CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Richard 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 Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Judi Kassebaum – St. Matthews City Clerk
Major Anthony Cobaugh – St. Matthews Police Department
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning Officer
Kenan Stratman – Public Works Director
Sergeant George Jetter – St. Matthews Police Department
Officer Matthew Aden – St. Matthews Police Department
OTHER ATTENDEES
Josh Suiter, CEO The Chamber St. Matthews
Cathi Clark, Resident
Family of Officer Aden
Lee Ann Weinberg – Resident
John Talbott – Bardenwerper Talbott & Roberts, PLLC
Mike Hill – Land Design & Development, Inc.
Dr. Ryan Wermeling – Associates in Plastic Surgery
Renee Glenn – Resident
David Dick – Resident
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance. Councilmember Bowling was absent.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2025, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Josh Suiter, CEO The Chamber St. Matthews, reported an electronic recycling event will be March 21 from noon until 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Arterburn. The Chamber Connection, an e-magazine, has been emailed and put on social media. Josh thanked the Mayor the proclamation at The Chamber St. Matthews’s ribbon cutting. The Q Group from the Chamber is up for a Community Engagement Award. Even if they do not win, they feel honored to be recognized.
NEW BUSINESS
Municipal Order 25-06 Appointment of Matthew Aden, Police Officer
Major Cobaugh gave some background information on Officer Aden and then introduced his family in attendance. The police force is now full staff, the first time since 2015.
A motion was made by Councilmember Flynn to approve Municipal Order 25-06 and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
John Singler administered the oath of office, and the council congratulated and welcomed Officer Aden.
Ordinance 25-02 4251 Westport Rd Rezone, Receive Comments Only
There are two council meetings until a decision has to be made, or let the planning commission recommendation stand.
John Talbott, of Bardenwerper Talbott & Roberts, PLLC, spoke in favor of the requested zone change from R-4 to OR zoning for 4251 Westport Rd. The property will grant as an easement the requested 35 feet at the rear of the property for a possible future access road. Mr. Talbott talked of the low intensity traffic the proposed doctor’s office would bring.
Mike Hill, of Land Design & Development, Inc., also spoke in favor of the change. Mr. Hill informed the council of the shifted and widening shared entrance with Trilogy Health Services. He spoke about the issues of water run-off and landscaping. There is no security lighting plan yet.
Dr. Ryan Wermeling, of Associates in Plastic Surgery, is the owner of the surgery center requesting to be located on the property. He pointed out features of the proposed one story building.
Lee Ann Weinberg, of Perryman Rd, has concerns about adding more businesses in a cluttered intersection. She would prefer the infrastructure for more businesses in place before businesses are added to the area. She spoke of the fast-moving traffic and many traffic accidents in the vicinity of the proposed rezoning.
David Dick spoke in favor of slowing traffic, saying Westport was a nice road and people want to speed on it.
Renee Glenn, of Westport Rd, would live next to the proposed surgical center and next door to another business and would like the council to take her situation into consideration.
Major Cobaugh reported that in the last 14 months 49 traffic accidents have occurred in St. Matthews within 1,500 feet of Walden School. Councilmember Flynn, a St. Matthews Firefighter, said he is often called to other areas that also have high accident rates.
Ordinance 25-03 Ordinance Amending Ordinance 24-04 Section 31.16 2nd Reading
John Singler summarized the ordinance.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve Ordinance 25-03 and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
Ordinance 25-04 Reckless Driving and Speed Contest Exhibitions 2nd Reading
John Singler summarized the ordinance.
A motion was made by Councilmember Olson to approve Ordinance 25-04 and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Nay made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the amount of $ 773,003.20. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Hernandez was approached by Cornerstone Daycare on Browns Ln asking about the permit process for remodeling. Jack Ruf advised Cornerstone call City Hall about a letter of compliance.
· Councilmember Olson reported Megan McCoy of Cornell Pl received the Outstanding Neighbor Award for March.
· Councilmember Nay needs any information for the next newsletter by March 12. She also saw many people taking advantage of the good weather Warwick Park and asked about water for the bathrooms. Kenan Stratman reported meters should be installed soon and then the bathrooms can open.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
There was no City Attorney’s report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor relayed the St. Matthews auditors, Dean Dorton, talked with the Mayor and City Clerk regarding the costs of the annual audit. Currently the City pays approximately $29,000 for the audit, and Dean Dorton is losing money doing it. This year they will raise the price about $3,000. Future audits may cost closer to $50,000. The Mayor suggested the City take bids on auditing, although he acknowledged few firms do municipal audits anymore.
There is remaining grant money allotted for the fiscal year. There is a request from Voter Outreach Inc for a donation of $1,500 to help put on a non-partisan poster contest for children. The children make a license plate sized poster to promote voting.
A motion was made by Councilmember Flynn to approve the request, and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Municipal Order 25-07 was later assigned.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (6-0) the motion carried. Councilmember Vanetti was excused early.
A request also came in from Kentucky Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) Municipal Clerks for aid with the Clerk Spring Meeting held in Jefferson County this year. The request was for $2,000.
A motion was made by Councilmember Flynn to approve the request, and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. Municipal Order 25-08 was later assigned.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Voice Vote: (6-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| March 11, 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: | |||
| Ace Interdiction Tactics | Police – Training-Course & Materials | $498.00 | |
| Altec Industries, Inc. | Works – Vehicle Repairs | $10,039.09 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works – Supplies & Materials | $55.38 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $5,376.25 | |
| CDW-Government | IT – Licensing, Service Contract, Camera, Etc. | $30,252.55 | |
| Charles Guelda & Sons Plumbing | Works – Service Call & Repairs | $330.00 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Service Contract | $219.98 | |
| Chris Bradley | Works – Repairs – 201 Thierman | $400.00 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Main. – Mechanical | $504.52 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $132.30 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $6,498.33 | |
| Dining With Gabor & More | Police – Special Events/Banquet | $12,164.00 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Police – Service Contract Copies | $238.04 | |
| Great Lakes Drone Company | Admin. – 75th Anniversary Celebration | $5,000.00 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $11,155.55 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Trinity Project | $1,970.00 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works – Supplies & Materials | $1,512.26 | |
| Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Ins. | All – Workers Comp. Installment | $12,315.99 | |
| Kentucky League of Cities Ins. Services | Admin. – Adding/Deleting Vehicles | $326.12 | |
| KIPDA Clerk’s Association | Admin. – Conference- Kassebaum & Doane | $550.00 | |
| LG&E | Works – Electric/Gas | $7,359.36 | |
| Louisville Mulch & Stone | Works – Supplies & Materials | $312.82 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $1,877.03 | |
| Manning Equipment, LLC | Works – Equipment Repairs | $1,727.00 | |
| Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Police – Capital Improvements -Radios | $261,441.50 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works – Supplies & Materials | $45.63 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Maintenance & Repairs | $335.00 | |
| Norton Healthcare | Police/Works – Contract Services/Medical | $2,302.00 | |
| Nugent Sand Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $226.00 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $1,163.57 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $760.00 | |
| Print TEX USA | Police – Uniforms – Uniforms | $37.00 | |
| Quadient, Inc. | Admin. – Service Contract-Office Equipment | $225.04 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $130,595.58 | |
| Security Pros | Works – Service Parts | $234.83 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – February Attorney Fees | $2,185.00 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Works/Parks – Supplies & Materials | $306.06 | |
| Stephens & Lawson PSC | Admin. – February Services | $1,890.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies & Materials | $465.32 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating | Parks – Pest Control | $68.00 | |
| Studio Kremer Architects | Works – Capital Improvements – Arterburn | $1,050.00 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $308.58 | |
| Triumph Landscaping Contractors | Works – Warwick Park Project | $242,290.00 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works – Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $581.71 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone Service | $3,352.56 | |
| Voiance | Police – Contract Services/Investigative | $19.50 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $30.83 | |
| Willis Klein | Works/Parks – Supplies & Materials | $128.19 | |
| Wilson Equipment Co. | Works – Equipment Repairs | $3,289.78 | |
| Xcitium | IT – Licensing | $296.75 | |
| MAPS | |||
| Flynn Brothers | Works – Cold Patch | $118.45 | |
| Saf-Ti-Co | Works – Signs | $2,209.63 | |
| Police Forfeiture Account | |||
| Cellebrite, Inc. | Police – PA Standalone Subscription | $4,584.00 | |
| Public Agency Training Council | Police – Training | $650.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Contract Services | $120.00 | |
| Doyle, Lisa | Police – Reimbursement Training/Travel | $600.12 | |
| Hutchinson, Bill | Water – Equipment Repairs | $240.00 | |
| TOTAL | $773,003.20 | ||
