MINUTES OF A MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010

 

 

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.  The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present:  Lisa Kelly, Jill Steller, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman and Tom Lampe. Absent: Jim Doepker.  Staff members in attendance included:  City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Fire Chief Mark Bailey, Police Chief Mike Daly, and Finance Director Fred Ewald.  Absent: City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden.

 

Mayor Mary Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

 

Visitors and Communications

 

Chief Daly introduced new police recruit Emily Melville.  Emily comes to Fort Thomas from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport where she served as a police officer for 2 ½ years.  The Mayor welcomed Emily to the City of Fort Thomas and congratulated her.

 

Reports of Boards, Committees, or Commissions

 

Report from the Public Works Committee:  Eric Haas presented the report from the Public Works Committee of Council.  The report was as follows:

 

We the undersigned members of the Public Works Committee of Council hereby report that we have met with city staff to review and develop the city’s 2010 Capital Improvement Program. While there were many streets considered for improvement, limited available resources restricted the number of streets that could be included in this year’s recommended program. 

 

The recommended 2010 street improvement program includes the following streets:

 

  1. Burnet Ridge (from Riverside Pkwy. to Lester Lane)
  2. Huntemann Lane
  3. Sterling Avenue
  4. Rob Roy Avenue
  5. Deshler Lane
  6. Crescent Court
  7. Arno Avenue

 

The total estimated cost for the 2010 Capital Improvement Program and related fund activity is $194,600.  All of these streets would be subject to a special assessment to abutting property owners on a 50%-city, 50%-property owner cost sharing basis. Approximate revenue from special assessments to abutting property owners will generate approximately $97,700 in revenue to offset the cost.

 

The Public Works Committee also discussed the city’s sidewalk replacement program.  Currently, the city primarily addresses sidewalk repairs only on streets that are being resurfaced, and some limited emergency repairs.  However, in the past the city has addressed sidewalk repairs based on need regardless of street resurfacing through adoption of a five year capital improvement program for sidewalks.  Based on staff and city engineer recommendations, and based on limited need for sidewalk repairs on the streets under consideration for resurfacing, the Committee feels strongly that the focus of the sidewalk replacement program should be more broadly applied, as in the past, through the adoption of a five year capital improvement plan for sidewalks.  Accordingly, the Public Works Committee of Council recommends that the attached five year capital improvement plan for sidewalks be adopted by the Board of Council.

 

The 2010 Capital Improvement Program would allocate funding for the replacement of the deteriorated sidewalks on East and West Kimberly, Brittany Lane and Budde Court at an estimated contractor cost of $83,040; that approximately 143 defective sidewalk blocks on S. Fort Thomas Avenue between the Post Office and Tower Place be replaced by city crews at an approximate cost of $6,292; and, that a contingency fund be reserved for emergency repairs to other city-owned infrastructure. 

 

The Public Works Committee also discussed the city’s policy pertaining to citizen requests for construction of new sidewalks along existing streets where no sidewalk currently exists.  According to current and long-standing policy the city does not fund the construction of new sidewalks along existing streets where no sidewalk currently exists.  Notwithstanding, in circumstances where small sections of sidewalk can be installed to connect existing sidewalks to improve pedestrian traffic and improve public safety, the city will endeavor to fill in these “missing links” via grants or capital funding.  When citizens request the installation of new sidewalks along existing streets where no sidewalk currently exists, the city will endeavor to work with those citizens to seek out external funding sources, such as Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to Schools Grants. If the city is successful in securing only partial grant funding for the installation of sidewalks, the abutting property owners will be responsible for providing the remaining funding.  The Public Works Committee affirmed this policy and recommends no change thereto.

 

The Public Works Committee of Council recommends that the Board of Council adopt and approve this committee report and direct the staff to proceed with additional planning and preparation for the 2010 Capital Improvement Program.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Peterman to receive and file and approve the report from the Public Works Committee.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Mayor Brown commended the General Services Department on clearing the snow from the streets.  She said that she had received many compliments on how well the streets were cleared.

 

Reports of Officers

 

Fire Department Monthly Report for January:  Chief Mark Bailey:  Chief Mark Bailey presented his monthly report to council for their review.  A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to receive and file the monthly report from the Fire Department.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Police Department Monthly Report for January:  Chief Mike Daly:  Chief Mike Daly presented the monthly report from the Police Department to council for their review. A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Ms. Kelly to receive and file the monthly report from the Police Department.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Report from City Administrator, Don Martin:  Don Martin reported on the following:

 

VA Homes:  Staff spoke with representatives from Senator’s Bunning and McConnell’s offices.  They have also met with representatives from Geoff Davis’ office.  The city is currently waiting on information once some research is done by these offices.  Staff met with two contractors to determine if it would be worth while to develop the real estate.  Both contractors stated that because of the economy and lending markets, it would be difficult to develop the property and make a profit.  Once the city receives the revised appraisal, letters will be sent to those on “the list” with additional information. 

 

Deer Census:  The deer census is complete and a report was submitted to the city.  The report was returned to Vision Air Research with a couple of errors.  The final copy should be available within the next week and will be forwarded to council for their review.

 

Parking in cul-de-sacs:  The city is experiencing increasing issues regarding parking in cul-de-sacs.  Not only are residents “parallel parking” in the cul-de-sacs, some are parking perpendicular to the curbs.  When parking occurs in cul-de-sacs it not only impacts the city’s ability to remove snow, it impacts the ability of emergency equipment, garbage trucks, delivery trucks and even smaller vehicles to turn around.  It can also block access to hydrants.  Staff is working on a recommendation to council regarding cul-de-sacs and hopes to have something by the next regular meeting of council.

 

Five Year Financial Projection:  Staff is working to complete the five-year financial projection.  This document is intended to be used to determine the annual debt payment which the city can “afford” in future years for projects/capital purchases such as Rossford Park.

 

Rossford Park:  CDS Associates continues to work on the bid documents for Rossford Park with an anticipated bid date of June 3.

 

New Business

 

Consideration of Amphitheater Bids:  On Friday, February 5, bids were opened for the amphitheater project.  The lowest bid was received from R.E. Schweitzer however, there was a mathematical error in the bid and the company is requesting to withdrawal their bid.  The next lowest bidder is Century Construction at a cost of $422,400.  It is recommended to allow Schweitzer to withdrawal their bid and accept Century’s bid.  Discussion ensued on the topic of the greenroom and restroom.  It was the consensus of the Board that since we are trying to provide a quality amphitheater, we should likely include the green room and the restroom in the project if possible. 

A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Peterman to accept the bid from Century Construction including the restroom and greenroom.  Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” – Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe.  Voting “no” – none.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Finance Committee Report on Disbursements:   The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 59504 through 59693 for the period of January 20 – February 16, 2010.  A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Haas to concur in the recommendation of the Finance Committee.  Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” –Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman and Mr. Lampe.  Voting "no" - none.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

 

Executive Order EO-02-2010:  An executive order re-appointing Ken Bowman as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to council with no action needed.

 

Executive Order EO-03-2010:  An executive order re-appointing Marcus Roth as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to council with no action needed. 

 

Executive Order EO-04-2010:  An executive order re-appointing Ken Warden as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to council with no action needed.

 

Executive Order EO-05-2010:  An executive order re-appointing Linda Stapleton as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to council with no action needed.

 

Municipal Order MO-01-2010:  A municipal order re-appointing Jeff Rosenstiel as a member of the Planning Commission was presented to council for consideration.  A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to approve MO-01-2010.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

 

 

APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk