Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on July 14, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. at the Eminence City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Jim Petitt and the following members present: Danny Meadows, Treva Browning, Shawn Bright, Richard Thomas, Jr., and George Armstrong. Absent was Member Drane Stephens. Several members of the public were also present.

Subject: Citizen Concern: Marcia Clark was present to address council concerning the pool donation jars which were placed around town recently. Mrs. Clark asked council what became of the collection jars, where the money is now, and how much was collected. Mayor Petitt deferred to Police Chief Carey Duncan who has been checking into the status of the jar collection money. Chief Duncan read a letter into the minutes summarizing his recent conversation with Doug Gingrich concerning the collection jars (a copy of which is attached hereto).

Subject: City Clerk Clarification Note – The ordinance amending the 2007/2008 budget which had a first reading at the February 11, 2008 meeting did not have a second reading due to a change in plans which would move any needed expenditures into the next fiscal year budget.

Subject: Minutes – The minutes of the previous regular session held on June 9, 2008 and the minutes of the previous special session held on June 18, 2008 were reviewed. Mayor Petitt asked for any additions or changes to the minutes and with none forthcoming, stated they would stand approved as presented.

Subject: Bellsouth Utilities Easement – Attorney Brammell reported that he has finalized a verbal agreement with Bellsouth(AT&T) concerning the easement from the City and detailing our requirements that they be responsible for maintaining the service lines under their sub-station. The easement amount agreed upon by Council will be $6,000.00 with the other City requirements also being agreed to by Bellsouth. The information was sent last week to them with them in turn requesting information for taxpayer information for a 1099. This information was sent today, so hopefully the agreement can soon be signed and the project finalized.

Subject: Arborview Subdivision – Mayor Petitt reported that he, Attorney Brammell and Public Works Director William Smith met with Jim Dobson and his attorney on-site recently to discuss what is needed to bring Oak Drive up to standard for acceptance by the City. Attorney Brammell reported that an agreement has been reached, pending Council approval, for Mr. Dobson through his business JMD to remove all existing pavement on the street from the beginning until it dead ends, install gravel and maintain it for one year. At the end of the year, the City would blacktop the street and accept dedication of the street. Member Bright asked how much this would cost the City. Mayor Petitt stated approximately $10,000.00 which would come out of next year’s budget. Motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Browning to accept this agreement and to authorize Mayor Petitt to enter into this agreement on behalf of the City of Eminence. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Police Department Report – Major Kevin Kemper reviewed the monthly activity report with council which showed total activity of 299. Member Bright shared with other council for their information that he had contacted the police concerning the high number showing under citations with arrest of 65 and that the department had clarified for him that these were actually arrestable offenses not actually the number arrested.

Subject: Property Ordinance Enforcement Report – Major Kevin Kemper reviewed the monthly ordinance violation report with council which showed six ordinance violations with five now in compliance.

Subject: Police Vehicle Accident Report – It was reported that one of the police vehicles was damaged with an estimate in the amount of $693.90 being received to repair the damage. Officer Parham who has experience in dent and damage repair, made the needed repairs. Member Thomas asked why the Police Department did not get an estimate from Browning Pontiac as well as Hancock. It was stated that none was needed due to our employee doing the work. Member Thomas asked how much it cost to repair the vehicle. City Clerk Doane reported it probably cost around $25.00 for one hour of overtime/benefits for Officer Parham to do the work versus $693.90.

Subject: Public Works Department Report – Public Works Director William Smith reviewed the public works department monthly activity report with council.

Subject: Limited Land Lease – Public Works Director William Smith reviewed the need to re-new our land farming lease with Tim Fitzgerald. Mr. Smith reported that several years ago we were required to plow in sludge on our property and we were required to crop the property with it being determined at that time that it was in the best interest of the City for Tim Fitzgerald to do this for the City. In return for allowing Mr. Fitzgerald to do this, he mows the property with his own equipment and gas on his own time. Member Thomas stated he feels this should be put out to bid. Mayor Petitt asked if he wanted to make a motion. Motion made by Member Thomas to bid out the limited land lease. Motion died for lack of a second. Motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Browning to authorize the Mayor to enter into a limited land lease agreement with Tim Fitzgerald as it is felt to be in the best interest of the public and the City of Eminence for Tim to do this as he is a trusted City employee which would alleviate security concerns and he is familiar with the lay of the land and the needs for mowing by being at the plant each day. On a call for vote by Clerk Doane, voting “Yea” were Members Meadows, Browning, Bright, and Armstrong. Voting “Nay” was Member Thomas.

Subject: Henry/Oldham Farm Service Agency – Mayor Petitt reported that we also need to provide documentation to the Henry/Oldham Farm Service Agency regarding our lease of property to Mr. Fitzgerald. Motion made by Member Browning and seconded by Member Bright to authorize the Mayor to execute such documents as necessary between the City and Henry/Oldham Farm Service Agency to reflect that Tim Fitzgerald is authorized to operate the farm operations at the City’s property. On a call for vote by Clerk Doane, voting “Yea” were Members Browning, Bright, Meadows and Armstrong. Voting “Nay” was Member Thomas.

Subject: Administrative Office Report - City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the monthly administrative office report with council. Clerk Doane reported that we received $1,040.00 from the Master Commissioner for mowing the abandoned property at 396 Shadyview Drive.

Subject: Year End Budget Review – City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the fiscal year end June 30, 2008 budget comparison with council. Ms. Doane stated that some line items were over budget, but the overall City budget came in at 87% of total budgeted expenditures with several income areas being over budget. The Water Works budget also came in at 87% of total budgeted expenditures with some income areas being over budget. The auditors do not recommend making any line item changes at this time to the year ending June 30, 2008. Council was asked to review and if any questions to contact the City Clerk.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Meadows reviewed the monthly activity report with council. Member Meadows stated that the Fire Department had two house fires this month and expressed his gratitude to our department and other surrounding departments for their assistance on these fires.

Subject: Fire Department Financial Statements – City Clerk Doane reviewed the financial statements for the Fire Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Clerk Doane reported that the City began maintaining the records for the Fire Department in February of 2007, with most previous records missing. Doing a financial statement at this time rather than a full audit on the books was the best way to proceed with monitoring of this account.

Subject: Community Center Report – Mayor Petitt reviewed the Community Center report with council. Mayor Petitt reported the total June attendance at the Center was 719 with the June rental funds totaling $355.00 and the June fitness room funds totaling $118.00.

Subject: Festivals Update – Member Bright reported that Music on Main for August will be the second Friday of August with Dave Stahl and Reid Moore (a local gospel pair) playing. Information will be sent to the churches.

Subject: Parks Committee Update – Member Meadows reported that about 85% of the requested engineering work has been completed on the pool renovation specifications. The committee is also looking at the cost to install playground equipment, a shelter and other picnic equipment for the park area.

Subject: Ordinance Updating Compensation Plan – Attorney Brammell reviewed with council that we need to update our compensation plan on a yearly basis to keep up with the consumer price increase as our salaries are set between a minimum and a maximum by grade. This update does not automatically give any employee an increase in pay, but merely keeps our ranges within the appropriate levels. Attorney Brammell held the first reading of an ordinance updating the compensation plan.

Subject: Street Cleaning Contract – Mayor Petitt reported that our previous contractor for street cleaning has gone out of business. We paid them $300.00 a month for cleaning the streets twice a month. We obtained a quote from Sweep All, Inc. to do this work for us which all council members have a copy. Member Meadows suggested bidding this work out. Consensus of council to bid the street cleaning contract.

Subject: City-wide Yard Sale – Mayor Petitt reported he had received a suggestion from Reverend Sharon Fields for the City to support and hold a citywide yard sale on August 9, 2008 in conjunction with National Garage Sale Day. Discussion held. It was suggested to put information on the water bills to let people know to participate in this and to advertise in the paper under the yard sale section. The yard sale advertising rates were reviewed. Motion made by Member Meadows and seconded by Member Browning to authorize spending up to $105.00 in advertising of the city-wide yard sale. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”. Mayor Petitt asked Reverend Fields if she would head up this project. Reverend Fields agreed to do so.

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. The only amount budgeted for raises this year is the annual cost of living increase recommended by the Department of Local Government. Motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Armstrong to approve the salary changes retroactive to July 6, 2008 as previously agreed upon in the budget. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

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

Subject: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Petitt stated he spoke with Randall Embry about the sidewalk grant and they still do not know when they will be announced.

Mayor Petitt stated he has spoken with Jodie McDonald about the land and water grant application and she has no information on when the funding will be released and the approved grants can be announced. She stated there were 117 applications with 5 million dollars total requests and only $347,000.00 allotted for all the grants.

Mayor Petitt stated the roof repairs have been completed with an advertisement being put out for the other repairs on City Hall.

Mayor Petitt reported that Seven Counties is leaving the City and moving to Oldham County, but need a room in the City to conduct interviews and do paperwork. The only thing we might have available is the trailer or a small room at the Community Center. They offered to pay the water and electricity. Member Meadows stated trying to use the trailer would cost the City too much money. No other suggestion made.

Mayor Petitt reported that the Pleasureville contracts for the treatment of Pleasureville’s sewer and operation of Pleasureville’s system are being worked on by the City Clerk and Public Works Director William Smith with input from our engineer.

Mayor Petitt reported that August 12th at 4:00 p.m. is the deadline to file for council if anyone is interested.

Subject: New Business/Council - Mayor Petitt asked if any council member had anything they wanted to discuss. Member Meadows stated that two of the pool donation money jars did go in with Craig Meadow’s senior project money.

Subject: Closed Session – Member Bright made the motion to go into closed session to discuss possible litigation. Motion seconded by Member Meadows. All members present voted “Yea”. Closed session began at 7:06 p.m.

Member Meadows stated that on the street sweeping bid, he liked the way Sweep All detailed the specific streets to be included. Member Meadows stated he wanted our bid documents to be specific and to make sure Sweep All is notified to re-bid the project.

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 7:15 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.