Eminence Kentucky-Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a regular session on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. at the Eminence City Hall Council Chambers with the following members present: Danny Meadows, Polly Troxell, Shawn Bright, Drane Stephens, Lee Ann Armstrong, and Leo Mason. Absent were none.

Mayor Petitt reminded everyone to have their cell phones either off or on silent and not to ask to speak unless on the agenda.

Subject: Minutes – The minutes of the previous regular session held on September 14, 2009 and the special session minutes from September 20, 2009 were reviewed. Mayor Petitt asked for any additions or changes to the minutes. With no additions or changes forthcoming, Mayor Petitt stated they would stand approved as presented.

Subject: Community Center Transfer Status Report – Mayor Petitt reported he has taken a copy of the draft agreement and an inventory list, which the Council has a copy of, to the school board chairperson for the school’s review. This draft includes the changes per the state school board. Member Meadows asked about a decision on the hours of operation. Attorney Brammell stated that a joint meeting between the City and the School would be necessary prior to the final agreement. The consensus of council was to have this presented to the school board for their approval and forwarding to the State School Board if additional approval is needed from them.

Subject: Police Department Report – Police Chief Carey Duncan reviewed the monthly activity report with council which showed total contacts of 266 for September. Chief Duncan reported that 25 individuals were arrested on 47 charges.

Subject: Property Ordinance Enforcement Report – Chief Carey Duncan stated there were three ordinance violation notices issued with one citation written this month.

Subject: Police Comments – Chief Duncan expressed his appreciation to council for their support in obtaining the new vehicles. Chief Duncan requested permission to sell three of the four old vehicles with one 2002 Crown Vic to be kept as a backup. Motion made by Member Troxell to declare the three vehicles discussed by Chief Duncan as surplus property, stating that their original use was for police cars which are no longer needed, and to authorize the vehicles to be sold by sealed bid. Motion seconded by Member Mason. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”. Chief Duncan stated that one of the County Constables wants to purchase one of the vehicles outright. Discussion held with it being determined he cannot purchase this himself. We can sell to other governmental agencies without bidding but not to individuals.

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

Mr. Smith discussed with council that he has found a 1999 Ford F350 bucket truck for $9,000.00 and would like to have permission to use part of the funds budgeted for a dump truck to purchase the bucket truck. Mr. Smith reported that the County will be bidding out a 1999 GMC dump truck and he would also like permission to bid on this truck. It is already set up with a spreader and snow plow. He feels we may be able to get both trucks for less than our budgeted amount. Discussion held. Motion made by Member Meadows to authorize the purchase the 1999 Ford F350 bucket truck for $9,000.00 and to authorize Mr. Smith to bid on the County dump truck in an amount not to exceed $11,000.00. Motion seconded by Member Stephens. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Member Meadows stated he has received numerous calls on the new speed humps with most people being okay with the ones on Sulphur Avenue, but complaints being made on the Hillcrest and Blackaby Lane humps. They are reported as too high and too deep. Other council members stated they have received complaints as well. Consensus of council was for Mr. Smith to try and mill the humps on Hillcrest and Blackaby Lane down some if a milling machine can be rented or borrowed.

Subject: Administrative Office Report - City Clerk Sandra Doane reviewed the monthly administrative office report with council reporting that her office has already collected $16,742.10 of the 2009 property tax billing. Clerk Doane reported that we have received a subsidy from the State for being a part of the state health insurance plan, which we receive twice a year. Clerk Doane reported that she has processed the Homeland Security Grant for reimbursement with the exception of $125.00 which is an outstanding check from the Sheriff’s office.

Clerk Doane requested permission to proceed with the budgeted project of updating the City’s personnel policy. Discussion held. Motion made by Member Armstrong and seconded by Member Mason to authorize updating the personnel policy in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00. On a call for vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Fire Department Report – Member Meadows stated he has no written report this month, but reported that seven officers have been re-certified.

Subject: Community Center Report – Member Bright presented the Community Center Report stating that a lot of things are still in a holding pattern waiting on the outcome of the transfer of the Center to the School.

Subject: Festivals Update – Member Bright reported that the Renaissance Faire will be hosting the Halloween party at their site again this year on Friday, October 30th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Flyers will be sent out to all the schools with most of the activities to remain the same as last year with the Senior Class to do a haunted forest, a band to be present, booths, etc. A canned good is required for admission. Member Bright stated that it has been suggested to have Trick or Treat on Main on the Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. due to some of the businesses being closed on Saturday. Discussion held with council deciding to have the Trick or Treat on Main on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with regular residential trick or treating to be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Light up Eminence festivities was discussed including that the 65 man Marching Band has been changed to a five piece band. Member Bright will look into this issue. Mr. Moss, the Eminence School Music Instructor will get some of the students to sing.

Subject: Parks Update – Member Armstrong reported that the paint and materials for painting of the basketball court have been purchased with the painting to be done as soon as the weather will allow. Member Armstrong will be getting estimates from the Nethery’s to paint silhouettes on the buildings.

Member Stephens reported he is getting estimates on riding toys for the smaller kids.

Subject: Eminence Project Prom Request – Mayor Petitt stated we have been sent a request for assistance with Eminence Project Prom. Discussion held with no decision made at this time.

Subject: Warrants - The warrants presented for payment were reviewed. 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”. Motion carried.

Subject: Ethics Board Alternate Appointment – Mayor Petitt stated we need to add an alternate to the ethics board as all members may not always be able to attend. Mayor Petitt presented the name of Helen Moore to serve as the alternate. Motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Troxell to approve the appointment of Helen Moore to serve as an alternate on the Ethics Board. On a call of vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: New Business/Council – Mayor Petitt asked if any council member had anything they wanted to discuss.

Member Bright reported on a stop by our Police Department which might involve our City receiving several thousand dollars in confiscated funds which we will have to use for police equipment and training. This could allow us to pay off the cruiser lease.

Subject: Mayor’s Update – Mayor Petitt reported the sidewalk grant agreement has been signed and returned to the state with us waiting on a signed copy to authorize proceeding with the work.

Mayor Petitt reported that the Harvest Community Church will once again be using the Community Center to prepare and serve Thanksgiving Dinner. This costs the Church approximately $1,000.00. Mayor Petitt stated he feels we should help with this project and requested council’s consideration of assisting with this by purchasing items for the dinner. Motion made by Member Mason to authorize up to $250.00 towards items needed for the dinner with us to pay the actual bill. Motion seconded by Member Armstrong. On a call for vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Water/Sewer Bill Payment Request – Peggy Smith who lives at 110 Zelcova Drive was present to request permission to make payments on her water/sewer bill. Her original bill was $375.69 for one month with the Mayor already making an adjustment of $151.90 on the sewer portion leaving her amount due as $223.79 and with the penalty added it is now $245.66. Ms. Smith claims no leaks exist. The Public Works Department has checked this numerous times with the outside faucet being found on and running in a finger size stream on one occasion. Discussion held including that this is rental property and that we need the landlord approval for her to make payments. The previous agreement from other minutes with another resident was on an owner occupied home. This situation is different. Attorney Brammell stated we should stick by the requirements of the ordinance and if we choose to allow a payment plan we must have the landlord agreement as a payment plan would make him more responsible. Member Troxell stated that Ms. Smith should come to her office for the possibility of some FEMA funds to assist with this bill. Ms. Smith stated she would be there tomorrow.

Discussion held. Motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Stephens to allow Ms. Smith to pay $100.00 on Wednesday, October 14th and another $100.00 prior to our next meeting of 11-9-09 and to authorize the Public Works Department to not disconnect the service this month with a decision on any further payment plan to be made at the next meeting; with Ms. Smith to check with her landlord prior to this time to see if he will agree to any additional payment plan. Clerk Doane stated that another monthly bill will be due and owing by this time. On a call for vote by Clerk Doane, all members present voted “Yea”.

Subject: Mayor’s Update Continuance – Mayor Petitt reported that the lawsuit with Roger Bowman over the previous pool project as been dismissed. Attorney Brammell stated there are some rights and deadlines for appeal by Mr. Bowman.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Bright and seconded by Member Stephens to adjourn. All members present voted “Yea”. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 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.