Eminence Kentucky-Special Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a special called session on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. with Mayor Doug Bates and the following members present: Kelly Shannon, Howard Roberts, Tom Ferguson, Drane Stephens and Leeroy Winburn. Absent was Member Laura Whitney. Also in attendance were City Clerk Sandra Doane, City Attorney William Brammell, Main Street Director Mary Jane Yates, Public Works Director William Smith, Police Chief Mount Hadden, Tim Fitzgerald and Todd Rankin.

The purpose of the special meeting being called was to present the budget message to council, discuss budget, and hold a first reading of the budget ordinance; to discuss the Renaissance/Streetscape Project including a resolution required by the state to combine phases, discuss possible tree removal in the park, discuss monument/time capsule location, to discuss selling bricks for a fund raiser for the park, discuss lighting changes, discuss whether to bid or rollover Phase III into current project phases with same contractor, and other Renaissance discussion..

Subject: Renaissance/Streetscape Project – Main Street Director Mary Jane Yates reviewed the resolution required from the state to combine Phase III with Phases I and II for a total grant amount of $650,000.00.

Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Ferguson to adopt the resolution as read to combine all phases (I-III) of streetscape into one and to authorize Mayor Bates to enter into any and all documents associated with this combination of Phases. All members present voted “Yea”.

No decision was made on whether to bid this phase or rollover into the current contract with MAC Construction. Phase III consists of the west side of Main Street from Quality Heating to the end of the Shoppers Mart property and the east side from the current work at Farmers Deposit Bank north past the Video Vender property. Mary Jane stated we have enough money to do the phase; however, the transformer needed for the lights to work is in the plans for Phase III. The recommendation of the board at this time is to put the east side of Phase III on hold to make sure there’s enough money to do it after the electrical work is complete. We also need to change an electrical panel box. The transformer is needed before anything electric can be utilized. It must be 15 feet away from any building. The electrical engineer with CMW, Inc., Ken Reeves says we cannot have any temporary hookups.

The next board meeting is June 7th. Mary Jane stated she will have more details by our June 14th meeting.

The layout and design on the park area was discussed. We need to consider the relocation of the monument and time capsule and decide whether to take the tree in the park down. The consensus of the Board is to remove the tree. Mayor Bates stated that Carroll Yates at the bank has no problem with the tree going down.

Lighting changes need to be made on the lights. The globes on the five light fixtures are too large. We will need to change to smaller globes. Mayor Bates stated that the Board decided to recommend 14” globes. Some of the five-light fixtures did not arrive. The single globe lights that did arrive will be changed out to the correct size and type in six to eight weeks.

Mary Jane reported that selling of personalized bricks is being considered at approximately $50.00 each. She has two estimates on the personalization. Nothing has been decided on this yet. Mayor Bates suggested that we seek a loan in order to proceed with the park area rather than put any work on hold.

Subject: Budget Message and Budget Ordinance – Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005 - Mayor Bates presented and reviewed his budget message with council pointing out some of the major expenditures. Employee health insurance was discussed. Mayor Bates stated that the budget committee is leaning toward going onto the state plan. He has called Cindy Dempsey, who handles this for the state, to gather information. She is out of the office until Friday. The committee is recommending paying full coverage as needed for each employee. This should save us about $27,000.00. The biggest difference in the state plan versus what we currently have is changing from a 90/10 to an 80/20. The maximum out of pocket is slightly more; the co-pays remain the same, and the medicine co-pays are less.

Chief Hadden stated that when he did his budget he was trying to come up with a way to hire another officer so he recommended cutting benefits. The committee’s recommendation is better than the Police Department recommendation. Chief Hadden questioned if employees could opt out of the plan and receive an allowance. Committee members stated yes. Chief Hadden stated he did not propose the state insurance, but did propose that everyone in his department get their own insurance with money being given to the employees to do this. Mayor Bates stated he feels we will have to wait until next year before asking any employees to pay anything toward their insurance. Discussion held as to whether an employee who waives the coverage would be allowed back into the plan later and also whether any money given in salary would be taken back if they opt back into the City’s plan. Consensus that any money given toward insurance would have to be taken off the salary if opting back into the City’s plan.

Chief Hadden questioned that the full dispatch fees are still in his budget and whether any changes have been made yet on this. Mayor Bates stated that no changes have been made to date and that the money has to stay in the budget until it can be addressed. He is working on this.

Attorney Brammell held the first reading of the budget ordinance (#2004-002) for fiscal year July 1, 2004/June 30, 2005.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Stephens and seconded by Member Ferguson to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

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