving the occupancy fee for bed and breakfasts. The charge was reduced from $100 per year to $50 per year, with the inspection to be completed by Feb. 15 of each year.
•approved an ordinance amending a section of the land use ordinance.
• reviewed a draft copy of a Trenton Visitor’s Guide being developed by Michael Baugher. The city and the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce are working together on the project.
• heard a report from City Administrator/ Utility Director Ron Urton, who said the bids for the runway lighting project will be opened on Dec. 12. FEMA will reimburse the city for 75 percent of the cost. He also said that due to EPA regulations, an additional $13,000 was required to seal the existing floor at the water treatment plant before vinyl tile can be installed. The Utility Committee approved using ceramic tile instead to avoid the expense of the sealing. The increase to the project was still $10,623. He also said work on the fire training tower continues, with the concrete pavement about 80 percent complete.
• accepted MIRMA grants from Kelly Beets in the amount of $2,925 for the Trenton Police Department for 65 percent of the cost for a new dash-mounted camera, and in the amount of $1,114 for Trenton Municipal Utilities for 50 percent of the cost of crimpers.
The next regular meeting of the council is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.
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