All ordinances on the agenda were approved during Monday nights’ meeting of the Trenton City Council. One ordinance begins the process that ultimately involves the re-development of land at the southwest corner of 28th street and Highway 65 as the future location for a new Orscheln Farm and Home store.
A funding agreement was unanimously approved to start the tax increment financing plan. Per the agreement, Orscheln Farm and Home of Moberly will provide $15,000 for the city to pay costs it incurs in advertising public hearings and pay legal expenses. The city will use Gilmore and Bell as public counsel regarding tax increment financing.
City Councilmember Cathie Smith said the funding agreement for $15,000 protects the city during this process. The TIF takes the new taxes that development generates and directs a portion of them to repay the costs of the project. Community members are appointed to serve on the tax increment financing commission. Once the Orscheln developer’s actions are approved, efforts then can proceed in negotiating a definitive agreement with the city of Trenton. Mrs. Smith told the council she does not foresee any reason that the TIF agreement will not go through.
A lease agreement was unanimously approved for Core Slab Structures of Marshall to lease one acre of land at 1401 Airport Road. It’s to use the land for a staging area to park trucks with pre-cast concrete panels that are to be used in the construction of the performing arts center on the Trenton high school campus. The city will not charge the company on the approximate four weeks lease.
Burns and McDonnell’s Company was approved to provide engineering services via two contracts. The cost is not to exceed $7,500 for the DNR required engineering to do hydrogen peroxide testing near the reservoir pump station at the Trenton water treatment plant. Steve Reid told the council the hydrogen peroxide feed would help remove organics from the raw water before it reaches the water plant. City officials hope the treatment could reduce chemical costs and improve water quality.
The ordinance passed 7 to 1 with Councilman Brad Chumbley voicing his concern about potential, unforeseen additional costs since the process, new for Trenton water, was described as a “pilot study.”
The council unanimously approved Burns and McDonnell for a conceptual design for clarifier modifications at the water treatment plant. The engineering cost is not to exceed $22,900.
Flooding last year at the Trenton airport and nearby Muddy Creek caused the city to seek repairs and request reimbursements from FEMA. Meyer Electric of Jefferson City was approved by ordinance to replace and repair runway lighting at the airport. The cost per low bid is $67,547.
The council heard options that the Howe Engineering company has come up with to stabilize an exposed sewer force main under Muddy Creek. The matter was tabled last evening because cost estimates are being sought and are expected to be shared with the city council at the next meeting.
In other City Council action, two ordinances were amended to update language in floodways and flood plains as listed under land use provisions of the city code.
Four related ordinances in city code were amended pertaining to the definitions of campers, trailers, and recreational vehicles. They can be parked on private property as long as their placement does not obstruct the view of motorists.
The council agreed to proceed with water line improvements along 17th Street from Chicago to Pleasant Plain. The estimated cost for the project, using TMU crews, is $37,774. Unused funds obligated for other water main projects are to be re-directed to the 17th Street work. Crews are expected to start once weather conditions allow.
Approval was given to a revision in the policy for signs requested by citizens. As recommended by a committee, it’ll allow placement of a sign at a residence if a physician certifies that a child under the age of 18 has a disability that substantially limits his or her activities. Previously, the sign policy was restricted to persons with a hearing impairment.
The language was approved for a row crop agreement to farm 65 acres in the north part of Trenton. Bids will be requested. Councilman Glen Briggs cast the only “no” vote expressing his frustration previously with the city requesting bids then deciding to change the number of acres to include what has been hay ground. Briggs, at the beginning of the meeting, complimented and thanked city officials including the administrator, TMU and street crews for their work during the recent icy weather.
