CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 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
Officer Billy Cundiff – St. Matthews Police Department
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manger, Eline Library
Robert Klein – Resident
Steven Fawbush – Resident
Dr. Paula McCraney – Metro Councilmember 7th District
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 Olson to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Upon Voice Vote: (5-0) the motion carried. Councilmember Vanetti was absent for this vote.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library gave the following report:
· Stephen King Book Discussion Group: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· Basics of Ebay and Beyond: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
· Night Owls Book Discussion Group: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
· Movie Discussion Group: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
· D&D at the Library: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
· St. Matthews Friends of the Library Booksale: Friday, March 20, 2026 ,1:00 pm – 4:30 pm, Saturday, March 21, 2026 ,10:00 am – 4:30 pm, Sunday, March 22, 2026 ,1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
· English Conversation Club Every Monday at 6:00 pm
· Cardboard Box Play: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
· Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 Baby & 11:15 Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 Preschool & 11:15 Family
Steven Fawbush, resident on N Hubbards Ln, had questions about the project at 4101 Westport Rd and the public hearing regarding a variance on Monday night with BOZA. Mr. Singler suggested Mr. Fawbush make his opinion known at that meeting. After that meeting the plans will be submitted to the City for approval. No zoning changes are needed. Mr. Fawbush is concerned about potential traffic issues.
Dr. Paula McCraney, Metro Councilmember 7th District, is beginning her budget process and would like to partner with the City on the Warwick Park remodeling project. The Clerk will ask the Public Works Director to contact Dr. McCarney with the information needed.
PENDING BUSINESS
The was no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
The Mayor notified the council of Mr. Marchal’s resignation from the Code Enforcement Board due to a work relocation. He expressed his interest in nominating Mr. Tony Weiter to the board as a member and Mr. Gary Hopkins to the board as an alternate. The Clerk will notify both gentlemen to see if they will accept the nominations. Pending their acceptance, a vote will be taken at the next meeting.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $371,719.54. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti commented on the great attendance at the Walkability Study Open House. The online survey will be open until May 17, allowing it to be in the spring newsletter. She attended the City sponsored KDF event, Robo Rumble, and enjoyed seeing the excitement and hard work the students put into their submissions.
· Councilmember Hernadez wanted to know who HDR reported to in the City. They report to Kenan. He would like them to present to the council and public at the Arterburn. The Finance Committee will get into the details of the budget next month.
· Councilmember Olson announced that Tony Clemons, a landlord with properties in the City, has passed. The properties have been sold to Buckner Realty. She asked about updates for Music in Brown Park. Currently the band Mary Mary has been booked. Councilmember Olson reminded the council to look at the strategic plan when making the budget.
· Councilmember Nay expects the newsletter to be in homes on April 27. Shakespeare in the Park will be at the Arterburn on May 3. She asked if the police could help with code enforcement. The Mayor indicated Mr. Ruf will make any necessary code enforcement calls.
· Councilmember Landes asked where the City was in the budget process.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler had several handouts for the council. He went over the law associated with zoning and development plans, stating any denials must be made on factual data.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor announced the code enforcement officer was involved in a car wreck and the car was totaled. The officer is expected to be out of the office for several weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| March 10, 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. – Service Contract – Shredding | $70.78 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works – Repairs & Main. Equipment | $298.52 | |
| AT&T Telephone | Works – Telephone | $1,023.84 | |
| Auto Zone, Inc. | Works-Equip. Main. & Repairs/Supplies | $161.77 | |
| Awards Center | Police – Special Events – Awards Banquet | $254.90 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Clifford Distributing Co., Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $522.72 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Main. – Mechanical | $2,431.31 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $138.92 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,601.18 | |
| Dining With Gabor & More | Police – Special Events – Awards Banquet | $11,083.97 | |
| Duplicator Sales Service, Inc. | Admin. – Office Supplies | $63.75 | |
| Entenmann-Rovin Co. | Police – Uniform Accessories | $1,507.65 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Leases | $14,050.94 | |
| Farley Printing | Admin. – Office Supplies | $1,589.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms | $364.95 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin.- Contract Services – Copies | $140.91 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,334.30 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works/Police – Supplies & Materials | $537.13 | |
| J. Edinger & Sons, Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $299.45 | |
| Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Ins. | All – 9th Installment – Workers Compensation | $12,977.74 | |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | Police – Supplies & Materials | $267.26 | |
| Less Lethal, LLC | Police – Training Equipment | $1,346.00 | |
| Louisville Gas and Electric Co. | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $322.79 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $47,962.70 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $829.94 | |
| Manning Equipment, Inc. | Works – Repairs & Main. Equipment | $670.00 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $294.93 | |
| Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Police – Capital Improvements – Equipment | $5,940.00 | |
| Nanz & Kraft | Admin. – Miscellaneous | $97.00 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Police/Works-Vehicle Main./ Supplies/Materials | $544.58 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $1,025.71 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $410.00 | |
| Quadient, Inc. | Admin. – Office Supplies | $225.14 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $140,782.40 | |
| Schiller | IT-Capital Improvements-C H Access Control | $321.47 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – February, 2026 Attorney Fees | $2,843.00 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Main. -Car Washes | $924.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works/Parks – Supplies & Materials | $424.90 | |
| St. Matthews Area Chamber | Admin. – 3rd Quarter Program Support | $18,750.00 | |
| St. Matthews Area Ministries | Admin. – 3rd Quarter Program Support | $7,500.00 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control – Brown Park | $68.00 | |
| Stephens & Lawson PSC | Admin. – February Services | $2,030.00 | |
| Taylor Siefer Williams | Works – Warwick Park Project | $4,200.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police/Works-Vehicle Main.-Routine | $3,301.81 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $100.59 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $152.10 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works -Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $280.38 | |
| VIQ Solutions, Inc. | Police – Service Contract – Investigative | $360.00 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $13.19 | |
| Willis Klein | Works – Supplies & Materials | $35.16 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Street Repairs | $139.15 | |
| Morton Salt | Works – Road Salt | $16,690.90 | |
| Police Forfeiture Account | |||
| Agilite Systems | Police – Supplies & Materials | $10,973.85 | |
| Urban SDK, Inc. | Police – Software Subscriptions | $34,104.00 | |
| Voll Field Account | |||
| The Motz Group, LLC | Ballfield – Trinity HS BB Home Plate Area | $850.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Miscellaneous – February Services | $128.00 | |
| Coty, Michael | Police – Reim. Clothing Allowance | $235.51 | |
| Hardin, Richard | Police – Reim. Clothing Allowance/Training Exp. | $901.35 | |
| TOTAL | $371,719.54 | ||
