City Council

City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. Ryan Perry Mayor Calvin Woodrey Floyd Croucher Jennie Combs Dale Perry Raymond Nichols Sharon Montgomery Vice Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member CALL TO ORDER PRAYER 1. Councilwoman Montgomery ROLL CALL Present: Perry, Woodrey, Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Combs, Perry (7) Absent: (0) PRESENTATIONS 1. None. AUDIENCE OF PUBLIC 1. None. NEW BUSINESS 1. A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH OFFICE FURNITURE SOURCE LLC TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FURNISHINGS FOR THE TRENTON SQUARE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX AND YMCA IN THE AMOUNT OF $286,687.33. Motion – The Motion Be Authorized (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Ms. Combs___ 2nd_____ Mr. Perry _ YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Combs, Perry (5) NAYS: Woodrey, Nichols (2) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) i. Mr. Mesisklis provided context on a motion to purchase furniture for the new Municipal Complex, Police Department, and YMCA. He noted that the YMCA requested to be included in the quote to take advantage of pricing benefits and that the City will seek reimbursement for their portion. A presentation followed, detailing the furnishing plans by building section. Councilman Croucher inquired how much furniture from the current City Building will be transferred to the new complex. Mr. Mesisklis responded that office chairs and file cabinets needed by staff will be moved. Croucher then asked what would happen to the rest of the furniture. Mr. Mesisklis stated that it would be sold with the building, and any proceeds would be at Council's discretion. Councilman Nichols asked what share the YMCA would cover; Mr. Mesisklis said he would follow up with that information. Mr. Nichols also commented that there are additional items in the City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. current building—like desks only one or two years old—that could potentially still be used. i. Prior to the reading of the next four motions, Lon Green provided background on each. The first motion concerned door and gauge controls for the City side of the new complex. He explained that Homeland will handle the YMCA's controls due to system compatibility, while the City’s system—which is more extensive—will be hosted on a virtual server and cover security for all doors. The new system will integrate with other systems, including the camera system, and function similarly to the current key fob access while expanding to areas like the new water tower. For example, dispatch could remotely open the gate after viewing the cameras. The system would also connect with the Police Department, allowing officers to communicate through cameras in designated rooms and monitor jail cells. IMS will install all networking components including switches and patch panels. Green then introduced the next motion: authorizing the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with TechKinect for the Council Chambers. This includes high-tech screens capable of broadcasting to any media outlet. IMS, who has previously worked with the City, will ensure the setup is visually professional. Mr. Croucher emphasized the importance of visual records, stating a picture is worth a thousand words, especially for documenting incidents involving the public or police. Green shared a story of a recent break-in to underscore the value of high- quality cameras, which though more costly than consumer-grade models, offer superior technology and longevity. Mr. Croucher asked about their life expectancy, to which Green replied that while they were expected to last five years, the current system installed in 2010 had lasted 15 years, and he anticipated at least 10 years for the new ones. Mayor Perry asked if the new tech in the Council Chambers would enable professional broadcasts across all media platforms; Green confirmed this was a requirement and that the vendor specializes in setups like council chambers. Green mentioned proposals such as placing TVs in the center of the room instead of on walls. Mr. Nichols raised concerns about sightlines for Council and staff based on seating angles. Mayor Perry suggested waiting until the room is fully constructed to determine optimal equipment placement. Ms. Combs, with 15 years of interior design experience, agreed, noting how design plans can differ from in-room realities. Perry added that a major complaint is that the public cannot hear four people sitting at the tables during Facebook broadcasts. Mr. Green said staff had considered placing monitors at each seat, though he hesitated due to size concerns but would explore it if Council desired. Mayor Perry also suggested a setup similar to the current desktop views but with better broadcasting capabilities. Mr. Nichols questioned the number of cameras—estimating close to 100—and asked who would monitor them and how much storage would be needed. Green responded that a 120-terabyte server would be dedicated to storage, and video would be retained for 30 days, with additional storage available for specific incidents. Mr. Nichols then asked Mr. Mesisklis and City Manager Nichols why Council was being asked to approve these motions before the City owns the property or construction has begun. He noted City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. some bids claimed they could begin work 1–2 weeks after approval and deposit. Vice Mayor Woodrey said that’s why he voted “nay,” explaining he was uncomfortable approving the items when the Auditor’s website still listed the property under the seller's name. City Manager Nichols replied that the goal was simply to move pieces forward in the process; no agreements would be executed until the project reached the necessary phase. He added that after this meeting, staff would focus on finalizing the guaranteed maximum price for the building and wanted all pieces lined up. Mayor Perry asked if the quotes would still be valid by then. Mr. Mesisklis said the furniture quote was good for 15 days but added that he had spoken with the vendor, who didn’t foresee a problem extending it but wouldn’t include that in writing. He clarified that Council was authorizing staff to negotiate and enter into agreements—not committing to final execution. He added that staff would remain flexible with reusing current furnishings if possible, further reducing costs. Additional conversation followed regarding costs of other visual equipment. 2. A MOTION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH IMS TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, PROVIDING HARDWARE, AND INSTALLING DOOR AND GATE ACCESS CONTROLS FOR THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR DOLLARS (115,984.00), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO. Motion – The Motion Be Authorized (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Mr. Croucher___ 2nd_____ Mr. Perry _ YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Combs, Perry (5) NAYS: Woodrey, Nichols (2) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) 3. A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH TECHKINECT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, PROVIDING HARDWARE, AND INSTALLING AUDIO-VISUAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SIXTY THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE DOLLARS ($60,631.00), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO. Motion – The Motion Be Authorized (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Ms. Combs___ 2nd_____ Mr. Perry _ YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Combs, Perry (5) NAYS: Woodrey, Nichols (2) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. 4. A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH IMS TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, PROVIDING HARDWARE, AND INSTALLING CAMERA SECURITY INFRASTRUCTRE IN THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR DOLLARS ($277,584.00), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO. Motion –The Motion Be Authorized (Roll Call Vote) 1st_Mr. Perry__ 2nd_____ Mr. Croucher _ YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Combs, Perry (5) NAYS: Woodrey, Nichols (2) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) 5. A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH IMS TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, PROVIDING HARDWARE, AND INSTALLING NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX DOLLARS ($252,586.00) AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO. Motion –The Motion Be Authorized (Roll Call Vote) 1st_Mr. Croucher__ 2nd_____ Mr. Perry _ YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Combs, Perry (5) NAYS: Woodrey, Nichols (2) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) LEGISLATION REPORTS City Manager Nichols- Mr. Nichols had an executive session request for details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or a public office, if disclosure of the matters discussed could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the security of the public body or public office. And purchase of property for public purposes. City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. AUDIENCE OF COUNCIL Mr. Croucher- Mr. Croucher thanked Ms. Montgomery for leading the prayer and expressed his appreciation to everyone in attendance at the Council meeting. He shared that he is looking forward to the upcoming Movies in the Park event this Saturday at Community Park, where Shark Boy and Lava Girl will be playing. He noted that Franks with the Fuzz will be on site, and free snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy will be provided. He invited the community to come out and enjoy the festivities, noting that the event will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk. Ms. Montgomery- Ms. Montgomery shared that she had officially been released from therapy that day, marking 13 months and one day since the incident involving her and her husband, reflecting on the significance of the timing and the journey they’ve been on. She then spoke about September 11th, recalling her time as president of the EMA and the moment a Baptist preacher named Chris turned on a TV before a meeting, revealing the shocking events of that day. She expressed heartfelt condolences to all who lost loved ones and emphasized the heroism and grief that continue to resonate every year. Grateful for what God has done for her and her husband, she shared her excitement about returning to work the following Monday. Ms. Montgomery closed by echoing Ms. Combs’ comments, noting how blessed the community is to have dedicated police officers, firefighters, public works staff, and councilmembers who take their responsibilities seriously and work for the good of Trenton’s residents. Ms. Combs- Ms. Combs began her report by reflecting on 9/11, describing it as a horrible remembrance of an unthinkable tragedy that occurred so many years ago. She remarked that, at the time, it was hard to believe what was happening—and noted that today, it often feels like similarly unbelievable events continue to occur. She closed by expressing a hopeful prayer that people will continue to see more light than darkness in the world. City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. Mr. Nichols- Mr. Nichols noted that he wanted to expand on what Ms. Combs and Ms. Montgomery said, emphasizing that everyone old enough to remember 9/11 recalls how people vowed never to forget and never to let something like that happen again. He reflected on a recent incident that served as a reminder that such tragedies can still happen at any time, even if not on the same scale. He referenced the assassination of a young man for expressing his political or religious beliefs, and expressed concern that society may not be in a much better state now than it was back then. Mr. Nichols stated it is time for good people with common sense—who understand the true potential of this country—to speak up and begin making a difference. He stressed that these types of tragedies must stop, acknowledging that while many attribute such violence to gun control issues, he does not share that belief. Citing reports that the incident involved a high-powered bolt-action rifle—a common hunting weapon in the West—he underscored that it’s time for people to take a stand and demand change. Mr. Perry- No reports. Vice Mayor Woodrey- Vice Mayor echoed the sentiments expressed by others regarding 9/11 and added that while many people reflect on the lives lost that day, it is equally important to remember those who have been lost since then—specifically the first responders who worked tirelessly for months in the rubble searching for victims and their fellow first responders. He emphasized that many of those individuals have since died from cancer and respiratory illnesses as a result of their exposure, and stressed that they too must be acknowledged and remembered. Mayor Perry- Mayor Perry began his report by reflecting on the significance of 9/11 and how its anniversary always brings back memories that many would rather not relive, stirring up deep emotions. He shared that earlier in the day, he posted about 9/11, noting that beyond the horror of that day, what stood out most to him was the unity that followed on 9/12. He recalled watching television and seeing every member of Congress, alongside the President and Vice President, singing "God Bless America" together—an image of national solidarity. Mayor Perry expressed disappointment at how far things seem to have strayed from that unity, acknowledging that while it's easy to blame others, everyone has contributed to division in moments of disagreement. He made a plea to end the violence, regardless of political affiliation, emphasizing that it needs to stop. He shared a point of hope and pride, noting a joint statement he saw on Facebook from the College Democrats of Ohio and the Ohio College Republican Federation condemning political violence as unacceptable at any level. He pointed out that this kind of statement isn’t made often enough, and that many older adults could learn from these college students, who—even while on opposing sides—stand together against such behavior. Mayor Perry stressed the importance of disagreeing respectfully, as Council often does, while still maintaining dialogue and respect for differing points of view. City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. He urged everyone to be kind to one another and follow the example set by the students who took a stand against political violence the very next day. City of Trenton SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11th, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION i. Details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or a public office, if disclosure of the matters discussed could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the security of the public body or office. ii. Purchase of Property For Public Purposes. Motion – To Go To Executive Session For The Reasons Noted (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Vice Mayor Woodrey___ 2nd_____ Mr. Croucher _ Time: 6:56 P.M. YAYS: Perry, Woodrey, Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Combs, Perry (7) NAYS: (0) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) Motion – That the Executive Session Meeting Be Adjourned (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Vice Mayor Woodrey___ 2nd_____ Mr. Nichols _ Time: 8:40 P.M. YAYS: Perry, Woodrey, Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Combs, Perry (7) NAYS: (0) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0) ADJOURNMENT Motion - That the meeting be adjourned. (Roll Call Vote) 1st__ Vice Mayor Woodrey___ 2nd_____ Ms. Montgomery _ Time: 8:40 P.M. YAYS: Perry, Woodrey, Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Combs, Perry (7) NAYS: (0) ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0)