Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Doug Bates and the following members present: Kelly Shannon, Howard Roberts, Tom Ferguson, and Leeroy Winburn. Arriving late was Member Drane Stephens. Absent was Member Laura Whitney.

The minutes of the previous regular session held on December 15, 2003 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the minutes as presented. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: County Business Update – Magistrate Wayne Gunnell was present to update the City on County activities. Reported that the mandatory garbage pickup in the county started on January 2nd.

Mr. Gunnell reported on an economic development committee that has been established to promote Henry County and specifically the sixty acres of county land located near the City of Campbellsburg and the Louisville Saydah plant, which will be empty April 1, 2004.

Mr. Gunnell discussed a meeting he attended with Mayor Bates to see if we could get some additional signs at the Mulberry Road area to assist with truck traffic. Another meeting will be held February 4th to look at the traffic lights and signs.

Mr. Gunnell discussed the increase from Oldham County Jail to house prisoners. Due to this increase, Henry County has contracted to send some prisoners to Bullitt County and will contract with Shelby County after their renovation. Carroll County may also be used to house prisoners. Member Shannon asked if prisoners needing medical attention were still being taken to Tri-County Hospital. Mr. Gunnell stated that the jailer determines where they are taken.

Mr. Gunnell reported that many cuts on the state level will impact the County and the City. He will be meeting again this week on the state budget.

Attorney Brammell stated he appreciates the County for setting up the recycling at the County barn. He feels we need to expand the items picked up at the County level. It was asked if the local recycling would continue. Mr. Gunnell will check on this.

Subject: Community Center – Mayor Bates reported that Sandy Rhodes was unable to attend due to illness. Mayor Bates reviewed the activity report with council. The exercise equipment consisting of an Apollo machine, three treadmills, two wind type bikes and another bike are ready for setup. Two nights a week will be for ladies only with some time also reserved for men. Twelve people can exercise at a time. You must be fourteen with adult supervision to participate. The time will be regulated to thirty minutes usage if someone is waiting.

Mayor Bates reported that two computers are still available in the Director’s office if someone needs to use them.

Subject: West Owen Street Project – Lorenzo and Regina Bradley and Robert Ann and Lawrence Wright were present to discuss the West Owen Street project and specifically the Edna Fisher property with council. Mr. Bradley discussed that Ms. Fisher has been receiving Medicaid while in the nursing home and that after six months her property must be sold. They are asking that their letter to the Mayor concerning this be attached to the minutes and to document that it has always been their intention to move Ms. Fisher back into her home. Her deadline to move out of the nursing home is the end of January and her house must be finished. They are also interested in the other residences in the area.

Project manager, Kriss Lowry reported that the contractor is almost done on Ms. Fisher’s house. A certificate of occupancy has been issued, however she has given Mr. Patrick a checklist to be finished. Stairways and a handrail need installing. The front entrance is an issue. It will probably be April prior to finalizing the yard and concrete work. The storage units for Ms. Fisher have been $100.00 per month. Mr. Patrick is two months late on completion of this house even with the thirty days rain allowance given to him. After completion a one-year warranty exists on the contractor plus any individual appliance warranties. Ms. Lowry stated she would do a letter to the family regarding all aspects of Ms. Fisher’s house and circumstances.

Janet Timberlake was present. Ms. Timberlake intends to purchase two of the properties and allow the City to tear down the houses. She would like a date when this will happen. Ms. Lowry stated that it will be put out to bid the end of January with asbestos removal this winter with a notice to proceed issued in the spring. Ms. Timberlake also expressed her concern with the business at the end of the street. It causes traffic problems and is also unsightly. Mayor Bates reported he has received a commitment to remove the tanks. The sludge has to taken out first. The building will be addressed later. Council is working on an ordinance that will have more teeth for problems like this. The Timberlake closing is set for Tuesday, January 27th at 3:00 p.m.

Ms. Lowry reported on the Whitson McGruder estate. Due to the law being different at the time of Mr. McGruder’s death, we may not have to file condemnation.

Reported she is waiting on the deeds to come back from Indianan on the Lee Thomas estate.

Ms. Lowry reported that the agreements not to acquire have previously been done on an individual basis and a blanket authorization would help the project move more quickly. Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Ferguson to authorize the Mayor to enter into agreements not to purchase property on the West Owen Street project as deemed appropriate by the project manager and the Mayor. All members present voted “Yea”.

Ms. Lowry stated that until the bids for clearing and asbestos removal are in we need to hold up on purchasing additional property.

James Thomas, who owns property on West Owen Street, was present and asked why we can’t get this project complete. Ms. Lowry responded that the contractor is simply slow.

February 15th has been given as a deadline on the individual wanting to rehabilitate their property.

Subject: Eminence Tomorrow – Mary Jane Yates was present to discuss the streetscape projects with council. Reported that each property owner involved in the façade grant has been sent written approval and guidelines to commence their individual projects. The total amount of money involved is $19,500.00 with the main stipulation being that it must be completed by July 15, 2004.

Ms. Yates reported that the streetscape is near completion in front of city hall. The lighting contractor is on site today. We will be able to roll the $250,000.00 grant into Phase I & Phase II if we choose, and provided the unit cost remains the same we can use the same contractor. This would save time and the expense of bidding. Phase III will be the west side of Main Street to the end of the retail shops and the other side of Main Street from Video Vender up to the bank.

Ms. Yates reported she will have the Phase IV application ready by our next meeting. She is also checking into prices to include North Main Street beyond the Baptist Church. The application deadline is February 16th.

The interim financing was discussed. Mayor Bates reported we have met with Farmers Deposit and Central Bank and both are willing to do the interim financing up to $200,000.00 at 4% interest. We also discussed deposit interest rates with both banks with some recommendations to be made later on this. Discussion held. Motion made by Member Shannon and seconded by Member Stephens to authorize the Mayor to set up the interim financing through Central Bank with a line of credit not to exceed $200,000.00 at 4% interest. On a call of vote by Mayor Bates, voting “Yea” were Members Shannon, Stephens, and Winburn. Voting “Nay” were Members Roberts and Ferguson.

Motion made by Member Shannon and seconded by Member Winburn to adopt the resolution as read and amended and authorizing the financing through Central Bank. On a call of vote by Mayor Bates, voting “Yea” were Members Winburn, Stephens and Shannon. Voting “Nay” were Members Ferguson and Roberts.

Subject: Police Department – Due to Chief Hadden being sick, Officer Todd Rankin reviewed the monthly activity report with council. The yearly figures were also reviewed. Mayor Bates stated he has met with Smithfield Mayor Bryant concerning our department providing police services for Smithfield and has given him the preliminary figures to discuss with his council. This will come before full council later as it will require an interlocal agreement.

Subject: Public Works Department – Public Works Director William Smith reviewed his department activity. Reported he has no written report but they have been doing snow removal and assisting the contractor on the streetscape project along with other daily activities. Reported that we are looking into a buzz-in lock system at city hall and the police station.

Mr. Smith reported that he will attend a meeting on Wednesday that may give us the information we need to know on whether our North Main Street Pump Station Relocation Project will be approved.

Member Stephens asked when the Elm Street sidewalk work would be completed. Mr. Smith reported that the contractor has had some personal problems and that he also needs to tie our project into some larger ones he is doing, since he cannot get such a small amount of concrete delivered.

Mr. Smith reported he has not heard anything on the Seven Gables Development. There is the possibility of a new project on North Main Street for the 35 acres to be developed. If possible he will incorporate this with the pump station relocation.

Mr. Smith reported we have not heard back from Tony Tingle on the Elmcrest Street contract extension.

Subject: Administrative Office Report – City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the monthly administrative activity report with council.

Reported on the meeting with Farmers Deposit and Central Bank and the interest rates schedule from each bank. Suggested this be looked into further with consideration given to moving some of the City funds possibly to Central Bank as we can get a better interest rate and also to look at changing the type of accounts in other instances.

The second quarter budget comparison was reviewed briefly with council. City Clerk Doane stated that some line item changes will have to be made. Mayor asked Council to look at this in detail and report any questions or concerns back to him or the City Clerk.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Roberts reported he is working on getting a federal identification number for the fire department. Reported that they are getting a quote for a 4X4 ¾ ton field truck. Bids are being received and the loan paperwork is being done.

Subject: Committee and Board Appointments – Mayor Bates requested that council give him their input on which boards and/or committees they would like to serve on. He will take these into consideration when he makes his appointments.

Subject: Future Projects – Mayor Bates reviewed some of the future projects on his list with council.

Subject: Warrants – The warrants presented for payment were reviewed. Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Stephens to approve the warrants as presented. All members present voted “Yea”.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Stephens to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

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