CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2025
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Richard 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 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 – Director, Public Works
Jack Ruf – Code Enforcement Officer
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manager, Eline Library
Robert Klein – Resident
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber St. Matthews
Judy Warren
Peter Rondot – Resident
David Wallace – Resident
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmember Nay was absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Holland to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2025, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilmember Holland to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2025, caucus meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Landes. 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:
- Mystery Book Tasting: Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm EDT
- Adult Crafty Night Out: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EDT
- Adult Board Game: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- 2025 Home Cleaning & Organizing: Monday, September 8, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
- Adult Book Discussion: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
- English Conversation Club: Every Week on Mondays, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Family Movie Night – Secret Life of Pets 2: Thursday, August 28, 2025, 6:15 pm – 8:00 pm
- Pint Size Playdate: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 Baby & 11:15 Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 Preschool & Family
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber St. Matthews, let the Council know in partnership with Jeffersontown Chamber, Middletown Chamber, and Independence Bank a Bagels & Briefing meeting with Mayor Greenburg will be at the Arterburn on September 17 from 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Reservations are required. Halloween in Brown Park on October 18 will have less bounce houses and more age-appropriate games.
Peter Rondot, a resident, expressed his gratitude for what is being done in St. Matthews and is proud to be from St. Matthews. He has talked with Code Enforcement in the past about the overgrowth he sees from the back of the property at 908 Browns Ln. He presented the council with pictures of the overgrowth on a tree. In the past code enforcement has told him the vines were indigenous to the area and did not have to be cut back. Mr. Rondot investigated several of the vines and does not believe they are KY native plants. He believes they are a violation of Code 94, being a nuisance. He has also found syringes in the vines and the vines are intruding onto the road. Code Enforcement is aware of the situation, and says it is not a violation of Code 94. The City is trying to get something done, but it takes time to get compliance. Councilmember Holland commented that Baptist Health, owner of the property, is a good corporate citizen. Baptist is also responsible to take care of the right of way at the end of Sherrin. Councilmember Flynn asked for this subject to be put on the next meeting’s agenda for an update.
David Wallace, a resident, thanked the City and police for controlling the speed limit on Winchester, especially at the beginning of the school year. He says his neighbors at 3536 Winchester have multiple people coming and going at all hours. He speculates the renter living there may be sub-renting rooms. The smell of marijuana is strong from the house, and the house is in a general state of disrepair. Councilmember Flynn asked John Singler to send a letter to the property owner and tenant regarding the City’s concerns. Code enforcement has found violations of grass height and overgrown bushes. Councilmember Flynn asked for this subject to be put on the next meeting’s agenda for an update.
PENDING BUSINESS
Judy Warren, daughter of Mrs. Schrodt, addressed the council asking the City to buy her mother’s paintings of St. Matthews and the surrounding area. Councilmember Holland spoke on behalf of the council saying the City was not interested in purchasing the paintings but would be happy to display them at City Hall or perhaps host a reception to show the paintings.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 25-06, 2025-2026 Ad Valorem 1st Reading – Mr. Singler stated the assessments were flat and no tax hearing was needed. The rate of $0.20 per $100 will stay the same and the discount rate will be 40% for payments made in October. There was discussion concerning lowering the percentage of the discount rate to increase revenue. It was decided to explore that more in depth later in the year when preparing for the next budget cycle. Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve Ordinance 25-06. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Flynn. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Municipal Order 25-11, Relating to Warwick Park Phase 2 & 3 Renovations – Mr. Stratman gave a high-level description of the renovations and associated costs. There will be a public meeting soon at the Arterburn to go over the renovations with the residents. Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve Municipal Order 25-11. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Councilmember Hernandez made a motion to recommend to the designated officials that a total of $15 million dollars be invested in CDs in the amount of $5 million in each of a 3-month CD, 6-month CD, and 9-month CD at Independence Bank. Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion, and it carried 7-0 by voice vote.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $112,920.92. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Councilmember Olson announced the Green Committee would meet in October. Independence Bank is hosting a Clean-Up St. Matthews event October 11.
- Councilmember Holland asked Public Works to replace Stop signs that had become faded.
- Councilmember Flynn talked about the contract dispute between Norton’s and Cigna.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
No report was given.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor announced Councilmember Nay expects to be at the next council meeting.
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 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| August 26, 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: | |||
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $1,554.79 | |
| B & H Photo Video | Police – Capital Improvements – Cameras | $2,851.98 | |
| Best-One Kentuckiana | Works – Repairs & Maintenance/Equipment | $827.10 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $162.75 | |
| Delta Dental Of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,983.42 | |
| Earth First of Kentuckiana | Works – Mulch & Plantings | $1,689.65 | |
| First Financial Bank | All – Multiple | $11,040.56 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms & Uniform Equipment | $372.04 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,412.24 | |
| Leonard Brush & Chemical Co. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $260.60 | |
| LG&E | Works – Electric/Gas | $2,338.40 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $2,556.39 | |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Mechanical | $423.94 | |
| Miller Company | Police/Admin. – Service Contract – Copies | $389.45 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Repairs & Maintenance/Equipment | $335.00 | |
| Norton Healthcare | Police/Works – Contract Services – Medical | $117.00 | |
| RCS Communications | Police-Vehicle Main./Body & CI-Vehicles | $19,662.57 | |
| Shelbyville Chrysler | Police-Vehicle Maintenance-Mechanical/Routine | $3,912.58 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police-Vehicle Maintenance-Car Washes (2 Mos.) | $840.00 | |
| St. Matthews Baptist Church | Admin. – Council Approved Program Support | $2,500.00 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control | $95.00 | |
| Sterling Thompson Company, LLC | Admin. – Bonds for S. Doane & P. Topping | $3,054.00 | |
| The KY Local Issues Conference | Admin. – Training/Travel – R. Tonini | $475.00 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $74.87 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $480.20 | |
| Trugreen | Parks -Chemical Treatment -Brown Park | $206.00 | |
| U S Postal Service | Admin. – Postage for Meter | $10,000.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works – Vehicle Main. – Preventative | $850.78 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone Service (2 Months) | $6,646.43 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $18,953.85 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Cheser, Matt | Police- Reimbursement Uniforms | $189.98 | |
| Coty, Mike | Police – Reimbursement Training Expenses | $268.00 | |
| Frisby, Chris | Police – Reimbursement Training Expenses | $255.97 | |
| Hardin, Richard | Police – Reimbursement Uniform Allowance | $180.38 | |
| Hellinger, Brian | Police – Reimbursement Training Expenses | $650.00 | |
| Kemper, David | Police – Reimbursement Training Expenses | $310.00 | |
| TOTAL | $112,920.92 | ||
