MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL

COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON MONDAY,

JUNE 20, 2005.

            Mayor Mary Brown called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Council, City of Fort Thomas, at 8:00 P.M. on Monday, June 20, 2005.  She asked the Clerk to call the roll; the following Councilmembers were present:  Barbara Runge, Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Roger Peterman, and Tom Lampe. Mr. Haas was absent. Also present were the following staff members:  City Clerk Dottie Ivie, City Administrative Officer Jeff Earlywine, City Treasurer Fred Ewald, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Chief of Police Steve Schmidt and Fire Chief Mark Bailey. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, she asked for disposition of the Minutes from the

previous Regular Meeting.  It was moved (Peterman) and seconded (Doepker) that they be approved; upon unanimous Aye voice vote, the motion carried.

A letter was read from Mr. John Reynolds, regarding Porter Lane Subdivision, asking that it be noted that he is not the developer in question on this issue; then Mayor Brown asked Mr. Earlywine for an update as to any resolution of the specific request from several citizens of Porters Lane at the last meeting regarding the addition of trees to their street.  He replied that this issue is still being discussed and an on-site meeting with the developer is being planned.  

A letter from Mr. Craig Reis, Best Furniture, 1123 South Ft. Thomas Ave., regarding an appeal from a Tree Commission decision, was presented and discussed.  Mr. Earlywine said that the Tree Commission has denied their request to remove the trees and, instead, have pruned them to remove branches from in front of their store windows.  The owner is now appealing their decision, as per the language of the original Tree Commission ordinance.  It is their position that the trees are “in decline.”   Mr. Earlywine reminded Council that the Ordinance states that “Council shall give much deference to the Tree Commission” in supporting a carefully-considered review and decision by the Commission majority. Council has thirty days to provide a response (which would be July 20);during that time, Council will be provided with copies of the Tree Commission minutes as well as any documentation and/or photos that went along with their file Mr. Peterman moved, and it was seconded (Doepker) that a decision be delayed until Council can look at the original request and the Tree Commission’s input.  Upon voice vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

Mr. Matt Coleman, of Northern Ky. Action, Ft. Wright, Ky., along with some members of this group, were present to ask Council’s support for a “No Smoking” Resolution for the City. He distributed packets of literature to each Councilmember.

He continued that their group supports the findings of a recent phone evaluation/ survey conducted by the University of Cincinnati of 416 registered voters, who by a 70% majority would like to see local governments

institute smoke-free workplaces.  He said it is the group’s “mission to protect the public from second-hand smoke.”   

 At this time, Coleman continued, over 1,900 cities in 11 states around the U.S. have smoke-free workplaces  Both Lexington and Georgetown have declared workplaces in their cities to be smoke-free. He said that they are visiting all city governments within Campbell County and asking that them to petition the Fiscal Court to support a “public smoke-free workplace law.”  They feel that it would be ideal if the whole County goes smoke-free rather than scattered city areas to eliminate this real danger to the health of those in the workplace. Mayor Brown said that they would carefully evaluate this information and would contact the Fort Thomas Business Association to get their input and determine any concerns they might have about such a resolution.  Mr. Coleman expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to address Council.  Mayor Brown suggested that the issue be referred to the Law-Labor-License Committee in the future, after Council gets some indication of how our local businesses feel about it.  Mr. Peterman said that this is a very positive thing and that Council could take a look at as far as the provision of education to businesses and the public.  Mr. Earlywine suggested that the group contact the Northern Ky. Chamber of Commerce for assistance with distribution of information.  Mr. Jay Treft, Assistant to the CAO, will address the issue at the next meeting of the Business Association and thereafter, a response will be made to the Northern Ky. Action group.  

The Fire Department Monthly Report was presented by Chief Mark Bailey, and it was received and filed upon motion (Runge), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye voice vote; motion carried.  The Renaissance Board presented a written report on Midway CBD Parking Restrictions following two recent meetings on the parking issues in that area.  He said that the Board was split on final action, but they recommend a six (6) month moratorium, during which time the signs would be removed or covered.  

The Planning Commission presented a letter to Council, along with a Finding of Facts, regarding a proposed zone change on property owned by Fort Thomas Partners.  Mr. Doepker stated that he wished to make a statement, and he said, “For the record, I have a personal interest and would like to recuse myself from any discussion or vote on this matter.”  The property is at the southwest corner of Newman Avenue and Hunteman Lane and the request is for rezoning from single-family (SF) to multiple usage (R-5), in order to construct 19 one-story condominiums in four or five buildings grouped on this three (3) acre parcel.  At a Public Hearing, there was little public input and the zoning change is consistent with and fits into the Comprehensive Plan map recommendations.  A proposed amendment and a Development Plan have been submitted.  It was moved (Runge) and seconded (Lampe) to refer this to the Committee of the Whole for their study over the

next two-week period.      

Mr. Earlywine then discussed the sale and closing on property the City owned at 110 N. Ft. Thomas Ave.  He said that everything is progressing nicely and the staff would like to recommend the use of funds from this “one-time windfall” to be placed in the General Fund for use on the future Police Department area improvements.  Already in the building fund is $150,000 and with this added $230,000, this would address our most needed upgrade at this time.  Mr. Doepker asked if there is any preliminary estimate as to how much the proposed building changed (within the Police Dept.) would cost.  Mr.Earlywine responded that two or three plans have already been presented and altered, but it would likely be in the range of $500,000 to $550,000.  With the addition of the funds from the sale of the 110 N. Ft. Thomas Building, this would now be at $380,000.  It was moved to accept this use of the funds (Lied), seconded (Doepker), and upon Roll Call vote, all vote Aye; motion carried.

The Finance Committee presented their Report on Vouchers for the period and upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote, it was agreed to concur in their recommendation for approval and payment of the presented bills.  

Ordinance O-15-2005, Amending Sunday ABC Sales was adopted upon motion (Peterman), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-16-2005, Police Dept. Salaries, was adopted upon motion (Lied), second (Lampe) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-17-2005, General Services Dept. Salaries, was adopted upon motion, (Lampe), second (Peterman), and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-18-2005, Fire Dept. Salaries, was adopted upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  

Ordinance O-19-2005, Amending the Personnel and Pay Classification Plan, was adopted upon motion (Lampe), second (Peterman) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-20-2005, Administrative Salaries, was adopted upon motion (Runge), second (Lied) and unanimous  Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-21-2005, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget, was adopted upon motion (Runge), second (Peterman) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  

Municipal Order MO-17-2005, Re-Appointing Steve Dauer to the Board of Adjustment, was adopted upon motion (Lied), second (Doepker), and unanimous Aye voice vote.  Municipal Order MO-17-2005, Re-Appointing Scott Fennell to the Board of Adjustment, was adopted upon motion (Doepker), and second (Lied), and unanimous Aye voice vote.

There was discussion of Council members’ availability to attend the Regular Council meeting on July 5, as it appears there wouldn’t be a quorum. After discussion, it was moved (Peterman) and seconded (Lampe) to reschedule the meeting for the following week, on Monday, July 11, 2005.  Upon voice vote, all voted Aye.  There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

                                                                                    APPROVED:

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk