CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling (absent) Councilmember Tim Holland (absent)
Councilmember Sarah Landes Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Amy Olson (absent)
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Judi Kassebaum – St. Matthews City Clerk
Major Eddie Jones – St. Matthews Police Department
Officer Billy Cundiff – St. Matthews Police Department
Kenan Stratman – Director of Public Works
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manger, Eline Library
Viginia Hart – Chamber St Matthews
Robert Klein – Resident
Steven Fawbush – Resident
Richard Wunderlin – Resident
Ann Tompeter – Resident
Charles Tood – Candidate for Metro Council 9th District
Various other guests
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmembers Bowling, Holland, and Olson were absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Landes. Upon Voice Vote: (5-0) the motion carried.
The Mayor addressed the public saying social media had indicated the council would discuss the property at 4101 Westport Rd, but the City attorney, John Singler, will speak to the council about the process to accept testimony regarding the project. It was decided to move the City Attorney’s Report to the beginning of the meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler started by saying any development must have due process. It is important the council does not take part in conversations regarding the proposed development as they could be accused of taking outside testimony and being biased. That is why they have not made comments or attended meetings regarding the development plan. The City’s staff have been working with the developer to work out any issues and review the plans to ensure they are complying with local and state law. Binding elements that will attach to the plan and remain with the land have been added to the proposed municipal order. The City will hold a meeting allowing the developer to present the plans and answer questions from the council. The audience can make comments. As there are no zoning changes, the only vote is for or against the development. Mr. Singler handed out copies of the municipal order to the council and audience for review. It was decided the April 14 regular council meeting would have the discussion on the agenda. The council can vote that evening or can defer the vote to another meeting. The meeting and location will be announced on the City’s website and FaceBook page, in addition to Reach Alerts.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library gave the following report:
· How to start a Cutting Flower Garden: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· Adult Board Game Night: Thursday, April 2, 2026, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
· Adult Crafty Night Out: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
· Stephen King Book Discussion Group: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· Houseplant Cutting Swap: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· Derby Fashion throughout the Decades: Monday, April 13, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· Off the Beaten Path Book Discussion Group: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· English Conversation Club Every Monday at 6:00
· Computer Help by Appointment: Call 574-1771 to set up an appointment
· Family Movie Night: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm
· WAGS: Read with a Dog! Saturday, March 28, 2026,11:00 am – 12:00 pm
· Pint Size Playdate: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
· Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 Baby & 11:15 Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 Preschool & 11:15 Family
Virginia Hart, CEO Chamber St. Matthews, commented on the Chamber’s recent e-recycling event where over 8,000 lbs. of electronics were recycled. Next year’s event will include paper at the request of several people.
Richard Wunderlin, resident Ridgeway Ave. since 1988, had questions regarding the process Mr. Singler described. Mr. Wunderlin told the council to expect a large crowd for the April 14th meeting. A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to move the April 14th meeting to the Arterburn at 310 Ten Pin Ln. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Vanetti and passed by voice vote 5-0. It was suggested the public could express their opinion to the council via email to the Clerk. She will forward all emails to the entire council. Mr. Wunderlin spoke of the traffic study from 2022, saying it is a misrepresentation of actual traffic congestion because it was done when local schools were out for the summer. The study also does not mention the railroad tracks or stop signs in the proposal.
The roundabout in the plans is a possible future project that may never come to be.
Dr. Eisenmeder suggested the comments be given to the council as they came in.
PENDING BUSINESS
Municipal Order 26-11 Appointment of Code Enforcement Board Members
The Mayor gave background information on the need for new appointments to the Code Enforcement Board. Mr. Singler named the appointments and the appointed positions. Chris Mooser was reappointed through the end of 2028. Tony Weiter was appointed to the board until the end of 2027. Gary Hopkins was appointed as an alternate with his term expiring at the end of 2027.
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve Municipal Order 26-11 and it was seconded by Councilmember Flynn. The motion passed 5-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Municipal Order 26-12 Improvements to Draut Park
Mr. Singler summarized the municipal order. Councilmember Nay asked if grant money had been awarded to the City from MSD. Mr. Statman, Director of Public Works, said that $60,000 was awarded and would go towards the $1,098979.89 for the project. Mr. Stratman went on to describe the project to stabilize 1,500 linear feet of embankment to prevent future erosion. It will also restore two acres of wetlands in Draut Park. The project also includes stabling 200 linear feet in Brown Park to prevent erosion. The entire project will be given a notice to proceed on March 25 and will take one year to complete. Planting will take place next spring. Some invoices for the project will be in this year’s budget, with the balance rolling over to next year’s budget. The project was started four years ago after observing the erosion and consultants determined the extent of the damage. Draut Park will be closed in sections during the restoration.
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve Municipal Order 26-12 and it was seconded by Councilmember Flynn. The motion passed 5-0 by voice vote.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $4,790.27. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Flynn. Upon Roll Call Vote: (5-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Hernadez would like to have a caucus meeting to discuss the budget with department heads.
· Councilmember Nay expects the newsletter to be in homes on April 27 with Music in Brown Park as the headlining story. Shakespeare in the Park will be at the Arterburn on May 3.
· Councilmember Landes announced Anthem would not work with SHARx if the City switched medical insurance.
MAYOR’S REPORT
There was no Mayor’s report.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Nay made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Landes. Upon Voice Vote: (5-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| March 24, 2026 | |||
| BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR DRAW WARRANTS on the City Treasury, | |||
| counter-signed by the City Clerk or Assistant City Clerk authorizing payment of the below listed invoices: | |||
| A+ Paper Shredding, Inc. | Police – Service Contract – Shredding | $87.78 | |
| Air Quality Systems, Inc. | Works – Furnace Filters | $678.84 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Maintenance-Mechanical | $211.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms & Equipment | $679.28 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Mulch | $1,048.32 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contracts – Copies | $40.55 | |
| MPI Printing | Police – Printing Business Cards | $640.00 | |
| Nfocus Images | Police – Special Events/ Awards Banquet | $285.00 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $335.00 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Sherwin Williams Company | C. Center – Supplies & Materials | $170.10 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control Services | $95.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police -Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $326.15 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Street Repairs – Cold Patch | $155.25 | |
| TOTAL | $4,790.27 | ||
