Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

The Trenton City Council approved changes to the city’s farm animal nuisance ordinance, renewed its support for the Missouri Blue Shield designation and authorized environmental work tied to a demolition grant during a meeting that mixed routine business with pointed public comment.

The meeting opened with approval of the Feb. 9 minutes and receiving and filing bills.

Economic development update

The council heard from Megan Tester, executive director of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance. City officials noted Trenton contributes $4,000 annually to the organization and relies on Tester to function in many ways as the city’s economic development contact.

Tester said business leads typically come through Missouri Partnership and that many requests do not match Trenton’s assets, such as proximity to a commercial airport.

She told the council she maintains a running list of commercial properties available for rent or purchase and encouraged referrals from the community.

When asked about housing capacity, Tester said the community would likely face challenges if a mid-sized employer brought in a significant number of new workers.

Tourism update and July 4 discussion

Members discussed planning opportunities around July 4, which falls on a Saturday this year and coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary. Ideas mentioned included food trucks and an all-day farmers market.

A question was raised about whether the city could financially support fireworks. Officials said a previous city attorney advised the city could not simply donate funds without a tangible public purpose, though staff reported a draft donation policy is in progress to provide guidance.

Council resolves farm animal code conflict

The council then approved an ordinance aimed at fixing conflicting language in city code regarding farm animals. This topic had been brought to attention of the council at prior meetings by Marvin Humphreys, who supported a interpretation of the current code that would remove farm animals from the city. Eventually the council advised staff to revise the current code to outline what the city wold allow.

In the meeting held of February 23, City Administrator, Scott Wrighton, explained that one section of code could be interpreted to prohibit farm animals within city limits, while another section established regulations for keeping them, including fencing, setbacks and buffering requirements. To fix this he introduced an amendment to the code.

The amendment clarifies that farm animals are not automatically considered a nuisance simply for being present within city limits. Instead, animals may be deemed a nuisance if owners violate applicable standards, allow animals to run at large, create excessive noise or fail to correct ongoing violations.

Staff also said the ordinance strengthens enforcement tools in chronic cases where routine citations and court action do not resolve problems.

Public raises ethics concerns

During public comment, Trenton resident Andrew Paulus urged the council to consider the ethics surrounding the ordinance’s origins and requested that one council member recuse himself. He alleged that Councilman Marvin Humphreys brought this issue to the council for personal reasons rather than for the good of his constituents.

“The origin of this legislative push reveals a calculated effort to bypass ethical disclosure.” said Andrew Paulus, “On August 6, 2025, a police report was filed regarding a personal incident involving a Council Member and his girlfriend at her private residence in Ward 4. For five months, this remained a private matter.

However, on January 7, 2026, that same Council Member met privately with the City Administrator to ‘identify’ a legal discrepancy in our livestock laws. This was the first tactical maneuver—using a technicality to get a personal issue onto the official agenda.

By the January 12 meeting, the strategy shifted again. The Council Member moved from discussing legal technicalities to framing the issue as a public safety crisis. He claimed he was ‘told by someone’ about a woman who was injured by livestock. What he failed to disclose to this body and the public is that he was the one who called for the police report on August 6, and the ‘woman’ in question was his own girlfriend.

This isn’t a representative responding to a constituent’s concern; this is a personal grievance being laundered through the legislative process.”

Paulus also cited Missouri ethics law about the issue.

“This is a violation of the standards we expect from our leaders. Under Missouri Revised Statute Section 105.461, any member of a governing body who has a substantial personal interest in an ordinance must disclose that interest to the public record.”

City officials did not substantiate those allegations during the meeting.

After the meeting, Paulus said his concern was primarily about process rather than policy outcome.

“My concern is the way that we start the process of creating laws,” Paulus said.

“I’m of the opinion the law that passed in its entirety is beneficial to the community,” he added. “But where my concern was is that, as a governing body, the way our laws are introduced has to hold up to an ethical standard.”

Attorney weighs in; Humphreys recuses

The city attorney, appearing by Zoom, told the council that conflict-of-interest questions are generally more appropriate for closed session discussion and noted any council member who believes a conflict may exist may choose to recuse out of an abundance of caution.

During roll call, Marvin Humphreys announced he would recuse himself. The ordinance then passed.

Blue Shield support renewed

The council also approved a resolution supporting the Missouri Blue Shield designation following questions from residents.

Citizens asked whether the designation changes local policing policies or creates new reporting requirements. Police representatives said the designation does not alter existing enforcement practices and primarily supports reimbursement-style grants for equipment.

Officials noted the department previously used Blue Shield funding to obtain mobile data terminals for patrol vehicles. Officers reported the equipment is functioning, though still in the learning phase for some users.

Residents also asked about any connection to the federal 287(g) program. Police representatives said the Trenton Police Department and city are not participants.

Council members emphasized the resolution represents support for the police department and does not obligate the city to future grant participation.

Environmental work approved for demolition grant

The council approved a proposal from Terracon Consultants Inc. for environmental services tied to the city’s demolition grant.

Officials said the environmental review must be completed and approved through the Community Development Block Grant process before any demolition work can begin.

“We cannot proceed with any demolition activities until this environmental is completed and approved,” staff told the council, noting asbestos inspection is the only activity currently allowed and is included in the environmental process.

Four proposals were received, and Terracon was identified as the lowest responsible bidder at $7,500, below the project budget. The council approved the contract.

Board reappointment and adjournment

In other action, the council approved the mayor’s recommendation to reappoint Gary Shatt to the Police Personnel Board.

The meeting then adjourned.