CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 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 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
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manager, Eline Library
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber St. Matthews
Robert Klein – Resident
Zach Reed – Resident
Jim Tencza – Dean Dorton
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. All councilmembers were present.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2025, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0-1) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library gave the following report:
· Stephen King Book Discussion Group: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· D&D at the Library: Thursdays, December 11, 2025 & January 8, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
· St. Matthews Friends of the Library Book Sale: Friday, December 12, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
· Night Owls Book Discussion: Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
· Cozy Book Tasting: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST
· Adult Crafty Night Out: Tuesday, January 6 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
· Short Course at St Matthews Library: Alchemy and the Dark Arts: Wednesdays Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6:00-7:30 pm
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, January 8 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST
· Off the Beaten Path Book Discussion: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
· English Conversation Club: Mondays, 6:00 pm
· Pint Size Playdate: Saturday, January 3, 2026, 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 said Light Up Brown Park was a great event. There was positive feedback for the drone show. The Chamber is considering starting a holiday market at Light Up next year. February 18 is the Chamber dinner; the theme is Prom. They are accepting nominations for City employees who have done something extraordinary in the last year. March 19 is the e-recycling event in the Arterburn parking lot from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Zach Reed, a resident and St. Xavier High School student, asked the council to synchronize the traffic lights on Shelbyville Rd. The Mayor said the lights were controlled by KYTC and maintained by Louisville Metro.
PENDING BUSINESS
There was no pending business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
Jim Tencza, from Dean Dorton, had a draft copy of the audit for the council members. He reported the audit went smoothly and there were no material weaknesses. He described some of the sections of the audit. Liabilities decreased and revenues were higher than budgeted. There was no deficiency in the internal controls. Not all cities receive this rating. The audit will be put on our website. Dean Dorton expects the cost of their audit to go up by 66% if we use them next year.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bowling to approve the audit. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) 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 $512,796.06. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Councilmember Flynn asked that a report on the total expenditures for Trinity Hills to be given to the council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmembers Hernandez has been approached by residents about the speed study to be done as part of the process to get speed humps. They would like the timeline of the study to be sooner than the spring. The Mayor will ask Mr. Birch if this is possible.
· Councilmember Olson announced the December Outstanding Neighbors are Gary and Stephanie Lee from Washington Square.
· Councilmember Holland announced the rental committee will have a meeting on January 9 at 1 pm in City Hall.
· Councilmember Nay said the February newsletter is being created now. Trinity High School football team has won another state title, making it 30 championships.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler reported the plans for the area commonly known as Gilman Pointe have been submitted to Louisville Metro. This is not a zoning change. The plans reflect some changes the City had wanted, but they will need to go through the variance process. The City expects to see the plans in the Spring. The council meeting with this item on the agenda may have to be moved, as a large crowd is expected to be interested in the plans. Mr. Singler will send a copy of the public plans to the council.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Wilkerson addressed the issue of car break-ins occurring across the county. The report was filmed by WLKY news station. Multiple groups are responsible for the break-ins with some individuals carrying guns and some individuals under 16 years old. Repercussions for younger offenders are limited. The City has extra patrols working in areas and at times the crime analyst thought were most beneficial. Residents should report any suspicious activity to police dispatch and not confront the groups. The police have made four arrests and broken up several potential break-ins. Information to keep the public informed is posted on the City’s Facebook page and through Reach Alerts. Residents are encouraged to take valuables from the vehicles including garage door openers and guns.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| December 9, 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 Telephone | All – Telephone | $2,047.68 | |
| Auto Zone | Works – Supplies & Materials | $268.14 | |
| Best Equipment | Works -Repairs & Maintenance – Vehicles | $989.57 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $187.43 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Chris Bradley Electric LLC | Admin. – Electrical Work – City Hall | $1,034.32 | |
| Clifford Distributing Co., Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $794.78 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $132.30 | |
| Dean Dorton | Admin. – Second Progress Billing – Audit | $12,000.00 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,672.29 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Leases | $13,810.94 | |
| E-Z Construction Company | Works – Trinity Hills Ditch Project | $38,005.80 | |
| Family Tree Service | Works – Grinding Stump – Wendover Ave. | $500.00 | |
| Glock Professional, Inc. | Police – Training Course & Materials | $300.00 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police – Service Contract – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,216.14 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Consulting Services – Trinity Hills Ditch | $3,645.00 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works – Supplies & Materials | $2,000.37 | |
| Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Ins. | All – 6th Installment – Workers Compensation | $12,977.74 | |
| Kevin Bowling | Police – Contract Services – Hiring | $175.00 | |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | Police – Training Ammunition | $6,928.90 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $3,982.28 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $837.59 | |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Police – Vehicle Main. – Mechanical | $2,424.90 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $348.98 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works-Main. & Repairs-Equipment/Supplies | $151.76 | |
| Norton Healthcare | Police/Works – Drug Screens | $390.00 | |
| Occupational Medicine Physicians | Police – Contract Services – Hiring | $300.00 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $1,604.67 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $410.00 | |
| Quadient, Inc. | Admin. – Service Contract/Postage Machine | $225.04 | |
| RCS Communications | Police – Repairs & Maintenance | $404.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $141,004.97 | |
| Security Pros, LLC | Works – Monitoring Services | $1,215.46 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – November Attorney Fees | $3,586.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works/C. Ctr. – Supplies & Materials | $504.57 | |
| St. Matthews Area Chamber | Admin. – Program Support | $18,750.00 | |
| St. Matthews Area Ministries | Admin. – Program Support | $7,500.00 | |
| Studio Kremer Architects | Arterburn – Capital Improvements-Phase III | $87.50 | |
| Taylor Siefer Williams | Parks – Warwick Park Phase 2-3 Design | $108,000.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police-Vehicle Main. – Routine & Mechanical | $3,038.13 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police – Towing | $202.00 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $98.99 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Care – Brown Park | $206.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works -Vehicle Main. – Preventative | $433.85 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $13.55 | |
| Zeppa’s | Parks – Christmas Décor – Brown Park Event | $91,289.00 | |
| Opioid Acct. | |||
| The Advocate Advantage | Police – VSTracking Annual Subscription | $5,000.00 | |
| Police Forfeiture Acct. | |||
| St. Matthews Fire Protection | Police – Training Expenses | $2,643.02 | |
| Lisa Doyle | Police – Reimbursement Training Expenses | $1,405.36 | |
| Voll Field Acct. | |||
| The Perfect Mound | Parks – Turf | $1,286.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Bowling, Bernie | Admin. – Reimbursement Reception Expenses | $900.00 | |
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Services-November, 2025 | $408.00 | |
| TOTAL | $512,796.06 | ||
