Fort Thomas, Ky.
February 20, 2001

Mayor Mary H. Brown was absent; the meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Runge at 8:00 P.M. She asked for the City Clerk, Dottie Ivie, to call the roll, which showed the following Councilmembers present: Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman, Tom Fernandez. Also attending were: Jeff Earlywine, City Administrative Officer; Jay Treft, Assistant to the City Administrator; Fred Ewald, Director of Finance; City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Police Chief Steve Schmidt and Fire Chief Dale Edmondson.

Minutes from the previous Council meeting were distributed in the Council packets on Friday, so Runge asked for any corrections or a disposition of the Minutes. It was moved (Fernandez), seconded (Peterman), and given a unanimous Aye voice vote for the Minutes to be approved as presented. Mr. and Mrs. Steve (Sharon) Shoemaker, 31 Bonnie Lane, came to the podium to make a presentation to Council about their on-going problems with water drainage on their property. They had several complaints about the Building Services Department's responses to their requests over the years. They presented photographs mounted on cardboard sheets, some of them over 10 years old that would illustrate standing water, construction areas, swales and two fences which they claim have brought about changing drainage patterns on their property. These changes are due mainly to two specific neighbors, according to Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker. Mrs. Shoemaker stated, "We have been discriminated against and the City selectively favors some residents over others" in their opinion. She also stated that the first change they noted on their property was when the City gave a building permit to the Christian Church property for the purpose of constructing a parking lot. This lot lies topographically above their back yard. The second was when a neighbor sought a building permit for several projects along that yard, including earth moving, putting up "illegal" fencing and other projects that seemed to have negative effects upon their property.

The Shoemakers said they would temporarily place the posters on the back table for Council members to look at and they also distributed drawings of the properties in the area and copies of permits that were issued by the Building Services Department. Mrs. Shoemaker said that her "complaints are always ignored" despite repeated requests to Ron Dill (the Director of the Building Services Department) and that some permits for the construction work of the neighboring properties were not issued properly. She asked that Council review these permits.

She also stated that the Building Services Department has been unfair to send letters two times requesting removal of a boat from their driveway and in checking their downspouts four times. She asked "Why do some have to get permits and some don't?" Mrs. Shoemaker said that since they built their house in 1986, they have brought in and called in repeated complaints to the Building Services Department. They have also engaged "two engineers to look at the site and to make recommendations." It is her contention that others in the neighborhood "have hired people in the past two years for construction work without any building permits." She said she has brought to Mr. Dill's attention that the adjacent fence (along her back yard line) is not in compliance as it is "7 feet tall and not 6 feet." Despite her complaints, Mrs. Shoemaker said, "nothing has been done." She said they are at the Council meeting to "ask for your investigation" of these items.

Mr. Earlywine responded that he has in the recent past met with Mrs. Shoemaker regarding this matter in his office and responded to her by telephone message and also, at another point, by letter. He said that this is an issue that has been continuing for several years. He did consult with our City Engineer, CDS & Associates, Inc., and recommended that the solution would possibly lie in checking to see if there were any civil issues between property owners. He said he would check into their specific complaints about staff response and service issues. Mrs. Shoemaker was asked to leave the photographs so that Council would have an opportunity to look at them and she said she would pick them up at the City Building tomorrow. Mr. Earlywine asked that Police Chief Schmidt be in charge of securing these items for the Shoemakers overnight in his office. Mr. Doepker suggested that this issue be referred to one of the Council Committees and after discussion, it was decided that the Law-Labor-License Committee would be the most appropriate. He moved for that referral; seconded (Fernandez) and upon voice vote, it was unanimously approved with five (5) Ayes; motion carried.

Chief Dale Edmondson presented the Monthly Report of the Fire Department which he said was prepared in a new format. He said it is hoped that this information will be more readable and useful to Council members. Any suggestions are appreciated as to any additional information about the activities of the Fire Department that may be of interest to Council. It was moved (Doepker), seconded (Lied) and voted a unanimous Aye vote to receive and file this report. Next, he reviewed the Annual Fire Department Report for 2000. It was moved (Lied) and seconded (Doepker) to receive and make it a part of the official record of the City; motion carried upon unanimous Aye voice vote. Mayor Brown complimented him on the excellent reports, both the new, improved Monthly Report and the Annual Report, which is very attractive.

Director of Recreation Don Brindle was present to review for Council members his Annual Report of Recreation activities. He brought an album of photographs and flyers to pass around, and he will leave this book at the City Building for a period of time so that Council members will have an opportunity to review it. He mentioned numerous
activities, sports leagues, and special events of the Recreation Department during the year 2000 and spotlighted several new programs, such as the "Touch a Truck," "Build a Sled" at Christmas and the revitalized Seniors Group, now meeting the 2nd Thursday of each month with over 100 members.

He expressed thanks to the Lions Club who donated funds for the attractive sign at Rossford Park and also to the Fort Thomas Heritage League, instrumental in the lighting of the Stone Water Tower at the entrance to Tower Park. There is now a Frisbee Golf area in Highland Hills Park thanks to Highlands High School students. Also, a major achievement this past year was the purchase of some land in Campbell County on Route 8 adjacent to the County's Pendery Park for additional soccer fields. The completed air conditioning of the Community Center stretched the number of weekends that our facility is usable for wedding receptions, he said. In addition to meetings, special events, and parties, there were wedding receptions on 49 out of 52 weekends; in some cases, the marriage ceremony was even conducted there! Mr. Brindle said that the Recreation Department is currently working with the Brandstetter-Carroll Co. to develop a Recreation Master Plan for the City, expected to be completed during 2001. It was moved (Doepker), seconded (Lied) and approved unanimously (5-0) by Council to receive and make his report a part of the City record. Mayor Brown said that she is always amazed at the number of activities that are taking place during the year in our parks and complimented Mr. Brindle on an excellent report.

Tom Fernandez, Chairman, Public Utilities and Buildings Committee, reported on the recent progress toward leasing the bank building in the Towne Center. This Committee met just prior to the Council meeting to discuss the specifics of the lease and to address several concerns of Committee members. It would be necessary, Mr. Fernandez said, to build on the partnership between the renting bank and the City to ensure that "as a City we don't become owners of an empty building." Mr. Earlywine addressed the fact that the long-term future of this area of our city is still uncertain and it probably will be Fall before the direction and decisions of the Fort Thomas Forward group provide more specific guidelines. The target date set for their decision is September 1, 2001. Mr. Fernandez said that if the building itself is to be demolished, there would be a limited amount of time that we would be able to provide rental space, as well as a limit to the remodeling costs that any renter would want to incur. If the structure is to remain, then there would need to be major modifications to the exterior as well as to the interior. Another option discussed would be to use the bank as an example of façade improvement to set the tone for other businesses within the City. There was some discussion among Councilmembers about the ramifications of these options. Mr. Doepker asked where the renter would go if the bank building is demolished; this is not yet determined.

Mrs. Lied asked whether the City would want to remain in the position of landlord on a long term basis? The City would be placed in the same position they were in several years ago. Mr. Earlywine said negotiations are continuing, but that the renter would probably be given long-term security as to their investment by way of several (probably four) five-year renewable terms.

Mr. Earlywine reported on a meeting he attended this afternoon in Frankfort regarding funding issues brought to the forefront as we have agreed to combine dispatching services with Campbell County and Newport. There is welcome news in a two year provision being given to equity in funding, but there still may be a battle ahead to get this time extended. He will keep Council informed on this matter.

Under New Business, there was discussion from Mr. Earlywine about the proposed renewal of the City's agreement with MCA, Inc., who collects our medical service (EMS) fees. Both the Fire Chief and Director of Finance stated that our interaction with this company has been smooth and satisfactory; therefore, it was moved (Doepker) seconded (Lied), and given unanimous Roll Call Aye vote (5-0) to approve the contract renewal; motion carried.

The Finance Committee presented a Report on their review of vouchers for the period and recommended approval. It was so moved, (Doepker), seconded (Lied) and given unanimous Aye Roll Call vote (5-0) to concur in their recommendation; motion carried.

Ordinance O-3-2001, An Apportionment of Costs for the 2000 Street Resurfacing Program, was given a 1st Reading by the City Clerk. Resolution No. R-3-2001, Approving the Uses of Kentucky Renaissance Funds (as outlined in the document), was adopted upon motion (Peterman), second (Haas), and unanimous aye voice vote (5-0). Jay Treft explained that the Kentucky Renaissance Board asks each agency receiving these funds to designate their expenditures by Resolution, as approved by Council. Fort Thomas has qualified for the Silver level - with a Full-time Manager, in the amount of $95,000. As set out in the Resolution, the expenditures the City plans to make are as follows: $60,000 for electrical service, to be applied toward City match of recently-submitted TEA-21 grant application to perform utility relocation work; $25,000 for engineering, to be applied toward engineering design and specifications for the proposed streetscape project; and $10,000 for marketing, to be applied toward an extensive new market study and economic analysis specific to our downtown area. This Resolution, signed by the Mayor and City Clerk, shall become effective upon its adoption. Mr. Treft will ensure that the proper documents are sent to the Kentucky Renaissance Board.

Municipal Order MO-7-2001, Appointing Fire Chief Dale Edmondson as one of the City's Representatives to the Campbell County Consolidated Dispatching Board, was read and upon motion (Lied) and second (Doepker) was approved unanimously (5-0).

Municipal Order MO-8-2001, Appointing Police Chief Steve Schmidt as one of the City's Representatives to the Campbell County Consolidated Dispatching Board, was read and approved unanimously, upon motion (Lied) and second (Doepker) and Aye votes (5-0). 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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Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk