CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of City Council to order at 8:00 P.M. on March 17, 2008. The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present: Jill Steller, Jim Doepker, Barbara Levine, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman, and Tom Lampe. Staff members in attendance included: City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Finance Director Fred Ewald, 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 March 3, 2008 meeting were presented to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Mrs. Levine and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Visitors and Communications

Mr. Lynn Cameron represents Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati. Mr. Cameron indicated that the organization would like to see more volunteers from Fort Thomas. Adult mentors can be single, married or have children. Mayor Brown noted that the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization is an excellent group and thanked Mr. Cameron for speaking to Council.

Mr. Terry Rasche of 46 W. Crescent, Woodlawn, KY was present and addressed Council. Mr. Rasche indicated some concerns regarding the Villa Grande development, including maintenance of silt fencing, topping of trees, and a detention pond which was filled by the developer. Mayor Brown directed this issue to City Staff for follow-up.

Mr. Bruce Rath of 218 N. Ft. Thomas Avenue addressed Council. Mr. Rath expressed concerns regarding the Midway Streetscape Project.

Mr. Rath complimented our General Services Department for doing such a great job on clearing the streets after the last snow storm. He also mentioned that we have the best Fire and Police Departments in the Greater Cincinnati Area.

Mr. John Coffman Jr. was present and addressed Council. Mr. Coffman was speaking on behalf of his family and all of his properties on River Road. He was impressed by the article in the Recorder regarding doing the Midway project all in one larger phase rather than small phases. He is concerned with the ability to access his driveways when River Road is addressed. Mr. Martin stated that the River Road project will be at least 5-6 years in the projected future.

Mrs. Sharon Shoemaker of 31 Bonnie Lane addressed Council regarding the improvements to Bonnie Lane. She noted that she was thrilled that the City and Sanitation District will be completing this project this year. She thanked the City for addressing this issue.

Reports of Boards, Committees, and Commissions

Report from the Public Works Committee of Council: On March 6, 2008, the Public Works Committee of Council held a public hearing to discuss an overview of the plans for the reconstruction of Bonnie Lane. Mr. Haas stated that the meeting went well and the project was well received by the residents. A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Lampe to receive and file the report from the Public Works Committee. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Annual Reports for 2007

Police Department - Chief Mike Daly: Chief Mike Daly presented his annual report for 2007 to Council. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to receive and file the Police Department annual report. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. For the record, Roger Peterman noted that our Police Department is doing a fine job focusing on being "smart on crime".

Reports of Officers

Fire Department Monthly Report for February: Chief Mark Bailey presented his report for February and asked for questions from Council. A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mrs. Levine to receive and file the Fire Department Monthly Report for February. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Police Department Monthly Report for February: Chief Mike Daly presented his report for February and asked for questions from Council. A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Lampe to receive and file the Police Department Monthly Report for February. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

New Business

Consideration of Agreement with Campbell County Cable Media to Record City Council Meetings: Mr. Martin had met with Campbell County Community Media to discuss options available to the city for airing City Council Meetings. CCCM would provide a "cable ready" DVD of the council meeting the following day. Fort Thomas Schools Superintendent, John Williamson has indicated that the city could air the council meeting on the school's cable channel. A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve the agreement with the Campbell County Cable Media. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted "aye" - Mrs. Steller, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Midway District Concept Plan Revision: CDS has submitted a proposal for creating a reconfiguration of the Midway Streetscape Plan as requested by the Finance Committee of Council. This will include the following:

· Create one larger first phase rather than two separate and smaller phases in order to provide a project that appears more complete.

· Create a design at the intersection of River Road which will accommodate a future relocation of the intersection if funds become available at a future time.

A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to approve the revised Midway District Concept Plan. Upon call of the roll, the following voted "aye" - Mrs. Steller, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Report on Vouchers

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 55349 through 55455 for the period of March 3 - March 17, 2008. A motion was made by Mrs. Levine and seconded by Mr. Doepker to concur in the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Mrs. Steller, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

Ordinance O-04-2008: An ordinance amending Section 97.07 of the Code of Ordinances regulating sidewalk clearance was presented to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mr. Lampe to approve Ordinance O-04-2008. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted "aye" - Mrs. Steller, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Levine, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinance O-05-2008: An ordinance ordering the reconstruction of Bonnie Lane was presented to Council for a first reading. Consideration of the ordinance will be laid over to the April 7th meeting.

Resolution R-2-2008: A resolution supporting the passage of HB 600 pertaining to the County Employees Retirement System (CERS). A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve Resolution R-2-2008. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Tom Lampe noted for the record that the General Services Department is doing a great job with keeping the roads clear during large snowstorms.

Executive Session: City Council entered into executive session in accordance with KRS 61.810 (c) to discuss proposed or pending litigation against the city.

Roger Peterman made the motion to return to regular session at 10:23 p.m. It was seconded by Tom Lampe and approved by a unanimous vote.

Tom Lampe made the motion to adjourn at 10:24 p.m. It was seconded by Jim Doepker and approved by unanimous vote.

APPROVED:

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Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk