Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 6:15 p.m. at the Eminence City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Jim Petitt and the following members present: George Armstrong, III, Drane Stephens, Shawn Bright, Treva Browning, and Danny Meadows. Absent was Member Kelly Mathis.

Subject: Closed Session – Mayor Petitt stated he needed a closed session to discuss a personnel issue. Motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Armstrong to go into closed session to discuss personnel. All members present voted “Yea”.

Mayor Petitt announced the resignation of Council Member Kelly Mathis due to KRS regulations which require her to vacant her position as she is no longer living in the city limits.

Subject: Minutes – The minutes of the previous regular session held on June 11, 2007 and the special session minutes held on June 21, 2007 were reviewed. No additions or changes were made by council, so Mayor Petitt stated they would stand approved as presented.

Subject: Amendment to Personnel Policy – Attorney Brammell held the first reading of an ordinance amending the City’s personnel policy as pertains to random drug testing of employees.

Subject: Eminence Festival – Mayor Petitt stated that Council Member Shawn Bright has agreed to assume the duties of Kelly Mathis as pertains to the Music on Main activities. Kelly has agreed to continue on with the activities planned for this Friday night, July 13th.

Subject: Police Department Report – Chief Carey Duncan reviewed the monthly activity report with council which showed a total of 265 general activity contacts.

Subject: Property Ordinance Enforcement Report – Chief Duncan gave a status report on three new properties reviewed for property ordinance violation during the month of June.

Subject: Police Cruiser Accident – Chief Duncan reported on the accident by new officer, O.C. Jones, Jr. with one of the cruisers. Officer Jones hydro-planed on wet roads near Versailles. The estimate received from Hancock Body Shop to repair the cruiser is $3,200.00.

Subject: Other Police Business – Member Bright asked if we are prepared for the event scheduled at Apollo Choppers next month. Chief Duncan stated he has spoken with owner, Jim Winn, and if 5,000 people come to this event we may need extra police assistance from the state police, etc. Mr. Winn stated to Chief Duncan that he will also have 40 of his own security people in place. Chief Duncan stated he will continue to work with Apollo Choppers to successfully coordinate this event. The dates for the event are August 10-12th.

Subject: Public Works Department Report – Mayor Petitt introduced Dustin Hamilton, new public works employee, to council. Mayor Petitt stated that no written report was prepared by Public Works Director William Smith this month as most of the activity has been general in nature. The department has been measuring streets for paving.

Mayor Petitt stated we needed to approve giving William Smith and/or Tim Fitzgerald voting privileges at the Kentucky Rural Water Association annual business meeting in the Mayor’s absence as the official voting delegate. Motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Bright to appoint William Smith as voting delegate and/or Tim Fitzgerald as alternate voting delegate to the annual business meeting of the Kentucky Rural Water Association in the Mayors’ absence. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, 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 on the net profits/occupational tax account end of year transfers.

Ms. Doane thanked Mayor and Council for allowing her to participate in the Leadership Henry County classes.

Subject: Fire Department Report – In the absence of Fire Chief Lucas, Member Danny Meadows reviewed the monthly activity report with council. Reported that the department will start filing claims on accidents which they respond to as an additional source of income for the department. Most departments already file claims for runs made.

Member Meadows reviewed the letter with council that we received from the auditor as pertains to the Fire Department records being audited. Per this letter, the fire department records will not be able to be audited until next year. Member Meadows reported that Assistant City Clerk Mullins is doing a great job since she has taken on the task of Treasurer for the Fire Department.

Member Meadows questioned why we need to have the separate liability insurance coverage which is paid for by the Fire Department. Clerk Doane stated as best she could recall this was put in place when the Fire Board was initially set up and was a recommendation from the insurance company at that time. Ms. Doane stated she will look into this and report back to council.

Subject: Community Center Report – Mayor Petitt reviewed the June Community Center report with council. Mayor Petitt stated he has purchased the new equipment as requested by the Center and approved by the Council at a cost of approximately $591.00.

Subject: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Petitt stated that he has spoken with Travis May, co-owner of the bulk oil plant on West Owen Street, who informed him that even though Home and Turf Concepts has been hired to do the final cleanup work at this property they have had difficulty contacting Shane Roberts (Home & Turf Concepts) to see when they are going to fulfill the contract. They will be deeding the property to Mr. Roberts, so they do not understand what the holdup might be on this project.

Mayor Petitt reported that Mr. Kallenberger has gotten the large hole filled in at the old Big Henry Apartments.

Mayor Petitt reported that work was scheduled to start today on the Family Dollar Store, however, it is his understanding that some changes still need to be made by the architect prior to ground breaking.

Mayor Petitt reported the downtown street striping should be done this week by Buzzard Roost Paving for a cost of $800.00.

Mayor Petitt reported that the zone change request from agriculture to B1 or B2 for the 34 acre property located on the north side of the city adjacent to the city limits would be discussed on July 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the planning and zoning meeting. Mayor Petitt encouraged council attendance. Another business prospect is also looking for two acres which might be a part of this property.

Mayor Petitt reported that he has hired O.C. Jones, Jr. as the replacement for resigning officer, Michael Black.

Mayor Petitt stated he wants to get a fleet card for the Fire Department for purchasing of only gas, kerosene, and diesel fuel. Only the officers - Gary Lucas, Steve Sparrow, Steve Lucas, and Vickie Cameron will have the cards. We will need to do a short tax exempt form for the service provider. Member Meadows stated he will have a required form for each officer to use when filling up to monitor the usage. Member Meadows recommended we go to mileage reimbursement on any travel for the Fire Department when personal vehicles are used.

Mayor Petitt stated he is looking into changing to a credit card which provides rebates to the City on gas and other purchases. We will have to re-apply as the current company cannot switch the current accounts.

Member Stephens stated he has received a complaint that the Fire Department trucks were used to promote one bible school and not the others. Member Meadows stated that the trucks are available to all churches for this purpose.

Subject: Louisville Gas & Electric Franchise – Mayor Petitt reported he has requested information from Louisville Gas & Electric as pertains to number of customers, estimated usage, etc. but has not received anything yet. Consensus of council to table this discussion until the requested information is available. Citizen, Helen Moore stated she feels this new franchise tax will be harmful to the older people of the community as most of the older homes have gas while the newer homes tend to have electric heat. She feels most of the older homes belong to older, retired and fixed income individuals. All the small increases add up and this would be targeting one group of people. Mayor Petitt stated this tax is already being paid by electric customers and is only being considered in an effort to make it fairer to all customers. Mr. Moore stated she feels an occupational tax increase is a preferred method of increasing revenue. Member Browning stated that working people are also on a fixed income. Member Bright stated we are only gathering information at this time for future reference and that he appreciates her input and concern. Member Stephens stated it is the council’s responsibility to look at all sources of income as well as all expenditures.

Subject: Yearly Salary Changes – It was discussed that even though salary changes are a part of the adopted budget, a separate motion is necessary to implement any changes. Motion made by Member Stephens and seconded by Member Bright to approve the salary changes retroactive to July 8, 2007 as previously agreed upon. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Warrants - The warrants presented for payment were reviewed and discussed. Motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Bright to approve the warrants for payment as presented. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Business License Question – Member Stephens stated he has been asked about the $100.00 business license requirement as it pertains to individuals who are mowing lawns. One individual only mows one business yard and was sent a bill for $100.00. Mr. Stephens stated he feels a lesser fee should be implemented for seasonal businesses as we work on updating this ordinance.

Member Meadows asked if we were going to do anything about the concrete platforms behind Chat-N-Nibble as a second vehicle has been damaged because of driving into/over them. Mayor Petitt stated we are waiting on the easements from Mr. & Mrs. Shroyer and Mr. & Mrs. Wells before we commence any work in this area. Member Meadows asked is we could at least paint them some bright color in the interim. Council in agreement to paint the platforms.

Member Bright stated he has been thanked by the developer of Quail Run for the free water during and since construction of the first units. Member Bright asked if this was customary for the City to provide free water. Clerk Doane stated it was not customary and that the owner of this development has been notified that a bill will be sent out. The only thing we do free is turn on the water temporarily so that lines may be checked during inspections and the service must be discontinued once the inspection is complete until the permanent service is setup.

Member Bright stated he feels confident that the Family Dollar Store is almost ready to get underway as 15 yards of fill dirt has been purchased from a citizen.

Member Stephens asked if a special meeting date for discussion of a replacement council member could be set. Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. was tentatively set as a special meeting date.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Meadows to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

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