Fort Thomas, Ky.
January 16, 2001

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Mary H. Brown.
The Clerk called the roll, and recorded the following Councilmembers present: Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Tom Fernandez. Absent: Barbara Runge, Roger Peterman. Also attending were the following staff members: City Administrative Officer Jeff Earlywine, City Clerk Dottie Ivie, Assistant to the CAO Jay Treft, City Treasurer Fred Ewald, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Police Chief Steve Schmidt and Capt. Greg Schultz, representing the Fire Chief.

Minutes of the previous meeting were distributed in the Council packets. Mayor Brown asked if there were any corrections or additions; there being none, it was moved (Lied) and seconded (Doepker) that they be approved; and upon voice vote, the motion carried. She called on Police Chief Steve Schmidt for his Monthly Report. He said that City personnel are currently working on renovation of a portion of the basement of the City Building for a police processing room. Patrolman Mike Jansen has been assigned to assist Detective Mike Daly whose assignment will run an additional year. During the next one year period, Lt. Ron Talbot will return to patrol and Lt. Mark Dill will serve as Administrative Officer. Schmidt reviewed statistics for the month; and upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied), and unanimous Aye voice vote, the Report was received and filed.

Capt. Greg Schultz then presented the Fire Department Monthly Report for Chief Edmondson who was absent. In addition to a brief review of statistics, he noted that additional, more aggressive inspections are being conducted to determine any building violations. He also noted the recently announced hiring of three additional firefighter/paramedics and the acquisition of some new equipment within the Department. It was moved (Doepker) and seconded (Lied) to receive and file; upon unanimous Aye voice vote, motion carried.

In each Council packet was a six-month Financial Report from Fred Ewald, City Treasurer. Mr. Earlywine commented that there are several unanticipated expendes that may require an amending Ordinance in March. He then reviewed an Interlocal Agreement regarding County-wide DES responsibilities. This document addresses emergency preparedness issues between cities and the County Fiscal Court with the Office of Emergency Management, as outlined in a letter from the OEM Director, Ken Knipper. After each entity approves and signs this agreement, the OEM agency will coordinate any disaster and emergency matters that may arise.

Mr. Earlywine then reviewed for Council a number of changes in our real property assessment policy. With the retirement on March 31, 2001 of our current City Assessor David Mahaney, after over 30 years of service with the City, we will be contracting with the County to obtain this information. The City staff has met with the County PVA Administrator, Mariann Dunn, to work out details of the service agreement. There were questions from Councilmembers on this issue: Mr. Doepker asked if the assessed values of the County comparable to those on the City records. Mr. Earlywine responded that they are not exactly the same, but that the City and County are currently exchanging data. In response to a question from Mr. Doepker as to whether the total numbers would affect our tax situation, or result in any change in the amount of tax payments we receive, Mr. Earlywine said: "While aggregate amounts may differ slightly, the City will be receiving the exact same revenue." The County will be reassessing commercial property throughout the next year, but not residential. Several Councilmembers suggested that details of these changes be provided to our citizens in the next From the Fountain newsletter, as well as on our website (www.ftthomas.org). Earlywine also said that another portion of Mr. Mahaney's duties, that of Director of Computer Services, will be outsourced by our computer consultant, Aces Computers.

A draft agreement involving the potential tenant, Citizens Bank, for the Bank One building was left at each Councilmember's place for their review prior to referral to a Committee for more in-depth study and a recommendation to be brought back to the next Regular Council meeting. It was moved (Doepker) and seconded (Lied) to refer this matter to the Public Utilities and Buildings Committee; upon unanimous Aye voice vote, the motion carried. This Committee will meet as soon as a time can be scheduled.

The City Clerk read the Report of the Finance Committee for the period January 2-16, 2001, along with their recommendation that vouchers be approved. So moved (Doepker), seconded (Lied), and upon Roll Call vote, All voted Aye; motion carried. Since only Mr. Haas was present from the Finance Committee, Mr. Earlywine said that another signature will be obtained on this Report for the record at a later date. (Mrs. Runge's signature was obtained.)

Ordinance No. O-1-2001, Setting the Date and Time for Council and Committee Meetings, was given a second reading and upon motion (Lied) and second (Doepker), was adopted by unanimous Aye Roll Call vote. Ordinance No. O-2-2001, Adopting a Supplement to the Code Book (incorporating those ordinances adopted by Council during the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year) was given second reading and adopted upon motion (Lied), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote. There was then a Motion (Lied), second (Doepker) and majority vote of Council (4 Ayes-0 Nos) to meet in Closed Session for the purpose of discussing: Property Acquisition.

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