The regular monthly meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Bernard Bowling, Jr. The meeting was held at St. Matthews City Hall, 3940 Grandview Avenue. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Bernard Bowling, Jr.
CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Art Draut – absent
Councilman Martha Schade
Councilman Mary Jo Nay
Councilman Rick Tonini
Councilman Stuart Monohan
Councilman Pat Wissing
Councilman Frank Flynn
Councilman Tony Weiter
OTHER OFFICIALS
Foster Haunz – City Attorney
Norm Mayer – Chief of Police
Jack Ruf – Code Enforcement Officer
Susan Clark – City Clerk
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kevin Sullivan – Holy Trinity Parish Webelos I Scout Leader
Kayden, Davis, Carter, Aiden, Spencer – Webelos I Members
Colleen Younger, PVA’s Office
Bob Rueff – Rueff Sign Company
John Barret – Baptist Health Hospital
Unknown Adults
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Nay to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2014 meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schade.
Upon vote: (7-0) the motion passed and the minutes were approved. Councilman Draut was absent and unable to participate in the vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Scout Master Kevin Sullivan introduced members of his scout pack. They are Kayden, Davis, Carter, Aiden and Spencer. These young men are 4th graders at Holy Trinity Parish and are currently Webelos I working on their Citizenship Merit Badge. Mayor Bowling said members of the council are available for a one on one meeting with the scouts at the conclusion of the meeting.
PENDING BUSINESS
There is no pending business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
MUNCIPAL ORDER 14-01 BAPTIST HEALTH CANCER CENTER
SIGN PERMIT
City Attorney Foster Haunz read MO 14-01 regarding the sign permit application of the Cancer Center at Baptist Health. St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Officer Jack Ruf has reviewed and approved of the plans. A short discussion followed regarding specifics of the sign plan. Councilman Tonini made a motion to accepted MO 14-01. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monohan.
Upon vote: (7-0) the motion passed. Councilman Draut was absent and unable to participate in the vote.
EMERGENCY ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
Councilman Tonini made a motion to add as a topic of discussion to the agenda the Masonic Home’s movement to create a permanent automobile entrance and exit point on adjacent property within the city boundaries of St. Matthews. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Monohan.
Upon Vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Councilman Draut was absent and unable to participate in the vote.
Masonic Homes of Kentucky has applied for a permanent entrance point from Elmwood Avenue and a permanent exit point to Washington Square. While the majority of the Masonic Home campus is in Louisville Metro, these two streets are in the City of St. Matthews. The proposed change would potentially and specifically affect traffic and residents on Washington Square and Elmwood Avenue. Additionally, the proposed changed would significantly impact travel on already overloaded Chenoweth Lane. Discussion followed regarding this issue. Councilman Flynn relayed it is his impression residents do not want a permanent access/exit point to/from Masonic Home that will significantly increase the number of cars on their otherwise dead-end streets. More traffic on Washington Square and Elmwood Avenue would mean additional traffic on already crowded Chenoweth Lane. While movement is taking place to widen Chenoweth Lane, it may be a few more years before this project is actually implemented. Jack Ruf pointed out this could affect drainage issues as well. Councilman Nay interjected we do not want Masonic Home to just open the emergency access gates one day and assume it will be alright. Councilman Flynn asked Mayor Bowling if someone can represent the City of St. Matthews and their residents at a DRC meeting scheduled for February 5, 2014. Mayor Bowling asked Jack Ruf to attend this meeting and take a letter representing the concerns of this council. The letter should state St. Matthews is opposed to changing the binding element allowing the gates currently used only for emergency purposes to be opened permantley. Furthermore, there should be a public hearing on this matter so that all concerns can be vetted. The current binding element in place is there for a reason and DRC and BOZA should be reminded of that. Mr. Ruf confirmed he will attend.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Councilman Weiter reiterated the sign committee will be meeting soon to finalize recommendations regarding the sign ordinance.
- Councilman Monohan relayed work is being done on the bathroom/concession stand pavilion at the Community Center Park.He will be asking the member so the Parks Committee to meet within the next 2-3 weeks to formulate recommendations for the 2014-2015 Parks budget.
- Councilman Tonini mentioned detectives are still working the Kroger murder case and additional arrests are expected.Additionally, a new prescription drug drop off box will be installed somewhere on the 1stfloor of City Hall. This will allow residents to dispose of unused prescription medicine without needing to travel downtown to the Office of the Jefferson County Sheriff. One last note, there is a plan to purchase
a small trailer to carry needed equipment for any incidents attended by the Special Response Team (SRT). Funds to pay for this trailer will be taken from the Forfeiture Account and not the General Fund.
- Councilman Nay said the newsletter is at the printer and should be in homes in early February.Two pages have been added allowing for a larger font and pictures making it easier to read.
- Councilman Flynn inquired about an update on the Springwood Lane annexation.City Attorney Foster Haunz will personally hand deliver this week.
CITY ATTORENY’S REPORT
Foster Haunz updated the council members on activity related to a lawsuit. An appeal has been filed allowing Liquor Barn to remain open. Kentucky law allows a business to continue to operate until all appeals have been exhausted.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bowling had the following items to report:
- The Kentucky League of Cities donates $1,000 to the charity of choice to the winner of the Kentucky City Employee of the Year award.The 2013 winner was St. Matthews Public Works Supervisor Mr. Terry Ridgeway. Mr. Ridgeway has requested $500 of this donation be directed to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The remaining $500 is to be donated to Kosair Children’s Charity. These donations have been sent on behalf of Mr. Ridgeway.
- Little League Baseball sign-ups are beginning this Saturday at the Community Center.
- Metro Councilman Ken Fleming has informed us that Louisville Metro has agreed to purchase the Washburn Avenue Railroad easement.Louisville Metro will also maintain the easement.
- Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fisher is proposing something called the LIFT tax. Legislation is being formulated where cities of the 1st class can impose a 1% tax for special projects. A committee, consisting of representatives of suburban cities, will decide what projects will be funded thru this revenue.
- City Engineer Jim Birch and Mayor Bowling attended a recent meeting regarding Chenoweth Lane.Mayor Bowling reported the Chenoweth Lane widening project is on the fast track and federal funding may be available. The first part of the project covers the commercial end of Chenoweth Lane adding a turning lane. The 2nd part of the project widens the road in the residential part closer to Brownsboro Road.
- Mayor Bowling has requested the Communications Committee look at the communications system currently in place at City Hall. This would include the telephone system currently in place, e-mail addresses, cell phones etc.Councilman Mary Jo Nay and Councilman Weiter will take on this project.
EXPENDITURES
Councilman Tonini made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total amount of $126,670.06. The motion was seconded by Councilman Weiter.
Upon vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Councilman Draut was absent and unable to participate in the vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Tonini made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay.
Upon vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Councilman Draut was absent and unable to participate in the vote.
Bills
| ADP | $359.72 |
| A+ Paper Shredding, Inc. | $87.00 |
| Anthem | $69,481.24 |
| AT&T | $161.19 |
| Baptist Medial Associates | $219.00 |
| Beck PC | $2,610.00 |
| Brightside | $2,500.00 |
| Central Business Systems | $557.03 |
| Charles Guelda & Sons | $223.43 |
| CMS Uniforms | $107.95 |
| Crown Products, LLC | $1,983.00 |
| Delta Dental | $4,259.44 |
| Earl B. Wise Mechanical | $4,522.78 |
| Grainger | $88.60 |
| Guardian Insurance Company | $6,159.76 |
| HDR Engineering | $8,777.89 |
| Human Development Company | $200.00 |
| Internal Association of Police Chief’s | $120.00 |
| J. R. Hoe and Sons | $272.00 |
| Kentucky League of Cities | $4,586.00 |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | $635.00 |
| KYNG Memorial Fund | $500.00 |
| Lexis Nexis | $220.00 |
| Louisville Time Clock, Company | $55.62 |
| Louisville Water Company | $2,061.43 |
| Morton Salt | $1,152.00 |
| Municipal Equipment, Inc. | $1,634.91 |
| North American Salt | $1,183.94 |
| Palfleet Truck Equipment | $177.70 |
| Print Tex USA | $134.00 |
| Quill, Inc. | $303.12 |
| RCS Communications | $1,343.74 |
| Saf-Ti-Co | $228.00 |
| Seal Master | $560.00 |
| Simplex Grinnell | $630.26 |
| Sitech Midsouth, LLC | $19.50 |
| Sophicity | $1,649.94 |
| St. Matthews Exterminating | $85.00 |
| St. Matthews Fired Protection District | $2,010.00 |
| Sweep All | $1,677.50 |
| Time Warner Cable | $139.95 |
| Verison Wireless | $1,160.47 |
| Visual Image Systems | $693.56 |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |
| Grant, Danny – CID Clothing Allowance | $250.00 |
| Gras, Oscar – Training Class | $200.00 |
| Portman, Charlie – CID Clothing Allowance | $250.00 |
| Tonini, Frank – Reimbursement for Expenses | $438.39 |
| ——————– | |
| TOTAL | $126,670.06 |
