CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
July 25, 2023
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. 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 Cathi Clark Councilmember Sarah Landes
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Amy Olson
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Barry Wilkerson – Chief, St. Matthews Police Department
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident
Glenn Essex – Resident
Josh Suiter – Executive Director, Chamber of St. Matthews
Elizabeth Cleary – Operations Manager, Chamber of St. Matthews
Kate Leitner – Manager, St. Matthews/Eline Library Branch
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2023 council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the St. Matthews/Eline Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library reviewed a list of upcoming events at the St. Matthews Branch. The English Conversation Class is on-going and held each Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. Also, Family Movie Night will be held Thursday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m. A Family Yoga Night will be held Friday, August 4th. The Summer Reading Program for Kids concludes on August 5th. There will be a party on that day at 2:00 p.m. for the participants. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for residents to meet their St. Matthews Councilmembers on Saturday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Josh Suiter, Executive Director of the Chamber of St. Matthews mentioned there will be a ribbon cutting at Glow by K2 on August 24th at 4:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Cleary, Director of Operations for the Chamber of St. Matthews, reviewed specifics related to the upcoming Potato Festival. Alexander Blieden, partner with the Gateway Shopping Center, is graciously allowing overflow parking from the festival. McDonald’s is giving away free fries to the first 1,000 attendees. Volunteers are still needed. The number of vendors has doubled from last year.
Mayor Tonini reviewed an outline of activities scheduled for Wilt Week, which is a series of fundraisers intended to provide for the only going medical care for Officer Nick Wilt. Officer Wilt was wounded during the April 10, 2023 shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
Resident Glenn Essex stated it is his opinion the bare minimum has been completed to address safety concerns for people crossing Shelbyville Road at Browns Lane. While acknowledging progress, he would like to see more involvement from Louisville Metro on traffic light signaling. Mr. Essex would like St. Matthews to be a more walkable city.
PENDING BUSINESS
There was no pending business on the agenda to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 23-04 OVERNIGHT PARKING JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
IN PARKS – 1st Reading
Mr. Singler reviewed Ordinance 23-04 indicating this issue has arisen due to a semi-tractor trailer parking in Warwick Park. Park hours are from sun-up to dusk and all vehicles are to be removed from the parks by dusk. A penalty section has been added up-to and including impoundment. Also added is a provision prohibiting alcohol except for city approved events. Councilmember Nay made a motion to accept this as 1st reading for Ordinance 23-04. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried and this motion was approved as 1st reading.
MUNICIPAL ORDER 23-17 ACCEPTANCE OF JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
CITY COUNCIL WORK PLAN
Tentative discussion took place at a recent Planning and Zoning Committee meeting regarding the development of a St. Matthews City Council Work Plan. The development of the plan would be in cooperation with Tad Long of the Kentucky League of Cities at a cost of $5,000. Councilmember Nay made a motion to table further action until which time more details can be defined before an expense of $5,000 is approved. The motion to table further action was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried and Municipal Order 23-17 was tabled.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total of $231,440.87. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Hernandez, Clark, Olson, Holland, Bowling, Nay, Flynn, and Landes. No Vote: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Councilmember Hernandez relayed there was a Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting held last week. Topics discussed were the city’s planned purchase of 2 EV vehicles in addition to the possible development of a City Council Work Plan. Councilmember Landes relayed she is interested in planning for the future and making the city more walker friendly.
• Councilmember Bowling deferred to Chief Wilkerson for a report on the Police Department. Chief Wilkerson mentioned, as reported by the media, the St. Matthews SWAT team provided assistance to the Anchorage and Middletown Police Departments during a recent domestic violence call.
• Councilmember Nay reminded everyone the annual National Police Night Out event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Additionally, she reported that for residents and business owners who have chosen to receive telephone calls and messages from the Reach Alert System, the number now showing is an 800 number due to this new FCC regulation. The purpose of the change from the FCC is an attempt to cut down on robo calls. With the change in mind, she has requested a specific number to be assigned to St. Matthews so that St. Matthew users will be familiar with the number and know to pick-up the call.
• Councilmember Flynn mentioned the St. Matthews SWAT team utilizes the services of medics thru the St. Matthews Fire Protection District. The medics are very good and render excellent care when called upon.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
There was no additional report given.
MAYOR’S REPORT
• Mayor Tonini announced the retirement of long time St. Matthews City Clerk Susan Clark. Her last day with the city will be August 31st.
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 7:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| JULY 25, 2023 | |||
| BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR DRAW WARRANTS on the City Treasury, | |||
| counter-signed by the City Clerk authorizing payment of the below listed invoices: | |||
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $1,209.97 | |
| Baptist Health Occupational Medicine | All – Drug Testing/Police Physicals | $260.00 | |
| Best Equipment | Works – Repairs | $11,845.68 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Health Ins. Admin. Fee | $131.25 | |
| Bob Hook Chevrolet | Police – Vehicle Repair | $640.41 | |
| CDW-G | IT – Computer Maintenance | $2,561.45 | |
| Charter Communications | Works – Subscription | $11.55 | |
| Cintas | Works – Supplies and Materials | $913.02 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Elevator Maintenance | $120.00 | |
| Dean Dorton | Admin. – Audit Prep Work | $2,000.00 | |
| Dell Marketing | IT – Computer Maintenance | $2,050.00 | |
| Delta Dental | All – Dental Insurance | $5,656.05 | |
| Earth First | Works – Top Soil/Mulch | $528.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniform Components | $114.44 | |
| Goodyear | Police – Vehicle Repairs | $30.45 | |
| Goodyear Auto Service Center | Police – Vehicle Repairs | $96,643.00 | |
| HDR Engineering | Works – Girard Drive Repairs/Misc. | $1,880.14 | |
| Internal Revenue Service | Admin. – Annual PCORI Filing | $390.60 | |
| Kathy Williams Creative | Admin. – Newsletter | $1,500.00 | |
| Ken-Mulch | Works – Mulch | $5,078.66 | |
| KY State Treasurer | Works – Bucket Truck/Digital Sign | $29,500.00 | |
| Leonard Brush and Chemical Co. | Works – Supplies and Materials | $31.90 | |
| LG&E | Works – Lights/Electricity for City | $32,789.71 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water | $158.10 | |
| Lusk Mechanical | Works – City Hall and Library A/C | $4,141.43 | |
| Miller Company | Admin/Police – Copy Machine Charge | $182.51 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works – Supplies and Materials | $238.28 | |
| Reach Alert | Admin. – Annual Service Contract Fee | $4,536.00 | |
| RES Kentucky | Works – Draut Park Project | $500.00 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Wash | $560.00 | |
| Stephens and Lawson, PSC | Admin. – CPA Consultant Fee | $687.50 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police – Towing | $186.78 | |
| Treez | Works – Tree Trimming | $1,500.00 | |
| Verizon | All – Cell Phones/MDT’s | $2,738.69 | |
| Wilson Equipment | Works – Equipment Repairs | $12,706.81 | |
| Community Center Renovation | |||
| Studio Kremer Architects | Arterburn – Remodeling Design | $6,700.20 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Work | $315.00 | |
| Frisby, Chris | Police – CID Reimbursement | $178.35 | |
| Bratcher, Joshua | Police – Uniform Reimbursement | $120.00 | |
| Saltsman, Jamie | Works – Reimburse for Safety Boots | $104.94 | |
| TOTAL | $231,440.87 | ||
