MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL
COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON MONDAY,
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2005
Mayor Mary
H. Brown called the Regular Meeting to order and asked for a Roll Call of those
present: Jim Doepker, Karen Lied,
Eric Haas,Roger Peterman and Tom Lampe. Barbara Runge was absent.
She then led all those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
flag. Minutes from the last Regular Meeting were at Council’s places and
after members reviewed them, it was moved (Lied) and seconded (Doepker) to
approve the minutes, with any changes or corrections to be relayed to the
Clerk; upon voice vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.
Under
Visitors and Communications, several business owners from the Midway District
spoke regarding parking issues within that area. Serving as spokesman for the
group, Mr. Paul Kruse provided photographs he
had taken of the street with some cars parked along the entire area during both
morning and afternoon hours. Also, a petition was presented from business
owners, employees, and some of their customers during the last few weeks,
requesting that long time parking during the day on the “VA Side” of South Fort
Thomas Avenue be allowed for the business and customers in the area. The
petition noted: “…the constant harassment concerning the parking situation is
detrimental” to their businesses. There was discussion of this matter and
Mr. Earlywine said that the Renaissance Committee, representatives from Edwards
and Kelcey who conducted the recent parking survey, and officials from the
Kentucky Main Street Program have scheduled a meeting of all owners, employees,
residents, and the general public on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at 5:30 P.M. in
Council Chambers for constructive feedback and discussion on this issue.
Mr. Joe
Schwerling, 113 Highland Avenue, addressed Council regarding the possible
realignment of the intersection of Highland Avenueand Grand Avenue that would
allow left turn lanes for those vehicles moving
from Highland onto South and North Grand Avenue. There was discussion
about taking a portion of the proposed gateway park for this purpose.
The General
Services Department Annual Report was presented by Director Ron Dill and it was
received and filed, and made a part of the record, upon motion (Lampe), second
(Haas) and unanimous Aye voice vote (5-0). Mr. Dill noted that this is
the second full year of the consolidated “General Services Department” merging
Public Works, Building Services and Property Management. The Department
has been extremely busy with a diverse range of activities including sidewalk
replacement and storm sewer projects.
Also, they have assisted with the CBD Phase II project, the Highland Hills Park
Dog Park and parking area, and the Gateway Park at Highland and Grand
Avenues. Essential services such as street and sign maintenance, snow
removal, and leaf collection continue. This Department also provides
zoning and building inspection duties, issuance of permits, overseeing of some
rental units and works with the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Tree
Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Board of Housing Appeals. Mayor Brown
complimented Mr. Dill on a very attractive and complete report.
Mr. Earlywine reviewed the process currently underway for the Comprehensive
Plan Update. A letter and Resolution No. 01-05 of the Planning Commission
was received which includes the Goals and Objectives for
the Plan, which is now under review. The document, signed by
Chairman Robert Heil and Secretary David Wormald, stated that their Public
Hearing was on April 20, 2005. They recommend that Council adopt a
Resolution which will facilitate the continuation of this work. Since a
draft Resolution will be coming up on the Agenda for Council’s consideration;
it was moved (Lampe) and seconded (Peterman) to approve proceeding with the
Resolution and the update process, which is required every five years.
Upon voice vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.
The retirement of current Police Chief Steve Schmidt, effective August 1, 2005,
was announced by Mr. Earlywine. In his formal notice of retirement, Chief
Schmidt said: “The past six plus years have been the
happiest and most fulfilling of my working life.” He thanked the City for
the opportunity to serve as Police Chief. Mayor Brown expressed “deep
regret” on behalf of Council, but stated that the City has certainly enjoyed
his leadership and friendship and we wish him well in his future path.
Under Old Business, Mr. Earlywine provided an oral update on the response of
City staff to the complaints about increased traffic, speeding vehicles and
dogs running unleashed in Highland Hills Park. In addition, he provided
Council members with a comprehensive written Financial Report document on the
Central Business District Streetscape project, including a project overview, a
review of project funding sources, Capital Project Performance, and future
projects and initiatives. No Council action was required for this informational
report.
Bids were recently opened for the 2005 Street Resurfacing Program, with the low
base bid being $165,589.50 from Barrett Paving. The Engineer’s Estimate
for this project was $206,200. The City will not exercise the alternate
bid, which represents street paving along Maine Avenue and Taylor Mill Road
that was deferred from this year’s program. Based upon the staff’s
recommendations, it was moved (Peterman), and seconded (Lampe) that the bid be
accepted. Upon unanimous Aye Roll Call vote, the motion carried.
Also, bids were received for the purchase of City property at 110 North Fort
Thomas Avenue. On April 27, sealed bids were opened and read publicly in
response to an advertised bidding process. After review and discussion,
it was moved (Haas) and seconded (Peterman), that the bid be awarded to the
high bidder at $236,100, a bid with no contingencies or conditions of sale.
Upon Roll Call vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.
Mr. Earlywine provided information on the plan for use of some one-time
additional Mutual Road Aid Fund money that will be received. No Council
action was required for this informational item.
Mrs. Lied reviewed recent activities of the Green Team and said that one of
their goals is to meet a deadline for application for a matching grant to the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. In order to submit the application it will be
necessary to commit funds and/or in-kind work. The Tree Commission will
be able to commit $2,000 from their annual money allotted but would need
Council’s approval. There may be other donors as well; however, it may
also be necessary to obtain a commitment for some of this matching from the
City. After some discussion, it was recommended that this grant application and
any funding or matching in-kind work be supported as part of the long-term
goals of the City and its beautification; and also that staff member Jay Treft
be supported to work with the group in grant preparation and delivery to
Frankfort.
The Finance Committee presented their Report on Vouchers for the period and
recommended that Council concur in their recommendation for approval and
processing of payment; so moved (Doepker), seconded (Haas) and unanimous Aye
Roll Call vote; motion carried.
Six Ordinances were presented for second reading and Council votes; including:
Ordinance O-7-2005, Amending the Civil Service Ordinance/outlining operation of
the Pension Fund, adopted upon motion (Haas), second (Lampe) and unanimous Aye
Roll Call vote.
Ordinance O-8-2005, Amending the Civil Service Ordinance/Police & Fire
Hiring Procedures, adopted upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied) and
unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.
Ordinance O-9-2005, 2005 Street Improvement Program, adopted upon motion
(Peterman), second (Lampe) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.
Ordinance O-10-2005, Awarding an Electric Franchise, adopted upon motion
(Doepker), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.
Ordinance O-11-2005, Awarding a Gas Franchise, adopted upon motion
(Lied), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.
Ordinance O-12-2005, Amending FY 2004-2005 Budget, adopted upon motion
(Peterman), second (Lampe) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.
Then, Ordinance O-13-2005, Adopting an updated Personnel Manual, was given 1st
Reading and will be laid over for a vote at the next Regular meeting.
Resolution R-2-2005, Adopting Goals and Objectives for Comprehensive Plan, was
presented and adopted upon motion (Lied), second (Doepker), and unanimous Aye
voice vote.
A Municipal Order, MO-14-2005, Appointing Don Gibson to the Tree Commission for
a two-year term was approved upon motion (Doepker) second (Lied) and unanimous
Aye voice vote. There being no further business to come before Council
the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED:
______________________________
Mary H. Brown, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk