Gabe Stark
Reporter

The Trenton Administrative Committee advanced recommendations to the City Council, including a full-time code enforcement position, an animal control contract, a title change for Wes Barone and an additional wastewater employee.

The committee met Aug. 18 at Trenton City Hall.

City administrator Matt Harline said the proposed code enforcement officer would report to Barone. The employee would handle complaints involving tall grass, weeds, junk and other nuisances while assisting with dangerous buildings and learning building and property maintenance inspections.

Harline said the city has no employee dedicated to those duties. Guidance from municipal attorney Holly Dodge could help the city move more quickly on nuisance abatements while the court process for fines continues.

“We’ll still be working with the police department on these things when necessary,” Harline said.

The committee unanimously recommended forwarding the position to the council.

Members also advanced a proposal to contract with Affordable Vet Care for animal control services. The business could respond to stray animals and provide housing, while police would retain enforcement authority.

Mayor Jackie Soptic said finding space for stray animals has been a challenge. Affordable Vet Care is considering forming a nonprofit and developing a larger animal housing facility.

The committee recommended changing Barone’s title from Code Enforcement Officer/Airport Manager to Community Development Director. His duties would continue to include zoning, demolition projects, Community Development Block Grant projects and airport oversight. The title change would not include an immediate pay increase.

Wastewater supervisor Bob Hutchinson requested another employee at the wastewater treatment plant. He said the plant previously operated with four employees plus a supervisor, a staffing level recommended by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, but has operated with three employees plus him for several years.

Hutchinson said he expects to retire within a year to a year and a half and wants another employee hired soon enough to receive training.

“I would just like to go ahead and bring somebody on now to start learning this plant,” Hutchinson said. “There’s a lot to it.”

He said another employee could reduce overtime needed to cover vacations, weekends and holidays. The committee recommended forwarding the request.

A proposal to move City Council meetings from their current 7 p.m. start time was also forwarded for further discussion.

Committee member Lindsay Stevens, participating by Zoom, said an earlier meeting could make participation easier for council members, city employees and residents with children or early work schedules.

Possible start times of 6 or 6:30 p.m. were discussed, although the Building and Nuisance Board currently meets before council meetings. The committee forwarded the issue without recommending a specific time.

The committee also discussed updating city code to more accurately reflect the Administrative Committee’s responsibilities. Soptic said the committee has long handled issues that do not clearly fall under another standing committee despite the code listing more limited duties. City officials plan to return with a proposal.