CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2024
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Richard Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling Councilmember Sarah Landes
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez – absent Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Tim Holland Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident
Cathi Clark – Resident
Jason Johnson – Resident
Kate Leitner – Manger of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2024 council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library gave the following report:
· Stephen King Book Discussion, October 9 @ 6:00 p.m.
· Book Discussion “Family Lore”, October 10 @ 2:00 p.m.
· Dungeons & Dragons, October 10 @ 6:00 p.m.
· Friends of the Library Meeting, October 15 @ 10:00 a.m.
· Movie Discussion Group “Onibaba”, October 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
· Night Owls Book Discussion, Garden of Good and Evil, October 22 @ 6:30 p.m.
· Craft Night Out, Make a Witch from recycled book, October 22 @ 6:30 p.m.
· English Conversation Club, Every Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
PENDING BUSINESS
There was no pending business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion began regarding the parameters that official Oxford Houses can operate. It appears that a few houses that initially operated as Oxford House residences have returned to regular rental homes. However, the number of occupants is still a concern. Councilmember Flynn asked, if possible, could research be completed confirming any new rules or regulations related to Oxford Houses allowances? Jack Ruf or Daryl Cleary, Code Enforcement Officers for the City of St. Matthews, will make inquires with rental homeowners to verify if they are aware of the number of people residing in a single-family residence and if all are listed on the lease. Councilmember Nathan Hernandez, while not in attendance, sent a message that a house on King Arthur Lane seems to have a large number of vehicles at the address as well.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $232,400.42, The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Landes, Flynn, Nay, Bowling, Holland, Olson, and Vanetti. No Votes: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti asked about the status of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of St. Matthews becoming a city in 2025. Councilmember Nay relayed foundational progress is being laid.
· Councilmember Olson announced the October Outstanding Neighbor Award will be announced soon. Also, speeding on Massie Avenue is noticeable. A neighbor’s pet was killed by a vehicle speeding recently. Mayor Tonini and Chief Wilkerson relayed officers are placed on Massie Avenue to control speeding periodically. Lastly, a resident is concerned about unhealthy looking trees along Browns Lane in the back of Waggener High School. It was verified that would be the responsibility of JCPS to maintain those trees. A good person to contact would be Louisville Metro Councilmember Andrew Owen.
· Councilmember Nay stated the November newsletter is at the printers for November delivery at homes. A Reach Alert will be sent regarding police training in the parking lot of Mall St. Matthews on October 9, 14, 23, and 24.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney John Singler reported the councilmembers are eligible to payment for attending educational training. A sample ordinance was distributed for review.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini gave the following report:
· The Jefferson County Suburban Fire District is sending crews to Florida to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Fire House #46 is collecting supplies for NC victims.
· Louisville Metro is supporting a concept of frequently called Middle Housing. Middle Housing would allow current single-family residences to be turned into multi-family residences by dividing houses into duplexes or building tiny houses for residential living in back yards. Doing such at this time would go against house and zoning codes. Cities such as St. Matthews who have their own zoning authority would not be obligated to follow what Louisville Metro approves but surrounding cities such as Beechwood Village, Richlawn, Norbourne Estates etc. would.
· There will be a parade honoring veterans on November 9 starting at Middletown, stopping briefly at Mission BBQ in St. Matthews, before proceeding downtown.
· With the purchase of the two city EV cars, there was to be a charging station included at no additional charge. Several roadblocks have been encountered and the dealership is not standing by what was promised. It is unclear how this will be resolved.
· Creek restoration including the removal of invasive plants, is taking place at Draut Park.
· Phase 2 & 3 of the improvements at Warwick Park are going out to bid in the Spring of 2025.
· Plans to improve the exterior of The Arterburn will likely also happen in the Spring of 2025.
· EZ Construction Company won the bid to make improvements to the Trinity Hills ditch to help alleviate past drainage issues during heavy rain events. The last part of the plan is to obtain access to individual back yards for work to commence.
· Discussion has taken place about improving the child’s play area at Community Park including making it handicapped accessible.
· Landscaping at Warwick Park started on Monday, October 7, 2025.
· St. Matthews is responsible for one (quarter) section of plants in the medians at the intersection of Westport Road at 264. More attention is needed in this area as the plants are not thriving. The other cities involved are Woodlawn Park, Graymoor-Devondale, and Lyndon.
· City Clerk Susan Clark has resigned. She has accepted another position at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling.
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| OCTOBER 8, 2024 | |||
| 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: | |||
| Altec Industries, Inc. | Works – Training | $3,746.37 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works – Supplies & Materials/Repairs | $821.90 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $4,719.22 | |
| Charter Communications | Works – Monitoring | $161.55 | |
| Chips Auto Glass Cincy | Police -Vehicle Main. – Body | $375.00 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $126.00 | |
| Ernst Concrete Kentucky | Works – Supplies & Materials | $574.34 | |
| Farley Printing | Admin. – Printing – Envelopes | $690.97 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms | $126.14 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police – Copy Machine Contract | $238.04 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works – Supplies & Materials | $877.69 | |
| Interstate All Battery Center | Police – Vehicle Main./Routine | $23.40 | |
| Jim’s Body Shop | Police – Deductible-Dodge Durango | $1,000.00 | |
| Louisville Gas and Electric Company | Works – Electric/Gas | $40,053.17 | |
| Louisville Gas and Electric Company | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $119.48 | |
| Lowe’s | Works – Supplies & Materials | $827.98 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contracts – Copies | $240.91 | |
| Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Police – Body Cameras | $3,200.00 | |
| Napa Auto Parts | Works – Supplies & Materials | $68.11 | |
| Navigate 360 | Police – Service Contract – Software | $2,646.00 | |
| OFO, LLC | Works – Dump Fees | $110.00 | |
| OGS Technologies, LLC | Police – Uniforms | $131.37 | |
| Porta Kleen | Works – Portalets | $760.00 | |
| Quality Inn | Police – Training/Travel | $1,014.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Services | $130,595.58 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – Contract Services | $2,393.00 | |
| Stephens & Lawson, PSC | Admin. – Professional Fees | $1,470.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies & Materials | $109.99 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control | $163.00 | |
| The Kentucky Local Issues Conference | Admin. – Conference – R. Tonini | $375.00 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $211.59 | |
| Treez | Works – Tree Removal | $9,150.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works – Vehicle Main./Preventative | $572.98 | |
| Voiance | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $24.10 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $31.85 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $15,951.86 | |
| FORFEITURE ACCOUNT | |||
| Sandoval Custom Creations, Inc. | Police – Covert Concealment System | $5,975.00 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Cold Patch | $180.40 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Services | $248.00 | |
| Doyle, Lisa | Police – Reim. Uniforms | $374.00 | |
| Ferguson, Colton | Works – Reim. For Work Boots | $150.00 | |
| Jetter,George | Police – Travel/Training Expenses | $985.49 | |
| Jones, Eddie | Police – Travel/Training Expenses | $382.45 | |
| Jones, Le’Mon | Works – Reim. For Work Boots | $111.29 | |
| Pound, Taylor | Works – Reim. For Work Boots | $150.00 | |
| Roy, Kevin | Police – Reim. Uniforms | $105.20 | |
| TOTAL | $232,400.42 | ||
