The city of Trenton held a brief public hearing late Wednesday afternoon to hear any conflict of interest concerns regarding this year’s demolition program involving dilapidated structures.
City Councilman Larry Porter, City Clerk and Interim Administrator Cindy Simpson, and Code Enforcement Officer Donnie Vandevender attended the public hearing.
One of the structures being considered for demolition is owned by Larry Porter and his sister Cheri Ward. Since Porter is a councilman, the public hearing was held to allow the public to make any comments, however, no members of the general public attended.
The property is among those in which the city and property owners share the demolition costs. The share for Larry Porter and Cheri Ward is $2,350 as well as any abatement costs because of slate siding.
The city of Trenton is to pay $1,750 which includes a $200 dollar inspection fee.
The city received demolition bids on eight properties in which the city and the owners would share the demolition costs with the city’s share on all but one of those $1750. The other property is reported to cost $1,550.
Vandevender indicated the owners of two of those eight properties decided not to participate in the program.
Demolition bids also were received on eleven other structures in which the city would be responsible for all the costs, however the combined low bid of $70,000 far exceeded the $20,000 budgeted.
The city is in the process of determining which structures to demolish this year with available funds.
