CITY OF FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL

COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON MONDAY,

APRIL 17, 2006

Mayor Mary H. Brown called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. on April 17, 2006. She asked the Clerk to call the roll and the following Councilmembers were present: Barb Runge, Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman and Tom Lampe. Other staff members attending included: City Administrative Officer Jeff Earlywine, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Assistant to the CAO Jay Treft, City Treasurer Fred Ewald, Fire Chief Mark Bailey, and Police Chief Mike Daly.

Mayor Brown led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Minutes from the previous Regular Meeting were presented and upon a motion by Mrs. Lied and second by Mrs. Runge, the minutes were approved.

Mayor Brown asked if there were any visitors or communications having topics to bring before Council.

Jeff Earlywine referred to two letters that were received by the City from the Campbell County North Soccer League. The first letter was regarding a Site Master Plan for Pendery Park and possibly partnering with the City for this project. The second letter was in reference to a lightning prediction system for the Park. This system would provide an advanced warning of potential lighting strikes by using air horns and a flashing outdoor strobe light. This system is currently being used in all of Hamilton County, Ohio parks. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe to refer this item to the Recreation Committee for their review. It was seconded by Karen Lied. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. Peter Grote of 365 Rossford Avenue was present and addressed the Board of Council. Mr. Grote was in attendance of the meeting to discuss two issues. The first problem is the sanitary sewer line that runs behind his home. Part of the line is currently on City property and a small section is located on Greg Coburn’s property on Gunpowder Ridge. There was never a recorded deed of easement for the sewer line, so in order for Mr. Grote to move it, he will need to obtain a survey of the line. Once a survey and legal description is obtained, the City will be able to grant an easement for the City portion of the property, based on the legal description. It was also suggested that Mr. Grote meet with the State plumbing inspector or a licensed plumber to ensure that the new line will meet state plumbing code before it is moved. Time is of the essence because Mr. Coburn’s new home is scheduled to be shown in the Cavalcade of Home Builders in May and the sewer line is in the way of the final grade and landscaping. Paula Steltenkamp indicated that they currently have the equipment to do the job in their yard and if the City would allow him to move the line now, it would save a lot of time and money. Greg Coburn said that he had spoken to Sanitation District No. 1 and the State Plumbing Inspector and was told this would not be a problem. If Mr. Grote is able to use their equipment, he may be able to get this project done for less than $1,000.

Jeff Earlywine suggested to Council that the City work with Mr. Grote in good faith as long as Mr. Grote identifies a corridor for the line and consults with the State Plumbing Inspector.

Jann Seidenfaden questioned whether the line would cross the neighbor next to Mr. Grote’s property. After reviewing the plat it was determined that it would not interfere with the neighbors property.

After a lengthy discussion, it was the sentiment and will of Council to work with Mr. Grote on a memorandum of agreement. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker to refer to City Staff. It was seconded by Mrs. Runge. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. Grote’s second issue was regarding a letter he had received from Ralph Hopper regarding his downspouts. In order to correct the problem, Mr. Grote would have to move his downspouts to the center of his rear yard, which is a steep grade. Jeff Earlywine noted that Mr. Grote would need to work with Mr. Hopper on this issue. Mr. Earlywine also said that if Mr. Hopper cannot help, to contact Mr. Ron Dill.

Chief Mark Bailey presented the Monthly Report of the Fire Department. It was received and filed and upon a motion by Mrs. Runge, and second by Mr. Doepker. Motion carried 6-0.

The Planning Commission presented a letter to Council, along with a Finding of Facts, regarding a proposed zone change on property owned by James A. Doepker, II. Mr. Doepker stated that he wished to recuse himself from discussion or vote on the matter due to relation to the applicant. The subject property is located at 40 Walden Lane and a request was made to change the zoning classification from R-1AA to R-1A. This would allow the applicant to subdivide the lot and build another single-family residence. The issue was the current lot is not large enough to meet the R-1AA classification which requires a minimum of an acre for the minimum building lot, a front yard setback of 40 ft, rear yard setback of 40 ft. and side yard setback of 38.5 ft. The R-1A classification would allow the applicant to have a 9500 sq. ft. building lot with a front yard setback of 30 ft., rear yard of 40 ft. and side yard of 10 ft. It was the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny the request for the Zone Change. Mr. Lampe made a motion to concur in the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny the request. It was seconded by Mr. Peterman. Upon call of the roll, the vote was unanimous. Motion carried 6-0.

Under old business, Jeff Earlywine updated Council on the Midway District Urban Design Streetscape Plan proposals. The City has received eight (8) proposals from various engineering, architecture, and planning firms. The City will be doing interviews of each firm over the next couple of weeks and will issue a final recommendation to Council at their May 1, 2006 meeting.

Under New Business, Mayor Brown discussed the Position Announcement for the City Administrator. A Time Line has been put in place and the new Administrator is expected to start with the City in early July. A Search Committee will be appointed to review applications. This Committee will consist of the Mayor, a member of City Council, a Department Head, and a line employee. City Council will appoint an interim Administrator to fill in until the new Administrator arrives.

Jeff Earlywine reported that the Spring Easter Egg Hunt was a great success. There were approximately 1000 children ages 1-8 present. Our Recreation Department worked some long hours to prepare 15,000 eggs for the hunt.

Mayor Brown sends her congratulations to the Recreation Department for all of their hard work during this busy time of year.

The Finance Committee presented their Report on Vouchers for the period of April 4 thru April 17, 2006. It was moved by Mrs. Lied and seconded by Mr. Doepker to concur in their recommendations for the processing of payments. Upon call of the roll, the vote was unanimous. Motion carried 6-0.

Ordinance No. O-10-2006, 2006 Street Improvement Program was adopted upon motion by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Lampe. Upon call of the roll, the vote was unanimous. Motion carried 6-0.

Municipal Order MO-11-2006 appointing Michele Wright to the Ft. Thomas Tree Commission for a two-year term and Municipal Order MO-12-2006 appointing Debra Hausrath to the Ft. Thomas Board of Adjustment for a four-year term were approved upon motion by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Lampe. Motion carried 6-0.

There being 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