REGULAR MEETING
July 14, 2015
4:30 PM
CITY OF HURSTBOURNE
304 WHITTINGTON PARKWAY / SUITE 100
LOUISVILLE, KY
Mayor Mary Schneider called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
C.A.O. Leidgen conducted the roll call. A quorum of the Commission was present.
Present: Mary Schneider, Mayor
Earl Hubbuch, Commissioner
BenJackson, Commissioner
Rusty Wells, Commissioner
Lois Wagner, Commissioner
Others John Singler, City Attorney
Present: Faye Tanner, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Schneider.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
Joel Stream of 910 Rugby Place, Dr. C. A. Kincaid of 911 Rugby Place, Kandi S. Mitchell of 909 Rugby Place, Brian and Ellen Knop of 502 Westerham Court, and Ken Towery of 908 Rugby Place were all present to discuss flooding due to the enormous amount of rainfall the City has experienced. They mentioned flooded basements and garages, cars that floated up into yards, bridges that were damaged or destroyed, and the formation of large sinkholes. Several of those in attendance expressed concern not only for the problems they’ve encountered because of the water, but also for the safety of residents. They all expressed frustration that Metropolitan Sewer District has either not responded to their calls, or that they have said there is nothing they can do about the problems in the immediate future. Since this was not the first time that most had experienced severe flooding, they asked the Commission what recourse they may have. C.A.O. Leidgen stated that the increase in the water problems over the past few years occurs because of a number of reasons, including commercial development and the widening of I-64 and Hurstbourne Parkway. Mayor Schneider reported that she and Commissioner Wells each had met on Sunday with Daren Thompson of MSD at Colonel Anderson and South Lyndon Lane. Mayor Schneider then followed up with Daren and requested a meeting with representatives from MSD that could address residents concerns. They could not attend because of all of the wide-spread issues across Metro Louisville, but they have committed to meet at another time in an open meeting, hopefully before the next Commission meeting. When that meeting time is set, Metro Councilwoman Marilyn Parker will also be invited to attend and residents will be notified of the time and place. Mayor Schneider assured the residents that the Commission wants to be part of the solution to their problems and they will be pro-active in trying to get some of these issues resolved.
Diane Meyer of 9102 Denington Drive stated there is not enough police presence in the City. Residents in her neighborhood have experienced theft and she noted that many drivers are not stopping for stop signs. Mayor Schneider said the police will be notified about problems in that location.
There was discussion about a recent robbery in the city in which a gun was used. Commissioner Hubbuch explained that he has the information on this incident, and stressed to those in attendance to call LMPD or MSD first when they have a matter which needs attention; then they should call the Hurstbourne City Hall. Commissioner Hubbuch and C.A.O. Leidgen said they would make sure there is extra police patrol in this area, and residents were encouraged to keep their properties well lighted.
Mr. Craig Tuckett of 1325 Eastern Parkway was present as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. He referred to correspondence between the City of Hurstbourne and the home headquarters of his church in Salt Lake City pertaining to a new entrance sign the City is planning to construct. Some of the correspondence over more than a year’s time had been forwarded to him, but it was obvious he had not received all of it. He said the church wants to be a good neighbor and wants the sign constructed as long as there are no trees planted which would obstruct the visibility of the church. C.A.O. Leidgen and City Engineer Crumpton explained the City’s frustration because of the length of time that passed since the initial request for an easement and the expense involved in drawing up specifications for various entrance plans. At the last Commission meeting, an alternate plan had been presented which would not require an easement from the LDS church. It was decided that a conference call would be set up with a Mr. Leidgen, Mr. Singler, Mr. Crumpton and a number of LDS Officials to work out this matter.
Mr. Marv Blomquist and Ms. Erica Hodge of Jefferson Development Group were present to discuss their plans to construct a Chipotle Restaurant on the northeast corner at Williamsburg Plaza and Hurstbourne Parkway. The revised plans for that property have been approved by the Planning Commission, but there are several waivers that must be approved by the Hurstbourne Commission. Attorney Singler presented for discussion Municipal Order 15-30, A Municipal Order Relating to the Approval of a Detailed District Development Plan and Related Revision to the General Development Plan and Waivers on Property Located at 420 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Containing .68 Acres, Which Property is a Portion (Lot Three) of the Property Previously Rezoned in Planning Commission Case Number 13545; Being in the City off Hurstbourne (Case Number 15DEVPLAN1039). This municipal order was similar to one which had previously been approved when Granite City planned to construct on this property. There was discussion about the sidewalk requirements and it was decided to change the existing language. After discussion, Commissioner Jackson made the motion to approve MO 15-30 including the language written in red ink, after eliminating the first sentence in Section 1(A), after including Sections 8-14 which had previously been eliminated, and after changing the language in Section 8 to read “. . . the owner/developer shall be responsible for their construction as approved by the City of Hurstbourne and the owner/developer will also be responsible for. . .” Commissioner Jackson’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Hubbuch; motion carried.
There was further discussion about the drainage issues in the City and how to remedy the problem as soon as possible. It was decided that C.A.O. Leidgen would talk with MSD and neighboring Cities to explore possibilities of a joint cooperative between all parties to make drainage improvements.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Jackson made the motion to approve the minutes of the June 23 Regular Meeting of the Commission; his motion was seconded by Commissioner Wells. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Bennett
No report.
BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Singler
City of Hurstbourne, Ordinance 15-05, Series 2015, An Ordinance Fixing the Compensation of Appointed and Elected Employees & Officials of the City of Hurstbourne, was placed on the table. Attorney Singler explained that this ordinance establishes a pay classification plan in accordance with state law and Kentucky League of Cities Guidelines. After discussion Commissioner Jackson made the motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 15-05; his motion was seconded by Commissioner Wells. Motion carried.
CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Crumpton
No report.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – C.A.O. Leidgen
No report.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Schneider
No report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Commissioner Wells
Commissioner Wells said the Reach Alerts need to go out in a more timely fashion.
Commissioner Wells said he would like for each of the Commissioners to carry a roll of caution tape to be used in emergencies, and to have access to cones and barricades in City Hall.
The City picnic will be held on Sunday, September 20, probably at Lowe Elementary School in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools.
Engineer Crumpton was asked to proceed with cost estimates for extending the sidewalk at Lowe Elementary.
A walk-through was performed on the irrigation system and everything looks fine.
Commissioner Wells presented his proposed plan (in four phases) to install, improve or replace lighting at various City entrances. After discussion, Commissioner Hubbuch made the motion to approve the plan using the 17-watt light bulb listed as no. 2 in Commissioner Wells report; his motion was seconded by Commissioner Jackson. Motion carried 4-0-1.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT – Commissioner Hubbuch
Commissioner Hubbuch reported that most of the fire hydrants in Oxmoor Woods will be painted.
CODE ENFORCEMENT/SANITATION REPORT – Commissioner Wagner
No report.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT REPORT – Commissioner Jackson
Commissioner Jackson reported that he and C.A.O. Leidgen will be working on a job description for the City Administrative Officer and an employee evaluation form.
Commissioner Jackson said he has received complaints that Rumpke is not returning all toters to the houses.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:40 p.m. Commissioner Wagner made the motion to adjourn; her motion was seconded by Commissioner Jackson; motion carried.