Eminence Kentucky-Special Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a special called session on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Doug Bates and the following members present: Kevin Harris, Laura Whitney, Howard Roberts, Drane Stephens, Tom Ferguson, and Leeroy Winburn. Absent were none. Also in attendance were City Clerk Sandra Doane, Attorney William Brammell, Alice Ferguson, Jim Petitt, Betsy Pettit, Charlotte Duso, Shawn Bright, Brenda Chism, Denny Cravens, and Amanda Hensley.

The purpose of the special meeting being called was to hold a public hearing to discuss recreation needs and specifically a land and water grant application; hold a second reading of an amended Occupational/Net Profits Ordinance; discuss a zone change request from A-1 to B-2 for John Coomes; and to adopt line changes to the fiscal year budget for 7-1-05/6-30-06.

Mayor Bates reviewed the history of the swimming pool detailing its construction in the early 1960’s, subsequent renovation in the late 1970’s & early 1980’s. Mayor Bates also reported on the Community Economic Growth Grant application which we submitted last year and were declined funding on.

Mayor Bates explained that the Land and Water Grant is a maximum amount of $75,000.00 and is a 50% matching grant. He reviewed the eligible items for inclusion in the land and water grant.

Mayor Bates reviewed the financial losses experienced by the pool operation the last few years it was open which averaged $12,000.00 per year. He explained that as an alternative to try and renovate an approximate 50-year old pool that would only be open about two months and lose money, that the City is proposing to install a splash pad system that would utilize some of the existing equipment at the pool. Other park equipment is also being considered for this area.

Mayor Bates recognized Betsy Pettit who stated why not use the money for the pool renovation instead of doing a splash pad if it can be done for the same amount of money. Ms. Pettit stated that the City Council could have applied their raises to the splash pad. She wants something for all ages of people, not just something for the younger kids.

Member Stephens stated that he would rather have a pool as well if feasible, but he does not feel it is feasible. The average life of any pool is 30 years and we have gone way past that. He stated that we also need to look at the climate change. He does not feel we will have the attendance when compared to what’s available at the pools in Oldham and Shelby Counties. Some surrounding counties offer free admission, which we could not do and also allow zero entry, which we also could not do in our pool. He also does not think our pool was utilized much the last few years it was open.

Mayor Bates recognized Denny Cravens who stated he would like to see the pool opened as it is good for more ages of individuals. He stated he did not feel the last person who operated the pool kept it open enough or long enough hours. He also stated that as more people have pools in the yards, that the potential for drowning incidents becomes higher.

Member Ferguson stated he thinks pools at home are what caused the low attendance at our pool. Mr. Cravens disagreed, stating he feels the private pools were put in because the public pool was not available.

Member Harris stated he feels as a County we are lacking in things for our youth to do, but as long as the citizens understand that we will suffer a loss every year and are comfortable with that, then he would like to see the pool kept open if feasible. He does feel that the splash pad is age restrictive.

Member Winburn stated that he has always wanted the pool to be open and that the City should absorb the cost if necessary. He asked Attorney Brammell if this could be put to a community vote on the ballot for a tax increase to fund the pool. Attorney Brammell stated that in some instances you can put items on the ballot for a tax increase, but doesn’t think this would qualify. He also stated that the City cannot ask for a referendum vote, but that others can have it put on the ballot.

Member Stephens stated that as a small town this should be a County effort and asked if the County could be forced to participate in getting a public pool open. Attorney Brammell stated that we could not force anyone to participate.

Mayor Bates recognized Brenda Chism who stated that the Fiscal Court does need to be contacted but face to face, not by letter. She also stated that the public has not received any clarification on anything and has a perception that the City does not want a pool.

Mayor Bates recognized Alice Ferguson who stated that the City did discuss the splash pad and pool at the last meeting and that the Council at that time stated they would gladly open the pool if the money and personnel were available. She stated that she does not know of any grant money available specifically for pools, but that grant money is available for recreation.

Mayor Bates recognized Brenda Chism who stated that when the kids at the school attempted to raise money to open the pool they were led to believe they would be wasting their time and that there was no chance it would ever open again. Council stated this is not true and that the council gave their blessing and support.

Member Stephens stated that the last few years the pool was open, attendance was too low with only 90 people attending the entire season.

Mayor recognized Jim Petitt who stated he felt it was obvious we did not want a pool as we used a $250,000.00 figure at the last meeting to get the pool open. He quoted earlier meetings where the pool was discussed.

Brenda Chism stated that last time the pool was open was when Mayor Shroyer was in office. Mayor Bates stated he resented the implication and that the pool was open the first year he was in office with the council decision being made not to open it the following year.

Ms. Chism stated she doesn’t even have young kids any more and shouldn’t even be here, but she is concerned about the kids of the community. She feels that the notice in the paper about the hearing was not sufficient. Clerk Doane stated it was in the paper in the appropriate location where all legal notices are put.

Member Whitney stated she has always wanted the pool and that we have tried to get support from other areas with no one willing to assist. She feels it will take more than just Eminence to get a public pool open again.

Mayor recognized Clerk Sandra Doane who stated that even with all the other concerns that have been mentioned she feels we are missing one of the most important issues in the fact that we cannot find qualified personnel who are willing to work for us for just two months out of the year, with the weather a possibility whether that can even happen, when they can go fifteen miles down the road and get a fulltime or permanent part-time job. Ms. Doane stated that personnel could not be easily found the last few years we were open and that we even paid for individuals to be certified.

Brenda Chism stated she thinks the personnel are available and she really wants recreational facilities and wants us to more forward. She suggested asking the kids what they want – a pool or a splash pad. She would be willing to give $500.00 to benefit the kids if something worthwhile, but she still prefers the pool over the splash pad.

Member Winburn stated he hates to see people leaving town and that he has always promoted the pool, but it will be a large cost and the citizens have to be willing to support it. Member Ferguson stated he feels the same way and feels we all want the pool but the money is not there. Member Harris stated we find the money for everything else we want. Charlotte Duso stated then just do it.

Mayor Bates stated that when he was on council he moved to set up a park fund and that approximately 60,000.00 was in the account which was used by the previous administration, along with funds from the sale of the jail property, to balance the budget Mayor Bates stated that since his election to office, the fund is being re-built. Ms. Duso asked why not wait until next year to do something and work harder to get the pool open.

Brenda Chism stated we need to keep the door open and do something. Shawn Bright asked what happens if we cannot raise the donation funds needed. Clerk Doane stated we would have to re-evaluate the project to see if we can move forward at that time.

Ms. Chism asked for an explanation of exactly what we want to do at this time. Clerk Doane reviewed the proposal for the splash pad system, batting cages and equipment being proposed for this grant application. She further reviewed additional possibilities for future development.

Member Winburn stated he would like to see the City’s land around our sewer plant developed into a park. Member Winburn stated we are elected by the citizens to serve the citizens. Ms. Chism asked if a message is not being sent by the fact that so many people are running for Council and Mayor. Member Whitney stated that we cannot please everyone and that she thinks it is good that so many are running and she hopes that whoever is elected does a good job. She also stated that she doesn’t think that Brenda is hearing everyone, because most of the people she sees are in favor of what the City is trying to do.

Member Roberts stated that two years ago when he was on the budget committee with Tom Ferguson, Leeroy Winburn and Mayor Bates they requested that money go specifically each year for recreation. No one said no pool, but let’s get money ahead. This might not be what we want, but at least it is something constructive. Member Ferguson stated this is absolutely right and that the Council has not set on their hands and done nothing and it’s simply not true what’s being implied. Ms. Chism stated she is in a position to see what’s happening on a daily basis and does appreciate the positive things, but other people talk to her and its not obvious to them.

Jim Petitt stated he wants to do what’s best for the community and he doesn’t feel the majority are between 3 and 11 years old.

Additional discussion held including possible individuals who might be good partners to get more recreational venues going on for teens in our community.

With no further comments forthcoming, Mayor Bates closed the public hearing at 8:48 p.m.

Subject: Net Profits/Occupational Tax Ordinance – Attorney Brammell held the second reading of an amendment to the Occupational/Net Profits Ordinance changing the allocation of funds at year end. Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Ferguson to adopt the ordinance as read. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Zone Change Request – Mayor Bates stated this will be moved to the next meeting as the paperwork has not been received from the County.

Subject: Budget Line Item Changes – Clerk Doane reviewed line item changes needed for the current fiscal year ending 6-30-06 budget. No department overall total changes are needed, so we will not need to re-advertise the budget ordinance. Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Whitney to approve the line item changes as reviewed and attached hereto. All members present voted “Yea”.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Harris and seconded by Member Roberts to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

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