CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS
Council Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2024
A meeting of the St. Matthews City Council was held in-person on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Richard Tonini. The following people were present:
MAYOR
Richard J. Tonini
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bernie Bowling Councilmember Sarah Landes
Councilmember Frank Flynn Councilmember Mary Jo Nay
Councilmember Nathan Hernandez Councilmember Amy Olson
Councilmember Tim Holland Councilmember Jackie Vanetti
OTHER OFFICIALS
John Singler – St. Matthews City Attorney
Chief Barry Wilkerson – St. Matthews Police Department
Susan Clark – St. Matthews City Clerk
Jack Ruf – St. Matthews Planning and Zoning
Tony Cobaugh – Major, St. Matthews Police Department
OTHER ATTENDEES
Gary Major – Resident
Officer Eugenio Castaneda & Family
Officer Konstantin Simonov & Family
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 September 10, 2024, council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (7-0) the motion carried. Councilmember Hernandez abstained due to not attending the meeting.
A motion was made by Councilmember Nay to approve the minutes from the September 17, 2024 caucus meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Voice Vote: (4-0) the motion carried. Councilmembers Flynn, Hernandez, Landes, and Olson abstained due to not attending the meeting.
AD VALOREM PUBLIC HEARING
Councilmember Flynn made a motion to suspend the regular meeting and convene into the public hearing for discussion on the 2024-2025 St. Matthews Ad Valorem Tax. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
Mayor Tonini explained, with the assistance of City Attorney John Singler, that a public hearing is required when revenue is increased greater than 4% over last year’s property tax revenue. The Office of the Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) made reassessments for the St. Matthews area and many properties increased. The increased value will be reflected in property tax invoices. No one from the public choose to speak in support or non-support on the matter during the time of the public hearing. Councilmember Bowling made a motion to adjourn the public hearing and re-convene back to the regular meeting.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
RECONVENE TO THE REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS
Resident Pam Polston addressed the council regarding a sign that was liberated from her front yard. She believes her sign should not have been removed if other signs remain. Mayor Tonini relayed that St. Matthews Public Works Department is enforcing rules because of the abundance of signs and it is an effort to keep the city from looking cluttered. The proper placement of a sign is on the house side of the water meter in a residential yard. Some believe, erroneously, the right-of-way is defined by the side of the sidewalk. Mayor Tonini will direct management of the Public Works Department to re-educate employees about which signs are out of compliance and which are not.
PENDING BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 24-04 CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
2nd Reading
Attorney John Singler summarized Ordinance 24-04 regarding the development of a St. Matthews Code Enforcement Board. The board will consist of three members and two alternates who live in the City of St. Matthews. Councilmember Flynn made a motion to accept this as 2nd reading and for passage of Ordinance 24-04. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Vanetti, Hernandez, Olson, Holland, Bowling, Nay, Flynn, and Landes. No Votes: None. Mayor Tonini asked councilmembers to submit names of individuals who may be willing to serve on this board to City Clerk Susan Clark.
ORDINANCE 24-07 2024-2025 AD VALOREM TAX RATE JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
2nd Reading
City Attorney John Singler summarized Ordinance 24-07 which will set the 2024-2025 St. Matthews Ad Valorem Tax as required by law. For many decades, the amount has been $0.20 for every $100 of assessed value as determined by the Jefferson County Property Valuation Office. The discount applied has been 40% if paid between October 1, 2024, and October 31,2025. There being no objections at the Ad Valorem Public Hearing, Councilmember Nay made a motion to accept this as 2nd reading and recommends for passage Ordinance 24-07 with a 40% discount. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holland.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Vanetti, Hernandez, Olson, Holland, Bowling, Nay, Flynn, and Landes. No Votes: None.
NEW BUSINESS
MUNICIPAL ORDER 24-11 APPT. OF OFFICER EUGENIO JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
CASTANEDA TO ST. MATTHEWS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Wilkerson relayed Officer Castaneda formerly worked in the 4th Division of Louisville Metro Police Department as well as the Traffic Division. He most recently was serving the Shepherdsville community in their police department. He is engaged and the father of three children. Councilmember Nay made a motion to accept MO 24-11 and the appointment of Office Castaneda to the St. Matthews Police Department. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Flynn.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried.
MUNICIPAL ORDER 24-12 APPT. OF OFFICER KONSTANTIN JOHN SINGLER, ATTORNEY
SIMONOV TO ST. MATTHEWS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Wilkerson stated Office Simonov is originally from Ukraine and moved the United States in the late 1990’s with his mother. He is a graduate of Male High School and previously worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Councilmember Nay a made a motion to accept the appointment of Officer Simonov and for passage of Municipal Order 24-12. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Flynn.
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 $871,787.80, The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Roll Call Vote: (8-0) the motion carried. Yes Votes: Councilmembers Landes, Flynn, Nay, Bowling, Holland, Olson, Hernandez, and Vanetti. No Votes: None.
Councilmember Flynn asked that St. Matthews Public Works Director Kenan Stratman supply a worksheet explaining expenses on capital projects such as percentage of work completed, final payment or retainage held on projects.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Councilmember Olson stated Michael Erskine was acknowledged with the September Good Neighbor Award. She continues encouraging people to nominate their neighbors to be recognized for the kindnesses.
- Councilmember Holland mentioned a Rental Committee meeting will be held October 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the 3rd floor conference room at City Hall.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Singler relayed he had no additional comments.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Tonini had no additional comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Holland made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nay.
Upon Voice Vote: (8-0) the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clark, City Clerk
Mayor Richard Tonini
| September 24, 2024 | |||
| 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: | |||
| American Legal Publishing | Admin. – Annual Internet Renewal | $400.00 | |
| Andersons’ Sales & Service | Works – Supplies & Materials | $255.30 | |
| Arrowhead Forensics | Police – Supplies & Materials | $78.56 | |
| AT&T | All – Telephone Service | $3,914.63 | |
| Bluegrass Print of Kentucky, LLC | Admin. – Office Supplies | $949.00 | |
| BMS, LLC | All – Insurance Addendum | $141.75 | |
| CDW-Government | IT – Licensing | $660.00 | |
| Charles Guelda & Sons Plumbing | Parks – Repairs & Maintenance | $295.00 | |
| Cintas | Works – Supplies & Materials | $1,172.32 | |
| City of Shively | Police – Uniform – Soft Armor Vest | $958.99 | |
| Clifford Distributing Co., Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $653.70 | |
| CSX Transportation | Admin. – Annual Fee Land Use | $100.00 | |
| Dean Dorton | Admin. – First Progress Bill on Audit | $5,000.00 | |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc. | All – Dental Insurance | $5,885.70 | |
| Earth First of Kentuckiana | Works – Mulch | $107.85 | |
| Enterprise Fleet Management | Police – Vehicle Leases | $14,088.38 | |
| Esstac | Police – Uniforms/Equipment | $115.39 | |
| Excel Excavating, Inc. | Works – Girard Drainage Project | $105,972.16 | |
| Ferguson Waterworks #1491 | Parks – Warwick Park Project | $2,552.16 | |
| First Financial Bank | All – Multiple | $4,995.18 | |
| Galls | Police – Uniforms/Equipment | $1,330.27 | |
| Guardian Insurance Company | All – Long/Short/Life Insurance | $10,476.29 | |
| Hunter Knepshield Co. | Parks – Warwick Park Project | $95,899.50 | |
| LG&E | Works – Electric/Gas | $2,270.07 | |
| Louisville Water Company | Works – Water Services | $3,647.46 | |
| Miller Company | Admin./Police – Service Contract – Copies | $401.79 | |
| Mini Mix of Louisville | Works – Concrete Mix | $359.59 | |
| Northern Safety Co., Inc. | Works – Supplies & Materials | $317.52 | |
| Security Pros, LLC | Works – Monitoring | $1,215.46 | |
| Sparkle Brite Car Wash | Police – Car Washes – July & August | $888.00 | |
| St Matthews Area Chamber/Commerce | Admin. – 1st Quarter Program Support | $18,750.00 | |
| St. Matthews Area Ministries | Admin. – 1st Quarter Program Support | $7,500.00 | |
| Tires Plus Total Car Care | Police/Works – Vehicle Main.-Routine | $1,213.80 | |
| Tony’s Wrecker Service | Police – Towing | $140.00 | |
| Total Office Products & Service | Police – Office Supplies | $94.48 | |
| Trans Union | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $177.40 | |
| Triumph Landscaping Contractors, Inc. | Parks – Warwick Park Project | $570,950.00 | |
| Trugreen | Parks – Lawn Service | $199.04 | |
| Valvoline | Police/Works – Vehicle Main.-Preventative | $390.49 | |
| Verizon Wireless | All – Telephone Services | $3,410.31 | |
| Voiance | Police – Contract Services-Investigative | $23.46 | |
| Xcitium | IT – Licensing | $927.00 | |
| Yesworx | IT – Software Hosting/Support | $1,000.00 | |
| Zivver Corp. | IT – Licensing | $1,642.80 | |
| Reimbursements and Payments | |||
| Smith, Richard | Works – Reim. Work Boots | $150.00 | |
| Southwood, John | Works – Reim. Work Boots | $117.00 | |
| TOTAL | $871,787.80 | ||
