MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
February 10, 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: Mayor Mary Schneider, Mayor
Earl Hubbuch, Commissioner
Ben Jackson, Commissioner
Lois Wagner, Commissioner
Rusty Wells, Commissioner
Others Jim Leidgen, C.A.O.
Present: John Singler, City Attorney
Chris Crumpton, City Engineer
Faye Tanner, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Schneider.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
There were no guests in attendance who wished to speak to the Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wells suggested some amendments to the minutes of the January 27, 2015 regular meeting of the City Commission. After discussion, Commissioner Hubbuch made the motion to approve those minutes as amended. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Wells; motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Bennett
No Treasurer’s Report.
BUSINESS ITEMS
No Business Items.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Singler
Attorney Singler reported that the proposed plan for the apartment complex at Williamsburg Plaza is on this week’s docket at the Planning Commission. City Engineer Chris Crumpton referred to the drainage issues and the request to the developer that they provide trip generation updates to the original traffic study. They will discuss the traffic issues at the LD&T meeting and will provide a copy of their plan to Hurstbourne. The developer will be required to submit the details of how the drainage runoff will be addressed. There will be a decrease in the storm-water runoff to the street which should help with the drainage problems faced by nearby neighbors, but all of this will be discussed with MSD before the project is completed. There was discussion about the proposed time frame for the construction of the apartments.
As a follow up to an earlier request from the Commission, Attorney Singler has been researching data back-up policies from other entities. In a related matter, he stated that a law was recently passed requiring cities to adopt a privacy policy and the Department of Local Government has presented a model for municipalities to use. He therefore thought that Hurstbourne should adopt these policies simultaneously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – C.A.O. Leidgen
C.A.O. Leidgen distributed a draft of the next Hurstbourne Herald. It will include information regarding the type of bags which residents may use for disposal of yard waste. Commissioner Hubbuch presented a sample of a bag that is now allowed for yard waste. Several suggestions were made for inclusion in the newsletter.
C.A.O. Leidgen distributed a compilation of the state road tax for 25 municipalities in Jefferson County. With the recent drop in gasoline prices, the amount which these municipalities receive will decrease. The Kentucky League of Cities is supporting Senate Bill 29 which would place a floor to the tax rate. He said that if anyone feels strongly about this bill they should contact their state legislators.
Mr. Leidgen reported that the City received a check in the amount of $15,048.97 representing collection of back taxes, fines, penalties and liens due the City of Hurstbourne from the 9214 Parkington Court sale. He further explained that some of the proceeds were used to pay outside counsel.
The KLC City Day and City Night programs will be held on February 11.
He also reported that according to the local KY Department of Transportation office, the flashing yellow lights that were requested for Hurstbourne Parkway at Williamsburg Plaza and Whittington Parkway are scheduled to be installed by the end of this month.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Schneider
Mayor Schneider reported that she and C.A.O. Leidgen met with the City’s IT consultant to look at the web site and to discuss ways to improve the City’s technology and communication with residents.
There was discussion about a program called Reach Alert, a service whereby residents could be contacted by phone, e-mail, or text for any reason, but specifically in the case of emergency alerts. There would be an annual fee to the City for this service. C.A.O. Leidgen will look into this and report back to the Commission.
Mayor Schneider and Commissioner Wells met with Prospect Mayor John Evans regarding a number of topics, including the horticulturist which both cities use. They also plan to visit the Rumpke Recycling Center in Cincinnati.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT – Commissioner Hubbuch
Commissioner Hubbuch reported that, C.A.O. Leidgen, and Engineer Crumpton met to discuss the pending Nottingham – Oxfordshire stop sign relocation project. Mr. Crumpton advised the Commission of some of the logistics concerns, the estimated cost, and time frame for this project
Commissioner Hubbuch expressed his safety concerns at Williamsburg Plaza on Hurstbourne Parkway and reported on his communication with various individuals in order to get a flashing light installed.
There was discussion regarding the sale prices of some of the recent homes sold in Hurstbourne. C.A.O. Leidgen referred to a recent video distributed by a realtor and said he thought it was a great depiction of Hurstbourne and very professionally done. He said this type video might be good for the City to have on its web site and he will look into that possibility.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT REPORT – Commissioner Jackson
Commissioner Jackson said many residents may have as much or more recycling debris as other household trash. He thought it would be advantageous if a large tote could be provided for that purpose. Since Hurstbourne is striving to become more eco-friendly, that possibility should be considered in the bid specifications for the next sanitation contract.
CODE ENFORCEMENT/SANITATION REPORT – Commissioner Wagner
No report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Commissioner Wells
Commissioner Wells reported he met with various contractors regarding snow removal and landscaping. He is also considering other companies and individuals for possible future contracts or advisement.
Commissioner Wells will also be meeting with the irrigation company to determine what should be done to correct the City’s antiquated system.
There was discussion about the new entrances to be constructed at Hurstbourne Lane and Linn Station Road. It was decided that Engineer Crumpton would come back to the Commission with an updated rendering of those proposed entrances before a final decision is made.
Engineer Crumpton brought the Commission up-to-date on the proposed next phase of the ADA sidewalk construction. His estimate is approximately $60,000 for that project.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Jackson made the motion that the Commission go into closed session according to KRS 61.810(1) (b) for deliberations on the future acquisition of real estate. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Wells. Motion carried.
On the Commission’s return from closed session, it was stated that the Commission discussed the possible acquisition of real estate but no action had been taken in closed session.
Commissioner Hubbuch made the motion that the Commission go back into Regular Session. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Wells; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:14 p.m. Commissioner Hubbuch made the motion to adjourn. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Jackson; Motion carried.