CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
November 24, 2015
The regular meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Richard Tonini. The meeting was held at St. Matthews City Hall, 3940 Grandview Avenue. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Martha Schade
Councilman Bernie Bowling
Councilman Mary Jo Nay
Councilman Stuart Monohan
Councilman Pat Wissing – absent
Councilman Frank Flynn
Councilman Tony Weiter – absent
Councilman Tim Holland
OTHER OFFICIALS
Foster Haunz – St. Matthews City Attorney
Norm Mayer – St. Matthews Chief of Police
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk/Treasurer
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning
Kenan Stratman – St. Matthews Public Works Director
OTHER ATTENDEES
Jerry Schade – Resident Angela Kirkpatrick
Frank Tonini – Resident Lee Roy Ash
Judy Edwards Stuart Scofield
Linda and Wayne Rudloff
Mrs. Pat Haunz
Mrs. Leah Haunz and Miss Dafney Haunz
Various unidentified members of the community
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Monohan to approve the minutes from the November 10, 2015 meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay.
Upon vote: (6-0) the motion carried. Councilmen Weiter and Wissing were absent and unable to participate in the vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Judy Edwards of Brookfield Avenue choose to address the council members in opposition of the potential of the widening of Chenoweth Lane. Over 600 signatures have been collected on a petition from area residents who do not want the changes proposed by the Kentucky Department of Transportation. It is her supposition that widening the road would lower property values for the residences facing Chenoweth Lane and would make selling the properties more difficult. She believes that wider lanes will increase the speed of cars and bring more traffic and pollution to the area. Additionally, she predicts an environmental impact because mature trees being removed.
St. Matthews resident Sally Pence of Gilman Avenue informed those present she is the owner of 28 apartments on Chenoweth Lane. She is concerned that widening Chenoweth Lane would lower the property values of the nearby properties.
Bill Simpson of Elfin Avenue also addressed the council noting his opposition to the proposed widening of Chenoweth Lane. He inquired if St. Matthews has control of this project. Mayor Tonini clarified this is a Kentucky State Department of Transportation project, not a St. Matthews project and everyone’s opinions count.
John Grief of Brookfield Avenue, a cyclists himself, stated that bicyclists find roads to be safer than bike lanes.
Resident Julie Leek inquired if sidewalks on both sides of the street would be considered. Kenan Stratman, Public Works Director for the City of St. Matthews, said we will have to wait and see what the state is going to do before St. Matthews can address sidewalk and drainage issues. The Kentucky State Department of Transportation is the ultimate decision maker on this project.
Councilman Bowling suggested anyone who has concerns about this project should write to the Kentucky Department of Transportation. Mayor Ben Franklin of Druid Hills said his city has not taken an official stand on this issue. Wayne Rudloff of Bellewod indicated the City of Bellewood has voted in non-support of the widening of Chenoweth Lane.
Mr. Stuart Scofield of Brookfield Avenue inquired if anyone from QK4 Engineering firm was present. Mr. Stratman reminded all present this was a regularly scheduled City Council meeting and not a specific meeting about the potential Chenoweth Lane widening project. No one from QK4 was present.
Angela Kirkpatrick of Chenoweth Lane mentioned that the trains seem to be slowing down traffic more lately. Kenan Stratman interjected CSX is conducting work east of St. Matthews and may potentially be slowing trains temporarily.
PENDING BUSINESS
There is no pending business before the council at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
OFFICER PROMOTION
Mayor Tonini introduced Officer Rick Hageman. Officer Hageman has been serving as a part-time officer for several years. He recently accepted a promotion to a full time position as a Detective.
TRINITY HILLS DRAINAGE PROJECT
Kenan Stratman updated the council members on the Trinity Hills Drainage project. The project is about 90% complete. Final check list items will be completed soon.
RETIREMENT OF CITY ATTORNEY FOSTER HAUNZ
Mayor Tonini read a proclamation honoring the many decades of service of Foster Haunz as the St. Matthews City Attorney. Upon completion of reading the proclamation, he then presented Mr. Haunz with a plaque commemorating his service to this community from 1979 to 2015.
EXPENDITURES
Councilman Bowling made a motion to approve the expenditures listed and have checks drawn on the city’s treasury in the total amount of $146,717.17. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay.
Upon Vote: (6-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmen Holland, Monohan, Schade, Nay, Bowling, and Flynn. No Votes: None. Councilmen Wissing and Weiter were absent and unable to participate in the vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Councilman Monohan asked Kenan Stratman to give a brief update on the Community Center Park restoration. Stratman said the contractor will be mobilizing a 2nd crew in order to meet the deadline.
- Councilman Bowling mentioned two part-time officers are moving from part-time to full-time. The Police Department is currently taking applications for officer positions. A test for sergeant is being developed and a professional in this area is being engaged to complete the process.
- Councilman Nay relayed as of this time 1,100 people have signed up for Reach Alert. Policy, criteria and guideline procedures are being developed and refined.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Haunz thanked the councilmembers for the opportunity to be of service for so many decades. He introduced his wife and help mate of 53 years, Mrs. Pat Haunz along with his daughter Leah and granddaughter Dafney, an 8th grader at the Model School. He will continue to be available and looks forward to being of assistance if called upon.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini gave the following report:
- The floor at the Community Center is in need of stripping and waxing. Kenan Stratman is in search of a company to accomplish this time sensitive task.
- A complaint was received recently about the directions given by officers during the time of an apartment fire on Nanz Avenue. Mayor Tonini called the gentlemen, explained the dynamics of the situation and the gentleman said he understood more fully
- Mayor Tonini asked for volunteers to participate in the city attorney search committee. Volunteers are as follows: Councilmen Bowling, Flynn, and Wissing. Mayor Tonini will participate as well as Foster Haunz, retiring City Attorney.
- The sound system at the Community Center needs some attention. Currie Sound Systems will be completing a few updates for improved quality and consistency.
- The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been distributed to 7 architectural firms. Bids are due by December 3rd. This action is in anticipation of an expansion of the city hall building for the Eline Library.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Monohan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nay.
Upon vote: (6-0) the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Yes Vote: Councilmen Holland, Monohan, Schade, Nay, Bowling, and Flynn. No Votes: None. Councilmen Wissing and Weiter were absent and unable to participate in the vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark – City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| November 24, 2015 | ||
| 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: | ||
| Anthem | All – Health Insurance | $71,387.02 | |
| Ashland | Police – Vehicle Oil Changes | $359.81 | |
| AT&T | Comm. Center – Phone Line | $304.43 | |
| B & K Printing | Admin. – Business Cards | $40.00 | |
| Beck PC | Police/Admin. – Computer Issues | $955.00 | |
| Benovation | All – Health Ins. Benefit | $1,168.90 | |
| Bluegrass Uniforms | Police – Uniforms | $47.60 | |
| Christmas Done Bright | Parks – (13) Light Displays | $5,091.00 | |
| Criss Cross | Police – Research Tool | $528.00 | |
| Currie Sound System | Comm. Center – Audio System Repair | $182.50 | |
| Delta Dental | All – Dental Insurance Benefits | $4,359.14 | |
| Earl B. Wise Mechanical | Works – Heat at Thierman Lane | $5,031.47 | |
| Earth First | Works – Mulch | $160.00 | |
| Ernst Concrete | Works – Concrete | $332.00 | |
| Evans Small Engine Repair | Works – Maintenance on Trimmer | $65.49 | |
| Ferguson | Works – Drainage Supplies | $432.33 | |
| Fleetone | All – Fuel for Vehicles | $10,832.17 | |
| Hall Construction (MAPS) | Works – Road Repaving | $12,606.93 | |
| Harris Forms | Admin. – Check Printing Fee | $697.95 | |
| Haunz, Foster | Admin. – City Attorney Retainer | $3,000.00 | |
| HDS White Cap Construction Supply | Works – Reflective Stripes/Gloves | $51.97 | |
| Jefferson County League of Cities | Admin. – Annual Meeting | $308.00 | |
| JR Hoe & Sons | Works – Frame and Gates | $779.00 | |
| KIPDA Clerk’s Association | Admin. – December Meeting | $20.00 | |
| Lexus Nexus | Police – Research Tool | $115.50 | |
| Linear Services | Works – Speed Bumps Harris Place/Misc. | $1,500.00 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water | $1,899.43 | |
| Miller Company | Admin/Police – Copier Rental | $217.72 | |
| MPC Promotions | Police – Weapon Holster | $115.00 | |
| Napa Auto Parts | Works – Supplies | $909.26 | |
| Natural Products | Works – Fill Disposal | $200.00 | |
| NeoPost | Admin. – Postal Machine Scale | $311.48 | |
| Precision Concrete | Works – Sidewalk Repair | $13,493.75 | |
| Print Tex | Police – Tactical Shirts | $65.00 | |
| RCS Communications | Police – Radio Unit Repair | $67.00 | |
| Rogers Group | Works – Stone | $226.57 | |
| S & D Coffee | Police – Coffee | $156.16 | |
| Saf-Ti-Co | Works – Street Signs and Decals | $1,570.30 | |
| Sherwin Williams | Works – Paint | $61.03 | |
| Simplex Grinnell | Comm. Center – Fire Extinguisher Inspec. | $60.00 | |
| Staples | Admin. – Office Supplies | $293.74 | |
| Time Warner | City Hall – Internet Service | $153.95 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Investigative Research Tool | $110.75 | |
| Treadmill Medic (FF) | Police – Treadmill Repair | $85.00 | |
| Treez | Works – Tree Removal | $3,375.00 | |
| Verizon | All – MDT’s | $1,520.38 |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Nay, Mary Jo | Admin. – Reimbursement of Expense | $72.07 | |
| Norton, John | Police – Canine Expenses | $500.00 | |
| Tonini, Frank | Works – Reimbursement of Expenses | $897.37 | |
| TOTAL | ————– | ||
| $146,717.17 |
