CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2022
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Mayor Richard Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling – absent Councilmember Stuart Monohan – absent
Councilmember Cathi Clark Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Tim Holland Councilmember Tony Weiter
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Barry Wilkerson – Chief- St. Matthews Police Department
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk/Treasurer
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident Kate Leitner – St. Matthews Library Manager
Pat Chapman – Resident Alexandra Martindale – Candidate for Lou Metro #9
Sarah Landes – Resident Chris Thieneman – Candidate Lou. Metro District #7
Lenny Lococo – Twinbrook Subdivision
Vicki Lococo – Twinbrook Subdivision
David Snyder – St. Matthews Area Ministries
Michael Blinchevsky – Twinbrook Subdivision
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 12, 2022 council meeting. Councilmember Olson seconded the motion.
Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Chris Thieneman, candidate for Louisville Metro Council District #7, expressed interest in representing the people of District #7 and the Louisville community at-large. He and his family has been involved in real estate for years. Several years ago, he, along with Metro Councilmembers David Yates and Brent Ackerson, worked on exposing inappropriate behavior in the Youth’s Explorer’s Program. Some of the adults later received prison time. Additionally, he led the No New Library Tax movement which was rejected by voters in the early 2000’s, meaning the group he was leading won because no new tax was implemented. He is self-financing his campaign.
David Snyder, Board member of the St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. Mam’s), informed the council members the organization is in search of a new location. Beechwood Baptist Church has served them well for over a decade, but new space is needed. Ideally, the location should be no further than 1 block from a bus line, and a minimum of 6,000 feet of square feet for office space as well as a food pantry.
Alexandra Martindale, candidate for Louisville Metro District #9 expressed her support for suburban cities, public safety, and affordable housing.
Kate Leitner, Manager of the St. Matthews/Eline Branch reviewed programs scheduled for the library.
SUSPEND REGULAR MEETING TO CONVENE INTO PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE INTENT TO ANNEX TWINBROOK SUBDIVISION.
Councilmembers Nay and Weiter made a motion to suspend the regular meeting and convene into a public hearing to discuss the potential annexation of Twinbrook Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Clark.
Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, the regular meeting was suspended, and the public hearing began at 7:17 p.m.
Mayor Tonini began the discussion by explaining 11 of the 12 households expressed interest in joining. The City of St. Matthews does not recruit other areas, and this is no exception. The majority of the residents have expressed their interest in joining. He then opened the floor to whomever would like to speak on this topic.
Michael Blinchevsky, resident of Twinbrook Subdivision, expressed opposition to the annexation. It is his opinion that the services provided by the homeowners association are reasonable for the payment required of each household. By joining the City of St. Matthews, the cost may increase as well as liability. He is concerned that residents may not be aware of what they are losing. Mayor Tonini relayed that the property tax has been discounted at 40% for decades if paid in the month of October each year. Other advantages to joining the City of St. Matthews are protection by the St. Matthews Police Department which has less than a 4-minute response time. Response time for Louisville Metro Police can be hours. Additionally, property taxes pay for snow removal when needed, leaf collection in the fall, and garbage collection fees.
Mr. Lenny Lococo, resident of Twinbrook Subdivision is one of 11 household residents in support of joining the City of St. Matthews. He addressed the council by first commenting that their area needs to be part of this city. He relayed an incident when a neighbor needed Louisville Metro Police. When called, they were told the police would not respond because they were in St. Matthews which in fact they were not. The area is confusing since it is assumed because of the location that they are already in the city. The police protection alone is reason enough to join St. Matthews when the response time is so much more reasonable. The other amenities are appealing as well.
No one else chose to speak on this topic at the public hearing.
Councilmember Weiter made a motion to adjourn from the public hearing and reconvene into the regular council meeting. Councilmembers Nay and Clark seconded the motion.
Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried and the public hearing adjourned and the regular meeting resumed at 7:40 p.m.
PENDING BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 22-04 INTENT to ANNEX JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
TWINBROOK Subdivision – 2nd Reading
Attorney Singler summarized Ordinance 22-04 related to the intent of annexing Twinbrook Subdivision. He then explained the process when Councilmember Mary Jo Nay inquired prior to the council vote. If this ordinance receives approval this evening, the Intent of annexing ordinance will be presented to Louisville Metro Councilmembers for approval. If it is approved by the Louisville Metro legislative body, it will be return to the members of the St. Matthews City Council for a final approval of an ordinance for the annexation. This ordinance is passage of the INTENT to annex. If the final annexation ordinance is approved by the St. Matthews City Council, the final ordinance will be sent to the Secretary of State’s office for review. If acceptable, the change will be entered into the Commonwealth’s of Kentucky database where the process will become final.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Clark, Holland, Weiter, Nay, Flynn, and Olson. No Votes: None
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business on the agenda.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total of $447,667.27. The motion was seconded by Councilmembers Weiter and Olson. Councilmember Flynn asked for an explanation of Enterprise Fleet invoice. Chief Wilkerson relayed the maintenance portion of the contract has been terminated but the police department is moving forward with the leasing of police cars to see if money can be saved over the purchase of new police cars.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Clark, Holland, Weiter, Nay, Flynn, and Olson. No Votes: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Holland relayed one of the rental houses on St. Matthews Avenue has been rented. Terry Ridgeway, Supervisor of the Public Works Department, has completed the necessary minor repairs to the house.
· Councilmember Nay mentioned the newsletters are being delivered to homes this week. Police National Night Out will be held August 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Center Park.
· Councilmember Flynn stated the property and casualty insurance renewed with a 1% increase.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
· Mr. Singler had no additional report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
· Mayor Tonini asked City Clerk Susan Clark to provide Twinbrook Subdivision residents with copies of the latest edition of the St. Matthews Living newsletter.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Weiter made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmembers Clark and Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| JULY 26, 2022 | |||
| 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 | Works – Telephone Service | $3,490.42 | |
| Baptist Health Occupation Medicine | Works – Random Drug Testing | $1,449.00 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Health Insurance Addendum | $110.25 | |
| CDW-Government | Admin. – Computer Maintenance | $7,323.06 | |
| Central Business Systems | Admin. – Annual Maintenance Contract | ||
| Cintas | Works – Supplies and Materials | $1,911.68 | |
| Clifford Distributing | Works – Supplies and Materials | $609.95 | |
| Covert Track Group Inc. (Forfeiture Acct.) | Police – Annual Service Fee | $1,710.00 | |
| Cross Chrylser Jeep | Police – Sensor | $20.00 | |
| Dana Safety Supply Inc. | Police – Rifle Shields | $8,055.00 | |
| Dell Marketing | Admin. – Computer Maintenance | $16,615.19 | |
| Delta Dental | All – Dental Insurance | ||
| Earth First | Works – Top Soil | $1,056.00 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Vehicle Rental/Repairs | $4,175.14 | |
| Ernst Concrete | Works – Concrete | $771.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniform Components | $140.09 | |
| Goodyear Auto | Police – Vehicle Repair | $8,157.62 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $3,567.35 | |
| HDR Engineering | Works – Engineering | $3,255.57 | |
| Hoeworx, LLC | Works – Drainage | $12,660.00 | |
| Internal Revenue Service | Admin. – Annual PCORI Filing (final) | $138.22 | |
| Jefferson County League of Cities | Admin. – Annual Dues | $1,000.00 | |
| Kentucky League of Cities Trust | All – Quarterly Payment | $1,659.75 | |
| Lexis-Nexis | Police – Investigative Tool | $209.00 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water | $3,567.35 | |
| Miller Company | Admin/Police – Copy Machine Charge | $42.55 | |
| Morton’s Salt | Works – Road Salt | $1,544.88 | |
| Natural Products | Works – Fill Dirt | $261.00 | |
| Nfocus Images | Police – Photo’s | $285.00 | |
| ODP Business Solutions, LLC | Admin. – Supplies and Materials | $73.48 | |
| Office Depot | Admin. – Supplies and Materials | $268.24 | |
| Oxmoor Ford | Police – Vehicle Repair | $269.64 | |
| Plumbers Supply Company | Brown Park – Part | $29.82 | |
| Reach Alert | Admin. – Annual Fee | $4,500.00 | |
| S & J Lighting | Works – Bulbs | $172.50 | |
| Security Pro’s | Works – Monitoring | $1,215.56 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Shively Animal Clinic | Police – K9 Blood Work | $135.00 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Works – Plants | $233.16 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Wash | $480.00 | |
| Staples | Admin. – Office Supplies | $57.75 | |
| The Courier-Journal | Admin. – Public Notice | $105.15 | |
| Total Office Products | Police – Office Supplies | $548.73 | |
| Towne Post Network | Admin. – Advertising | $630.00 | |
| Treadmill Medic – Forfeiture Funds | Police – Equipment Purchase | $11,748.00 | |
| Treez | Works – Tree Trimming | $2,425.00 | |
| Triump Landscaping Contractors | Brown Park – Renovation | $262,044.75 | |
| Verizon | All – Cell Phones and MDT’s | $2,617.48 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Fuel for Vehicles | $25,624.50 | |
| Wilson Equipment | Works – Vehicle Repair | $3,432.82 | |
| Library City Hall | |||
| Marillia Design and Construction | Works – Renovation | $46,985.22 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Bratcher, Mark | Police – Investigative Tool/New Hire | $125.00 | |
| Frisby, Chris | Police – CID Clothing Allowance | $122.40 | |
| TOTAL | $447,667.27 | ||
