Fort Thomas, Ky.
March 19, 2001

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Council was opened by Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Runge in the absence of Mayor Mary Brown. A Roll Call showed the following Council members present: James Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman, and Tom Fernandez. City staff members attending were: Jeff Earlywine, City Administrative Officer, Dottie Ivie, City Clerk, Fred Ewald, City Treasurer, City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, Assistant to the City Administrator Jay Treft, Fire Chief Dale Edmondson and Police Chief Steve Schmidt. Minutes from the two prior Regular meetings were presented to Councilmembers in their packets and were approved upon separate motions and seconds and unanimous Aye voice votes. For the February 20, 2001, minutes (Doepker, Lied) and for the March 5, 2001, minutes (Lied, Doepker).

Mayor Runge then called on Chief Schmidt for a departmental presentation. For his outstanding and dedicated work leading up to and during the recent arrests for drug possession at Highlands High School recently, Patrolman Jim Young was awarded a departmental medal. He introduced his wife and daughters who were in the audience, and in his remarks said he didn't want to take credit for himself, but wanted to share it with others of the Department, especially Patrolman Dave Lambers. He was congratulated on this honor by Mayor Runge and other members of the Board of Council.

Several residents of Woodland Avenue attended the meeting to request that the removal of underground utilities along North and South Ft. Thomas Avenue not result in additional overhead wiring, the removal of trees or addition of more poles through wooded areas on Woodland. Mr. Ted Fettig's presentation included large photographs and copies of photos that illustrated the current wiring of utility poles on the street. One computer generated photo showed the street as it could look with the addition of wiring clusters and t-bars. He asked Council to "rescind their decision of relocating wires on residential streets." Also, he said, residents would like for any construction currently being planned to be tabled and that they be kept informed and permitted to participate in any meetings regarding this wiring. Mr. Fettig, a broadcasting engineer, explained 3-phase wiring and how the feeders converge at Highland and North Ft. Thomas Avenues. He noted that cable companies install, but never remove any wiring, which adds to the weight on poles, noting that there is a "cage of wires on the street already."

He also inquired about costs for this project, asking if there would be any loss of trees or additional poles lined through the woods between the end of Woodland and Forest Avenue. He said that in addition to these factors, property owners on the street would have to deal with the "financial burden of lost property values." He noted that their street has five telephone poles on the left (west) side of the street and several electric utility poles, also being used by the cable company, on the right side. His final recommendation was the issue of going underground with all of the utilities on the street be referred to the Committee.

Also addressing Council was Mrs. Kim Weyer, 56 Woodland, who was concerned about the placement of more poles and a 20 foot easement across her children's play area and her yard. Ms. Lori Southwood, 127 North Ft. Thomas Avenue, stated that she would rather keep the poles as they are in the CBD "rather than disturb the trees and wooded area behind her house." Mr. Joe Wind, 43 Woodland, asked about the purpose for the placing of the wires underground and whether it was primarily aesthetic. He expressed concern about the alteration of the value of their homes, stating that he is "willing to pay more to keep wires in the middle of town." The full impact, he said, is not know yet.

Mr. Ron Newman, 59 Woodland, asked about economic differences between underground and overhead utilities. Mrs. Nancy Evans, 13 Woodland, said she doesn't think any beautification is needed because "the way it looks now hasn't kept anyone from moving into the City." She continued that "people come here for the schools, so why are we changing the middle of town." Ms. Lori Cossens, reporter for the Fort Thomas Recorder, asked if it was required that there be a 20 foot easement; Mr. Doepker said that it is his understanding that Cinergy "considers that a minimum."

Mr. Earlywine said that three years ago, at a Council retreat, it was discussed that our City was in need of an attempt to revitalize and reenergize the business areas. Only by making some efforts could our City compete for those types of small businesses that are conveniently close and that best serve the population. He said that final engineering drawings are expected from Cinergy in April, at which time residents in the areas surrounding the CBD would be informed as well as a Public Hearing scheduled in May for the purpose of hearing any comments about these changes. He said that one suggestion would eliminate the 5 telephone poles along one side of the street, while using the existing 7 utility poles with a crossbar on top to carry the extra 3-phase wiring. He also said that Insight Cable Co. would probably be willing to place their wiring in conduit underground. He said that the City has been working with Cinergy for a couple of years as we develop revitalization plans for the center of town in order to minimize any adverse impact, to comply with any and all regulations that the utility companies are held to, and to keep the project within economic bounds.

Mr. Haas said that it is not the intent that any of our business areas be neglected, but to be improved in an orderly fashion. Also, the plans are intended to minimize the impact on any trees, integrating the changes within the areas in question as much as possible. Mrs. Lied suggested that it might be possible to go underground at the end of Woodland; Mr. Earlywine said he would ask Cinergy specifically about that suggestion. Mr. Peterman said that no decision has been made yet and the plans are to "work will all affected property owners" as the project is implemented to improve the community. There was some discussion of the timing of the public hearing and its impact upon any decisions made. Mr. Fernandez asked that the staff "firm up estimates of underground costs to put into the equation." When Cinergy submits the engineering plans, Mr. Earlywine will then proceed to set a Public Hearing.

The Monthly Report of the Fire Department was presented by Chief Edmondson and it was then received and filed upon motion (Lied), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye voice vote. Chief Schmidt then reviewed his Monthly Report and upon motion (Lied) and second (Doepker), it was received and filed, with a unanimous Aye voice vote.

The Finance Committee met just prior to Council and their recommendation to approve the was presented by Mr. Earlywine. He reviewed items to be included in a Budget Amendment later on the Agenda.

Mr. Earlywine then reviewed the proposed bank building lease with Citizens Bank of Campbell County and recommended deferral until the next Council meeting while some details are worked out. Council concurred.

Under New Business, Mr. Earlywine told Council about the planned traffic and safety improvements on Shawnee Avenue, which is the first street to complete the process under the City guidelines for Traffic Improvements. In addition to placement of two traffic bumps on that street, signage will be improved and the lower portion of that street will become two way, providing access for parents to enter from River Road to access the parking area for their children's sports activities. The final part is the lowering of the speed limit on that street from 25 mph to 15 mph. Mr. Treft stated that there was 85% approval for the proposed changes to the street, which will be presented on the agenda in the form of an amendment to the traffic ordinance.

The Finance Committee presented a Report on Vouchers and recommended the concurrence of Council in their recommendation for approval of payments; so moved (Doepker), seconded (Lied) and upon Roll Call vote, it was unanimous Aye.

The following Ordinance were presented for 1st Reading, and will be laid over for second presentation and a vote at the next Council meeting: Ordinance O-4-2001, Amending the Traffic Ordinance, Reducing Speed Limit to 15 mph on Shawnee Avenue; Ordinance O-5-2001, Prohibiting Animal Nuisances; and companion ordinances O-6-2001 and O-7-2001, Defining Owners of Animal Nuisances, and Setting Fines for Violation of Animal Nuisances. Also, presented for 1st Reading was Ordinance O-8-2001, Amending the Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Budget.

Mr. Earlywine reminded Council of the Public Hearing on the 2001 Street Resurfacing Program scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at 7:00 P.M. There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

APPROVED:

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Barbara H. Runge, Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST:

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Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk