CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of council to order at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009. The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present: Lisa Kelly, Jim Doepker, Jill Steller, Eric Haas, and Roger Peterman. Absent: Tom Lampe. Staff members in attendance included: City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Finance Director Fred Ewald, 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 November 17, 2009 meeting were presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Ms Kelly to approve the minutes at written, it was seconded by Mr. Haas. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Visitors and Communications

Chief Mike Daly presented Officer Chris Goshorn with a Negotiator Citation for his tactics used to talk a suicidal man down off of the Combs Heil Bridge. Officer Goshorn was described as being firm, empathetic, compassionate, diligent and patient. Mayor Brown thanked Officer Goshorn for his outstanding work with the Fort Thomas Police Department.

Flo Grey of the 4^th at the Fort Committee addressed Council. On November 20^th, the Greys were invited to attend the Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society Convention in Louisville where they received a special citation for “Outstanding Contribution to the Leisure Profession” for the 4^th at the Fort Committee. They were very proud to have received this award. Mrs. Grey commented that due to health reasons, they will likely have to resign regarding the major work on this event after the 2010 dedication of the new ampitheater. Mayor Brown thanked the Greys for all of their hard work on the event.

Mayor Brown recognized Dave Buerger, Jay Treft, Debbie Buckley and all other staff for their work on the Holiday Walk. The event was well attended and the weather was great. The Mayor also thanked the local businesses for participating in the event.

Reports of Boards, Committees or Commissions

Don Martin reported that the Public Safety Committee of Council had met prior to the council meeting to discuss a recommendation from the Fire Department on the purchase of a new ambulance. This matter will be laid over for consideration once more information is obtained.

There was also discussion regarding a deer census. The Public Safety Committee recommends that council hire Vision Air Research at an estimated $8,280 to perform the deer census. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee and to move forward with hiring Vision Air Research to perform the deer census.

Reports of Officers

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

Rossford Park: The Recreation Committee of Council met with the design team on December 4, 2009 to review and discuss the draft master plan for Rossford Park. It is anticipated that the Recreation Committee will meet on December 17^th to further this review and discuss. A recommendation to council will likely be presented at the December 21^st meeting.

CERS Rates: The Kentucky Retirement Systems Board of Trustees has established the new employer contribution rates for CERS members. The rates are lower as a result of legislation which permitted “full funding” to be achieved over a ten-year period rather than over a 5-year period. The city is not “saving” money as a result of the new rates, but realizing a smaller increase than originally anticipated.

Campbell County Fiscal Court Open House: The Campbell County Fiscal Court is holding a public open house and dedication of their new building on Wednesday, December 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

New Business

Consideration of Request for Snow Removal by Grand Lakes HOA Association: Don Gerrien, President of the Grand Lakes Landominium HOA has submitted a letter to city council requesting the city’s general services department to provide snow removal services to their private drive. In order for the city to service the street, it would have to be dedicated at a public right-of-way. Before that could occur, the street would have to be constructed in accordance with the minimum engineering and subdivision regulations. The homes could not meet the zoning regulations if a right-of-way were attempted to be established. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mr. Doepker to deny the request from Mr. Gerrien. Don Martin will follow up with Mr. Gerrien regarding the reasoning behind the decision. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Report on Vouchers

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 59158 through 59265 for the period of November 17 – December 7, 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, Mr. Haas, and Mr. Peterman. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

Ordinance O-20-2009: An ordinance clarifying the intent of Section 97.07 of the Fort Thomas Code of Ordinances was presented to council for consideration. As currently worded, it could be interpreted that the definition of “sidewalk” applies even to the situations where no improved public sidewalk exists. The proposed language will help clarify the original intent of the ordinance. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Ms. Kelly to approve Ordinance O-20-2009. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, and Mr. Peterman. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinance O-21-2009: An ordinance adopting the supplement to the Code of Ordinances was presented to council for a first reading. This is a record-keeping ordinance which accepts the codification of all changes to the Code of Ordinances over the last year. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve Ordinance O-21-2009. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, and Mr. Peterman. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinance O-22-2009: An ordinance repealing Section 34.01 of the “Fort Thomas Code of Ordinances” relating to legal holidays for the city 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-23-2009: An ordinance establishing the rates of pay for the police officers of the city covered by the FOP working agreement was presented to council for a first reading. This ordinance will be laid over to the next regular meeting of council for consideration.

Executive Order EO-9-2009: An Executive Order re-appointing Barb Manyet as a member of the Tree Commission. There was no action necessary.

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 8:30 p.m.

APPROVED:

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Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk