CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of City Council to order at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2009. 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: Assistant City Administrative Officer Jay Treft, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Fire Chief Mark Bailey, Police Chief Mike Daly, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, and Finance Director Fred Ewald.

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

Minutes

The minutes of the March 30, 2009 meeting were presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Visitors and Communications

Resident David Eichelberger was presented with a “Citizen’s Appreciation Award” by Chief Daly for his assistance in the apprehension of a group of people that were breaking into homes in Fort Thomas and stealing flat panel television sets. Mr. Eichelberger obtained the license plate number from the car and the Cincinnati Police were able to arrest them when they arrived at their home.

Josh Lang with Boy Scout Troop 86 addressed Council regarding his Eagle Scout Project. Josh would like to refurbish the Old Fort Ruin located on the Fort Thomas Tree Trail. His project will include, removing any invasive shrubbery, fixing the trail leading to the wall’s top, constructing a viewer’s trail along the bottom of the wall, building a picnic table for the area, installing 1 or 2 resting benches, installing 2 trash receptacles and building a set of stairs going down the wall that leads to the viewer’s trail. Josh will also install a plaque commemorating and summarizing the Old Fort Ruin’s history. Council was very supportive of Josh’s project and Tom Lampe noted that he would speak to Recreation Director Dave Buerger regarding the project. The Mayor indicated that any work on the tree trail is an asset to the city and the residents.

Reports of Officers

Police Department Annual Report: Mike Daly presented his annual report for the Police Department to Council. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Lampe to receive and file the Police Department’s annual report. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Fire Department Monthly Report: Chief Mark Bailey: Fire Chief Mark Bailey presented his monthly report for March. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Peterman to receive and file the monthly report for March. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Police Department Monthly Report: Chief Mike Daly: Police Chief Mike Daly presented his monthly report for March. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to receive and file the monthly report for March. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Report from Assistant City Administrator: Jay Treft: Jay Treft presented a report to Council on the following:

Alexander Circle Homes: The city has been working closely with the V.A. in the purchase of the homes located in Tower Park on Alexander Circle. We have started to see movement in a positive direction and are in hopes to have the property in hand very soon.

Community Museum Gala: Jay reported that the Military and Community Museum Gala will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Highland Country Club.

Tree City U.S.A. Designation: The City of Fort Thomas has been named Tree City USA for the 18^th year in a row. The city will be presented with an award at the annual Arbor Day Ceremony.

New Business

Consideration of Bids for the Midway Streetscape Improvement Project: Bids were opened for the Midway Streetscape Project on March 27, 2009. The lowest and best bid was received from Prus Construction in the amount of $972,940.10. Additionally the city requested four alternate bids. The first three are classified as “deducts” and the fourth is an addition. A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Haas to approve the base bid of $972,940.10 from Prus Construction and to accept alternate bid #4 only. 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 carried by a unanimous vote.

Consideration of a Request from Southbank for Funding Assistance: Southbank has requested $5,000 in funding from the City of Fort Thomas to assist with lobbying and development efforts for Riverfront Commons. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve the request to provide $5,000 in funding to Southbank. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, and Mr. Lampe. Mr. Peterman recused himself from the vote because his law firm represents Southbank. The motion passed.

Report on Vouchers

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 57756 through 57891 for the period of March 28, 2009. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Lampe 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-01-2009: Ordinance O-01-2009, the apportionment of assessments for Bonnie Lane was presented to Council for a first reading. This Ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of Council for consideration.

Ordinance O-02-2009: Ordinance O-02-2009, to approve funding for the Police Department Renovation was presented to Council for a first reading. This Ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of Council for consideration.

Ordinance O-03-2009: Ordinance O-03-2009, an intent to proceed with the 2009 Street Resurfacing Project was presented to Council for a first reading. This Ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of Council for consideration.

Ordinance O-04-2009: Ordinance O-04-2009, an intent to proceed with the Midway Streetscape Project was presented to Council for a first reading. 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 by Mayor Brown.

APPROVED:

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Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk