Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, November 11, 2002 with Mayor Tom Shroyer and the following members present: Leeroy Winburn, Doug Bates, Laura Whitney and Kelly Mathis. Absent were Members Dwayne Roberts and Fred Downey.

The minutes of the previous regular session held on October l4, 2002 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Whitney to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously by all members present.

Subject: Renaissance Report - Main Street Director Mary Jane Yates reported on some of the activities scheduled for Light Up Eminence on December 7th.

Ms. Yates reported that we have received the release of funds for the West Owen Street Re-Development Project. The surveyors and attorneys will begin work soon. It will be spring before any actual demolition or construction work commences. Reported that the steering committee has no meetings scheduled at this time. Member Winburn reported that George Foree might have a conflict of interest in serving on this committee, as he is a property owner in the area.

Mary Jane reported that a meeting has been held with MAC Construction, the low bidder on the streetscape project, in an effort to negotiate a price within budget. It will take the Department of Transportation approximately six months to give approval to a revised budget. Ms. Yates reported that the City has been awarded $200,000 additional TEA funds under Phase II. The Board of Directors recommend combining the funds (approximately $470,000) and expand the project from the front of City Hall to old Jail Alley, cross the street to the park area and go up Penn Avenue from Eminence Appliance to Cook's Pharmacy. The west side of Main Street from Jail Alley to the Christian Church would be done in a later phase because of the concern about the awning at Shoppers Mart. This would get two of the main focal points into the first construction phase of the project. The recommendation is that both bids for Phase I be rejected to allow a new plan for submission to DOT. Both bids were over the budget amount. This recommendation came from the transportation department due to the time involved for approval of plans. Our architects, CMW, feel we might actually get more competitive bids with a bigger project. We would have to have a 20% match. Currently this is budgeted as $5,000 cash in Phase I and the balance for both phases is in in-kind services.

Motion made by Member Whitney and seconded by Member Bates to reject all the bids received on Phase I of the streetscape project as both were over the budget amount. All members present voted "Yea". The consensus of council was to proceed with steps to re-bid as a larger project as recommended.

Member Mathis asked if it had been determined whether a cemetery existed on West Owen Street. It was discussed that the archaeological survey did not reveal anything. Discussion held including that a map does exist, which indicates the existence of the cemetery.

Subject: Police Department - Chief Mount Hadden reviewed the monthly activity report with council. Reported that he had attended the national drug court training in California last month. Detective Kemper attended training in Alabama.

Chief Hadden reported that Officer Rankin will be off for a few days to assist after the birth of twin sons, Zachary and Joshua.

Chief Hadden introduced Officer David Stratton, who began his employment with the City on October 1st.

Chief Hadden reported on the property ordinance enforcement. Stated that the issue has been resolved with the house on Sulphur Avenue. It was discussed that the East Broadway house has been torn down. The business structure at the corner of Short Alley and West Broadway has had repairs made with partial painting. No other areas of concern were discussed.

Chief Hadden asked each member to review copies of different curfew ordinances from other cities that he has provided. Council discussed various opinions they have been getting from citizens, business owners and the teenagers. Major Simmons was asked about the enforcement of LaGrange's curfew ordinance. Major Simmons responded that LaGrange has had theirs since the 1970's but that it is currently not being enforced. Member Winburn asked whether the enforcement of a curfew ordinance would result in the need for additional personnel. Chief Hadden stated that if we write it to only cite and release that it would not but if we write it to take into custody that it would require additional personnel. Other discussion held. Attorney Brammell will check on lawsuits arising from curfew ordinances.

Subject: Public Works Report - Public Works Director William Smith reviewed the monthly activity report with council. Stated that he has had no updates on the Henry County Water Project. Reported that the I/I project is still being worked on. All of the studies for possible upgrading of our plant are on hold pending the issuance of our KPDES permit.

Mr. Smith reported that all but two of the sump pumps are off the sewer system. We are still working on finding and repairing leaks in the system. Our efforts have paid off with a lowering of about 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of infiltration into the system. We are still at about one million during a heavy rainfall, which still pushes our plant capacity.

Member Mathis questioned the need for funds to upgrade the system. Mr. Smith reported that any planning we do now wouldn't go under construction for about three years. Some additional funding would be needed but hopefully with our impact fees and other reserve accounts we wouldn't have to borrow all the funds.

Subject: Water & Sewer Ordinance Amendment - Attorney Brammell held a first reading of an amendment to the water and sewer ordinance clarifying the procedure of charging connection fees/impact fees for homes on lots where water and sewer services existed previously from a demolished home.

Subject: Community Center Report - Mayor Shroyer reviewed the October activity report with council and also a proposal from the Board for revising the rental rates. Motion made by Member Mathis and seconded by Member Bates to revise the Center rental rates as discussed and attached hereto. Motion carried unanimously by all members present.

Reported that the YMCA will be using the Center the first of the year. Member Winburn asked if yearly income figures from rental of the Center could be given at the December meeting.

Subject: Administrative Office Report - City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the monthly administrative office report with council. Reported on continuing concerns with the computer system.

Reported that the first draw has been made on the West Owen Street Re-Development project with funds expected on November 15th. This request was to pay Kriss Lowry and Associates.

Ms. Doane reported that a 100% grant is available to the City through the Department of Libraries and Archives to purchase shelving and a microfilm reader. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Whitney to authorize entering into this grant application as discussed. All members present voted "Yea".

Ms. Doane discussed the purchase of a laser printer with council. A printer was included in the budget for the budgeted amount of $1,062.00. That printer is no longer available. The next comparable printer through the same vender would be $1,495.00, which is $433.00 over budget. Lexmark has been contacted direct with referral being made to On-Site Kentucky, Inc. in Shelbyville with a price being obtained of $1,299.00, which is only $237.00 over budget. There will be some network services needed from United Systems and Software, our current software support company that will probably be at $85.00 per hour. Ms. Doane reported that the printer was budgeted from the Water Works with the additional funds available from another category for transfer. Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Whitney to authorize the purchase of the printer from On-Site Kentucky, Inc. and necessary network assistance from United Systems with the line item change to be made next month along with previous changes in other categories. All members present voted "Yea".

Member Winburn asked who was doing our website work. Ms. Doane stated that Joyce Meyers is continuing to do this at a very minimal cost to the City. Mr. Winburn stated that the City needs to look at purchasing a new computer system, as the one currently being used is seriously outdated and slow.

Subject: Fire Department Report - Member Whitney reviewed the monthly fire department activity report with council. Reported that the Board is still unable to meet, as there are not enough members from the City or Fire Department.

Subject: Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Attorney Brammell held the second reading of an amendment to the planning and zoning ordinance. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Bates to approve the amendment as read. Motion carried unanimously by all members present.

Subject: City Christmas Dinner - The City's Christmas dinner was discussed. No funds were put in the budget for a dinner this year. Discussion held including that we have never recognized Lindsey Allen's retirement and that we would normally do this at this time. Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Whitney to authorize funding the Christmas Dinner including recognition of retirement for Sergeant Allen and to fund the dinner with a line item change as necessary. All members present voted "Yea".

Subject: Warrants - The warrants presented for payment were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Mathis to approve the warrants for payment as presented. All members present voted "Yea".

Subject: Closed Session - Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Whitney to go into closed session to discuss litigation. All members present voted "Yea".

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Whitney and seconded by Member Mathis to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Hosted by

This site owned by The City of Eminence Kentucky.
Custom Graphics and Design © Copyright 2001-2012 Joyce K. Meyer. All Rights Reserved
(Except where otherwise noted.)
This site was created by My Cottage Web Studio 04/15/01and revised on 05/10/12.