MINUTES OF A MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF FORT THOMAS,

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ON

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

 

 

Mayor Mary Brown called the meeting of council to order at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 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, and Police Chief Mike Daly.  Absent: City Attorney Jann Seidenfaden.

 

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

 

Minutes

 

The minutes of the August 3, 2009 meeting were not included in the packet and will be laid over to the September 21st meeting for consideration.

 

Visitors and Communications

 

Richie MacKnight:  Request the City to join the Campbell County Cable Board:  Richie MacKnight addressed council.  Mr. MacKnight would like the city to consider becoming a member of the Campbell County Cable Board.  This would allow residents to utilize some local access channels that they do not receive currently.  Mayor Brown thanked Richie for his presentation.  A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Lampe to refer the matter to the Law, Labor, and License Committee of Council for further study.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Reports of Officers

 

Fire Department Monthly Report:  Chief Mark Bailey: Chief Mark Bailey presented his monthly report for July to Council.  A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Ms. Kelly to receive and file the fire department monthly report.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

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

For the record, Jill Steller congratulated Chief Mike Daly for receiving the grant for DUI Enforcement.  This grant money will be used for DUI enforcement mainly on the interstate.

 

Report from City Administrator:  Don Martin:  Don Martin presented a report to council on the following:

 

Tower Place Traffic Request:  At the last council meeting, a resident of Tower Place asked the city to investigate options for making the intersection of Tower Place and S. Ft. Thomas Avenue safer for pedestrians.  A potential solution is to provide a “bump out” to prevent cars from passing on the right.  Several concerns were brought up regarding the “bump out”.  Council wants to ensure that you can allow passage of bike riders but  not enough room for a small car to squeeze through.  This concept will be looked at by the city engineer.  Once a plan is in place, the city will apply for an encroachment permit from the state and city crews will start the work.

 

PODS and Dumpsters in Right-of-Way Ordinance:  At the request of city council, staff researched the issue of PODS and dumpsters being placed in the ROW.  Council indicated several changes that they would like to see in the ordinance.  Don Martin will work on the language of the ordinance and report back at a future meeting.

 

Landmark Tower:  The landmark tower in Tower Park is in need of substantial repair.  Mortar is deteriorating throughout the surface but especially at the top of the tower.  The roof structure has also deteriorated and is allowing water infiltration to the interior.  Bid documents have been drafted to solicit bids for repair work.  A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Doepker to begin the bid process for the repair work on the tower.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

New Business

 

Consideration of Utility Easement:  As a component of the Midway Streetscape Project, some utilities were moved to Cochran Avenue behind the VA building.  The utility easement runs between two current utility easements at Pearson Street and the north access drive at the VA Domiciliary.  A second easement runs from S. Ft. Thomas Avenue through a portion of the parking lot serving the Armory.  The easements are 15 feet wide.  A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mr. Lampe to approve the utility easement in Tower Park.  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 58492 through 58685 for the period of August 4 – September 8, 2009.  A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker 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

 

Ordinance O-16-2009:  An ordinance fixing the amount of service charges for waste removal was presented to council for consideration.  A motion was made by Mrs. Steller and seconded by Mr. Doepker to approve Ordinance O-16-2009.  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.

 

Ordinance O-17-2009:  An ordinance fixing the tax rate for the year 2009 was presented to council for a first reading.  This ordinance will be laid over to the next meeting of council for consideration.

 

Resolution R-7-2009:  A resolution transferring property to Ashley Slawter was presented to Council for consideration.  A motion was made by Mr. Doepker and seconded by Mrs. Steller to approve Resolution R-7-2009.  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.

 

Resolution R-8-2009:  A resolution supporting the Port Authority to receive a grant for the Riverfront Commons Project was presented to council for consideration.  A motion was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Ms. Kelly to approve Resolution R-8-2009.  The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

Executive Session:  A motion was made by Mr. Haas and seconded by Mr. Lampe to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the city in accordance with KRS 61.810(1)(C).  Council entered into Executive Session.

 

A motion to return to open session was made by Mr. Lampe and seconded by Mr. Doepker.  Motion approved by unanimous vote.

 

A motion to adjourn the council meeting was made by Mr. Doepker and  seconded by Mrs. Steller.  Motion approved by unanimous vote.  Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

 

 

APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Mary H. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Melissa K. Kelly, City Clerk