CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. EST by Mayor Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling Councilmember Tim Holland
Councilmember Sarah Landes Councilmember Mary Jo Nay (absent)
Councilmember Frank Flynn (absent) Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Judi Kassebaum – St. Matthews City Clerk
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
Kenan Stratman – St. Matthews Public Works Director
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manger, Eline Library
Allison Brotzge-Elder – Candidate for Metro Council District 9
Dr. Paula McCraney – Metro Councilmember District 7
Allen Bahe – resident
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmembers Flynn and Nay were absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Olson to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library gave the following report:
· Movie Discussion Group: Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST
· Friends of the Library Meeting: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 10:00 am–11:30 am EST
·Night Owls Book Discussion Group: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 6:30 pm–7:30 pm EST
· D&D at the Library: Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 5:30 pm–7:30 pm EST
· Louisville Panpipes Orchestra: Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST
· English Conversation Club Every Monday at 6:00 pm EST
· Computer Help by Appointment: Call 574-1771 to set up an appointment with a library staff member
· AMR: A Global Medical Response Solution presents Touch-a-Truck! Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10:30 am–12:30 pm EST
· Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 am EST Baby & 11:15 am EST Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 am EST Preschool & 11:15 am EST Family
· The Library’s Summer Reading Program has started: Wild About Reading!
· Main Off-Broadway Play Reading: Children of the Moon: Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 1:30 pm–4:00 pm EST South Central Regional Library
· AnimeCon: Friday, July 24, 2026, from 10:00 am–4:00 pm EST at Southwest Regional Library, 9725 Dixie Highway
Allison Brotzge-Elder, Candidate for Metro Council District 9, is looking forward to learning updates from tonight’s meeting.
Allen Bahe, a resident on Churchill Rd, said all the street lights on Churchill Rd are out. The neighbors have reported to this LG&E, but nothing has happened. The Clerk will notify LG&E of the outages.
PENDING BUSINESS
There is no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
Municipal Oder 26-17 Relating to the Warwick Park Phase II and III Renovations
Mr. Stratman let the council know the bid for the Warwick Park renovations opened July 7, 2026. There were 8 bids. The budget has $7 million put aside for this project, and the designing firm estimated $5.6 million in costs. The lowest bid received was under $4 million and the highest bid received was about $5 million. The City has worked with Pace Contracting in the past. The bid specified unit pricing in case of work order changes and the pricing provided by Pace was consistent with expected costs. Some changes that may occur include using sod instead of seed and straw, installing irrigation and additional under cutting in the parking lot. The council was interested in having Mr. Stratman explore the costs and associated information for sod and irrigation in the park. The next steps include giving Pace a notice to proceed and schedule a pre-construction meeting to set a timeline.
A motion was made by Councilmember Holland to approve Municipal Order 26-17. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
Dr. Paula McCraney, Metro Councilmember for the 9th District, was introduced by the Mayor. Dr. McCraney thanked the council for allowing her to partner with the City on the Warwick Park renovations. She noted it was a pleasure to work with Mr. Stratman. Later in the meeting, Mr. Stratman reminded the council of Dr. McCraney’s $175,000 grant for the project in the Louisville Metro’s budget. Dr. McCraney was asked about complaints received regarding JCPS properties not being maintained. Her office has contacted the principals of the schools in the past, none of which are in St. Matthews. Her recommendation was for the public to attend JCPS board meetings to complain. She also said candidates were electioneering at council meetings, and it should be stopped.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $1,053,003.40. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti announced the Green Committee would meet August 11 at 6:00 pm EST on the 3rd floor of City Hall. She asked Mr. Stratman to talk about the walkability study. Long-term and short-term projects were recommended. There are some projects in the Warwick Villa area that could be included with the paving project in that area, including a speed table at Virginia and Warwick. Sidewalks on Warwick from Harris to Virginia were also suggested. Mr. Stratman recommends to not do that sidewalk project as, among other things, light poles must be moved. He suggests making Warwick one way and adding a bike/pedestrian lane. Public Works will do some small projects advised in the study. Councilmember Vanetti also said she was advised the broken windows at Gilman have been boarded.
· Councilmember Hernandez asked Mr. Stratman about paving on Hemingway. He has received requests from neighbors to have the road paved. Hemingway and the surrounding area will be paved in the 2026-2027 budget. Each year each road is evaluated for paving needs.
· Councilmember Olson said the Administration Committee had a meeting on July 13. She announced the receptionist position was open but may be filled closer to property tax season. The outstanding neighbor awards will move to being awarded each quarter instead of each month.
· Councilmember Holland sees young children on scooters going fast and running stop signs. He asked Chef Wilkerson about flag laws. The Chief said the need for a flag is based on the bike or scooter’s cubic centimeters which measure the volume of the engine’s cylinders. It is difficult to look at a scooter or bike to determine this information.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor asked who would be interested in attending this year’s KLC meeting happening September 22-25 in Covington. The Clerk needs to know by August who might want to go so a hotel room can be secured for them. The Mayor will miss the next 2 meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| July 14, 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: | |||
| 3SI Security Systems, Inc. | Police – Service Contract – Software | $960.00 | |
| A+ Paper Shredding, Inc. | Police – Service Contract – Shredding | $87.78 | |
| All About You Heating and Air | Woks – Repairs & Maintenance – Building | $117.50 | |
| Applied Digital Solutions | IT – Repairs & Main. – MDT Installation | $2,815.00 | |
| AT&T Telephone | Works – Telephone | $2,314.27 | |
| Auto Zone, Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $21.32 | |
| Batteries Plus Bulbs | Police – Supplies & Materials | $95.90 | |
| CDW Government | IT – Service Contracts | $27,766.74 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Cintas | Works – Supplies & Materials | $755.84 | |
| Computer Software Innovations | Admin.-Office Supplies-Printed Check Forms | $257.65 | |
| Contrarian Holdings, LLC | Admin. – Required Capital Contribution | $62,733.00 | |
| Cortega, LLC | Police – Training – Course & Materials | $330.00 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police-Vehicle Main./Mechanical & Routine | $1,142.00 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $138.92 | |
| Dean Dorton | Admin. – First Billing for Audit | $5,000.00 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, inc. | All – Dental Insurance (2 Months) | $12,383.99 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Vehicle Leases | $13,810.94 | |
| Farley Printing | Parks – Music in the Park | $32.00 | |
| First Financial Bank | All – Multiple | $4,617.18 | |
| Five Star Breaktime Solutions | Admin. – Filter Cartridge | $99.50 | |
| Friedrich Concrete Co., LLC | Works – Sidewalk Repairs – Brown Park | $17,500.00 | |
| Galls | Police -Uniforms | $985.73 | |
| Grainger | Works – Equipment Repairs & Maintenance | $24.93 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police- Contract Services – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,236.57 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works-Supplies & Materials/Mulch & Plantings | $1,389.64 | |
| IAPE | Police – Dues/Training – Course & Materials | $490.00 | |
| Kathy Williams Creative | Admin. – Newsletters | $1,650.00 | |
| Ky. League of Cities Ins. Services | All – Annual Property & Liability Insurance | $326,854.14 | |
| Kentucky State Treasurer | Works-Elevator Inspection-Police-Notary Fee | $135.00 | |
| Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions | Police – Service Contracts/Software | $2,592.00 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $42,757.40 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Mulch | $93.01 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $1,555.09 | |
| Lusk Mechanical Contractors, Inc. | Works – Building Maintenance & Repairs | $6,783.73 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $334.69 | |
| MTM Enterprises | Parks -Draut Park Stream Bank Stabilization | $179,010.00 | |
| Norse Tactical | Police – Training – Course & Materials | $13,750.00 | |
| Noteworthy Creative Group | Police – Uniforms | $625.00 | |
| OpenGov, Inc. | IT – Contract Services | $13,230.00 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $3,863.56 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $1,030.00 | |
| RCS Communications | Police – Radio Repairs & Maintenance | $110.00 | |
| RES Kentucky, LLC | Parks – Draut Park Stream Bank Stabilization | $5,300.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $140,789.40 | |
| Saf-Ti-Co | Works-Miscellaneous-Trinity Champion Signs | $270.00 | |
| Schiller | IT-Repairs/Main. Computer Replace/Wi-Fi Upgrade | $26,437.58 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – June, 2026 Attorney Fees | $6,278.55 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Works – Mulch & Plantings | $15.77 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Car Washes | $1,284.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies & Materials/Equip. Main. | $644.92 | |
| St. Matthews Feed & Seed | Works – Supplies & Materials | $2.31 | |
| Target Solutions Learning | Police – Service Contracts/Software | $16,526.51 | |
| Taylor Siefer Williams | Parks – Warwick Park Project | $15,150.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police/Works-Vehicle Main.-Mechanical/Routine | $6,557.81 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $211.53 | |
| Trans Union Risk & Alternative | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $186.75 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Service – Chemicals | $214.03 | |
| US Postal Service (Quadient) | Admin. – Adding Postage to Meter | $5,000.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police -Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $577.32 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $13.85 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $22,666.86 | |
| Xcitium | IT – Licensing | $77.00 | |
| Voll Field Account | |||
| McCoy Painting, Inc. | Ballfield – Painting @ Baseball Stadium | $605.00 | |
| POLICE FORFEITURE | |||
| Norse Tactical | Police – Training | $1,000.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Miscellaneous – June Services | $216.00 | |
| Bratcher, Joshua | Police – Reim. Expenses for APX-6000 Radio | $204.30 | |
| Cheser, Matt | Police – Reimbursement Clothing Allowance | $85.00 | |
| Dawson, Brandon | Works – Reimbursement Clothing Allowance | $500.00 | |
| Hilliard, Jason | Police – Reimbursement Per Diem Expenses | $265.00 | |
| Jones, Le’Mon | Works – Reim. Clothing/Boot Allowance | $650.00 | |
| Richardson, Mark | Police – Reimbursement Clothing Allowance | $500.00 | |
| Stratman, Kenan | Works – Reim. Work Boot Allowance | $150.00 | |
| Webb, Daniel | Works – Reim. Clothing/Boot Allowance | $647.85 | |
| TOTAL | $1,015,003.40 | ||
