CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of City Council to order at 8:00 P.M. on February 4, 2008. The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present: Barbara Levine, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman, and Tom Lampe. Absent: Jim Doepker. Staff members in attendance included: City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Fire Chief Mark Bailey and Police Chief Mike Daly.

Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Minutes

The minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting were presented to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Mrs. Levine and seconded by Mr. Haas to approve the minutes as written. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Eric Haas made a motion to fill the vacant seat of council, previously held by Barbara Runge, with Mrs. Jill W. Steller. The motion was seconded by Mr. Peterman. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Mrs. Steller read the Oath of Office for Councilmember and took her seat at the platform. Mayor Brown welcomed Mrs. Steller and noted that although Mrs. Runge's position will be "hard shoes to fill", she will make a great addition to our Council. It was also noted for the record that Mrs. Steller would be abstaining from any vote of Council at this meeting.

Visitors and Communications

Tommy Bailey was present and addressed Council. Tommy is a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 86 at St. Joseph Church in Cold Spring. He is currently a Life Scout and is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout. Tommy is looking to clear and re-mark the Landmark Tree Trail in Tower Park. He is also going to repair the steps on the trail and clear any debris to make the trail safer. Mayor Brown thanked Tommy and noted that the work will be greatly appreciated.

John Bailey was present and addressed Council. John is also a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 86 at St. Joseph Church. John is a Life Scout that is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project, he will re-mark Tower Park walking trails with new signage. Mayor Brown also thanked John and noted that the boys are doing an excellent service to our citizens and community.

Mr. Bob Rottgers of 17 Ohio Avenue addressed Council. Mr. Rottgers wanted to thank Barb Runge for all her years on Council and appreciated her dedication. He noted that she would be missed.

Reports of Boards, Committees, and Commissions

The new committees of council were presented to the members for review. The new committee assignments are as follows:

COMMITTEE	CHAIRMAN	MEMBER	MEMBER

FINANCE	PETERMAN	Haas	Lampe

LAW-LABOR-LICENSE	STELLER	Doepker	Levine

PUBLIC SAFETY	DOEPKER	Steller	Haas

PUBLIC UTILITIES &	LEVINE	Peterman	Steller
BUILDINGS

PUBLIC WORKS	HAAS	Doepker	Lampe

RECREATION	LAMPE	Levine	Peterman

Reports of Officers

Fire Department: Chief Mark Bailey: Chief Mark Bailey updated Council on a structure fire that occurred at Gettysburg Square Apartments. The fire department did a great job at containing the fire and everyone was removed from the building without harm. The fire department also recently completed the promotional process for Captain and Lieutenant and this went very well.

Police Department: Chief Mike Daly: Chief Mike Daly updated Council on the three new recruits that we have offered conditional offers of employment. Zac Rohlfer is currently working in the office and will attend the academy in March. Brent Moening will likely attend in March as well. Emily Leising will finish her master's degree at NKU before attending the academy in April or May.

New Business

Consideration of MCA Contract Extension: MCA is the City's billing agent for life squad services. MCA is proposing a two-year contract at a discounted rate of 8%. The rate for last year's contract was 9%. The anticipated savings for the city is $2,929 per year for the term of the agreement based on revenue received in 2007. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mr. Peterman to accept the extension of the life squad billing contract for two years at a rate of 8%. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted "aye" - Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. Mrs. Steller - "present not voting". The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Consideration of request for "No Idling" Ordinance: Nancy Sullivan of 41 Bluegrass requested by letter that the city consider enacting a "no-idling" ordinance. She also suggested that the city look into an internal policy to address idling vehicles. This issue was discussed with city staff. It was the consensus of the group to inform their employees that vehicles should not be left idling unless absolutely necessary. City staff was also in agreement that it was not necessary to enact an ordinance to restrict idling vehicles. This type of ordinance would be very difficult to enforce. A letter will be sent to Mrs. Sullivan explaining this and the city will try to make people more aware by putting an article in the quarterly newsletter. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mrs. Levine to deny the request to consider a "No Idling" Ordinance for the city. Mrs. Steller - "present not voting". The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

Consideration of Phasing Recommendations for the Midway Streetscape: Jim Warner, Chris Manning and Mark Brueggemann submitted phasing recommendation for the Midway Streetscape Design. Based on Council's tentative commitment to fund the improvements in two $1 million dollar funding cycles in 2009 and in 2012, the primary focus of the improvements would include design, relocation of utility lines, and streetscape improvements on the west side of S. Fort Thomas Avenue. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mrs. Levine to refer this matter to the Finance Committee of Council for review. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted "aye" - Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. Mrs. Steller - "present not voting". The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Report on Vouchers

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 55008 through 55166 for the period of January 7 - February 4, 2008. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mrs. Levine to concur in the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. Mrs. Steller - "present not voting". The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

Ordinance O-3-2008, an ordinance amending Title XI, section 113.03 of the City of Fort Thomas Code of Ordinances pertaining to occupational license by removing the exemption for ministers was presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mrs. Levine to adopt ordinance O-3-2008. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted "aye" - Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. Mrs. Steller - "present not voting". The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Executive Order EO-4-2008: An executive order re-appointing Jim Beineke as a member of the Board of Adjustment was presented to Council with no action necessary.

Executive Order EO-5-2008: An executive order re-appointing Pat Coyle as a member of the Board of Adjustment was presented to Council with no action necessary.

Executive Order EO-6-2008: An executive order re-appointing Ken Bowman as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to Council with no action necessary.

Executive Order EO-7-2008: An executive order re-appointing Tom Arnold as a member of the Renaissance Board was presented to Council with no action necessary.

Executive Order EO-8-2008: An executive order re-appointing Jim Stegman as a member of the Design Review Board was presented to Council with no action necessary.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

APPROVED:

_____________________________

Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk