Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Doug Bates and the following members present: Laura Whitney, Howard Roberts, Drane Stephens, Tom Ferguson, and Leeroy Winburn. Arriving late was Member Kevin Harris.

Subject: Minutes - The minutes of the previous regular session held on February 13, 2006 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Ferguson to approve the minutes as presented. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Introduction & Information – Samantha Southard, Field Representative to Congressman Geoff Davis, was present to introduce herself to Council and to let the City know that Congressman Davis now has a district office in LaGrange from which she works. The normal hours are 8:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. She may not always be there during those hours due to meetings, but please do not hesitate to contact the office should they be able to offer any assistance.

Subject: County Update – County Judge John Logan Brent was present to update the Council on various County economic and infrastructure projects.

Judge Brent reported that the Highway 146 realignment project is underway and should be complete soon. The balance of the needed repairs on Highway 146 has been added to the six year road plan by Rick Rand.

Judge Brent reported that we have made great strides in the solid waste program with 400 miles of highway being cleaned last year along with the last two state-identified dumps being cleaned up.

Judge Brent reported that the County will be holding clean sweep days on April 20-22, 2006 which will allow County individuals to have a place to take scrap metal, white goods, junk, fencing and tires.

Judge Brent reported that the fulltime EMS was put into place this past summer and with eight months data it is projected that we will lose approximately $45,000.00 on this department. He has compared this loss to other Counties and it is really not too bad comparatively. The County as a whole finished in the black this year.

Judge Brent reported on various economic development areas in the County and stated that the County will continue to work on these areas to bring jobs and businesses to the County.

Judge Brent stated he appreciated any support given him four years ago and would appreciate our support of him for the next term as Judge.

Subject: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Doug Bates reviewed with council some of the many areas being worked on by the City.

Mayor Bates reported that the traffic light has been changed at our bidding to have the left hand turn onto Highway 22 West be allowed to go first with the addition of a kick-out for thru traffic to be allowed to go start through on the green light from the right hand lane.

Mayor Bates reported briefly on his clean-up, fix-up, and paint-up campaign. This program also includes targeting the main properties previously discussed for compliance with our property enforcement ordinance. Main Street Director Jennifer Watson will give more details on this during her report.

Mayor Bates reported briefly on some possible new businesses in Eminence. Mayor Bates reported on the Renaissance Faire scheduled to open June 3rd. The Farmers’ Market structure should be in place soon and will be able to take WIC coupons.

Subject: Bid Opening Surplus Property – Mayor Bates reported that two bids had been received on the 1980 surplus fire truck; however, one of the bids was not received until around 5:00 p.m. which was after the advertised deadline of 4:00 p.m. Attorney Brammell stated we would not be able to consider the bid which was received after the advertised deadline. Mayor opened the one valid bid as follows:

Member Roberts stated he did not feel this was enough for the truck and wanted to proceed with advertising the truck in a different arena such as a fire magazine or by taking the truck to an auction. Other council members stated they felt like we should accept this bid and move on as we have not made any attempts to do anything with the truck and it is just sitting there deteriorating more. Council also discussed that the previous request for bids only generated one bid on this vehicle for $350.00 and it was thought that Chief Lucas stated at that time that the truck should be worth at least $1,000.00. Member Roberts stated he would like to contact Chief Lucas and ask his opinion.

Council took a small break at 6:45 p.m. to allow Member Roberts this courtesy. Meeting resumed at 6:50 p.m. Member Roberts stated he could not get in touch with Chief Lucas but did speak to other fire department personnel who stated they had heard Chief Lucas say it should be worth more.

Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Stephens to accept the bid of $1,100.00 from Kentucky Renaissance Faire, LLC for the 1980 surplus fire truck as advertised. On a call of vote, voting “Yea” were Members Whitney, Stephens, Ferguson and Winburn. Voting “Nay” was Member Roberts.

Subject: Eminence Tomorrow – Main Street Director Jennifer Watson reviewed the monthly activity report with council.

Ms. Watson reported that she has completed the re-certification application for the Main Street Program and hopefully we will receive this re-certification without any problem.

Ms. Watson reported that the Women in Business have been working on the county map with local artist, Emmy Houweling providing the artwork and that each City is being asked to contribute $400.00 toward this so that 20,000 copies can be printed the first time with the possibility of each contributor receiving $200.00 back from future grant funds. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Winburn to authorize the spending of $400.00 toward this County map production. All members present voted “Yea”.

Ms. Watson reported she is working on getting the Eminence Day celebration underway. One new addition to the festival this year might be a classic car display, being organized by the newest board member, Barbara Callahan. Barbara has also accepted the position as the New Castle Main Street Manager. She will have more information on the celebration next month.

Ms. Watson reported on a partnership with Porter Paint Company, Perry’s Tri-County Hardware, and Cook’s True Value to offer discounts for specific items (different items at each store) for citizens of Eminence who have been approved by application to clean up, spruce-up their property. In conjunction with this, the City will assist with clean-up activities by having dumpsters at the public works location on Highway 22 West on April 1st from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Ms. Watson reported that our TEA-21 intent to file application has been approved with the full application due by April 1st.

Subject: Police Department Report – In the absence of Police Chief Mount Hadden, Detective Kevin Kemper reviewed the February activity report with council. Detective Kemper stated we had 127 calls for service. Detective Kemper stated that Officer David Stratton has resigned to accept a position with LaGrange.

Mayor Bates reported he has hired Michael Webb, a current state police officer, to replace Officer Stratton. Mr. Webb will be starting after his two weeks notice.

Subject: Public Works Department Report – Public Works Director William Smith reviewed the monthly activity for his department with council.

Mr. Smith reported that the first phase of the Shawnee water line is almost complete and that since we did not receive the Community Economic Growth Grant for the second phase, we will need to come up with alternate funding should we still want to continue with this loop. It is estimated that by doing this with a change order to a current contractor, that we may be able to do Phase II for approximately $30,000.00. Mr. Smith and Clerk Doane discussed possible areas in the budget from which these funds could be taken. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Whitney to authorize proceeding with the second phase of this work for the approximate sum of $30,000.00. Per Attorney Brammell we can do this without bidding by way of utilizing the current bid and unit pricing and change orders. All members present voted “Yea”.

Member Stephens asked about the status of Quail Run Subdivision. Mr. Smith reported that they are working on the roads and water and sewer installation.

Subject: Quail Run Subdivision Street Lights – A request for street lights in the Quail Run Subdivision was discussed. Kentucky Utilities is recommending eight colonial style lights at this time for the first phase of development. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Ferguson to authorize the addition of these eight street lights in the Quail Run Subdivision into the City street light system. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Administrative Office Report - City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the monthly administrative office report with council. Ms. Doane reported on the various receipts to date.

Ms. Doane reported that all departments should begin work on their budget requests for July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

Subject: Cleaning of City Hall/Police Department - City Clerk Sandra Doane reported that we need to get someone to clean City Hall and the Police Department. The Police Department has not had anyone for close to two years and City Hall has had someone, who was doing a good job, but who has chosen to give the job up. The regular employees cannot find the time on a regular basis to do this along with their other duties. Motion made by Member Harris and seconded by Member Whitney to authorize advertising for bids to clean both buildings with the understanding that the work at the Police Department may have to wait until the new budget. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Net Profits/Occupational Tax Ordinance – City Clerk Sandra Doane reminded council of the decision to change the way the funds from the net profits and occupational tax ordinance are disbursed for the current fiscal year. In making this verbal commitment to balance the budget, the council did not; follow through with changing the ordinance to reflect these changes. The consensus of council was for Attorney Brammell to proceed with revising the ordinance to reflect these changes.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Roberts presented the monthly fire department report. Question asked when the audit was to be complete on the Fire Department. City Clerk Doane reminded council that they have not authorized one to be performed due to the cost and the fact that it was not a part of the original agreement with the Fire Department. It was to be one of the items we include in the revised contract for the new fiscal year. Mayor Bates appointed a committee of Members Harris, Roberts, and Stephens to work on revising this agreement with the Fire Department/Fire Board. Member Roberts stated that he would have financial information next month for the council and that the pagers have all been turned in and the contract stopped.

Subject: Community Center Report – Member Winburn presented the Community Center monthly activity report. He stated we need to be looking at something to generate funding for the Center. Sharon Fields is working on some ideas for capital financing. The next meeting is scheduled from April 6th.

Subject: Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Attorney Brammell suggested holding up on the second reading of an amendment to Section 770 (Division of Property), Section 250 (Fees) and Section 260 (Exceptions for which building permits are not required) of the zoning ordinance until the County decides what they want to do as the changes are mostly for the County and if they do not pass the ordinance, we do not need to either.

Subject: Zoning Change Request – Attorney Brammell and Mayor Bates reported that our zone change request from A-1 to R-2 for the property at 6045 South Main has been recommended for an R-1 zone instead of the requested R-2. We can accept their decision tonight if we desire or wait for it to come here and if we concur, vote at that time or vote to proceed with the R-2 zone. The R-1 zone is sufficient for our and the purchaser’s needs at this time. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Whitney to accept the zoning commission’s recommendation to change the zone for 6045 South Main Street from an A-1 to an R-1 zone. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Millions in a Month Campaign against Hunger in Kentucky – City Clerk Sandra Doane reported on the City’s efforts to collect food for the Millions in a Month Campaign against Hunger in Kentucky. Some food has been dropped off, but much more is needed. Each council member was asked to participate individually as well.

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

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Whitney to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 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.