MINUTES OF A MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009

 

 

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of council to order at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009.  The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present:  Lisa Kelly, Jim Doepker, Jill Steller, and Roger Peterman. Absent:  Eric Haas and Tom Lampe. Staff members in attendance included:  City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Fire Chief Mark Bailey, Police Chief Mike Daly, and City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden.

 

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

 

Minutes

 

The minutes of the July 6, 2009 meeting were presented to council for consideration.  Mayor Brown indicated a correction to the minutes.  A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve the minutes with corrections.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Visitors and Communications

 

Presentation of the 4th of July Parade Trophies:  Mayor Brown announced the 4th of July Parade trophy winners.  Shane Ruffin, Director of the YMCA and Mike Jansen, Parade Coordinator handed out the trophies.  The winners were as follows:

 

                      Most Original                                                      Most Entertaining

1st Place:  It’s Fun to be a Kid on Tower Place

1st Place:  Campbell Co. Public Library

2nd Place:  Go Green

2nd Place:  Highland United Methodist Church

3rd Place:  Ft. Thomas/Southgate Girl Scouts

3rd Place:  Dent School Haunted House

 

Mayor Brown thanked Fort Thomas Living for the nice write up they published regarding the parade.

 

Mr. Brent Cooper was present and introduced himself to council.  Mr. Cooper is the newest member of our Planning Commission.  The mayor welcomed him and thanked him for volunteering to serve on the commission.

 

Mr. Steve Hensley of 127 Tower Place addressed council.  Mr. Hensley stated that the residents on Tower Place are concerned with the intersection of Tower Place and S. Ft. Thomas Avenue.  They feel it is dangerous and needs to be addressed due to concerns that if someone is turning left into Tower Park a car can pass on the right.  When someone iscrossing the street, people do not always see another car coming.  Mr. Hensley suggested a “bump-out” to prevent cars from passing on the right.  The mayor referred this matter to the Police Department for further investigation.

Reports of Officers

 

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

 

Police Department Monthly Report:  Chief Mike Daly:  Chief Mike Daly presented his monthly report for June to Council.  A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Ms. Kelly to receive and file the police department monthly report.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Report from City Administrator:  Don Martin:  Don Martin presented a report to council on the following:

 

PODS and Dumpsters in Right-of-Way Ordinance:  Council requested that city staff investigate the issue of PODS and dumpsters being place in public right-of-ways.  Draft language was proposed to council.  Mr. Doepker asked if it was possible to give people more time to have a dumpster than a POD.  Council will review the language and make recommendations at the next meeting.

 

Midway Streetscape:  The project has been turned over to Prus Construction and Bluegrass Electric.  In accordance with the terms of the contract, the work is scheduled to be substantially completed by November 2, 2009.

 

South Park Field:  The open field along Sergeant Avenue and to the south of the school’s soccer field is known in-house as “South Park”.  The city has been working with AMS Construction to partially fill and terrace the valley in South Park.  Once grading is finished the site will be seeded.  Any physical improvements would be contingent upon council consideration in the future.  The project will position this property for future recreational amenities.   No expenditure of city funds is anticipated for the grading and filling.

 

Police Department Renovations:  The work in the city building is proceeding rapidly which should allow our police department to relocate to the remodeled police department by the end of August or the beginning of September.

 

41 Miller Lane:  Ms. Angie Taylor attended a council meeting several months ago regarding a telephone pole located in front of 41 Miller Lane that was leaking ground water from around the base.  The city met on site with Duke Energy, Cincinnati Bell, and Insight Cable in an effort to identify the cause of the issue and find a solution.  At that time, no solution was found.  After more investigation, it was found that the water was indeed coming from Duke Energy’s conduit.  The matter will be addressed by Duke Energy as soon as possible.

 

Woodfill Avenue:  Letters were mailed to all addresses accessed by either Woodfill Avenue or Grant street explaining the change in direction of Woodfill Avenue.  Signs were installed on July 20 announcing the change.  In accordance with city ordinance, the change to one-way is effective on August 3.

 

Rossford Park Update:  The Steering Committee that consists of staff and the design team for the project met on Wednesday, July 15.  The committee identified Rossford Park Stakeholders and has invited them to attend a series of meetings on August 13 to share their opinions regarding the project.  The general public will be invited to attend public forums later in the process.

 

Tower Park Amphitheater:  Mark Brueggemann has offered to provide design/engineering at not cost to the city for the amphitheater.  This donation of time by Mark will save the city, and “4th at the Fort, Inc.,” several thousand dollars in design and engineering fees.

 

 

Report on Vouchers

 

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 58256 through 58491 for the period of July 7 – August 3, 2009.  A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker 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, and Mr. Peterman.  Voting "no" - none.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

 

Ordinance O-16-2009:  An ordinance fixing the amount of service charges for waste removal was presented to council for a first reading.  It was noted for the record that the rates will be the same as last year.  This ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of council for consideration.

 

Municipal Order MO-5-2009:  Municipal Order MO-5-2009 appointing Brent Cooper as a member of the Fort Thomas Planning Commission was presented to council.  A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Ms. Kelly to approve MO-5-2009.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Municipal Order MO-6-2009:  Municipal Order MO-6-2009 re-appointing Jann Seidenfaden as the city attorney for the City of Fort Thomas was presented to Council.  A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve MO-6-2009.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

A motion to adjourn the council meeting was made by Mr. Doepker and  seconded by Mrs. Steller.  Motion approved by unanimous vote.  Meeting adjourned at 8:45.

                                                                                   

APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk