CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:17 p.m. by Mayor Richard 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 (absent)
Councilmember Frank Flynn (absent) Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez (absent) Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
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 ABC Officer
OTHER ATTENDEES
Robert Klein – Resident
Elma and Howard Hardin – Residents
Frank Wesiberg
Judy Schrodt
Mindy Warren
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. Councilmembers Flynn, Hernandez, and Nay were absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bowling to approve the minutes from the June 24, 2025, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (5-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Elma Hardin, a resident of S. Hubbards Ln, spoke to the council about overgrown weeds and brush on Waggener High School’s property. The Mayor said he was aware of the problem and that Waggener does not cut the grass, JCPS does. Calls from residents and councilmembers to JCPS have not resulted in the having the grass cut.
Howard Hardin, a resident of S. Hubbards Ln, let the council know that some shrubs had been cleared on the Winchester side, but others were left. The Mayor said calls would be made to JCPS to see if the matter could be resolved.
PENDING BUSINESS
No pending business was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
Frank Weisberg, spokesperson for the Schrodt family, gave a history of artist Mary Louise Schrodt’s life. Mrs. Schrodt painted several storefronts of the St. Matthews area in the 1980’s. There are over 32 paintings appraised for $330,000 in 2014. Two paintings were brought to the meeting and a page showing some of the pictures was distributed to the council. It was the artist’s wish to sell them as a set. The family is interested in working with the council to sell the paintings. A previous council decided not to buy them. Councilmembers Vanetti, Bowling, and Landes agreed to meet with the Mayor and the family to discuss options.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $1,004,122.93. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (5-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Councilmembers Vanetti and Olson met with John Harris to discuss environmental concerns, including emissions from gas powered lawn equipment. They plan to meet with the Eline Library staff to discuss educating the public on environmental issues.
- Councilmember Olson announced the July Outstanding Neighbors are Freddie and Mary Alice Smith of Taggart Dr.
- Councilmember Holland is receiving many texts regarding St. Matthews providing funding for Waggener High School tennis courts. Councilmember Vanetti expressed an interest in seeing a business plan and planning any funding in next year’s budget. Councilmember Landes would also like to see a business plan.
- Councilmember Landes asked for a caucus meeting on behalf of Councilmember Hernandez, who was unable to be at the meeting. He would like a caucus meeting to discuss the finances of the City. The Clerk will reach out to him to get details and dates.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
There was no City Attorney report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The descendants of the owners of Sanders’ Cleaners, previously in St. Matthews, would like to donate a Palmer Ball painting of a train in St. Matthews to the City.
Patricia DuVall will be starting this week in the Administration office as the new receptionist.
Josh Suiter is no longer working for The Chamber St. Matthews. Virginia Hart has been named the interim CEO.
Jack Ruf, St. Matthews ABC Officer, is looking into the possibility of partnering with Louisville Metro ABC to support enforcement of ABC laws in St. Matthews. As the hearing officer, Mr. Ruf should not be conducting investigations. The City of Middletown has such a partnership, and fines imposed are split between Middletown and Louisville Metro.
The water company is installing meters at Warwick Park and water is expected to be turned on by the end of the week.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (5-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| July 8, 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: | |||
| A+ Paper Shredding, Inc. | Admin. – Service Contract-Shredding | $67.40 | |
| All About You Heating & Air | Works – Split System In Break Room | $327.50 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works – Supplies & Materials | $209.98 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $1,045.28 | |
| Auto Zone | Works – Supplies & Materials | $390.05 | |
| Bachman Auto Group | Police – Capital Improvements – Vehicle | $57,706.00 | |
| Bill Hutchinson | Works – Repairs/Maintenance – Equipment | $375.00 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Service Contract | $220.00 | |
| Chris Bradley Electric, LLC | Parks – Repairs & Maintenance | $2,327.36 | |
| Clifford Distributing Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $991.69 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Mechanical | $844.40 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $132.30 | |
| Derek Engineering, Inc. | Parks-Capital Improvements C. Ctr. Park | $53,087.04 | |
| Dell Marketing LP | IT – Computers Replacement | $11,438.88 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,569.44 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Vehicle Leases | $13,922.90 | |
| EZ Construction Company | Works – Trinity Hills Ditch Project | $223,701.44 | |
| Farley Printing | Admin. – City Banner | $216.00 | |
| Forensic Medical Services | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $1,000.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms | $890.26 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin. – Service Contract/Copies | $140.91 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,093.36 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Trinity Hills Ditch Project | $1,735.00 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works – Supplies & Materials | $755.19 | |
| Johnson Controls Fire Protection | Works – Miscellanous | $420.00 | |
| Ky League of Cities Ins. Services | All – Liability & Property Ins. Premiums | $283,836.97 | |
| Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions Fl, Inc, | Police – Service Contract – Software | $6,489.60 | |
| LG&E | Works – Electric/Gas | $38,382.77 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Supplies & Materials | $65.52 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $1,010.05 | |
| Lusk Mechanical Contraxtors, Inc. | Works/Parks – Repairs & Maintenance | $890.00 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $271.29 | |
| Momar, Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $382.07 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works – Supplies & Materials | $44.94 | |
| Northern Safety Co., Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $324.00 | |
| Nugent Sand Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $293.80 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $2,939.96 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $965.00 | |
| Progressive Force Concepts, LLC | Police – Training/Course & Materials | $3,585.00 | |
| RCS Communications | Police – Equipment Maintenance & Repairs | $60.00 | |
| River Farm Nursery | Works – Trees Program/Trees Purchase | $24,354.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $130,679.08 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – June Attorney Fees | $6,544.00 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Works – Supplies & Materials | $1,146.68 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Main. – Car Washes | $312.00 | |
| Sprigler Door Service, Inc. | Parks – Repairs & Maintenance – Door | $150.00 | |
| Stephens & Lawson PSC | Admin. – June Services | $2,345.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies & Materials | $178.05 | |
| St. Matthews Feed & Seed | Parks – Supplies & Materials | $19.54 | |
| Studio Kremer Architects | Parks-Capital Improvements-C. Center Park | $262.50 | |
| Target Solutions Learning | Police – Service Contracts – Software | $15,756.20 | |
| Taylor Siefer Williams | Parks – Final Invoice-Warwick Park Project | $35,000.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police-Vehicle Main. – Mechanical/Routine | $2,358.22 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $492.42 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works -Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $674.64 | |
| Voiance | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $12.75 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $32.75 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Precision Concrete Cutting of Ky | Works – Sidewalks | $50,000.00 | |
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Street Repairs – Cold Patch | $66.70 | |
| Nugent Sand Company | Works – Street Repairs | $293.80 | |
| Police Forfeiture | |||
| Miller Company | Police – Multi-Function Document System | $3,712.25 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Services-June, 2025 | $256.00 | |
| Dawson, Brandon | Works – Reimbursement for Boots | $150.00 | |
| Hardin, Richard | Police – Reimbursement K9 Expenses | $140.00 | |
| TOTAL | $1,004,122.93 | ||
