CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

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

Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Minutes

The minutes of the August 2, 2010, 2010 meeting were presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Ms. Kelly to approve the minutes at written. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Visitors and Communications

Flo Grey addressed council regarding the 4^th at the Fort Final Report. Flo indicated that 7 checks were delivered to City Clerk Melissa Kelly in the amount of $52,119.80, the balance from the 4^th at the Fort accounts. She is in hopes that the money continues to go toward the amphitheater in Tower Park. Flo closed her presentation indicating that 8 years ago the Grey’s contacted the city about this project and with “High Hopes”, hard work, persistence and with the help of the city, their “Dream” came true! The Mayor thanked Dan and Flo and extended her deepest gratitude for all of their hard work.

Tim Theissen from Strauss and Troy Attorneys at Law addressed council. Mr. Theissen represents Tom Yocum of 55 Elsmar Avenue. Mr. Theissen is asking for an opportunity to submit information to council via a special hearing on the zone change located at 40 Walden Lane. Council noted that at the last meeting they indicated that they have a Planning Commission to make these decisions, and they did not feel they needed another hearing.

Tom Breitenstein the attorney for the Doepkers addressed council. Mr. Breintenstein noted that their position is unchanged from the last meeting. He feels the process was proper and asked that council proceed with the second reading.

Joyce Stang of 11 Burney Lane addressed council. Mrs. Stang had a stroke last month and wanted council to know how much she appreciated our Fort Thomas Fire Department. If it wasn’t for our life squad, she would not be alive today. She indicated that she can’t say enough for them and we are very fortunate to have them.

Sharon Schoemaker of 31 Bonnie Lane addressed council. She was requesting that the paper street Cochran at the end of Bonnie Lane be closed so that her son can build a house on the property.

James Kimmick and Judy Deddeker of 128 Grant Street were present to address council regarding Cochran the paper street next to their property. They currently have installed a fence on the ROW and they would like to leave the fence there and are asking council for a solution. Don Martin noted that he doesn’t know that it is something the city can do and if there was an injury, the city may be liable. You can’t close a paper street in it’s entirety without all affected property owners approval and it would cost a substantial amount of money. Jim and Judy indicated that if they have to take the fence down to let Mrs. Schoemaker close the bottom portion of the road so that her son can build his house. Mr. Lampe noted that was a very neighborly gesture of the Kimmicks. A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Lampe to refer the matter to staff. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Melanie Ethridge of 37 W. Southgate was present. Mrs. Ethridge asked when the speed humps would be installed on W. Southgate. Don Martin noted that it would likely be mid September for installation and they will be installed in “halves”, one side of the street at a time to allow people to pass.

Report of Boards, Committees, and Commissions

Report from the Public Safety Committee of Council: Mr. Doepker reported that the Public Safety Committee of Council met prior to the Council meeting to discuss changes to the Neighborhood Traffic Improvement Policy. Several changes were discussed and the amended policy will be presented to council at the next regular meeting.

Reports of Officers

Fire Department Monthly Report for July, Chief Mark Bailey: Chief Mark Bailey presented his monthly report for July to council for review. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Ms. Kelly to receive and file Chief Bailey’s report. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Police Department Monthly Report for July, Lt. Rich Whitford: Lt. Rich Whitford presented a monthly report for July to council for review. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Doepker to receive and file the monthly report for the Police Department. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Report from City Administrator: Don Martin presented a report to council. The report included the following:

Park Shelter Schedule: Publication of the legal ad for the park shelters will occur on September 16, 2010. Bids will be opened on October 8, 2010. The Recreation Committee will then review the bids on October 18^th with council considering the recommendation at the meeting on the 18^th.

School Board Media Agreement: Approximately 2 years ago, the city began discussions with Fort Thomas Schools to determine if they would be interested in recording the city council meetings. Two students from Highlands High School are recording this meeting. The Mayor welcomed them and said we were glad to have them.

New Business

On-street Handicapped Parking Appeal: Dan and Flo Grey have applied for an on-street handicap parking spot. Their application was denied due to the fact that they have a driveway that allows parking for 2 cars. The Greys appealed the denial to council indicating that it is very dangerous backing out of their driveway onto Highland Ave. They have already had one car totaled. Their health is deteriorating and they feel parking on the street near their house is safer for them. Don Martin noted that unless the city changes the current ordinance, there is nothing we can do to approve the permit. The area in question allows 2 cars to park so Council suggested painting lines to make 2 spots. This would keep someone from parking in the center of both spots. Council would like to see if this option helps the problem and then possibly revisit the ordinance to add a section for special circumstances. It was referred to staff to re-paint the yellow curbing in front of the Grey’s house and to delineate parking spaces in the section above their driveway.

Finance Committee Report on Disbursements: The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 60669 through 60841 for the period of August 3 – September 7, 2010. A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Ms. Kelly to concur in the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” –Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

Ordinance O-12-2010: An Ordinance repealing Section 97.32 of the Code of Ordinances relating to the repair of public sidewalks was presented to council for a second reading. A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve Ordinance O-12-2010. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” - Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinance O-13-2010: A second reading of an Ordinance adopting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve a zone change of property located at 40 Walden Lane from Residential-One AA (R1-AA) to Residential-One A (R1-A). A motion was made by Mr. Haas, and seconded by Mr. Lampe. For the record, Mr. Doepker recused himself from the vote due to the fact that his son is the developer, and Mr. Peterman recused himself because the firm he works for does work for Mr. Yocum. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” - Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. Recused: Mr. Doepker and Mr. Peterman. The motion passed.

Ordinance O-14-2010: A second reading of an ordinance regarding outdoor dining times was presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mr. Lampe to approve Ordinance O-14-2010. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” - Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinance O-15-2010: A first reading of an ordinance regarding placing snow on streets was presented to council. This ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of council for consideration.

Ordinance O-16-2010: A first reading of an ordinance pertaining to the 2010 Waste Fees for the City of Fort Thomas was presented to council. This ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of council for consideration.

With no further business to come before council, the meeting was adjourned.

APPROVED:

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Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk