MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL
COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 6, 2005.

            The Regular Meeting of the Board of Council, City of Fort Thomas, was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Mary H. Brown.  After a Call of the Roll, with all Councilmembers present (Barbara Runge, Jim Doepker, Karen Lied, Eric Haas, Roger Peterman, and Tom Lampe), she led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Also in attendance:  Jeff Earlywine, City Administrative Officer, Dottie Ivie, City Clerk, Fred Ewald, City Treasurer, Jann Seidenfaden, City Attorney, Police Chief Mike Daly and Fire Chief Mark Bailey. 

            There was a correction to be made in the Minutes from the previous Regular Meeting, as suggested by Mr. Doepker and it was decided to hold those over for Council’s review and approval at the next Regular meeting.  Mayor Brown then called forward two Police Officers who are being promoted and presented copies of their Executive Orders, EO-6 and EO-7 to each of them.  In turn, each introduced members of his family who were attending and received congratulations and an upgrade to their police badges from Chief Mike Daly.  Jamey Gadzala  has been promoted to Lieutenant and Casey Kilgore to Sergeant, effective this date.

Requesting to speak to Council and on the Agenda was Bob Heil, 1 Greene Street, who brought Council up to date on their plans for improvements to the area of the homes in Military Commons.  No action was required of Council from this information.  They plan to have work completed by early December. 

            Mr. Chris Derry, Blue Grass Institute for Public Policy, Danville, Ky., was on the agenda regarding a local request that our Board of Council consider requesting that the Campbell County government review and approve a no-smoking public policy.  He said he is a member of a “think tank” that develops public policies and charters to assist local businesses and governments in implementation processes.  He distributed information and offered to answer any questions that the City may have. It is his opinion that the question of smokers versus non-smokers “will be solved by the market.” 

Also speaking on this topic was Matt Coleman, of Northern Kentucky Action, who has visited Council previously with numerous supporters who are asking Campbell County officials to pursue a County-wide no-smoking policy.  Rev. Ashley Beagle, pastor of Decoursey Baptist Church, spoke in support of Northern Ky. Action’s requests, and said he is a resident of Fort Thomas and a Chaplain at the VA Hospital. 

He distributed a paper requesting “A 100% ban on smoking in all Fort Thomas restaurants and public facilities.  (He also included a request, “as a citizen of Fort Thomas” that there be a “ban on waterguns and super soakers for the 4^th of July Parade.”

Also, “stricter enforcements on pet excrements that are uncleaned up and leash laws”; and “repainting of parking lines in front of the church and apartments at 126 S. Ft. Thomas Ave.”)

 Other speakers on the no smoking policy included  Erin Paul, of North Key Community Care, and Rebecca Manning, a registered nurse, representing the American Cancer Society, both urging Council to support legislation that would make the community smoke free.  Mayor Brown said that all comments are welcome and will be considered.

            A letter was read from Dr. Larry Stinson, Superintendent, Fort Thomas Independent School, regarding the 2005 Tax Rate and it was received and filed upon motion (Lampe), second (Haas) and unanimous Aye voice vote.

            Bruce Rath, 218 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., addressed Council with his continuing dissatisfaction about his sidewalk and landscaping area within the Streetscape II project.  He said that the high school students are “picking up bricks and throwing them in his yard” from the brick work that “was not done properly.”  Next, Deanna Beineke, 66 Daisy Lane, spoke to Council regarding her earlier contact in support of the City’s involvement with an organization called “America Supporting Americans.”  They work with numerous cities around the United States who adopt a military unit in Iraq and provide support to the troops there in the form of  “care packages” and letters of support.  Council received some information about this group in their packets and will contact Beineke if a decision should be made to adopt a unit for additional information and assistance as needed to pursue this project.

            The Fire Department Monthly Report was presented by Chief Mark Bailey and upon motion (Runge) and second (Doepker), it was approved via unanimous Aye voice vote to be received and filed.  Chief Michael Daly then presented the Police Department Monthly Report and it was also received and filed upon motion (Lampe) and second (Peterman) and unanimous Aye voice vote.

             The Public Safety Committee met just prior to the Council meeting, and Chairman Doepker recommended Council approval of the amendments to the Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedures Manual, which will be prepared in a new document, upon the adoption of an Ordinance upcoming on the Agenda.  So moved (Lampe), seconded (Peterman) and upon voice vote, it was unanimous Aye; motion carried.

            Mr. Earlywine reviewed the recent purchase of 901 North Fort Thomas Avenue,  for $122,500, as designated in the Comprehensive Plan as “gateway space.” He informed Council about the process and financing for this, along with the closing on the property, the current tenant set to relocate his business within the next several months and the area becoming a green space. After some discussion, it was moved (Peterman) and seconded (Haas) to approve this purchase and the future landscaping and development on the site; upon Roll Call vote, all voted Aye; motion carried.

            The Finance Committee presented their Report on Vouchers and upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote; it was approved to concur in their recommendations for processing of the bill payments.

            Ordinance O-23-2005, Setting the Tax Rate for 2005, was adopted upon motion (Lied), second (Runge) and unanimous Aye Roll Call vote.  Ordinance O-24-2005, Establishing Waste and Recycling Charges under a new contract with Rumpke, Inc., was adopted upon motion (Lied) and second (Doepker), with a Roll Call vote being all Ayes; motion carried.

            Ordinance O-25-2005, Adopting the new Police SOP Manual, was given a 1^st Reading.  Executive Order EO-8-2005, Appointing Brian Delaney to the General Services Department was presented and no action required.  Mayor Brown said she would like to welcome him also, as a new employee, along with the two promotions that were given earlier in the evening.

Municipal Order MO-18-2005, Reappointing Dan Gorman to the Planning Commission for an additional four year term, was presented and approved upon motion (Doepker), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye voice vote.  Municipal Order MO-19-2005, Appointing Police Chief Michael Daly to the Campbell County Dispatch Board was presented and approved upon motion (Runge), second (Doepker) and unanimous Aye voice vote.  Municipal Order MO-20-2005, Authorizing the Purchase of 901 North Fort Thomas Avenue, was approved upon motion (Runge), second (Lied) and unanimous Aye voice vote. There was a motion (Runge), second (Lied) and majority vote of Council to meet in Closed Session for the purpose of discussing:  Litigation.   There being no further action to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

                                                                                    APPROVED:

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

Dorothy A. Ivie, City Clerk