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CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS 
Council Meeting Minutes
July 10, 2018

The regular meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Mayor Rick Tonini. The meeting was held at St. Matthews City Hall, 3940 Grandview Avenue. The following people were present:

MAYOR  
Richard J. Tonini

CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Bernie Bowling
Councilman Frank Flynn
Councilman Tim Holland
Councilman Shaun McKiernan
Councilman Mary Jo Nay
Councilman Stuart Monohan
Councilman Tony Weiter
Councilman Pat Wissing

OTHER OFFICIALS
Susan Clark – City Clerk
John Ritsert – St. Matthews Attorney
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Officer
Chief Barry Wilkerson – Chief, St. Matthews Police Department
Kenan Stratman – Public Works Director, City of St. Matthews

OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident
Miriam & Steve Gravette – Residents
Taylor and Joe Jackson – Residents
Kelly Brothers – STM Library Manager
Megan Courtney – Resident
Josh Suiter – Chamber of ST. Matthews
Ginger Senior – Resident
Dr. Rob Mullen – Trinity High School
Evan Mohl – Resident
Doug Netherton – STM Little League
Mr. & Mrs Don McCauley – Residents
Members of Boy Scout Troop #322
Micaela & Mike Skura – Resident
Kenny Schindler – Clark & Riggs
Mike Smalls – Resident
Bill & Sharon Cardwell

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance.

MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Nay to approve the minutes from the June 26, 2018 meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Weiter.

Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Weiter to accept the minutes from the June 26, 2018 public hearing for 2018-2018 Municipal Aide Program (MAPS) budget.

Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

St. Matthews/Trinity Hills subdivision resident Taylor Jackson asked the council members for consideration of options to provide more relief from flooding to a portion of Trinity Hills neighborhood. The majority of houses were built 40-60 years ago. Geographically, it is naturally a low lying area. The original neighborhood developer rerouted the previously straight creek creating sharp 90 degree angles which can cause debris to build up therefore hindering water flow. Brush and items placed in the easements can also hinder the flow of water in summer downpours. Mayor Tonini relayed there is no obvious or easy solution to the situation. Councilman Wissing pointed out the city has already invested in improvements for the area but as a low lying area working against nature is tough. Professional studies have been completed to look at options but each has major downsides. The option that provides the greatest benefit for mega amounts of rain fall is to make the creek much deeper so that it holds a greater amount of water and can carry the rainfall away. However, that option requires blasting rock in the area which potentially can cause foundation problems for nearby residents. Other solutions only help with rain amounts that measure in fractures of inches and the solution really needs to be much greater in-scale. Councilman Monohan suggested reviewing the previous studies again to see if technology may have changed enough that the implementation is more reasonable  for residents to endure. Mayor Tonini said he will form a committee with a couple of councilmembers, 2 residents, Kenan Stratman and City Engineer Jim Birch. The residents present nominated Joe Jackson and Don McCauley to be the neighborhood representatives. The committee will meet sometime in the near future. Kenan Stratman, St. Matthews Public Works Director, will contact HDR Engineering for additional input.

PENDING BUSINESS

ORDINANCE 18-05 CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN DISPLAYS     2nd Reading                        JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY 

St. Matthews Attorney John Singler began the summary 2nd reading with discussion explaining the reasoning behind bullet point #5. During the development of the ordinance several model ordinances were reviewed both within this state and from other sections of the country. Each of the model ordinances stated the same parameters for signs illuminated during night time hours. Reductions are necessary to keep from the eyes of drivers from having to readjust to seeing the road. Jack Ruf, Sign Officer for the City of St. Matthews, interjected that signs are meant to be distracting and these types of sign emit light as compared to most signs which reflect or absorb light. There is plenty of ambient light on Shelbyville Road which is in total contract to neighborhoods. Councilman Wissing made a motion to accept this as 2nd reading and approval of Ordinance 18-05. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monohan.

Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

MUNICIPAL ORDER 18-15 SPORTS STADIUM AT COMMUNITY CENTER PARK                  JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY 

Mayor Tonini started the discussion reminding the voting members present that it is important to look at the value of funds expended versus the value for the residents and business owners in the city. Several times over many years, there have been questions raised about the viability of adding a top-notch baseball stadium at the Community Center Park. The City of St. Matthews has a long history of supporting the St. Matthews Little League as it is a benefit to the area players and their families. Representatives of the St. Matthews Little League began discussions with representative of Trinity High School regarding sharing an enhanced stadium. Interest grew for the project and a usage agreement was developed between Trinity High School and the St. Matthews Little League. Negotiations began in earnest with the City of St. Matthews with Councilman Wissing serving as chairman of the committee. The plausibility of creating a slightly larger, multi-use field was briefly discussed. Dr. Mullen, representing Trinity High School Foundation, Inc. stated Trinity is only interested in financially supporting the creation of a baseball stadium. Councilman Wissing relayed the municipal order before the council grants $ 1,000,000 to the project and the use of land at Community Center Park, allows for a 50-year lease with Trinity High School with Trinity taking all responsibility for maintenance. The cost of the turf replacement in about 10 years will be a 50/50 split between the City of St. Matthews and Trinity High School. Additionally, the St. Matthews Little League will be required to deposit $3,000 annually in an escrow account for on-going maintenance. Councilman Wissing further stated the lease can be terminated for cause at any time specifically for breach of the lease. There is no buy-out clause per Councilman Nay’s inquiry. There is an option to extend the field which would require a commitment of $ 1,200,000 from the City of St. Matthews. Attorney John Singler pointed out Board members of Trinity High School Foundation, Inc. has a 90-day deadline to accept the municipal order from the date of passage by the council members. Additionally the rent payments will be made by Trinity High School Foundation, Inc. Councilman Weiter made a motion to accept MO 18-15 with a financial commitment of $ 1,000,000, including incorporating changes of acceptance of rent payments from the Trinity High School Foundation, Inc. and acceptance by the Trinity High School Foundation, Inc. within 90 days of July 10, 2018. The motion was seconded by Councilman Flynn.

Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmen Flynn, Wissing, Nay, Bowling, Monohan, Weiter, Holland, and McKiernan. No Votes: None.

EXPENDITURES

Councilman Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total of $ 180,600.91. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay.

Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmen McKiernan, Holland, Weiter, Monohan, Bowling, Nay, Wissing, and Flynn. No Votes: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Holland mentioned he will order the appliances soon for the rental houses. 

Councilman Bowling said the expenses for painting the MRAP will be shared equally between the City of St. Matthews and the City of Jeffersontown. Interviews will begin in the next couple of weeks in order to fill the position currently open due to the resignation of Major Beyer. A total of 5 officers have expressed interested, 3 internally and 2 externally. 

Councilman Nay relayed the fall newsletter is under construction.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Singler continues to work on the official road closures within the city. One new lawsuit has been received in the past week.

MAYOR’S REPORT

At the Mayor’s request, Police Chief Barry Wilkerson invited the council members to a recognition ceremony for David Beyer who resigned recently. The event will be Wednesday, July 11 at 3:00 p.m. in the Squad Room.

At the Mayor’s request, Mr. Josh Suiter, representing the Chamber of St. Matthews, informed the council members that as of July 10th, the Chamber has an all-time high number of 945 memberships. The Chamber of St. Matthews is #4 in the region as ranked by number of memberships. Greater Louisville (GLI) currently is #1, One Southern Indiana comes in at #2, Louisville Independent Business Alliance is #3 and the Chamber of St. Matthews is #4. The Jeffersontown Chamber of Commerce follows at #5. The golf scramble is being moved to September 13 in an attempt to escape the height of the summer heat. The street festival will be held on August 4th, 2018. He also expressed his appreciation to the council members for approval of the purchase of new Christmas decorations totaling $13,000. The decorations will be placed in Brown Park for the Light-Up St. Matthews event and the enjoyment of many in the month of December while driving past the park.

At the Mayor’s request, Kenan Stratman gave an update on the Library/City Hall construction. Carpet will begin being laid the week of July 9th. Gutters and downspouts will start being hung the same week. The roof should be completed in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting. The library is scheduled to close in September of 2018 and reopen to the public in February of 2019.

Mayor Tonini reported that the City of St. Matthews is scheduled to pick-up a donated van from the Ticket to Ride organization next Tuesday.

Mayor Tonini went on to recap a recent request to hold a walk on Shelbyville Road. No group will be allowed to hold a walk in the roadway of US 60 for reasons of safety and accessibility for ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Other walking/running routes have been established and groups can choose from the routes that have been approved. Any group choosing to utilize the sidewalks along US 60 should take adequate safety precautions to protect members of their group including crosswalk monitors.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Weiter made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Holland.

Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 Susan Clark, City Clerk

Richard J. Tonini, Mayor 

JULY 10, 2018      
       
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR DRAW WARRANTS on the City Treasury,  
counter-signed by the City Clerk authorizing payment of the below listed invoices:  
        
Atco   Works – Pest Control Materials $124.00
Benovation   All – Health Insurance Addendum $1,053.10
Best Stamp Company   Police – Notary Stamps $95.00
Bill Collins Ford   Police – Vehicle Maintenance $404.57
Chapman Heating and Cooling   Comm. Center – Concession Stand $348.99
Charles Guelda & Sons   Comm. Center/Works – Repairs $5,024.05
Cincinnati Bell   Admin. – Telephone Maintenance Fee $280.92
Coca Cola Bottling   City Hall – Vending Maching Drinks $422.25
Delta Dental   All – Dental Insurance $4,871.03
Earth First   Works – Mulch $689.00
Ferguson Waterworks   Works – Part $13.74
Fraternal Order of Police #99   Police – Range Fee for Training $1,800.00
Galls   Police – Uniforms $1,057.37
Guardian Insurance Company   All – Life/Short/Long Insurance $7,542.17
HDS White Cap Construction Supply   Works – Supplies and Materials $163.44
Home Depot   Works – Supplies and Materials $386.46
Huber Tire   Works – Flat Tire $1,007.46
Kentucky League of Cities Trust   All – Unemployment Quarterly Fee $707.82
Kitchen Restylers   Works – Rental Home Countertops $400.00
LG&E   Works – Street Lights/City Hall $31,392.37
Louisville Tractor   Works – Supplies for Repairs $472.73
Lowe’s   Works – Supplies and Materials $1,379.08
Marlin Business Bank   Admin. – Copy Machine Rental $136.00
Miller Company   Admin./Police – Copy Machine Charge $210.01
Mirazon   Admin. – Computer Support $8,340.25
Office Depot   Admin. – Office Supplies $217.41
Olde Master Originals   Police – Baton for Major Beyer $130.00
Otis Elevator   City Hall – Elevator Repair $686.70
PCORI Fee   Admin. – Annual Insurnace Fee $117.52
Plumbers Supply Company   Works – Supplies and Materials $36.33
PNC Bank   All – Supplies and Materials $2,102.16
Progressive Microtechnology   Police – Evidence Tracker Program $695.00
RCS Communications   Police – Radios and Radio Repairs $291.00
Rumpke   Works/Parks – Garbage and Port-A-Lets $91,534.65
S & D Coffee   Police – Coffee $191.99
Security Systems   Works – Monitoring $74.00
Singler & Ritsert   Admin. – City Attorney Fees $5,108.80
Spectrum   Work/Police/City Hall – Monitoring $332.93
Tony’s Wrecker Service   Police – Vehicle Towing $440.00
Trans Union   Police – Investigative Tool $276.30
Treadmill Medic   Police – Fitness Equipment Move $1,895.00
US Department of the Treasury   Admin. – PCORI Fee $117.52
Verizon   All – Mobile Cell Charge $948.88
Welders Supply   Works – Compressed Air $32.40
Willis Klein      Works – Supplies and Materials $51.63
Windstream   City Hall – Telephones $765.32
       
       
Library/City Hall      
Studio Kremer Architects   Works – Library/City Hall Project $5,432.40
       
Reimbursements and Payments      
       
Kaufman, Wayne   Police – Drug Dog Food Expense $92.00
Tonini, Frank   Works – Reimbursement $709.16
       
TOTAL     ————–
      $180,600.91

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