The Trenton City Council approved a contract with M and M Utilities of Chillicothe for the second phase of water main replacement work, stretching from 10th Street and Oklahoma Avenue north to 16th Street. This decision, made at Monday night’s meeting, follows the acceptance of a $427,600 bid from M and M Utilities last month. This project is part of the budgeted items for the city. City Administrator Ron Urton highlighted that the project includes the installation of larger water mains, which will enhance fire protection capabilities through the use of PVC pipes, fittings, valves, and fire hydrant assemblies. An ordinance approving the contract stipulates that the project must be substantially complete by July 19.
Councilman Glen Briggs, representing the Police Personnel Board, recommended, and the council approved, the promotion of Jared Hogan from reserve officer to a full-time police position. Hogan is set to begin his duties later this month.
City Clerk Cindy Simpson announced that she and other representatives from Trenton would attend the Missouri Municipal League’s regional meeting on April 24 in Chillicothe, where a program on video lottery machines will be presented.
Businessman and Car Wash Owner Danny Stevens discussed concerns regarding the temporary closure of 12th Street due to NCMC student center construction. Initially, he was informed the street would be closed for up to a year and a half. However, it was later clarified that 12th Street would remain open, with any closures being of short duration. Meanwhile, 13th Street is closed on the college campus.
Father Bill Fox extended an invitation to city officials and the council for the St. Joseph Catholic Church’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in September. The church, now located at 1728 St. Joseph Street, was founded in 1874 and has had previous locations on Crowder Road and Chestnut Street.
The council approved a recommendation from the Building and Nuisance Board to increase the city’s portion of cost-sharing with homeowners participating in the demolition program to $3,500. For the first time, the city will also offer a 50 percent match for the cost of asbestos abatement, with $50,000 expected to be the city’s demolition budget.
Mayor Jackie Soptic, with council approval, re-appointed Jordan Ferguson and Rachel Arnold to the Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The next city council agenda will include discussions on creating a new committee for personnel, comprising four city council members, similar to the existing committees for finance, administrative, economic development, and utilities. Another topic will be a change allowing the Mayor to ensure each committee has a member from each of Trenton’s four wards.
Councilman Calvin Brown relayed a public inquiry regarding the maintenance of new sidewalks. The council debated the responsibility, noting previous council members had removed a snow removal ordinance due to enforcement challenges. Six council members attended the 20-minute meeting, with Duane Urich and John Dolan absent.
Before the meeting, the council conducted a workshop to continue reviewing the employee wage study, including proposed pay ranges and positions for 2024. Mayor Soptic, City Administrator Urton, and Councilman Urich provided information for consideration. Urton noted that work on the study is ongoing, and Soptic remarked on its detail. The wage study was not discussed during last night’s council meeting.
The fiscal year for the city of Trenton and TMU begins in May.
