| MINUTES |
EMINENCE, KENTUCKY APRIL 10, 2006
The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Doug Bates and the following members present: Kevin Harris, Howard Roberts, Tom Ferguson, and Leeroy Winburn. Absent were Members Drane Stephens and Laura Whitney.
Mayor Bates called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Subject: Minutes - The minutes of the previous regular session held on March 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: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Doug Bates followed up with council on some of the items reported on last month.
Mayor Bates reported that the traffic light appears to be working better since the change to allow the left hand turn first onto Highway 22 West 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. The public has not gotten used to the fact that they can now turn right on red from West Broadway onto Main Street.
Mayor Bates reported that we have had dumpsters at the City’s lot the past two Saturdays which has assisted citizens with getting rid of some of their large trash items. Other property ordinance issues are being worked on by the Police Chief.
Mayor Bates reported that the Renaissance Faire is on schedule to open June 3rd.
Mayor Bates reported that he has an interested party for location of a business at the Louisville/Saydah property which could provide 150-250 jobs. We are one of four areas being considered and are the only one in Kentucky. He will be showing the property again this week. Mayor Bates stated he could not release any more information at this time due to confidentiality.
Mayor Bates reviewed information received from Insight Cable detailing increased service to be provided by them. This includes one price increase on their HD Pak from 7.95 per month to 8.00 per month. Member Ferguson questioned if we could do anything about the price of cable service and why they were the only provider of this service. It was discussed that we cannot control the pricing and that they do not have an exclusive franchise, but that no other interest has been shown for this area.
Subject: Zoning Change Request – Attorney Brammell and Mayor Bates reported that planning and zoning has initiated a recommendation to change (revert) the zone at Lots 6 & 7 of the HK Realty, LLC property located at the corner of Eminence Terrace and West Broadway back to R-2 from the previously approved B-3. This previously approved zone change did not develop within the time period allowed and should revert back to the original zone. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Ferguson to approve the recommendation of planning and zoning and to change (or revert) the zone for Lots 6 & 7 of the HK Realty, LLC property located at the corner of Eminence Terrace and West Broadway to R-2 from B-3. All members present voted “Yea”.
Subject: West Owen Street Project - Mayor Bates reported no change. We have had some inquiries on the lots, but no offers to purchase. Council questioned at what time were we going to proceed with selling them at a lesser price. Council was reminded that we need approximately $46,000.00 in funds to be able to purchase the final house, tear it down and re-coup previously spent City funds on this project. Rick Rynes was present and stated that he would offer $5,000.00 for the lot behind him and would also tear down the Henderson house for us. Mr. Rynes was advised that he would have to officially make the offer through the realtor. Mr. Rynes was informed that there are two lots behind him and not just one. Mr. Rynes was not aware of this, but stated he would look at the plat and still make some type of offer.
Subject: Porter Property on Ballardsville Road – Rick Rynes was present to let the council know that he is scheduled to tear down the two houses located on the Porter property at the end of the city limits on Ballardsville Road. He has been the holdup in meeting the City’s deadline rather than the property owner, but will get this taken care of soon.
Subject: Eminence Tomorrow – Main Street Director Jennifer Watson reviewed the monthly activity report with council.
Ms. Watson reported that our TEA-21 application has been completed and submitted.
Ms. Watson reported that she hopes to hear from the Main Street grant within two weeks. This is the grant in which we requested funds to purchase an old caboose for use as a welcome center.
Ms. Watson reported that the Eminence Business Association met and discussed growth and elections. She is also working with Chamber of Commerce Director Pat Wallace on a possible discount price for membership in both organizations.
Ms. Watson reported that the Women in Business are continuing to work on the county map and brochure. Other ideas being considered by the Women in Business are historical signs for appropriate properties with future historic tours.
Ms. Watson reported that she has not had a lot of interest so far in the partnership to provide discounts on paint and other items available to citizens to spruce up their property but hopes we will see this grow as better weather arrives and as we insist that our property ordinance be adhered to. This is open to the entire City of Eminence.
Ms. Watson reported she is also working on several preservation reporting forms.
Ms. Watson reported she is working on a Derby Day event for May 6th with Pastor Sharon Fields of the Eminence Christian Church. This should be an event we can expand each year.
Ms. Watson reported she is working on a website update which will include more business links.
Subject: Police Department Report – Police Chief Mount Hadden reviewed the March activity report with council.
Chief Hadden reported he has sent out approximately 10-12 letters on the property ordinance. He stated we will need to work on these on a case by case basis since each individual property will have different needs and time frames for compliance.
Chief Hadden reported that new officer Michael Webb is working third shift and is doing a good job initiating activities between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. He is keeping a daily report detailing his activities. He is checking businesses during his shift.
Member Harris discussed the talk on a national level regarding illegal immigrants and questioned how we are handling this. Chief Hadden reported that INA is picking up individuals who have felony charges but not mis-demeanors. Member Harris questioned if we could make a substantial fine to these individuals. Chief Hadden stated we could try a charge of criminal trespass and see how the court system would treat this. This has not been tried yet by anyone. Other discussion held. Attorney Brammell stated that state and federal laws would override anything we try to do locally. Member Harris asked Attorney Brammell to check into this situation to see what we can do.
Subject: Public Works Department Report – In the absence of Public Works Director William Smith, Mayor Bates reported on some of their activities.
Mayor Bates reported that the North Main Street project is on hold waiting for materials to arrive on site.
Mayor Bates reported that the Elm Street water line extension is also on hold at this time.
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, including the final reimbursement from FEMA for the tornado damage in 2004. A large portion of this final reimbursement will have to be dispensed out to other agencies that assisted us during the tornado recovery.
Ms. Doane reported that she is getting the City website updated through Joyce Meyer.
Subject: Ordinance Updating Compensation Plan – City Clerk Doane explained that as part of keeping our personnel policy up to date, each year it is updated with the cost of living factor for the salary scale. Adoption of the ordinance updating the plan at this time in no way gives a raise to any employee. Attorney Brammell held the first reading of an ordinance updating the compensation plan.
Subject: Cleaning Bid Opening – Mayor Bates opened the bids received for cleaning services at the Police Department and City Hall. The bids were as follows:
Consensus of council for Mayor and Clerk to review the bids and make a recommendation at the special meeting later this month.
Subject: Special Meeting – Mayor Bates asked what date would be the best for a special meeting later this month to address several time sensitive issues. Council in agreement that April 27th at 6:00 p.m. would probably work the best.
Subject: Net Profits/Occupational Tax Ordinance – City Clerk Sandra Doane informed council that the revised ordinance is not ready for presentation at this time.
Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Roberts presented the monthly fire department report. Reported that the Fire Department roof was damaged by wind last week and that lightning came into the building and fried a 200 amp electric service and even melted the meter. The department is looking into purchasing a generator and service to keep the City up and running. They are planning to use monies received from the State for this purchase. The Department has also talked with Carroll Yates at Farmers Deposit Bank concerning their willingness to install large outside lights to connect to their generator in the event of a power outage. This would light up the Main Street area.
Member Roberts reviewed with council the quarterly and year to date through December, 2005 financial information. The quarter ending March 31st should be available by next month.
Subject: Community Center Report – No report was available. Mayor Bates stated no board meeting was held this past month.
Subject: Mayor/Council Compensation Ordinance Amendment – Mayor Bates reviewed with council that the Mayor/Council compensation has not been changed other than the cost of living increases since 1999. Discussion held. Suggestion made not to pay members if they do not show up for meetings. More suggested increases were discussed. Attorney Brammell held the first reading of an ordinance increasing the Mayor’s compensation effective January 1, 2007 to $18,000.00 per year and the Council’s compensation effective January 1, 2007 to $3,800.00 per year with a clause that over two missed meetings per year would create a non-payment situation.
Subject: Special Meeting – It was noted that a candidate’s forum is also scheduled for April 27th. Consensus was to change our meeting to Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
Subject: Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Attorney Brammell stated that he believes the County has made a decision on the 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, but he has not received a copy yet for us to review. If available it will be included on the special meeting agenda.
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 Ferguson and seconded by Member Harris to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
DOUGLAS M. BATES, MAYOR
CITY OF EMINENCE, KENTUCKY
ATTEST:
SANDRA A. DOANE, CITY CLERK
CITY OF EMINENCE, KENTUCKY
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