CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2023
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 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 Councilmember Tim Holland
Councilmember Cathi Clark Councilmember Sarah Landes
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Amy Olson
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Barry Wilkerson – Chief- St. Matthews Police Department
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk/Treasurer
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning & Zoning Administrator
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident Carol Baker – Resident
Pat Chapman – Resident Fernando Martinez – Senora Arepa’s
Kelly Kramer – Resident Rick Moir – Senora Arepa’s
Tyler Jasper – Resident Kate Leitner – Eline Library
Josh Suiter – Chamber of St. Matthews Unidentified Woman
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 February 28, 2023 council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Clark.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Residents Mr. Kelly Kramer and Mr. Tyler Jasper addressed the issue of the fence behind their respective properties on Colonial Drive. The storm on March 3, 2023, created additional damage that needs repair. Each have been in the contact with the owners of the businesses but request additional assistance from the city. Mayor Tonini directed Planning and Zoning Administrator Jack Ruf to further investigate this complaint. Mr. Ruf is also head of the Code Enforcement Department.
Ms. Kate Leitner, Manager of the St. Matthews/Eline Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library, reviewed a list of upcoming programs and events. A book sale will be held on Friday, March 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Transactions are cash only and exact change is much appreciated. A program titled “My Library” , which City of St. Matthews is also a sponsor for the St. Matthews branch, will be held on April 19 at the main library. The event time is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The program includes individuals from Louisville Metro communities who share about the impact the local library had on them.
Resident Carol Baker of Brookfield Avenue relayed that on her recent walks at Brown Park, the park in her opinion, needs additional attention. Suggestions include tree trimming, removal of limbs near paths, and removal of trash in the creek. Additionally, the cemetery is in need of repairs. Mayor Tonini stated he will make a personal inspection of the park and oversee improvements as needed. The St. Matthews Public Works Department completes regular walk-thru’ s including immediately after the latest storm. Any debris that occurred during the storm blocking paths was removed. The habitat is intended to remain natural in appearance and some trees are intentionally left to decay because they rejuvenate the soil. Ms. Baker also spoke of her interest in trees and the importance of a healthy tree population.
Mayor Tonini added the City of St. Matthews plants about 125 trees each spring that are native to Kentucky. The types of trees are rotated each year so that there is a selection of different trees in various stages of growth. Ms. Baker also suggested that tree species are identified for young learners. Councilmember Nay interjected that Kenan Stratman, St. Matthews Public Works Director, is working with a representative of the Brown Family regarding maintenance of the Brown Family cemetery in the park.
Josh Suiter, Executive Director of the Chamber of St. Matthews, stated the Chamber is hosting a job fair to provide assistance in locating potential employees. On another topic, the Chamber is adding a golf scramble to the 2023 Potato Festival.
Resident Michael Meyer of Wallace Avenue asked the city to consider adding crosswalks along Wallace and Willis Avenues for pedestrian use. Mayor Tonini responded he will have City Engineer Jim Birch research options as the state regulates and controls placement of crosswalks. Mr. Birch is a professional traffic engineer. Mr. Meyer also inquired about the placement of speed humps on Willis Avenue. It was explained Willis Avenue is officially a collector street and therefore not eligible for consideration of speed humps. Mr. Meyer inquired about the possibility of adding sidewalks along Willis Avenue. Councilmember Flynn responded that residents on Willis Avenue, who would be affected by the inclusion of sidewalks, previously protested the suggested addition.
PENDING BUSINESS
MUNICIPAL ORDER 23-01 RDDDP – 6464 DUTCHMANS JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
6464 DUTCHMANS PARKWAY and 6201 DUTCHMANS
LANE – TABLED
DISCUSSION TO CLARIFY REQUEST FOR PARKING JACK RUF
WAIVER FOR SENORA AREPA – 117 ST. MATTHEWS AVENUE
Jack Ruf, Planning and Zoning Administrator for the City of St. Matthews, summarized a previous request for a parking waiver from the owners of Senora Arepa’s at 117 St. Matthews Avenue. Specifically, the request was to grant permission to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 42 to 30. As part of that discussion, a mitigating factor was to negotiate an agreement with a nearby dentist office to lease their parking spaces after office hours. St. Matthews City Attorney John Singler suggested the owners of Senora Arepa start the process to obtain a right-of-way access easement in order to complete a section of sidewalk along St. Matthews Avenue. The completion of this sidewalk would allow the inclusion of additional nearby parking spaces needed. The owners previously agreed to the expense of the continuation of the sidewalk working with the City of St. Matthews to improve price points.
NEW BUSINESS
MUNICIPAL ORDER 23-09 DECLARING COOLING TOWER JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
SURPLUS PROPERTY
A cooling tower was previously purchased for installation at St. Matthews City Hall. The cooling tower was never installed due to the renovation of City Hall utilizing geo-thermal. This municipal order allows the cooling tower to be placed on govbids.com for possible sale and recouping of a previous expense. Councilmember Nay made a motion to accept MO 23-09. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowling.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
EXPENDITURES
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total of $340,478.36. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Hernandez, Clark, Olson, Holland, Bowling, Nay, Flynn, and Landes. No Vote: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Hernandez mentioned he would like to have a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting within the next month. He also inquired if the city can require trees to be no larger than a certain height/size in order to prevent power outages such as experienced from the March 3rd storms. It was learned trees on private property cannot have height/size requirements.
· Councilmember Clark relayed she is ready to participate on the insurance committee when the process commences.
· Councilmember Olson stated she held the first Administration Committee meeting on March 14. The next meeting will be sometime in April.
· Councilmember Bowling referred to Chief Wilkerson for give a report on the Police Department. Chief Wilkerson stated grant money from the Commonwealth of Kentucky was received and reimbursed the city for $53,000 of the $64,000 cost of new tasers.
· Councilmember Nay mentioned the deadline to submit ideas for articles in the upcoming newsletter is Wednesday, March 15th.
· Councilmember Flynn interjected the process to renew insurance will be here soon. He also requested quarterly financial statements.
· Councilmember Landes will be meeting with Councilmember Nay regarding the Communications Committee.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler had no additional report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini gave the following report:
· The structure located at 236 Chenoweth Lane is scheduled for demolition.
· Kentucky League of Cities is asking city elected officials to contact their state legislators to vote against a bill that would eliminate the expansion or creation of cities.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmembers Bowling and Olson.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| MARCH 14, 2023 | |||
| 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: | |||
| A+ Paper Shredding | Admin/Police – Document Destruction | $64.00 | |
| ACF Services Company | Comm. Center Park – Repair Ice Machine | $436.00 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $3,646.64 | |
| Awards Center | Police – Appreciation Program | $269.00 | |
| Baptist Health Medical Group | Works/Police – Testing/Physicals | $1,196.00 | |
| Best One Giant Tire | Works – Tires | $3,870.41 | |
| Bound Tree Medical, LLC | Police – Gloves | $264.00 | |
| Bud’s Gun Shop & Range (Forfeiture Account) | Police – Ammunition | $16,905.00 | |
| Charles Guelda & Sons Plumbing | Works – Repairs | $295.00 | |
| Clifford Distributing | Works – Cleaning Supplies | $664.16 | |
| Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated | Admin. – Drinks for Machine | $344.91 | |
| Earth First | Works – Top Soil | $2,341.20 | |
| Fed Ex | Police – Delivery Fee | $174.00 | |
| Flock Safety | Police – Equipment | $14,250.00 | |
| Flynn Brothers (MAPS Account) | Works – Cold Patch Repairs | $210.00 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniform Components | $2,325.39 | |
| Goodyear Auto Service Group | Police – Vehicle Repairs/Maintenance | $3,952.01 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin. – Copy Machine Rental | $149.36 | |
| Home Depot | Works – Supplies and Materials | $443.18 | |
| Integrity Auto Repairs, LLC | Works – Vehicle Repair | $330.89 | |
| KEMI | All – Workers Comp Insurance | $22,082.78 | |
| Kentucky Derby Festival | Admin. – Program Support | $7,800.00 | |
| Kentucky Shakespeare | Admin. – Program Support | $1,500.00 | |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | Police – Equipment (2bReimbursed) | $64,376.18 | |
| LG&E | Works – Street Lights/Electric | $38,005.78 | |
| Lowe’s | Works – Supplies and Materials | $666.47 | |
| Miller Company | Admin/Police – Copy Machine Charge | $444.59 | |
| Morton Salt (MAPS ACCOUNT) | Works – Road Salt | $5,736.48 | |
| MPI Printing | Police/Admin. – Printing | $715.60 | |
| Nanz and Kraft | Admin. – Flower Arrangement | $75.90 | |
| Quality Inn (Forfeiture Account) | Police – Overnight Travel/Training | $390.00 | |
| RES Kentucky, LLC | Draut Park – Technical Work | $6,500.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works/Parks – Garbage & Portalets | $98,510.96 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $76.00 | |
| Shadow Tech, LLC | Police – Equipment | $2,259.62 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – City Attorney Fees | $2,743.00 | |
| Site One Landscaping | Works – Supplies | $560.24 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works – Supplies and Materials | $114.37 | |
| Staples Credit Plan | Admin. – Office Supplies | $391.69 | |
| Stephens & Lawson, PSC | Admin. – CPA Consultant Work | $1,337.50 | |
| Sunny Communications, Inc. | Police – Vehicle Charger | $123.36 | |
| The Library Foundation | Admin. – Program Support | $500.00 | |
| Total Office Products | Police – Office Supplies | $212.91 | |
| Valvoline | Police – Vehicle Maintenance | $625.30 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Phones/MDT’s | $2,699.07 | |
| Welder’s Supply | Works – Compressed Air | $29.15 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Fuel for Vehicles | $17,923.11 | |
| Community Center Renovation | |||
| Marrillia Design and Construction | Comm. Center – Renovation Project | $6,500.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Austin, Elizabeth | Comm. – Consultant Expense | $82.50 | |
| Book, Carolyn Estep Book | Police – Social Services Contract | $3,637.50 | |
| Fisher, Thomas | The Arterburn – Custodial Fee | $1,342.17 | |
| Roy, Kevin | Police – CID Clothing Allowance | $59.98 | |
| Wheeler, Dennis | Police – Awards Meeting | $325.00 | |
| TOTAL | $340,478.36 | ||
