CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of City Council to order at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2009. The Clerk called the roll and the following Councilmembers were present: Lisa Kelly, Jim Doepker, Jill Steller, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman and Tom Lampe. Staff members in attendance included: City Administrative Officer Don Martin, City Clerk Melissa Kelly, Fire Chief Mark Bailey, Police Chief Mike Daly, and City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden, and Finance Director Fred Ewald.

Mayor Mary Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Minutes

The minutes of the March 2, 2009 meeting were presented to council for consideration. A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Peterman to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Visitors and Communications

Chief Mark Bailey presented new employee Josh Edmondson with his badge. Dale Edmondson, our former Fire Chief pinned his son’s badge on him and the Mayor read his Executive Order. Mayor Brown welcomed Josh to the Fort Thomas Fire Department.

Chief Mike Daly presented Brad Adams with a service ribbon for his work in the Cheryl McCafferty murder case. Chief Daly read Detective Adam’s Commendation and thanked him for all of his hard work on the case.

Michelle Snodgrass, Commonwealth Attorney for Campbell County addressed Council. Ms. Snodgrass thanked Chief Daly and all of the Fort Thomas Police Department on their work in the McCafferty Murder Trial. She indicated that their commitment to the case was extraordinary even with the long hours involved, they stayed focused and was thankful to have this department helping her with the case.

Bill Scheyer from Southbank was present and addressed Council. Mr. Scheyer updated Council on the new projects that Southbank is working on within the River Cities. Southbank has a new video on their website, www.southbankpartners.com for updates to the projects.

Mr. Bert Thomas of 28 Barrett Drive addressed Council. Mr. Thomas is the founder of a new organization called the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy. The first meeting of the Conservancy will be held on April 21^st at 7:00 p.m. at the Campbell County Library. This is a non-profit organization that is incorporated as a land trust. Mr. Thomas invited everyone to attend the meeting to learn more about the Conservancy.

Mr. John Coffman Jr. of 1100 S. Ft. Thomas Avenue addressed Council. Mr. Coffman is questioning the assessment to property owners in the Midway District. He noted that nothing in the minutes over the past couple of years indicated how the Midway District Streetscape Project was to be financed. Mr. Coffman said that the business owners want to have “transparency” so that they can see that is a fair assessment across the board.

Reports of Officers

General Services Annual Report: Ron Dill, Director: Ron Dill presented his annual report for 2008 to Council. A motion was made by Mr. Hass and seconded by Mr. Lampe to receive and file the 2008 annual report for the General Services Department. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

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

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

Mayor Brown thanked Mark Bailey and Mike Daly for their very informative reports every month.

City Administrator’s Report: Don Martin presented his report to Council on the following:

Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch Annual Report: Dale Edmondson submitted his annual report for the Campbell County Dispatch Center. This report can be viewed at the city administrative offices during regular business hours.

FEMA Reimbursement: The city had it’s finalization meeting with FEMA on the recent ice-storm. The city incurred qualifying expenses of $34,212. Of this amount, the city should receive a reimbursement of approximately $29,764.

AFSCME and FOP Union Negotiations: The negotiation process has begun with both AFSCME (General Services) and FOP (Police) employee bargaining units. The process is moving along well and the city is hoping to have contracts with each union shortly.

New Business

Consideration of a Recommendation from the Recreation Committee: The Recreation Committee met prior to the council meeting to discuss two items. The first item was the consideration of improvements to Rossford Park. Duke Energy’s contractor has been placing and grading fill in Rossford Park at no cost to the city. This project has created three additional “flat” areas in the park. Now that the city is in the fortunate position of having this new/improved space available, it seems appropriate to consider hiring a firm that specializes in the design of parks to create a master plan for Rossford Park and then implement it as quickly as possible. In order to determine the specific boundaries of the park a boundary survey will need to be conducted. Therefore, the recommendation to City Council is as follows:

“We the undersigned members of the Recreation Committee of Council recommend to the Board of Council that city staff enter into a contract with CDS Engineers to conduct a boundary survey, three copies of the plat, and a legal description of Rossford Park; and that staff prepare and advertise a “Request for Proposal” for the purpose of seeking a design firm to create a master plan for Rossford Park, including an opinion of probable cost for implementation of said plan.”

A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to accept the recommendation of the Recreation Committee of Council and move forward with the boundary survey using CDS Engineers and advertising a “Request for Proposal” for a design firm. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The second topic discussed at the Recreation Committee Meeting was the consideration of funding request from Highland’s baseball coach for improvements to the baseball field in Highland Hills Park. The school is requesting $3,000 in financial assistance from the city.

The improvements would include the purchase and installation of new turf. Therefore, the recommendation to city council is as follows:

“We the undersigned members of the Recreation Committee of Council recommend to the Board of Council that the Board of Council approve a budget amendment to allow payment in the amount of $3,000 for improvements to the baseball stadium in Highland Hills Park in accordance with the request by the school and a report by city staff.”

A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Haas to accept the recommendation of the Recreation Committee of Council and amend the budget to assist with the improvements to Highland Hills Park Ballfield not to exceed $3,000. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Consideration of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee: The Public Works Committee of Council met at 7:45 p.m. prior to the council meeting to discuss the 2009 Street Resurfacing Program and the Midway Streetscape Program. The recommendation to Council for the 2009 Street Resurfacing Program is as follows:

“We the undersigned members of the Public Works Committee of Council hereby report that a public hearing was conducted on Monday, March 16, 2009 regarding the city’s proposed 2009 street resurfacing program. Committee members and staff conducted the hearing, which was attended by about 30 citizens. Generally speaking, there was support for the proposed improvements outlined within the attached Engineer’s Comprehensive Report. Fifteen individuals addressed concerns or questions at the public hearing. Remarks related primarily to site-specific field conditions and matters including cost, assessment policies and the overall schedule for the project. Based on the results of the public hearing, the Public Works Committee of Council hereby recommends that the city proceed with the street resurfacing improvements as proposed and that the Board of Council authorize the first reading of the Ordinance acknowledging the city’s intent to proceed with the project.”

A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Mrs. Steller to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Committee of Council and proceed with the first reading of the intent to proceed ordinance. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

The recommendation from the Public Works Committee of Council regarding the Midway Streetscape Improvements is as follows:

“We the undersigned members of the Public Works Committee of Council hereby report that a public hearing was conducted on Monday, March 16, 2009 regarding the city’s proposed 2009 Midway Streetscape Improvement program. Committee members and staff conducted the hearing, which was attended by about 25 citizens. Generally speaking, there was support for the proposed improvements outlined within the attached Engineer’s Comprehensive Report. Nine individuals addressed concerns or questions at the public hearing. Remarks related primarily to site-specific field conditions, the desire for additional public parking, project parameters, the special assessment and the overall schedule for the project. Generally, those who addressed the committee did not feel the project would attract new business to the area and did not address parking concerns. Nearly unanimously, those who spoke were opposed to the cost of the special assessment to the abutting property owners.”

Based upon the results of the public hearing, the Public Works Committee of Council hereby recommends that the city proceed with Phase I of the Midway District Streetscape Improvement plan as proposed and that the Board of Council authorize the first reading of the Ordinance acknowledging the city’s intent to proceed with the project.

A motion was made by Mr. Peterman and seconded by Ms. Kelly to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Committee of Council and proceed with the first reading of the Ordinance for the intent to proceed with the project. Upon call of the roll, the following voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Consideration of Mobilcomm Proposal: The Fort Thomas Fire Department received a grant to provide a second repeater emergency radio channel for Campbell County. Because this purchase can be made through Mobilcomm on the state contract, no bid is required. The grant and the county will pay all costs. A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve the proposal from Mobilcomm, Inc. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: none. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Report on Vouchers

The Finance Committee presented its Report of Disbursements and recommended the payment of warrants numbered 57597 through 57755 for the period of March 3 – 30, 2009. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to concur in the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye” – Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting "no" - none. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Orders

Executive Order EO-02-2009, an order appointing Josh Edmondson as a Paramedic/Firefighter for the Fort Thomas Fire Department was read by the Mayor with no action necessary.

Municipal Order MO-3-2009, an order declaring city-owned personal property as surplus, specifically, tables and chairs from the Recreation Department was presented to Council. A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Peterman to approve the sale of the tables and chairs. Upon call of the roll, the following members voted “aye”: Ms. Kelly, Mr. Doepker, Mrs. Steller, Mr. Haas, Mr. Peterman, and Mr. Lampe. Voting “no”: None. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

With no further business to come before council, the meeting was adjourned by Mayor Brown.

APPROVED:

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Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk