CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 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
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
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Officer
Kenan Stratman – St. Matthews Public Works Director
Detective Kevin Roy – St. Matthews Police Department and FOP Representative
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner- Manager, Eline Library
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber, St. Matthews
Louis Straub – President, Independence Bank
Cindy Bailey – Executive Assistant – Community Enrichment Officer, Independence Bank
Karen Faulkner – District Court Judge
Ted Bernstein – Landside Development
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmember Flynn was absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Eline Library Manger, gave the following report:
· Adult Board Game Night: Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST
· Off the Beaten Path Book Discussion: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m. EST
· Stephen King Book Discussion Group: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m. EST
· Main Off-Broadway Play Reading: Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O’Neill – Sunday, Sept 13, from 1:30 pm–4:00 pm EST. This program is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Online registration is requested.
· Night Owls Book Discussion Group: Tuesday, September 15 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST
· Movie Discussion Group: Thursday, September 17, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST
· D&D at the Library: Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST
· St. Matthews Friends of the Library Book Sale Friday, September 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. –4:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
· English Conversation Club Every Monday at 6:00 p.m. EST
· Computer Help by Appointment: Call 574-1771 to set up an appointment with a library staff member
· Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. EST Baby & 11:15 a.m. EST Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 a.m. EST Preschool & 11:15 a.m. EST Family
· Family Movie Night: Dog Man – Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 5:45 p m –7:30 p.m. EST
· WAGS: Read with a Dog! Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. EST
· Pint-Size Playdate: Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. EST
· All Library Locations will be closed on Monday Sept 7, 2026, for Labor Day
Virginia Hart, CEO, Chamber, St. Matthews, reported to the council on the Chamber’s celebration of Public Works with a pizza party. The Chamber is working on Halloween in Brown Park on October 17 and expects to have 5,000 children attend the event. They are adding a costume contest.
Detective Kevin Roy announced the FOP 3rd Annual Jeep Show will be September 12 at 1001 Breckenridge Ln from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. The theme will be “Freedom”. There will be a live band, food trucks, and other vendors. He thanked the council for their support for the event.
Judge Karen Faulkner introduced herself to the council. She is on the ballot, running for her second term.
PENDING BUSINESS
There is no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
Freedom Fest Check Presentations and Wrap Up – The Mayor gave background information on the Freedom Fest and thanked Louis Straub of Independence Bank for the event. Mr. Straub thanked everyone including the committee members, businesses, the City, and the Chamber for their involvement. A special thank you went out to City Bailey, Ashley Bratcher, and Trevor Cravens. He read aloud the names of donors including but not limited to Independence Bank, Norton Hospital, Delta Dental, and Metro Council. Approximately 2,500 people attended the event, raising $70,180. After expenses of $35,680 were deducted the Fire and Benevolence Fund and Foundation 31 were each given a check in the amount of $17,250.
Ordinance 26-05 Related to Establishing a Tree Board 1st Reading – Mr. Singler summarized the ordinance allowing the City to apply for Tree City USA. Some changes were suggested. On page 3 to change the appointments to a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5. The appointments would follow the same procedure as other appointments and be by the Mayor with the approval of the council. On page 5 change Public Work Director to code enforcement. With the above changes Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 26-05. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Ordinance 26-06 Related to the Property Tax Rate for 2026 1st Reading – Mr. Singler summarized the ordinance keeping the same rate of $0.20/$100.00 and the discount rate of 40%. The public meeting will have to be published. Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 26-06. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Ordinance 26-07 Related to the Street Closure of N Sherrin Ave 1st Reading – Both sides of the street are owned by Trinity High School. Mr. Bernstein spoke in favor of the ordinance, siting 480-600 students and faculty cross the road daily. The road will not be physically closed. Several speed humps will be put in to acclimate the public to the closure. In the future a possible barrier could be in place during school hours and events. Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 26-07. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $962,566.63. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti asked when the deadline for the next newsletter was. Councilmember Nay replied September 4.
· Councilmember Hernandez has been in contact with a school wanting to use the council room to simulate the Nuremberg trials.
· Councilmember Olson has talked with a Girl Scout wanting to make bat boxes for the City.
· Councilmember Nay will put information on how to order a tree from the City in the next two newsletters. Trees not planted in the right-of-way are planted in the parks.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler researched noise ordinances. There are several options available including:
· Getting a decimal reader app on a phone
· Could regulate everything and have a multi-page ordinance, a complicated process
· Could regulate outdoor speaker noise at the source and noise could not extend beyond property
· Could prohibit playing amplified music through speakers
MAYOR’S REPORT
There is no Mayor’s report.
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 8:28 p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| August 25, 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. | Admin./Police – Shredding | $158.56 | |
| Alley Cat Advocates, Inc. | Admin. – Council Approved Program Support | $1,500.00 | |
| Andersons’ Sales & Service | Works – Equipment Main. & Repairs | $2,784.55 | |
| AT&T Telephone | Works – Telephone | $2,397.41 | |
| Baumann Paper Co. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $1,967.70 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $178.50 | |
| CDW Government | IT – Service Contracts, Licensing, Repairs & Main. | $17,637.95 | |
| Central Business Systems | Admin. – Postage Machine Annual Contract | $1,183.00 | |
| Chris Bradley | Works – Repairs & Main. – Buildings | $2,707.03 | |
| Clifford Distributing Co., Inc. | Works -Supplies & Materials | $1,740.54 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,612.31 | |
| DNS Filter, Inc. | IT -Repairs & Main./Tech Equipment & Cables | $2,520.00 | |
| Earth First of Kentuckiana | Works – Mulch | $150.00 | |
| Farley Printing | Admin. – Supplies & Materials | $424.84 | |
| First Financial | All – Multiple | $11,792.61 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police – Contract Services – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,640.58 | |
| Indentogo | Police – Fingerprinting | $22.00 | |
| Jim’s Body Shop | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Body Work | $2,802.90 | |
| Kentucky Shakespeare | Admin. – Council Approved Program Support | $1,500.00 | |
| lMEMS CPR Center | Police – Training – Course & Materials | $900.00 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $3,373.13 | |
| Louisville Gas and Electric Co. | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $1,659.60 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $3,156.61 | |
| Miller Company | Admin./Police – Service Contract – Copies | $382.38 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Building Main. & Repairs | $410.00 | |
| Nugent Sand Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $198.75 | |
| Occupational Medicine Phys. | Police – Contract Services – Medical | $325.00 | |
| Sherwin Williams Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $154.74 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Parks/Works -Supplies & Materials/Plants | $551.09 | |
| St. Matthews Elementary PTA | Admin. – Council Approved Program Support | $500.00 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating | Parks – Pest Control – Arterburn & Brown Park | $163.00 | |
| St. Matthews Fire Protection District | Police – Training – OT | $5,107.10 | |
| Taylor Siefer Williams | Parks – Capital Improvements – Warwick Park | $14,299.29 | |
| The Drala Project, Inc. | IT – Contract Services | $113,587.65 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police -Vehicle Main.- Routine | $2,160.49 | |
| Tonini Church Supply | Works – Supplies & Materials | $65.96 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Service – Brown Park | $214.03 | |
| US Postal Service | Admin. – Postage for Machine | $10,000.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police – Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $616.75 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone | $3,177.07 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Hall Contracting of Kentucky, Inc. | Works – Milling & Resurfacing Streets | $731,122.37 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Hays, Adam | Works – Reim. Boots & Clothing Allowance | $483.10 | |
| TOTAL | $962,566.63 | ||
