Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, April, 8, 2002 at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Tom Shroyer and the following members present: Kelly Mathis, Laura Whitney, Fred Downey, Doug Bates, Dwayne Roberts, and Leeroy Winburn. Absent were none.

The minutes of the previous regular session held on March 11, 2002 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Downey to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

The minutes of the previous special called session held on March 18, 2002 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Downey to approve the minutes as presented. Voting “Yea” were Members Mathis, Whitney, Downey, Bates and Winburn. Abstaining was Member Roberts for reason of not being present at that meeting.

Subject: Candidate for Office – Judy Roberts, candidate for Henry County Judge Executive, was present. Mrs. Roberts introduced herself, reviewed her qualifications for the position, and stated what she feels are the problems we face as a County.

Subject: County Business – Magistrate Wayne Gunnell was present. Discussed with council his concerns over House Bill 174, which pertains to solid waste. The House passed it intact, but the Senate diluted the bill. He requested that the Mayor and each council member call Ernie Harris and urge him to vote to leave it intact.

Reported that the Eminence Police Department has received $2,400 for the 911 Fund to change over the radios.

Reported that the County is working on their budget striving to keep the budget on a positive side while keeping basic services.

Subject: Budget Review and New Budget – Mayor Shroyer asked council to review the third quarter budget comparison and to let us know if they have any questions. He stated that he feels we have some even rougher times ahead of us as we look into the new budget since some of the factories are experiencing problems which will ultimately affect the income to the City.

Mayor Shroyer asked all supervisors and departments to have their proposed budgets to him by April 22, 2002.

Subject: Renaissance Report – Main Street Director Mary Jane Yates was unable to attend this meeting. Mayor Shroyer asked Council to review the information she sent them and if they have any questions to let him or Mary Jane know. Mayor Shroyer reported that the next Board meeting is scheduled for the first Monday in May with Doug Maxson, Architect scheduled to attend with more information on the costs by phases. Hopefully by the Council’s May meeting more information will be available.

Member Mathis stated she wants a copy of the marketing survey by the next meeting. Member Winburn asked about the status of the West Owen Street project. Mayor Shroyer reported that we would not hear anything until after the legislative session adjourns. He stated that we are now one of eleven communities competing for these funds instead of one of three. We are not sure how the other 8 communities got into the competition. We have been advised by the housing and special projects person at DLG to contact her immediately if we don’t receive our grant. She will see if there is another way we can get funding.

Subject: Community Center Report – Community Center Director Mike Huff reviewed his activity report with council. Stated they had provided a place for residents to stay while there was a gas main break that resulted in evacuation on Elm Street.

Mr. Huff stated that The Factory has had about 20-30 kids on Friday nights in attendance. Council expressed concern that more kids are on the outside of the building than should be. Mike stated that he is working on the wandering kids and appreciates the police stopping by. He goes outside periodically to check on things. Member Downey asked if background checks were being done on the adults who were supervising this project. Mr. Huff stated that they are if one is not already on file with the schools or other agencies. Attorney Brammell stated that we would need a policy for us to do this. Member Winburn asked if we have a replacement for Kiristen who will be going to college in the fall. Mona Huff stated that she is working on this.

Mona Huff was present to discuss with council a grant that she is working on as Community Education Director through KIPDA, which would involve using the Community Life Center for a therapy/recreational program for domestic violence abusers and also to assist with the teen center activities. The use of the Center would be donated with no monies to be received by the City. The programs would not overlap, which would confirm that no teens would be around during the therapy programs for the abusers. Council discussed whether this would restrict the use of the center for other things and also whether there would be any additional liability to the City for this use. The proposal for the teen center is to have it open on Monday/Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., to have the dance on Fridays and to have it available all day on Saturday. Motion made by Member Downey to authorize the use of the Center as discussed for the above programs if the grant is received. Motion seconded by Member Roberts. All members present voted “Yea”. A copy of the information made available by Mrs. Huff is attached to these minutes.

Subject: Police Department Report - Police Chief Hadden reviewed the activity report with council. Reported that all the March criminal cases have been closed. Officer Seigler is the activity officer for March. Member Downey asked for a breakdown on the calls for service inside and outside of the City and whether or not Office Seigler was dispatched to Sulphur. Chief Hadden stated he would get the breakdown information for him and would check on the dispatch to Sulphur.

Member Winburn asked about the status of Sergeant Allen. No definite answer has been received on his retirement. He is scheduled for hip replacement surgery.

Chief Hadden stated that we have received the KLC liability grant for ballistic vests for the Police Department.

Chief Hadden reported that he, Major Simmons and Officer Rankin went to Elkhart, Indiana to review the canines and have chosen a fifteen-month old pure German shepherd male dog named Gin. The four-week training is scheduled to start April 29^th. We need to enter into a purchase agreement, which has been reviewed by Attorney Brammell. The Chief reviewed the type of training being obtained for Officer Rankin and Gin. The expected effective usage for Gin is 6-7 years. The funding to purchase Gin is $2,500 from the Eminence Board of Education, $2,500 from the Henry County Board of Education and $2,500.00 from the City of Eminence. Numerous other donations have been given also including donation of the kennel by Perry’s Hardware. The Henry County Care Team will be donating $500.00; Prewitt’s Funeral Home will be donating $500.00 and $951.00 has been pledged or donated by local businesses and residences. The overall cost estimate is $9,000.00.

The contract to purchase was reviewed with some changes already being made by our Attorney. The purchase price is $7,000.00 with a 12 months guarantee. The cost includes housing and training for Officer Rankin for four weeks. Officer Rankin will work a 7-1/2 hour shift on patrol and a ½ hour shift each day for care and work with Gin. Motion made by Member Downey and seconded by Member Bates to authorize the contract with Faus K-9 Specialties, Inc. for purchase of Gin in the amount of $7,000.00. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Public Works Report – Public Works Director William Smith reviewed his report with council. Reported that the Henry County Water District upgrade project started today. They will tie in near the old water plant with the controls. An eight-inch line will feed from there into town.

Mr. Smith reported that he has inspected 100 customers for illegal sewer hookups to date with 31 being notified of violations. Twenty-six have complied as of today.

Reported that some of the repairs to our sewer main, as found by the camera work, have been made. We have requested MSD’s help again with them agreeing to assist at no cost. If we had to pay for this service the cost would probably be about $125.00 per hour to run the cameras. The in-flow problems after a rain are still high but the flow is dropping off quicker after the rain stops so he feels we have made some progress.

Subject: Pool – The opening of the pool was discussed. The lifeguard situation was discussed and whether we would once again be reimbursing for the training. Mr. Smith was asked if he anticipates any major expenses to open the pool. Mr. Smith replied that the pool bottom needs to be coated but hopefully not other major repairs would need to be made.

Consensus of council was to advertise for employees and to reimburse training if they stay with the City for the full season. Member Mathis stated she would like to see the applications prior to anyone being hired. Mr. Smith stated he feels we have no attraction for the kids anymore since we have taken out the slide and the diving board. Council requested that the insurance factor on these be looked into with the possibility of putting them back in. Member Mathis discussed several ideas she has for activities at the pool. Mayor Shroyer asked if she would be interested in being in charge of the pool and she accepted.

The admission charges, passes and salaries were discussed. Council in agreement to leave the admission charges and passes the same as last year with a copy of those rates being attached hereto for reference. The salaries were discussed. Consensus to leave them the same as last year except to allow a pay range on the manager of $8.00-$9.00 per hour if the manager is a certified lifeguard and if we have any returning lifeguards to increase them by 25 cents per hour. A copy of the pay rates is attached hereto for reference.

Subject: Property Ordinance Enforcement Report – The property ordinance enforcement report was reviewed. Council in agreement for Mr. Wright to pursue the McIntosh property on Jackson Road and get it resolved.

Subject: Administrative Office Report – City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the administrative office report with council. Reported that we have received a net balance of $4,491.17 for federal excise tax refunds after the filing fees for the fiscal years of July 1997 through June 2001. Stated that she would be doing this filing herself in the future to eliminate the 25% fee.

Reported that we have received the liability grant request from Kentucky League of Cities for updating the personnel policies and procedures, compensation plan, classification plan and performance evaluations.

Reported that Joyce Meyers, who has been assisting with the website, has requested to attend the City Council meeting to review the website. Council requested that she attend next month for a brief report.

Subject: Sick Leave Program Through CERS – The proposals for entering into an agreement with the County Employees Retirement System to extend benefits to the employees by purchasing additional retirement service for accumulated sick leave was discussed. Member Downey stated that he was not in favor of these proposals. He does feel that new employees need more on original appointment and suggested that 30 days be given to each newly hired person. Council discussed several alternative methods including reimbursement of 50% of the days accumulated upon retirement. City Clerk asked to check into other options including working with Paul Combs and Associates on this in conjunction with the personnel and policy manual update.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Whitney reviewed the monthly activity report with council. She advised that an at-large member is needed for the fire board. A few suggestions were made for this member. Stated that they continue to have problems meeting as a board due to members resigning.

Subject: Internet Use Policy – The internet use policy was reviewed. Attorney Brammell was asked to review the proposed policy and put it in the required form for adoption.

Subject: Report on Proposed Sale of Property – Mayor Shroyer reported that the proposed sale of property to Al Moffett is on hold. Attorney Brammell has met with the surveyors and is waiting to get the information back from them.

Subject: Warrants – The warrants were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Downey to authorize payment of the warrants as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Subject: Closed Session - Motion made by Member Downey and seconded by Member Bates to go into closed session to discuss litigation and sale of property. Motion carried unanimously.

Subject: Called Meeting – Member Downey stated that he would like to have a brainstorming meeting to discuss the budget including future planning for the City. A lengthy discussion evolved. Consensus was not to have a special meeting on this matter at this time.

Subject: Budget Committee - Mayor Shroyer asked for volunteers to serve on a committee with him on the budget. Members Whitney, Downey and Roberts volunteered. A meeting was set for April 24^th at 6:30 p.m.

Subject: Sale of Property – Motion made by Member Mathis and seconded by Member Winburn to offer our property at 22 South Penn Avenue (the old police department building) for sale under sealed bid with a May 13^th bid opening with a requirement to post 10% of the purchase price within 10 days of bid acceptance (to be applied to purchase price at closing or retained by the City as liquidated damages in case of default) with the balance due in 30 days and with wording in the bid concerning the common wall and shared stairway. Motion carried unanimously.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Downey and seconded by Member Bates to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

Council reminded that a meeting of the Public Holdings Corporation would follow immediately.

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