Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, May 8, 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. Absent was Member Kevin Harris.

Subject: Minutes - The minutes of the previous regular session held on April 10, 2006 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Whitney to approve the minutes as presented. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Special Minutes - The minutes of the previous special session held on April 26, 2006 were reviewed. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the special minutes as presented. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Request for Sign Approval – John Adcock was present to discuss with council the location of a sign on the side of the Double T building at the corner of Main Street and West Broadway. Mr. Adcock’s proposal is to replace the existing sign with a directional/informational one that would promote the businesses located down West Broadway and other areas west of the downtown area. Attorney Brammell explained that planning and zoning will be the one to approve the sign as the City’s previous ordinance regarding signs is no longer active. Normally any sign has to promote only the business on which it is located, so Mr. Adcock will have to show a business necessity. Discussion held. Motion by Member Stephens and second by Member Whitney to authorize Mayor Bates to draft a letter to planning and zoning stating that we do not approve nor disapprove the placement of this sign based upon the information presented to us by Mr. Adcock, but that we do want to support all of our businesses. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Deferred Compensation Program – Diana Webb with the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet Deferred Compensation Authority was present to discuss their program with council. Ms. Webb briefly reviewed the two different saving’s plans available through their program. The only cost to the City would be the small time expense of the payroll administrator for compilation and mailing of the withheld amounts. No match is necessary on the City’s part, but one can be made if desired. The minimum amount per paycheck that must be put into the plan is $15.00. The savings to the City and the employees are based upon the amount deposited into either a 457 plan or a 401K plan being pre-tax dollars. Neither the City nor the employees would have to pay Social Security or Medicare on this savings amount. This program would not interfere with the current retirement plan. This plan offers open enrollment anytime. Council is eligible to join, however plans must be coordinated with any other employers. There are no commissions or ticket charges with only a maintenance fee being charged. The City will need to do a joiner agreement and a resolution. Motion made by Member Whitney and seconded by Member Stephens to authorize joining the deferred compensation program pending Attorney Brammell review and approval of the joining documents. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: County Business – Magistrate Wayne Gunnell was present to review County business with council. Mr. Gunnell stated that they are in the process of adopting their budget in the amount of $5,121,879 with the second reading scheduled for May 23, 2006. Each fulltime employee will be receiving a $750.00 pay raise with part-time employees going to $9.00 per hour. They will be purchasing a new car and dump truck for the County. They currently have a surplus in the EMS services. Mr. Gunnell stated that they have received a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $408,000 representing 90% of the cost for a new senior citizen building at the fairgrounds.

Mr. Gunnell stated that the County has hired Scott McClamroch as the new EMS supervisor.

Mr. Gunnell stated that Ohio Valley Asphalt has been awarded a contract for blacktopping that includes Highway 22 from Main Street to the Oldham County line. Mr. Gunnell stated that he and Mayor Bates have met with the Department of Transportation to discuss the connector around town to the industrial park and other areas of concern. Another meeting is scheduled from May 24th to discuss the connector.

City Clerk Doane asked about the dispatch charges being made to the City from the County and whether any decision has been made on this as we too are working on our budget with most of the departments leaving this out. Mr. Gunnell stated that no decision has been made as no meeting was held in January to discuss this again. He suggested setting up another meeting.

Subject: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Doug Bates followed up with council on some of the items reported on last month. Mayor Bates reviewed the properties being worked on per the property maintenance ordinance.

Mayor Bates reported that he will be showing the Louisville/Saydah property again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. We are still on the list with another company who is interested in locating in Kentucky. This particular company would provide 150-200 jobs with expansion planned, should they choose Eminence.

Subject: Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant – Mayor Bates reviewed a 50% matching land and water conservation grant with a $75,000.00 maximum that is due in July. Mayor Bates discussed the proposed project of converting the pool to a splash-pad with other recreational equipment being installed. Member Ferguson stated he feels it is time we resolve the issue of the pool. Member Winburn stated we need to do more for our youth in the City. Attorney Brammell read a resolution authorizing application for a land and water conservation grant and resolving to hold in reserve the 50% cost for the match. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Roberts to adopt the resolution as read. All members present voted “Yea”.

Mr. Adcock suggested working with the school on keeping the pool open. Council explained the problems we are experiencing with trying to keep the pool open including the lack of available certified employees, cost and condition of the pool.

Subject: Amendment to the Planning & Zoning Ordinance – Attorney Brammell held the first reading of a proposed amendment to the planning and zoning ordinance which would amend Sections 390, 660 II C, 1100, 1110, and 1120. These changes are being recommended by the County. Member Roberts stated he has a concern about extending the time frame for substantial construction to be initiated on a zone change. Attorney Brammell stated that the proposal would actually reduce the time on the original zone change from two years to one year with a one year extension being allowed without a public hearing upon request of the property owner showing good cause.

Subject: West Owen Street Project - Mayor Bates reported no change. Some interest has been shown on the lots. Ricky Rynes stated to him that he has sent an offer to purchase on the lots behind him to the realtor; however the realtor has not made any contact with the City on a possible contract.

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

Ms. Watson reported that she had forwarded information she received from citizen input on the issue of signs to planning and zoning and is happy to see them being addressed.

Ms. Watson reported that she has only had three applications so far to participate in the paint program. This program ends June 30th. This is open to the entire City of Eminence.

Ms. Watson reported that at a recent Main Street meeting, the speaker focused on Eminence as an example of something being “well done” with the preservation of our train depot and as something which “missed the boat” with the destruction of the old hotel block at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway.

Ms. Watson reported that she hopes to hear from the Phase IV grant application within 30 days. We did receive initial approval through KIPDA.

Ms. Watson reported that the Women in Business map and brochure are at the printer’s. The group is also working on a Highway 421 Garage Sale Project.

Ms. Watson reported she has completed her budget for presentation to the committee.

Ms. Watson reported Eminence Day activities are being worked on with a planting set up for Thursday evening, weather permitting. Ad sales are going well with this project.

Subject: Loan Extension Agreement – Mayor Bates reviewed a loan extension agreement as pertains to the streetscape project. No outstanding debt is owed on this loan with it being a line of credit that was established for interim financing of the streetscape project. Since we have applied for more streetscape funds, we need to keep this line of credit open. Motion made by Member Winburn and seconded by Member Ferguson to authorize Mayor Bates and Clerk Doane to sign the loan extension agreement with PBI Bank in the amount of $200,000.00 line of credit. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Police Department Report – In the absence of the Police Chief, no report was available.

Subject: Public Works Department Report – In the absence of Public Works Director William Smith, no report was available.

Mayor Bates reported that a meeting was held with Tony Tingle concerning the easement the City needs from him in his subdivision. He still has concerns over the condition of the Davis property which joins his subdivision. No conclusion has been reached.

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 receipt of the telecommunications tax in the amount of $939.76 per month for January and February. Clerk Doane stated she has requested an accounting and formula used for distribution of these funds to the cities by the State, but has not had any response from them.

Ms. Doane reported she is the newly elected President of the Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association and will be representing Kentucky in the opening ceremony at the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Conference next week.

Subject: Third Quarter Budget Comparison – Clerk Doane briefly reviewed the third quarter budget comparison with council. Council was asked to review in detail and bring any questions back to the next meeting.

Subject: Ordinance Updating Compensation Plan – Attorney Brammell held the second reading of an ordinance updating the compensation plan with the cost of living factor for the salary scale which would keep our personnel policy up to date. Motion made by Member Ferguson and seconded by Member Winburn to adopt the ordinance as read. On a call of vote by Mayor Bates, voting “Yea” were Members Winburn, Ferguson, Roberts, and Whitney. Voting “Nay” was Member Drane Stephens.

Subject: Net Profits/Occupational Tax Ordinance – Attorney Brammell informed council that the revised ordinance is not ready for presentation at this time but is being worked on.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Fire Chief Gary Lucas presented the monthly fire department report. Chief Lucas stated they are experiencing a crunch in manpower. Chief Lucas stated that the new Homeland Security issues are also creating new concerns and requirements.

Chief Lucas stated that since we are having more and more storms, the department has purchased an 11,000 watt generator which would keep the Fire Department and Police Department up and running in the event of a power outage. They have also requested that Farmers Deposit Bank allow them to use their generator which would light up some of the downtown area. The department used recovered lost state funds to purchase the basic generator in the amount of approximately $7,000.00.

Chief Lucas reported that between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every department in the County is dispatched with coordination of personnel being done via radio.

Chief Lucas reported that they have the smallest rural district in the County, which means they receive the smallest deed tax amount from the County.

Subject: Community Center Report – Mayor Bates reviewed the monthly community center report with council. The employees have requested a buzzer for their door and a new sign for the Center. No recommendation has been made by the Board on either request. Member Winburn stated he feels some repairs are needed at the Center, especially to the floor.

Subject: Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Attorney Brammell held the second reading of an ordinance amending Section 770 of the County/City Zoning Ordinance. Motion made by Member Whitney and seconded by Member Ferguson to adopt the ordinance as read. All members present voted “Yea”.

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

Subject: Closed Session – Motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Whitney to go into closed session to discuss possible sale of unused lift station property. All members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: PowerPoint Budget Presentation – Fire Chief Lucas presented a PowerPoint budget presentation to council. Chief Lucas reviewed the Department’s long range strategic plan and individual budget requests with council.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Winburn to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

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