MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL

COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON MONDAY,

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

 

            The Regular Meeting of the Board of Council, City of Fort Thomas, was called to order by Mayor Mary H. Brown at 8:00 P.M. on Monday, February 6, 2006.  There was a call of the roll, which shows the following Councilmembers present:  Barbara Runge, Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman and Tom Lampe.  Then, she led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  Also attending this meeting were City staff members:  Dottie Ivie, City Clerk, City Administrative Officer Jeff Earlywine, Assistant to the CAO Jay Treft, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Fire Chief Mark Bailey and Police Chief Mike Daly.

 

            Minutes from the previous Regular Meeting were presented and upon motion (Runge), and second (Lied) were approved.  On the Agenda under Visitors was Mr. Herb Blick, who presented his request for reimbursement for the rental of a motorized vehicle he had to rent upon an accident with the one he was using.  This is a small vehicle built specifically for disabled persons.  After discussion, it was moved (Runge) and seconded (Lied) to refer this request back to the City staff for a decision on whether and how much reimbursement should be made.  Upon voice vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

 

            Mr. Dan Shannon, Fischer Development, addressed Council regarding their request for permission to conduct open burning on the site for the destruction of some trees in the path of the construction plans.  He has discussed this with both Mr. Earlywine and the Fire Chief, as well as our City Attorney.  After some discussion, it was referred to the Law-Labor-License Committee for their review just prior to the next Council meeting on February 21, at 7:15 P.M.  Upon voice vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

 

            The Law-Labor-License will also review and make a recommendation on the annexation of some property that would assist in the development of property currently owned by the Highland Country Club.  Mr. Tim Reese discussed this request with Council and upon motion (Doepker) and second (Runge), with a unanimous Aye voice vote, this will be brought to the Law-Labor-License Committee in two weeks.

 

            A letter was presented from the Northern Ky. Drug Strike Force, thanking the City for their recent contribution and it was received and filed upon motion (Lied), second (Runge) and unanimous Aye voice vote.  A letter was read from Insight Communications regarding their intention and desire to pursue a bid to continue cable television service within the Fort Thomas area, coming up in 2008..  It was moved (Doepker) and seconded (Lied) to receive and file the letter; motion carried upon unanimous Aye voice vote.

 

            Mr. Earlywine reviewed the Finance Director’s Mid-Year Budget Report as Fred Ewald was out of town.  Police Chief Mike Daly then made a presentation to Patrolman Chris Carpenter, which was a recent award for his outstanding police work and actions.  He accepted the award and introduced his wife and family, who were in the audience.

 

The Public Works Committee report on the 2006 Street Improvement Program was read by the City Clerk.  It was then moved (Runge) and seconded (Lied) to concur in their recommendations of a complete work program for the upcoming year.  Upon Roll Call vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

 

Under Old Business, Mr. Earlywine presented information and documents to Council regarding the proposed Towne Center Redevelopment Project.  He explained the Joint Development Agreement, Public Plaza Lease Agreement and  Professional Services Design Contract and recommended that the bank property be Declared as Surplus Property.  There was discussion regarding the terms and provisions agreed on, the $84,050 cost for the Design Contract, and specific basis of the declaration being that this decision regarding the total project would be in the best interest of the public.  Ms. Seidenfaden said she would be glad to review the minutes next time to clarify this portion and it was recommended that this be presented at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, February 21, 2006.

 

Mrs. Runge asked about the status of Mike’s Garage; Mr. Earlywine stated that a meeting is set up for later on this week with abutting property owners to determine the best methods and timing for demolition of the garage itself.

 

Mr. Earlywine then reviewed the listing of bids received on a number of items of City property, including vehicles, equipment, and machinery.  He recommended that the high bidders be awarded the property; there was one exception where no bid was received on a fire hose washer.  It was recommended that this either be donated to another Fire Department or disposed of in some other manner.  It was then moved (Runge) and seconded (Doepker) to award the bids as outlined; upon Roll Call vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

 

Mr. Earlywine then noted that a letter and resolution has been received facilitating the transfer of Hunteman Lane from the Ky. Dept. of Transportation to the City.  It was moved (Runge) and seconded (Lied)  to approve this and proceed with the adoption of a Resolution. Mr. Doepker stated that, for the record, he wished to disclose that he is a property owner that could be affected by this issue and he will recuse himself from discussion or any vote on this matter. A Resolution accepting the Hunteman Lane right-of-way will be coming up later this evening on the Agenda.  

 

The Finance Committee presented their Report on Vouchers for the period and there was a motion (Doepker) and second (Lied) to concur in their recommendation to proceed with payments.  Upon Roll Call vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

 

Ordinance O-3-2006, Amending the Occupational License Ordinance was adopted upon motion (Runge), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-4-2006,  Street Program Apportionment, was given a 1st Reading and will be laid over for a vote at the next Regular meeting.

 

Municipal Orders were approved appointing Tom Arnold to the Renaissance Board for a two year term; motion (Lied), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye voice vote.  Municipal Order MO-6-2006 reappointed Mike Federle to the Board of Ethics for a three year term and was adopted upon motion (Doepker), second (Peterman) and unanimous Aye voice vote. 

 

Municipal Order MO-7-2006, Declaring 34 N. Ft. Thomas Ave. as surplus property was adopted upon motion (Runge), second (Peterman) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote. 

 

Resolution R-2-2006, Authorizing the 2006 Façade Grants Program, was adopted upon motion (Peterman), second (Runge), and unanimous Aye voice vote.  Resolution R-2-2006, Accepting the Hunteman Lane Right-of-Way from the Kentucky Dept. of Transportation, was  adopted upon motion (Peterman), second (Lampe) and unanimous Aye voice vote, which was 5-0, as Mr. Doepker recused himself from the vote.

 

There was a motion (Runge), second (Doepker), and majority vote to meet in closed session for the purpose of discussion regarding “Current Litigation.”  There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

 

                                                                                    APPROVED:

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk