CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. 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 (absent) 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
OTHER ATTENDEES
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber St. Matthews
Karl Price – Candidate
Will Warner – Resident
Micheal Price – Resident
Richard Breen – Candidate
Robert Klein – Resident
Charles Todd – Candidate
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmembers Bowling and Flynn were absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2025, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Virginia Hart, CEO, Chamber St Matthews, said things are going well with the Chamber. The Annual Dinner was changed to February 25 due to Ash Wednesday. The theme is prom and councilmembers should RSVP to Virginia.
Karl Price, candidate for Jefferson County Attorney, addressed the council. He is currently a deputy Asst. Jefferson County Attorney and defends Louisville Metro and prosecutes cases. He would like to make the office more efficient for the “invisible victims”, those affected by crime or drug use who are not the immediate victim.
Will Warner, a resident on Leland Rd, spoke to the council about his concerns about how long a speed study takes to be completed. He spoke to Mr. Birch last fall about speeding and getting a speed study for Leland Rd. It will be the Spring before the study will be completed. Mr. Warner suggested more resources be put towards the speeding problem to allow the studies to be completed more quickly. The busiest times for speeding in this area occur when parents drop off and pick up students at Holy Trinity.
Charles Todd, candidate for Louisville Metro District 9 Representative and lifelong St. Matthews resident, introduced himself to the council.
PENDING BUSINESS
There was no pending business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
Richard Breen, candidate for Sheriff, spoke to the council. He has been a sheriff’s deputy and has experience with property taxes having been mayor of Glenview. He grew up in St. Matthews.
Mr. Singler advised the council to have their financial disclosures completed and turned in for the Ethics Board to review.
Ordinance 26-01 Appointment of Presiding Officer, First Reading
Mr. Singler read the ordinance and explained the City’s tradition of having the longest serving councilmember to preside over the council meeting in the mayor’s absence. This ordinance would codify that tradition. The councilmember would have no other duties of the mayor. In the mayor/council form of government, KRS 83A.130 allows the Mayor to appoint a mayor pro tem by executive order to sign contracts or other duties of the Mayor to keep the City running should the Mayor become incapacitated. This position cannot be a councilmember.
Councilmember Nay made a motion to accept the introduction of Ordinance 26-01, the motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. The motion passed by roll call vote 6-0.
Municipal Order 26-01 Re-appointment of Rev. Raymond Brown to the Ethics Board
Rev. Brown has been re-appointed to a three-year term ending December 2028.
Councilmember Holland made a motion to approve Municipal Order 26-01, the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. The motion passed by voice vote 6-0.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $836,593.04. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti asked if committee assignments would be made in January. The Mayor confirmed that he planned to have them at the next meeting.
· Councilmember Olson announced the Outstanding Neighbor for January is Linda Price of Girard Dr.
· Councilmember Holland reported the Rental Committee had a meeting. Diana Polsgrove started as the Arterburn Coordinator last year and has been doing a great job. She has made suggestions about new pricing and marketing the Arterburn. The Mayor let the council know about residential properties the City rents.
· Councilmember Nay reported the newsletters will be delivered within days to residents’ homes. Councilmembers Nay and Holland attended an assembly at Trinity High School where the school celebrated state championships over the last year, including their 30th football state championship. They presented the school with a sign and proclamation.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
There was no attorney’s report.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Wilkerson addressed the issue of speeding studies by explaining a new software that can track traffic density and speed via satellite. The software licensing costs are $15,000-$20,000/year. Overall property crimes are down, although there were several vehicle break-ins at Mallard Creek Apartments recently. Violent crime is up, 35 incidents last year.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Out of 6,624 property tax bills, only 161 (2.4%) did not pay by December 31. The online portal was utilized by 10% of payers this year. Collections of delinquent taxes resulted in $46,000 being paid leaving $178,000 still outstanding.
The last invoice for the Trinity Hills project has been paid. The total cost of the project was $2.2 million.
The January 24th caucus meeting will also cover topics from the cancelled January 10th meeting. The Clerk will send out the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| January 13, 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 – Service Contract – Shredding | $151.00 | |
| Airbiohealth | Admin. – Flu Vaccines | $930.00 | |
| All Occasions Event Rental | Admin. – Special Events – Reception | 841.15 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works-Main. & Repairs-Equipment | $435.82 | |
| AT&T Telephone | All – Telephone | $4,549.60 | |
| Bill Hutchinson | Works -Repairs & Maintenance – Equipment | $625.00 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $178.50 | |
| CDW Government | IT-Repairs/Main.-Tech Equip./Cables-Service Con | $1,699.65 | |
| Charles Guelda & Sons Plumbing | Works – Repairs & Maintenance-Buildings | $1,192.22 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Chris Bradley | Works – Main. & Repairs- Equipment | $1,199.29 | |
| Cintas | Works – Supplies & Materials (2 Months) | $1,826.73 | |
| CMTA, Inc. | Works – Capital Improvements-EV Charging Stas. | $9,375.00 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Routine | $1,167.40 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $138.92 | |
| Dean Dorton | Admin. – Balance Due on Audit | $10,500.00 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,574.58 | |
| Dining With Gabor & More | Admin. – Special Events – Reception | $13,778.90 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Leases | $13,810.94 | |
| E-Z Construction Company | Works-Capital Improvements-Trinity Hills Ditch | $101,682.25 | |
| Flock Safety | Police – Service Contracts – Software | $12,500.00 | |
| First Financial Bank | All – Multiple | $7,065.34 | |
| Five Star Breaktime Solutions | Admin. – Supplies & Materials | $213.74 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms | $822.24 | |
| Gannett Indiana-Kentucky LocalIq | Admin. – Advertising | $179.70 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police – Contract Services – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $10,230.79 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Trinity Hills Ditch Project | $945.00 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works/Police – Supplies & Materials | $756.61 | |
| IdentoGo | Police – New Hire Fingerprinting | $22.00 | |
| J. Edinger & Sons, Inc. | Works-Repairs & Main. – Equip. CI – Equipment | $58,300.09 | |
| Kathy Williams Creative | Admin. – Newsletter | $1,500.00 | |
| Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Ins. | All – 7th Installment – Workers Compensation | $12,977.74 | |
| Kentucky Rugged Technology | Police – Capital Improvements – MTD’S | $221,087.27 | |
| KGFOA | Admin. Dues | $50.00 | |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | Police – Training – Special Munitions | $1,818.60 | |
| Law Enforcement Training Assoc. | Police – Training | $950.00 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $74,567.81 | |
| Louisville Gas and Electric Co. | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $450.90 | |
| Louisville/Jefferson Co. Metro Gov | Police – Service Contract – Software | $2,142.40 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $2,639.05 | |
| Manning Equipment, LLC | Works – Repairs & Maintenance – Equipment | $2,168.50 | |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Mechanical | $375.18 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $475.94 | |
| Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Police – CI – Equipment – BWC Yearly Contract | $45,528.00 | |
| Momar, Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $4,256.78 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works – Supplies & Materials | $57.70 | |
| Norse Tactical | Police – Training/Range | $5,825.00 | |
| Norton Healthcare | Police – Contract Services – Medical | $39.00 | |
| Nugent Sand Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $90.40 | |
| Plehn’s Bakery | Admin.-Special Events-Christmas Reception | $2,375.05 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $1,849.30 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $410.00 | |
| Premier Fleet Graphics | Police-Vehicle Maintenance/Body | $1,212.00 | |
| Progressive Microtechnology | Police – Service Contract – Software | $795.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $139,355.69 | |
| Security Pros, LLC | Works – Monitoring Services | $1,082.24 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring Services (2 Months) | $76.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – November & December Attorney Fees | $7,183.00 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Maintenance-Car Washes | $1,480.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies & Materials | $225.58 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control – Brown Park | $68.00 | |
| St. Matthews Fire Protection | Police – Training – OT | $1,243.20 | |
| Stephens & Lawson PSC | Admin. – November & December Services | $9,415.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police-Vehicle Main.-Routine/Mechanical | $6,469.65 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $198.72 | |
| Torco Testing Services, Inc. | Works – Repairs & Maintenance – Vehicles | $677.00 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $283.80 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Care – Brown Park | $206.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police -Vehicle Maintenance – Preventative | $1,165.05 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone | $3,175.17 | |
| Voiance | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $39.18 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $13.87 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $16,862.20 | |
| Willis Klein | Works – Supplies & Materials | $423.88 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Street Repairs | $149.50 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Cheser, Matt | Police – Reimbursement Uniform Expenses | $80.00 | |
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Services-December, 2025 | $272.00 | |
| Jetter, George | Police – Reimbursement Expenses | $23.28 | |
| Olson, Amy | Admin.-Reim. Gift Cards-Good Neighbor Awards | $90.00 | |
| Roy, Kevin | Police – Reimbursement Uniform Expenses | $80.00 | |
| Simonov, Konstantin | Police – Reim. Vehicle Main. – Car Detail | $269.99 | |
| Smith, Jonathan | Police – Reimbursement Uniform Expenses | $192.92 | |
| TOTAL | $836,593.04 | ||
