Trenton council approves fiber contract, $3 million community center increase and zoning changes

The Trenton City Council at its April 2025 meeting approved several administrative and capital items by roll call, including a fiber-optic contract to Cabling Specialists Inc., a $3 million increase to the Municipal and Community Center Complex budget and amendments to the city’s codified ordinances affecting the Industrial General District.

Why it matters: The budget increase to the Municipal and Community Center Complex raises the project authorization from $29,000,000 to $32,000,000 to add square footage and an indoor walking path; the fiber contract will connect the new city building at 712 West State Street to the city network; and the zoning changes clarify permitted uses and definitions for the Industrial General District, including language related to data centers.

Key votes and motions

- Fiber contract: The council authorized the city manager to sign a contract with Cabling Specialists Inc. for purchase and installation of OSP fiber-optic cable from the manhole at 11 East State Street to the new city building at 712 West State Street in an amount not to exceed $158,573.50. Motion made by Councilman Perry and seconded by Councilwoman Montgomery; approved by roll call.

- Municipal and Community Center Complex budget increase: Council voted to increase the project budget from $29,000,000 to $32,000,000 to provide additional square footage and an indoor walking path and authorized the city manager to sign related documents. Motion made by Councilman Croucher and seconded by Councilwoman Montgomery; approved by roll call. Finance Director Matthew said further financial reports and hard estimates will follow as the project advances.

- Virtual private server purchase: The council authorized purchase of a virtual private server from CDWG at a total cost not to exceed $32,416.00 and authorized the city manager to sign documents. Motion made by Councilman Perry and seconded by Councilman Nichols; approved by roll call.

- Zoning ordinance amendments: Three ordinances amending codified-ordinance sections 12.56.04, 12.52.14 and 12.42.01 — items tied to the Industrial General District and definitions related to data centers — were presented for second reading and adopted by roll call after a prior public hearing produced no speakers for or against the measures.

- Subdivision agreement and performance guarantee: The council approved a first-reading ordinance to enter into a subdivision agreement with Hot Runs LLC, accept a performance guarantee for required public improvements and declared an emergency; the council moved to suspend the rules and adopted the ordinance in the same meeting after brief confirmation from the city manager. Motion to suspend the rules was made by Councilman Perry and seconded by Councilwoman Combs; the adoption motion was made by Councilwoman Combs and seconded by Councilman Croucher.

Discussion highlights

IT Director Paul explained staff’s recommendation on the fiber contract, noting it was difficult to obtain three bids because contractors capable of the work and the schedule were limited and that Cabling Specialists had previously worked with the city. “This was very difficult in this situation. There weren’t contractors that could move this quickly,” Paul said, and recommended the vendor.

Finance Director Matthew said the community center motion authorizes additional resources and that “there will likely be further financial reports on the [construction] progress as we get more hard estimates.”

No councilmember requested deferral of the listed items. Multiple votes were recorded by roll call for adoption or authorization; the meeting transcript records affirmative roll-call votes for each item.

What’s next: The council authorized documents for the approved contracts and budget increase; staff will return with implementation details and further financial updates as estimates firm up.