CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2026
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at The Arterburn. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. EST by Mayor 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
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
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning Officer
OTHER ATTENDEES
Kate Leitner – Manger, Eline Library
Approximately 50 citizens
Steve Porter – Attorney
Virginia Hart – CEO, Chamber St. Matthews
Mark England – Candidate for Metro Council District 9
Allison Brotzge-Elder – Candidate for Metro Council District 9
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call of attendance. All councilmembers were present.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2026, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Mark England, Candidate for Metro Council District 9, is a real estate broker. He wanted to introduce himself and will be available to talk after the meeting.
Allison Brotzge-Elder, Candidate for Metro Council District 9, reminded the council early voting starts this week. She is focused on bringing the district into the future.
Virginia Hart, CEO Chamber St. Matthews told the council the Chamber has hired a fourth person for their office. The Chamber is supporting “Love the Hungry” on Day of Giving May 20, 2026. Everyone is invited to help package food on Fern Valley Rd. from 10:30 a.m. to noon EST.
Kate Leitner, Manager of the Eline/St. Matthews Branch of the Library gave the following report:
· Stephen King Book Discussion Group: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST
· Afternoon Book Discussion: Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali.
· D&D at the Library: Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm EST: New adventurers wanted! Learn the basics of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games at the library. We’ve got the books, the group, the dice, and everything you need to explore a multiverse of adventure. Are you ready to roll? Ages 16+.
· Night Owls Book Discussion: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EST
· Movie Discussion Group: Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST We will discuss The Godfather (1972).
· Puzzle and Board Game Swap and Play: Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm EST: Stop in with gently used puzzles and board games to leave for others, and/or take some home. We’ll also have tables set aside for open puzzling and gaming.
· Thanks so much for coming to the Meet St Matthews City Council
· English Conversation Club Every Monday at 6:00 pm EST
· Computer Help by Appointment: Call 574-1771 to set up an appointment with a library staff member
· *All LFPL Locations closed Monday May 25 for Memorial Day
· Next St Matthews Friends of the Library Booksale: Friday, June 12, Sunday June 13, Sunday June 1
· Family Movie Night: Moana 2: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 5:45 pm–7:30 pm EST Join us for Family Movie Night with a movie and a craft.
· Pint Size Playdate: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm EST
· Pint-Size Playdate is a chance to meet new families and enjoy social playtime. Coffee and toys provided! Ages 0-5
· Storytimes: Wednesdays 10:15 Baby & 11:15 EST Toddler; Thursdays 10:15 EST Preschool & 11:15 EST Family
· The Library’s Summer Reading Program starts May 30: Wild About Reading!
PENDING BUSINESS
There was no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
Municipal Order 26-14 Denying a Letter of Compliance application for property located in the City of St. Mathews at 4101 and 4163 Westport Rd and 329, 331, and 333 Ridgeway Ave
Mr. Singler took notes from the last meeting and drafted a summary finding supporting the denial based on the council’s comments.
Councilmember Holland made a motion to approve Municipal Order 26-13. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Roll Call Vote: (7-1) the motion carried. Councilmember Flynn dissented.
Ordinance 26-03 Relating to the Approval of a Change in Zoning from R-4 residential to OR-3 office residential and approval of a detailed district development plan with associated waiver and binding elements on property located at 3947 Grandview Avenue, being in the City of St. Matthews (Case Number 25-Zone-0128)
Mr. Porter, attorney for the applicant, told the council the applicants purchased the house advertised as a house with a two-bedroom dwelling able to rent for $1,800 a month. After the closing they found out it was being used illegally in the R-4 zone. The change in zoning would allow the carriage house to be rented. One bedroom is illegal, as entry is through another bedroom. One bedroom also has an improper egress window. Mr. Porter has worked with Mr. Singler and Mr. Ruf on the conditions of the zoning change. If the property is used for any other use beyond the applicant’s state use, any decision will have to come before the council.
The Mayor expressed his intention to preserve the rest of the block as R-4 zoning. Each possible case is site specific and fact dependent if another address would seek rezoning.
He asked if anyone would like to speak in opposition to the proposed zoning change. No one did.
Mr. Ruf asked if the applicant would go to OR-1 zoning. This zoning would allow the uses the applicant wants and has a binding element. Mr. Porter answered in the affirmative. Mr. Ruf went on to say the City was looking to the future and trying to consider what might happen. OR-1 could have a couple of limited uses as long as no additional parking was needed. Any conversion of the main house would have to come before the council with a revised development plan and more would need to be done than the planning commission’s recommendations. Short term rental is not allowed; long term rental is the intended use. The restriction on this lot is tied to an impact, not whether the use is liked or disliked. There are currently 5 parking spaces for the lot
Councilmember Bowling made a motion to accept the first reading of Ordinance 26-03. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay. 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 amount of $296,661.43. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland. Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Councilmember Vanetti reported the Green Committee will have another meeting in July.
· Councilmember Hernandez asked about the Schrodt art collection. It is still for sale.
· Councilmember Olson asked that nominations for Outstanding Neighbor continue to be submitted. The Walkability Study Survey is open until May 17 and can be accessed via the website. Once completed, another open house will be scheduled at the Arterburn.
· Councilmembers Landes and Flynn made a recommendation to the council for a switch in medical insurance and third-party administration of the plan. Significant savings would be made by switching to United Healthcare, in addition to providing a better doctor network.
Councilmember Flynn made a motion to approve the recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Landes. Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. It was determined a Municipal Order documenting the switch would be forthcoming.
MAYOR’S REPORT
There was no Mayor’s report.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Tonini, Mayor
Judi Kassebaum, City Clerk
| May 12, 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. | Police – Service Contract – Shredding | $87.78 | |
| All About You Heating And Air | Works – Bldg. Maintenance & Repairs | $142.50 | |
| Anderson’s Sales & Service | Works – Repairs & Main. Equipment | $2,134.87 | |
| AT&T Telephone | Works – Telephone | $3,111.45 | |
| Auto Zone, Inc. | Works/Police-Equip. Main. & Repairs/Supplies | $226.89 | |
| Axon Enterprise | Police – Training – Course & Materials | $1,790.00 | |
| Baumann Paper Co | Works – Supplies & Materials | $1,517.70 | |
| CDW Government | Police – Supplies & Materials | $1,879.06 | |
| Charter Communications | IT – Contracted Services | $220.00 | |
| Citation Equipment, Inc. | Works – Equipment Main. & Repairs | $50.70 | |
| Coca-Cola Consolidated | Admin. – Supplies & Materials | $1,093.27 | |
| DC Elevator | Works – Maintenance Agreement | $138.92 | |
| Derby Fire Services | Works/Police/Parks-Repairs & Main. Equip. | $3,393.59 | |
| Earth First of Kentuckiana | Works – Supplies & Materials | $445.00 | |
| Galls | Police -Uniforms | $1,329.92 | |
| Great American Financial Services | Admin./Police- Contract Services – Copies | $238.04 | |
| Home Depot Credit Services | Works/Parks/Rental-Supplies & Materials | $1,225.09 | |
| J. Edinger & Sons, Inc. | Works – Equipment Main. & Repairs | $821.50 | |
| Jim’s Body Shop | Police – Vehicle Maintenance – Body | $1,995.40 | |
| Kiesler’s Police Supply, Inc. | Police – Supplies & Materials | $2,794.96 | |
| Legal & Liability Risk Mgmt. Institute | Police – Training – Course & Materials | $150.00 | |
| Lewis Seed Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $172.24 | |
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co. | Works – Electric/Gas Services | $39,897.50 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $947.37 | |
| Lowe’s | Parks – Supplies & Materials (Draut Park) | $91.17 | |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Police – Vehicle Main. – Mechanical | $9,880.63 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Service Contract – Copies | $314.95 | |
| Momar, Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $279.79 | |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Works – Supplies & Materials | $7.14 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Building Main. & Repairs | $8,991.05 | |
| Occupational Medicine Physicians | Police – Contract Services – Medical | $305.00 | |
| OFO, LLC | Works – Dump Fees | $180.00 | |
| PNC Bank | All – Multiple | $2,545.30 | |
| Porta Kleen | Parks – Portalets | $1,030.00 | |
| RCS Communications | Police – Equipment Main. & Repairs | $67.00 | |
| Riverfarm Nursery | Works – Trees Purchase | $23,289.00 | |
| Rumpke | Works – Garbage Contract | $140,782.40 | |
| Security Systems, Inc. | Works – Monitoring | $38.00 | |
| Singler & Ritsert | Admin. – April, 2026 Attorney Fees | $5,009.00 | |
| Site One Landscape Supply | Parks – Mulch & Plantings | $31.54 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Vehicle Main. – Car Washes | $1,084.00 | |
| St. Matthews Ace Hardware | Works/Parks – Supplies & Materials/Repairs | $256.78 | |
| St. Matthews Exterminating Co. | Parks – Pest Control – 310 Ten Pin Lane | $95.00 | |
| Sweep All, Inc. | Works – Streets Sweeping | $2,745.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police -Vehicle Main.-Routine/Mechanical | $3,046.05 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $147.95 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police – Towing | $865.00 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services – Investigative | $280.20 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Treatment | $214.03 | |
| Valvoline | Police -Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $470.43 | |
| Welders Supply Company | Works – Supplies & Materials | $13.85 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $22,805.76 | |
| Willis Klein | Works – Equipment Main. & Repairs | $81.62 | |
| Wilson Equipment co. | Works – Repairs & Main. Equipment | $586.24 | |
| Voll Field Account | |||
| Vine & Branch | Ballfield-Annual Bleacher Main. & Inspection | $500.00 | |
| Police Forfeiture | |||
| TacFlow Academy | Police – Training Course | $1,350.00 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Aden, Matthew | Police – Reim. Training Expenses | $921.40 | |
| Austin, Elizabeth | Admin. – Miscellaneous – April Services | $144.00 | |
| Brian, Matthew | Police – Travel – Per Diem Reimbursement | $230.00 | |
| Castaneda, Eugenie | Police – Travel – Per Diem Reimbursement | $230.00 | |
| Cheser, Matt | Police – Reim. Clothing Allowance | $28.00 | |
| Cobaugh, Anthony | Police – Reim. Training Expenses | $150.00 | |
| Coty, Mike | Police – Reim. Training Expenses | $1,092.40 | |
| Olson, Amy | Admin. – Reim. Good Neighbor Awards | $120.00 | |
| Roy, Kevin | Police – Reim. Detective Clothing Allowance | $28.00 | |
| Simonov, Konstantin | Police – Training – Per Diem Reimbursement | $230.00 | |
| Wilkerson, Barry | Police – Reimbursement Supplies | $300.00 | |
| TOTAL | $296,661.43 | ||
