November 28, 2017

CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
November 28, 2017
 
The regular meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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
Carrie Ritsert – St. Matthews Attorney
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Officer
Kenan Stratman – St. Matthews Director of Public Works
Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Chief of Police
 
OTHER ATTENDEES
Frank Tonini – Resident                                             Kevin Young for Bluegrass Manor
Dwayne Fleck – Resident                                           Ann Richard for Bluegrass Manor
Mike Small – Resident                                                Glenn Price – Attorney
Pat Chapman – Resident                                           Holly and Kasey Wilkerson
Fred White – Resident                                                Helen Wilkerson
Gary Major – Resident                                                Hunter Powell
Nick Schade – Resident                                              Charlie Portman – STMPD
Jerry Schade – Resident                                             Chief Norman Mayer – Retired STMPD
Kelly Brothers – Manager of the Eline Library       David Beyer – STMPD Asst. Chief of Police

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished following the roll call vote of attendance.
 
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Nay to approve the minutes from the November 14, 2017 meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monohan.
 
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nick Schade, owner/partner in Tony’s Wrecker Service, expressed his appreciation of St. Matthews Police Officer Scott Ratliff. Officer Ratliff quickly apprehended a person who side- swiped a wrecker on the scene of another accident on I-64 and sped away. Officers Marasa and Wheatley quickly appeared on the scene to cover for Officer Ratliff who was tending to the driver of the hit-and-run accident. Fortunately, no one was hurt and Officer Ratliff quickly brought the situation under control. The professionalism of all 3 officers was impressive as all 3 worked together to provide the best possible response to the unfortunate situation.
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
MUNICIPAL ORDER 17-36      APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF      CARRIE RISTERT, ATTORNEY
                                                     BARRY WILKERSON
MO 17-36 formalizes the appointment of Barry Wilkerson as Chief of Police of the St. Matthews Police Department. Officer Wilkerson is retired from the Louisville Metro Police Department.  Chief Wilkerson thanked retired Chief Norm Mayer for developing a professional department. He also thanked Asst. Chief David Beyer for ably leading the department during the interim in order to sustain responsiveness to the citizens of this community. 
 
Councilman Monohan made a motion to accept MO 17-36. The motion was seconded by Councilman Holland and Weiter. Upon Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. 
 
MUNICIPAL ORDER 17-37      RDDDP – BLUEGRASS MANOR          CARRIE RITSERT, ATTORNEY
                                                     4906 and 4908 SHELBYVILLE ROAD
Attorney Carrie Ritsert explained MO 17-37 addresses minor changes in order to become compliant with plans for the property. St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Administrator Jack Ruf mentioned that prior approval had been given for 2 out buildings, but now only 1 building is requested with this plan. Parking has been redesigned to meet the current request. Councilman Monohan inquired about any potential issues with landscaping. Mr. Ruf responded that landscaping for the “out lot” is not included in these plans. Nearby bushes are actually on Mall property and discussions are taking place about improving visibility for drivers. Evergreens at the rear of the property were in poor condition and new plantings were added for screening between the shopping center and the new hotel. All landscaping issues from the prior approvals have been incorporated into the Binding Elements for this request. Councilman Monohan made a motion to accept MO 17-37. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay. 
 
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
 
ORDINANCE 17-13     REZONING of 704 BRECKENRIDGE LANE      CARRIE RITSERT, ATTORNEY
                                       RDDDP 710 BRECKENRIDGE LANE – 1st Reading
Councilman Pat Wissing stated for purposes of full disclosure that he owns the property at 704 and 710 Breckenridge Lane and stands to benefit financially should this application be approved. A full disclosure statement has been officially filed with the City. He also stated he will not participate in the vote on this property and requests that no vote be recorded. Councilman Nay inquired if the entrance to the property is going to be from Plymouth Road or Breckenridge Lane. It was learned the entrance to the parking lot will only be from Breckenridge Lane.  Glenn Price, attorney for Pat Wissing, thanked Jack Ruf for finding a mistake in the exhibit. A correction has been a made and drawings are accurate at this time.  Councilman Weiter inquired about the curb cuts. Mr. Ruf responded the only curb cuts will be on Breckenridge Lane and none on Plymouth Road. Councilman Holland made a motion to accept this as first reading of Ordinance 17-13. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bowling.
 
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Councilman Wissing abstained from voting.
 
EXPENDITURES
Councilman Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total amount of $116,503.61. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monohan.
 
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmen Flynn, Wissing, Nay, Bowling, Monohan, Weiter, Holland and McKiernan. No Votes: None. 
 
COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Councilman Holland relayed the rental committee has created a lease agreement, pet application form, and a checklist for move-in’s and move-out’s. These upcoming changes will be discussed with current residents shortly.
• Councilman Monohan stated no money has been expended to date on the parks this fiscal year in deference to the Library expansion.
• Councilman Bowling said Chief Wilkerson is focused and ready to lead the department to another level. All are looking forward to good things happening with Chief Wilkerson at the helm.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Ritsert relayed there was nothing else specific to report.    
 
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini asked the council members to give St. Matthews Public Works Director Kenan Stratman direction on an issue in question. Mr. Stratman relayed a decision is needed if the city is interested in photo documenting the construction/remodeling project and/or filming. Filming the process could potentially be placed on the city’s website. The expense is built into the budget; however, that money can be utilized for other items that may come up during the process.  Councilman Wissing was joined by Councilman Weiter in indicating the money is best spent on other items that are more important and that may arise during the process.  The process is most helpful if every step is captured and that can be considered impractical.  Councilman Bowling made a motion to include this process in the building/remodeling budget. The motion was seconded by Councilman Flynn. 
 
Upon Roll Call Vote:  (2-6) the motion was defeated. Yes Votes: Councilmen Bowling and Flynn.  No Votes: Councilmen McKiernan, Holland, Weiter, Monohan, Nay and Wissing.
 
Mr. Stratman went on to give a brief update on the leaf collection. Because it is impossible to determine what nature is going to do 6 weeks ahead of time when the signs are ordered, the original week of leaf pick-up was scheduled for the week of October 31. Not a tremendous amount of leaves where down that first week. More leaves dropped in early November and the Public Works Department has been playing catch-up ever since. Multiple trips will be made in the coming weeks to optimize convenience for the residents of the community. Mayor Tonini recognized the tremendous amount of effort the Public Works crew expended to accomplish this huge task.
 
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Nay made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Weiter.

Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Susan Clark – City Clerk
 
Richard Tonini – Mayor