CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
July 28, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. EST by Councilmember Bowling. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini (absent)
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling Councilmember Tim Holland (absent)
Councilmember Sarah Landes Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Jackie Vanetti (absent)
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Judi Kassebaum – St. Matthews City Clerk
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning Officer
OTHER ATTENDEES
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber, St, Matthews
Hunter Wafford – Resident
Billie Monk – Micro Scanners
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Mayor Tonini and Councilmembers Holland and Vanetti were absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Olson to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hernandez. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Councilmember Bowling announced John Black, Mayor of LaGrange, has died.
Virginia Hart, CEO, Chamber St. Matthews, let the council know the Chamber showed their appreciation for the St. Matthews Police and Fire Departments with breakfast from Cinnaholic. The next Inspire talk will be August 8, 2026, at the Arterburn. The St. Matthews magazine with feature an article on Halloween in Brown Park.
Hunter Wafford, a St. Matthews resident, owns property backing up to 7 Brew. The drink shop has a drive-through window with amplified music playing while the store is open. The music can be heard in Mr. Wafford’s backyard, and occasionally in the house. Mr. Wafford has tried talking with the store and the corporate office to see if the speakers pointed at his property could be turned down, but nothing has changed. Mr. Ruf commented that binding elements on some properties restrict outdoor music. The City could consider requiring a permit for outdoor music. He also suggested contacting the landlord for 7 Brew about the situation. Mr. Singler will take the information already collected by the police and Mr. Wafford and investigate creating a stronger noise ordinance.
Billie Monk, a community animal activist, talked to the council about microchipping pets and scanners available to reunite lost pets with their owners. Louisville Metro passed an ordinance requiring pets to be micro chipped. Several scanning stations have been set up in the Kentuckiana area. By using the scanners and reuniting lost pets and owners, the animal shelters are less crowded. The City has been given a stationary scanner to place in the city for the public to scan lost pets. Handheld scanners for each police shift have also been donated, in addition to a cage. The City needs to decide where to place the stationary scanner.
Councilmember Bowling announced bad weather forecast for Saturday, when the Music in Brown Park is scheduled. If cancelled, there will still be some expenses for the band and for advertising. Media Events will contact Mr. Stratman on Thursday to determine if the concert will be canceled.
PENDING BUSINESS
There is no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
There is no new business.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $149,773.15. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Hernandez would like to have the financial report by line for the year.
· Councilmember Landes inquired if the lights on Churchill have been fixed. The Clerk reported the information was given to LG&E.
· Councilmember Flynn asked for the status of the lawsuit over Gilman’s Point. Mr. Singler reported an answer had been sent and it could take a couple of years before being resolved.
MAYOR’S REPORT
There was no Mayor’s report.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Nay made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Landes. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Councilmember Bowling
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| July 28, 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: | |||
| AT&T Telephone | Works – Telephone | $2,397.25 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $328.50 | |
| Business Cabling Systems, LLC | IT – Repairs & Maintenance – Tech Equip./Cables | $625.00 | |
| CDW Government | IT – Service Contracts | $719.88 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Clark & Riggs | Admin. – Newsletters | $3,205.00 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Main. & Repairs – Mechanical | $710.70 | |
| CSX Transportation | Admin. – Annual Fees | $100.00 | |
| Gannett Indiana-Kentucky Localiq | Admin. – Advertising | $346.70 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police – Contract Services – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Guelda Zeller Plumbing Co. | Works/Parks – Repairs & Main. – Buildings | $1,877.97 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,869.90 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Walkability Study | $27,946.10 | |
| Jefferson County League of Cities | Admin. – Annual Membership Dues | $1,000.00 | |
| Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc. | Admin. – Council Approved Program Support | $4,500.00 | |
| Leonard Brush & Chemical Co. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $613.04 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $3,597.85 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Mulch | $393.12 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $3,709.24 | |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Police – Vehicle Maintenance -Mechanical | $1,475.15 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $126.48 | |
| Moreno Express | Admin. – Newsletters | $3,445.10 | |
| Norton Healthcare | Works – Drug Screen | $39.00 | |
| Occupational Medicine Phys. | Police – Contract Services – Medical | $345.00 | |
| Parkside/Fairmeade Halloween Parade | Admin. – Program Support-Council Approved | $500.00 | |
| Quadient, Inc. | Admin. – Office Equipment Service Contract | $224.88 | |
| Reach Alert | Admin. – Service Contract 8-1-26/7-31-27 | $4,986.00 | |
| Schiller | IT-CP – Community Ctr Tech Upgrade | $607.54 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating | Parks – Pest Control – Arterburn & Brown Park | $163.00 | |
| Sweep All, Inc. | Works – Street Sweeping | $2,745.00 | |
| The Drala Project, Inc. | IT – Contract Services 8-12-26/8-11-29 | $20,944.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police -Vehicle Main.- Mechanical/Routine | $3,722.83 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police – Towing | $195.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works – Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $1,029.91 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone | $3,161.94 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $19,629.18 | |
| Voll Field | |||
| The Motz Group, LLC | Ballfield – Repairs & Maintenance | $1,700.00 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Street Repairs – Cold Patch | $82.80 | |
| Saf-Ti-Co | Works – Signs | $19,810.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Cobaugh, Tony | Police – Reimbursement Supplies | $25.25 | |
| Dawson, Brandon | Works – Reimbursement Work Boots | $150.00 | |
| Frisby, Chris | Police – Reimbursement Clothing Allowance | $149.80 | |
| Richardson, Mark | Police – Reimbursement Clothing Allowance | $117.00 | |
| TOTAL | $149,773.15 | ||
