CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2025
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Richard Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling (absent) Councilmember Tim Holland
Councilmember Sarah Landes Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Amy Olson
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
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning Officer
Kenan Stratman – Public Works Director
OTHER ATTENDEES
Josh Suiter – CEO The Chamber St. Matthews
Kate Leitner – Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library
Becky Ricketts – Lyndon Councilmember
John Talbott – Bardenwerper Talbott & Roberts, PLLC
Mike Hill – Land Design & Development, Inc.
Dr. Ryan Wermeling – Associates in Plastic Surgery
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance. Councilmember Bowling was absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2025, caucus meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the March 11, 2025, 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 Library gave the following report:
Puzzle and Board Game Exchange: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT
Jigsaw Puzzle Race: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT
Adult Crafty Night Out: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EDT
Adult Board Game Night: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm EDT
Mini Libraries Take-and-Make Craft: All day event – Monday, April 7 to April 12
2025 Home Cleaning & Organizing: Monday, April 7, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EDT
Adult Book Discussion: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT
English Conversation Club: Every Week on Mondays, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Family Movie Night – Brave: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6:15 pm – 8:30 pm EDT
Pint Size Playdate: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 Baby & 11:15 Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 Preschool & 11:15 FamilyShakespeare in the Libraries family-friendly performances return in March.
Tax forms can be printed out at the library from the IRS website irs.gov.
Meet St Matthews City Council Program -Saturday May 17, 10:30-11:30
Josh Suiter, CEO The Chamber St. Matthews, reported a collaboration meeting between several local banks and the Chamber would be held on March 26. SMPD will attend to advise the banks about safety. The Chamber St. Matthews will work with the chambers of Middletown and Jeffersontown to form an alliance to work together on issues impacting them all. The Chamber St. Matthews has qualified for Chamber of the Year at the federal Level.
PENDING BUSINESS
Ordinance 25-02 4251 Westport Rd Rezone 2nd Reading
John Singler read the ordinance and pointed out the language change in item #8 to match the language in the Trilogy condition of approval.
John Talbott asked the council to approve the ordinance.
Dr. Ryan Wermeling said he appreciated the council’s time and looked forward to being part of the community.
A motion was made by Councilmember Flynn to approve Ordinance 25-02 and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Councilmember Nay said that passing this ordinance did not mean the council would stop pursuing solutions within its power to improve traffic problems in the area. Jack Ruf reported that City Engineer Jim Birch has been in contact with KYTC and they are willing to look at the speed in the area. Kenan Stratman said a speed survey has been conducted and the average speed was 48 mph. KYTC is willing to look beyond traditional means, including taking the number of driveways into consideration and asking Louisville Metro to enforce the 35 mph zone more effectively.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business discussed.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $ 340,262.18. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Major Jones reported SMPD has received a $15,000 grant from the KY Attorney General’s office to purchase 15 vests. Body armor and plates are sold separately.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Nay had two versions of the 75th Celebration logo for the councilmembers to look at. HB Productions had suggested getting memories of St. Matthews from long time residents to use with social media. Any recommendations of residents or any memories collected should be sent to Councilmember Nay.
· Councilmember Landes inquired about the walk audit performed in the City leading to the inquiry of a walkability audit. The council will need to provide the scope of work for a walkability audit. Kenan Stratman said Louisville Metro wanted to provide funds for sidewalks on Sherburn Ln and Hubbards Ln east of Westport to Rudy. They inquired about the City also contributing funds to this project. Funds for the walkability audit and the Louisville Metro sidewalk projects need to be determined for the next budget. Kenan also updated the council on the bike racks installed in the parks. Currently there are 2 in Draut Park, 2 in Brown Park, and 1 in Community Park. A second bike rack will be in Community Park after The Arterburn exterior work is completed. Warwick has several bike racks and more will be installed with Phases 2 and 3 renovations.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
John Singler told the council the Code Enforcement Board would hold an organizational meeting on April 1. There are no appeals on the docket, and the council would be notified of any appeals.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Each council member has a copy of the financial report through December 31, 2024. Councilmember Bowling wants to remind everyone it is budget time and projects proposed for the next year need to have the associated costs.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| March 25, 2025 | |||
| 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: | |||
| Alternate Force | Police – Training/Equipment | $2,565.60 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $4,094.98 | |
| Atlantic Signal | Police – Capital Improvements-Equipment | $24,460.00 | |
| Blackburn & Davis | Parks – Repairs & Maintenance | $3,694.98 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $168.00 | |
| Cintas | Works – Supplies & Materials | $900.51 | |
| Corporate Warehouse Supply | Admin. – Office Supplies | $1,799.65 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Repairs – Mechanical | $287.36 | |
| Dell Marketing LP | IT – Repairs/Main. – Tech Equipment | $349.58 | |
| Earth First of Kentuckiana | Works – Mulch | $323.55 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Leases of Vehicles | $14,063.38 | |
| First Financial Bank | All – Multiple | $14,142.02 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms/Supplies & Materials | $3,516.92 | |
| Gannett Indiana-Kentucky Localiq | Admin. – Advertising | $167.00 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,178.15 | |
| Hartlage Fence Company | Works – Repairs & Maintenance | $375.00 | |
| John The Balloon Guy & Co., LLC | Admin. – 75th Celebration | $1,600.00 | |
| KIPDA Clerk’s Association | Admin. – Program Support | $2,000.00 | |
| LG&E | Works – Electric/Gas | $37,190.04 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Mulch | $1,358.70 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $511.64 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $715.53 | |
| Moreno Express | Admin. – Newsletters | $3,050.53 | |
| Motorola Solutions, Inc, | Police-Captial Improvements/Equipment | $60,838.40 | |
| Norse Tactical | Police – Training/Range | $1,000.00 | |
| Oxmoor Ford Lincoln Mercury | Works – Equipment Repairs & Maintenance | $52.27 | |
| Quality Inn | Police – Training/Travel | $1,560.00 | |
| Security Pros, LLC | Works – Monitoring | $1,215.46 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Parks – Supplies & Materials | $1,728.87 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Maintenance-Car Washes | $504.00 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control | $95.00 | |
| Tire Plus Total Car Care | Police – Vehicle Main.-Routine & Mechanical | $4,796.96 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police/Works-Towing & Vehicle Maintenance | $1,710.00 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $523.75 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone Service | $3,352.13 | |
| Valvoline | Police – Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $375.37 | |
| Voter Outreach, Inc. | Admin. – Program Support | $1,500.00 | |
| White Cap, L.P. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $105.98 | |
| Yesworx | IT – April Support Services | $1,000.00 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Saf-Ti-Co | Works – Street Sign Accessories | $1,575.00 | |
| All-State Ford | Works – 2025 Ford F450 Truck | $72,225.00 | |
| All-State Ford | Works – 2025 Ford F250 Truck | $51,090.00 | |
| POLICE FORFEITURE ACCOUNT | |||
| Public Agency Training Council | Police – Training | $3,250.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Coty, Mike | Police – Reimbursement Training/Travel | $650.00 | |
| Jones, Eddie | Police – Reimbursement Training/Travel | $488.75 | |
| Hardin, Richard | Police – Reimbursement Training/Travel | $325.00 | |
| Ratliff, Scott | Police – Per Diem Expenses | $390.00 | |
| Richardson, Mark | Police – Reimbursement Training/Travel | $805.61 | |
| Robinson, Charles | Police – Reimbursement Toolbox/Lock | $130.33 | |
| Wilkerson, Barry | Police – Reimbursement Expenses | $461.18 | |
| TOTAL | $340,262.18 | ||
