Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a special session on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Eminence City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Jim Petitt and the following members present: Danny Meadows, Treva Browning, Shawn Bright, Drane Stephens, and Kelly Mathis. Absent was Member George Armstrong. Other individuals present were Harold Chisholm, Doug Bates, Attorney William Brammell and City Clerk Sandra Doane.

The purpose of the meeting being called was to conduct a public hearing on the recreational trails grant program; discuss the recreational trails program application; adopt a resolution on the recreational trails program; and discuss the Main Street program and re-certification requirements.

Subject: Public Hearing - Mayor Petitt reviewed the trails grant proposal with the council and the public. The proposal is to apply for a grant to install and develop two trails on the outside perimeter of the pool/park property. The outside trail would accommodate walkers and would be approximately ¼ mile in length. Each trail would be five feet wide. The inside trail would accommodate skate boarders and in-line skaters. The estimated cost to pave the trails is $41,600.00 with the estimated cost to install the trailside and trailhead facilities being $65,400.00 for a total cost of $107,000.00 for the entire project. The grant, if we request an amount between $75,000-$100,000, would be based upon 80/20 making our estimated responsibility $27,000.00. Mayor Petitt requested permission to proceed with the grant application.

Member Mathis asked about the existing needs at the pool and whether they could be addressed with this grant. Mayor Petitt stated that the pool would not qualify for this particular grant and that we probably cannot do anything at the pool until next year as the contractor who is going to evaluate the pool will not be here until sometime in February.

Attorney Brammell stated that applying for the grant does not commit you to the grant should you change your mind. Council asked how we would be paying our portion of the project. Clerk Doane stated that we could take the funds out of the parks reserve monies.

Mayor Petitt stated he will be getting letters of support from Geoff Davis and Senator Ernie Harris and that he already has one from Representative Rick Rand. Member Mathis stated we could probably get letters from the school and that they might even be interested in using the walking/jogging trail for track. Other possible uses for the trail were discussed including the Relay for Life teams and the Jonathan Adams Walk.

Mayor Petitt stated that Rob Trowbridge with KIPDA is assisting us with the grant application which is due January 31, 2007. Mr. Trowbridge does not feel that we will have any problem getting this done on time.

Mayor Petitt requested that everyone present, if in agreement, sign a concurrence form on this project to include with our project.

Citizen Harold Chisholm requested that the trails be located a good distance from his property and not right on the property line. He also stated he is still interested in purchasing fifteen feet of property from the City. Council was unable to address this at the current time due to this not being on the agenda. Mayor Petitt stated that the proposed trails are not located close to the property lines at all and are at least twenty feet from the City’s pump station on Henry Street but are probably slightly closer to Mr. Chisholm’s property.

Attorney Brammell, acting in his capacity as a citizen, suggested that we might want to look at a different surface for at least the walking/jogging trail which would have less impact on runners and that this type surface might even be less expensive. Mr. Brammell also suggested installing some shade trees for resting.

Council asked when we might hear back from the grant. Mayor Petitt stated that no definite date is included in the information he has.

Member Mathis stated she felt with the jumps we will have to patrol this heavily. The possible misuses of the trails at night were discussed. Mr. Chisholm stated that there is less night traffic now than in the past. Mayor Petitt stated that we do not plan on the trail being used at all after dark and if traffic and loitering at the pool area becomes an issue, we will start locking the gate at night.

It was suggested that we could possibly use the job corps to do some of the work with us furnishing the materials.

With no further public comments, Mayor Petitt closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.

Subject: Trails Grant Resolution – Member Stephens made the motion to adopt a resolution authorizing application to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Local Government, National Recreational Trails Program for a trails grant as discussed in the public hearing. Motion seconded by Member Mathis. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Main Street Program Re-Certification –Mayor Petitt stated that the Main Street Program Re-Certification is due by January 31, 2007 and that he has talked with Roger Stapleton who oversees the program. There are several things involved with this program that council needs to be sure they understand. Among other things, we are required to have a Main Street Director and it is required that someone attend and receive credit for classes throughout the year. Robin Mullins, Assistant City Clerk, is scheduled to attend the first class on Wednesday, January 24th on behalf of the City.

Mayor Petitt stated we will have at least three months to get someone else hired and on board as the Main Street Director.

Doug Bates reviewed some of the history of our current program with the Council and stated that he thinks we should continue with the program.

Member Mathis asked about the Eminence Tomorrow Board. Attorney Brammell stated that recently this has been a group of volunteers who are not continuing at the present time. The Board will need to be re-established. Attorney Brammell stated he felt this position was originally created as a grant writer and evolved away from this after the Renaissance Project on Main Street was complete to become a cheerleading position for Eminence. Mayor Petitt stated that he feels this is all about downtown and that the people in the community feel the same way and want things for other parts of town.

Member Mathis suggested we hold various concert nights like Shelbyville does with a family oriented theme. This would be good for businesses and get outside money into town. She also pointed out that our current Eminence Day is scheduled on the same day as Prom Night and a major baseball tournament in the County.

Member Meadows suggested that we write up a new job description for any new person we might hire.

Consensus of council to proceed with sending in the re-certification application and to also request that someone from the State office come and talk to us about the overall program.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Stephens to adjourn. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

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