CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor 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 Amy Olson
Councilmember Mary Jo Nay Councilmember Nathan Hernandez
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Rheba Roten – St. Matthews City Clerk
Jack Ruf—St. Matthews Planning Officer
Kenan Stratman—St. Matthews Public Works Director
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major- Resident
Patrick Chapman-Resident
Tony Vanetti-Resident
Sharon Snyder-Resident
Joe Gentner-Resident
Ted Bernstein-Resident
Terry Schwartz-Resident
Robert Mullen-Resident
Reverand Raymond Brown
Kate Leitner-St. Matthews Eline Library
Unknown Guest
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was accomplished followed by the roll call vote of attendance.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilmember Olson to approve the minutes from the November 14, 2023, Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Reverend Raymond Brown addressed the Council requesting a meeting with the Ethics Board Committee and the Council in order to review the current ordinance. Mayor Tonini stated that City Attorney John Singler will contact Mr. Brown and a meeting will be planned. Mayor Tonini thanked Reverend Brown for attending.
Resident, Gary Majors, asked the Mayor and City Council to erect a sign, as an honorarium, to Councilmember Mary Jo Nay, as she has been a driving force, for decades, to see that a sidewalk section along Shelbyville Road, across two commercial properties, connecting Bowling Blvd to the Bluegrass Center, was installed. As of the meeting date, the sidewalk section has been completed, allowing all pedestrians, especially the handicap and those with baby strollers, to travel safely. Previously pedestrians, who could not maneuver uneven grass areas and steep grade, were forced, amongst the traffic, to use the pavement of Shelbyville Road to proceed. This right-of-way belongs to the State of Kentucky and is maintenance by Louisville Metro, which prohibited the City of St. Matthews from installing the needed sidewalk.
Kate Leitner, Branch Manager of St. Matthews Eline Library addressed the Council regarding upcoming events at the library:
December 11, 2023—2-3:30 p.m.—Organizing your Bills and Budget 2024
December 12, 2023—2-3p.m.–Adult Book Discussion
Every Monday—English Conversation Club—6-7 p.m.
December 7, 2023—3-4 p.m.—Reading with Mercy the Comfort Dog
Winter Reading Program starts Friday, December 1, 2023—6-10 p.m. at Northeast Library
Residents Sharon Snyder, Terry Schwartz and Joe Gentner addressed the Council regarding a residence at the Jamestown Apartments. They described the current debris and deplorable conditions at the location and asked for additional assistance from the Council. After much discussion, Mayor Tonini asked Chief Wilkerson for additional patrolling in that area. City Planning Manager Jack Ruf stated that code enforcement will be contacted regarding the issues at this address.
PENDING BUSINESS
City Attorney John Singler reported no pending business.
NEW BUSINESS
MUNICIPAL ORDER 23-28 JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
A MUNICIPAL ORDER RELATING TO APPROVAL OF AN ADDITION TO TRINITY STADIUM AT COMMUNITY CENTER PARK.
City Attorney John Singler read Municipal Order 23-28 explaining the desired construction of a batting cage structure. A certain second addendum to the usage agreement relating to the use of the indoor baseball facility will be approved in the municipal order.
Mr. Ted Bernstein, from Land Design and Development, along with Mr. Robert Mullen, President of Trinity High School, addressed the Council stating the benefits of such a structure for the children and the community. After much discussion and inquiries, Councilmember Flynn made a motion for approval of Municipal Order 23-28. His motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
Councilmember Bowling announced that Mayor Rick Tonini had won the Peyton Hoge III Service Award in November at the Jefferson County League of Cities dinner. It was noted that both Mayor Tonini and Councilmember Bowling had won the award while Mr. Bowling served during his term as mayor.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Councilmember Hernandez inquired about the speed study on King Arthur Lane. Public Works Director Kenan Stratman stated that radar had reported an 85th percentile which was 31 mph and reflected high speeds in seconds of each other. Due to the exceptionally high speeds, the police will be involved in additional monitoring. Mr. Hernandez then inquired about the city’s leaf removal. Mr. Stratman explained the cycles of collections and stated after the third round of collection the leaves will only be collected at an on-call basis. The entire collection should be finished before Christmas. Also, Mr. Hernandez asked Mayor Tonini about the upcoming City Council Workplace program with the Kentucky League of Cities. Mayor Tonini responded that he had spoken with Tad Long, Community and Economic Development Manager, and the decision was made to postpone the program until after the holidays. In addition, Councilmember Hernandez mentioned the Jefferson County School District and the possible intervention of the State Legislature in January 2024. He inquired if there was a possibility of a private school district being created in St. Matthews. Mayor Tonini responded he didn’t think there would be a private school district developed in St. Matthews in the foreseeable future.
• Councilmember Clark had no report.
• Councilmember Olson had no report.
• Councilmember Holland had no report.
• Councilmember Bowling reported that the police body cams had arrived and should be in service in two months. Mayor Tonini added that the cost of the body cams was $200,000, and an $88,000 grant will be applied to the expense.
• Councilmember Flynn had no report.
• Councilmember Nay stated the deadline for the newsletter is December 3, 2023, and if anyone had articles to please contact her.
• Councilmember Landes had no report.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney John Singler stated he was reviewing an Ethics Ordinance for another city and he could compare the St. Matthews simultaneously. The current ordinance is based on a 1990 model and could use updating. Mayor Tonini asked Mr. Singler to send the comparison to the Council and to the Ethics Committee Board.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini reported that two city parks, Warwick and Draut, are in need of renovations. Public Works Director, Kenan Stratman, reported he will be meeting with the architecture to finalize the plans and to set a bid date. The desired plan is to finalize the work by late Spring in order for the residents to enjoy the parks. With regards to Draut Park, Mr. Stratman described a stream stabilization project will be performed to dredge the saddle basins.
In addition, Public Works Director Kenan Stratman reported on the Girard Drive drainage improvement. He stated the bid is underway and a process called potholing was performed to identify the true elevation of utility conflicts.
Mayor Tonini stated at the next Council meeting on December 12, 2023, the cancellation of the second meeting in December will be discussed. Also, Mayor Tonini stated that the holiday preparation by Zeppa’s is ongoing for the Light Up Brown Park on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 3 p.m.
Mayor Tonini asked City Attorney John Singler for an update on The Springs subdivision. Mr. Singler stated that plotted private roads at the Springs cannot be funded by Road Funds. He added because of the contractual agreement, the Homeowner’s Association couldn’t petition the city and place speed humps at the Springs. The association can place the humps without the city’s approval. Mayor Tonini suggested that Attorney Singler send a letter to the Springs stating they can do as they desire, but the City of St. Matthews suggests they take a poll of the residents.
Lastly, Mayor Tonini spoke about the annual event Shakespeare in the Park and stated the Council had already voted in favor of the event and it was financially covered.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Flynn.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rheba Roten, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| NOVEMBER 28, 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, Inc. | Admin- Contract Services | $64.00 | |
| AT&T | IT – Switch Network to Community Center | $697.95 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $8490.13 | |
| Baptist Health Occupational Medicine | Admin/Police- Flu Shots | $480.00 | |
| Best Equipment Co., Inc. | Works – Equipment Repairs | $1238.26 | |
| Central Business Systems | Admin – Ink Cartridge | $192.16 | |
| Charter Communications | Works – Monitoring | $100.01 | |
| Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated | Admin – Drinks for Machine | $326.68 | |
| Cross Chrysler Jeep | Police – Vehicle Repairs | $267.50 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $5961.95 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms | $8019.12 | |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Works – Engineer Services | $817.45 | |
| Integrity Auto Repairs, LLC | Works – Equipment Repairs/Maintenance | $268.00 | |
| Interstate All Battery Center | Police – Supplies & Materials | $34.80 | |
| Jim’s Body Shop, Inc. | Police – Repairs (Ins & Deductible) | $3236.30 | |
| Ken-Mulch | Works – Top Soil | $326.78 | |
| Labor Works | Works – Service Contract | $3581.76 | |
| LG&E | Works – Gas/Electric Services | $1026.55 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water | $3149.21 | |
| Miller Company | Police – Copies | $83.05 | |
| Nixon Power Service Company | Works – Generator Maintenance | $335.00 | |
| Office Depot Credit Plan | Police – Supplies & Materials | $73.78 | |
| OFO, LLC | Works – Dump Fees | $330.00 | |
| Security Pros, LLC | Works – Monitoring | $1215,46 | |
| The Courier-Journal | Admin – Legal Ad | $389.84 | |
| Torco Testing Services, Inc. | Work – Routine Vehicle Maintenance | $550.00 | |
| Total Office Products | Police – Office Supplies | $22.49 | |
| Valvoline | Police – Vehicle Prevention Main. | $337.34 | |
| Voiance | Police – Interpretation | $8.25 | |
| Wex Bank | All – Gasoline | $20,596.48 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Huber, Adam | Police – Reim. Fingerprinting | $20.00 | |
| Olson, Amy | Admin – Outstanding Neighbor Award | $25.00 | |
| TOTAL | $62,265.30 | ||
