City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting
April 12, 2004
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following Council members present: Sam Beichler, Joetta Calhoun, Lloyd Dooley, Sid Griffin, Ralph Lutes and Larry Porter.
Also present were City Clerk Christi Franklin, City Treasurer Peggy Brinkman, Utility Superintendent Ronnie Fick, City Engineer Dave Derrick and City Attorney Rodney Burress.
Larry Porter gave the invocation and Sid Griffin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes
Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 22, 2004 meeting as written. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Mayor Sullivan stated he was not pleased to see the article in The Courier Journal that described the outlandish and violent behavior of some of Mt. Washington’s citizens at the Board of Adjustment meeting. He trusts that the negative image of the City will be understood to represent only a few of Mt. Washington’s citizens. He will not allow this behavior to be repeated at this meeting. Guests signed in to speak will have three minutes to address the Council without any hostility or threats. Any person violating these rules will be removed from the Council chambers.
Joetta Calhoun made a motion to move item number seven on the agenda (sign in sheet to address the Council) to be placed after item number three (reading of the minutes). Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Guests to Address the Council
Norman Lemme said that several people wish to yield their time to him. He addressed the Council with the following concerns regarding the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys: he is an abutting property owner, the level of children in treatment at this facility, information from the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys’ website, the reason why the facility wants to relocate to Mt. Washington, increased property insurance rates and difficulty in obtaining property insurance and presented photos of the current facility in Middletown. He asked the Council for additional time to research this issue before a decision is made by the Council regarding the annexation of the Stout Bros. Farm. The following yielded their time to Mr. Lemme: Rick Smith, John Clark, Connie Clark, Richard Clark, Nathan Sea, Connie French, Louise Key, Nicole Higgins, Linda Lemme, Jim Kuchenbrod, Wayne Price and Mike Alcorn.
Bill Smithwick from the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys presented a letter from the Executive Director of the Forum. All annexation procedures and Board of Adjustment procedures have been followed. He tried to be open to everyone and reiterated to the Council, the proposed plan to bring the same program that is currently in place to Mt. Washington. At this time, they do not have any problems in the community and will not have any problems in the future. Typically they care for level 4 and 5 children; although the State does not mandate that they accept level 4 and 5 children. They look at each individual child to determine the risk. Regarding the number of police runs to the facility, their records indicate 23 runs in ten months.
Kaven Rumpel said he worked with underprivileged kids in the past and the Mr. Smithwick cannot guarantee safety. He would like to see this issue studied further before a decision is made.
Larry Koellner stated that his sister and brother in law in Grayson County serve as foster parents of severely abused children. He has met some of these children and they don’t know what normality is. A location next to the most prestigious subdivision in the City is not the place for the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys.
Albert Mills said he knows if this facility comes to Mt. Washington without protection, it will affect the Twelve Oaks Subdivision. He would like the Council to postpone the vote to obtain additional information.
Frank Besednjah asked the Council to put themselves in the shoes of the owner of the property and think if you had the choice to put whatever you want in that location, would it be the proposed facility. He asked the Council to take some time and evaluate everything.
Lee MacCracken agreed with Mr. Lemme’s comments and stated this issue has surfaced quickly for the residents in Twelve Oaks and the community at large. He would like to see additional information gathered before a decision is made. He asked the Council to consider if the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys plans on purchasing more property to build additional class 5 residential centers. He appreciates what the facility does, but doesn’t need it in his back yard; there is an appropriate place for everything.
Fred McDaniel stated he is a prodigy of the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys and has lived in this community for 30 years. Children need a place and Twelve Oaks and the schools cannot guarantee that their kids will not have the same problems that the children in this facility have. The theory that abusive children abuse children is not true. He, and his brothers and sisters, do not abuse their children, they are tax payers and own their own homes. He is in favor of this facility relocating to Mt. Washington.
David Echsner is president of the Twelve Oaks Homeowners Association and said he is only concerned about the safety and preservation of the subdivision. He discussed the police runs to the current facility in Middletown and felt that the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys should have talked with the neighbors. The facility was in their current location before the residential areas were built. Those property owners knew that this facility was there prior to purchasing their homes. Twelve Oaks residents do not have that luxury and he is concerned about the safety of the children. He also quoted information from the Kentucky Baptist Home for Boys’ website.
Rick Clements said he agreed with the others who have addressed the Council but has dual feelings. He stated he doesn’t have all the facts and felt the Council should look at all views and postpone the decision.
Scott Wantland stated that this community has seen positive growth and disastrous growth. He doesn’t have all the answers about this issue yet to know if it is positive or reckless. The community has the time and resources to look into this more to determine if it right for the community and work together to find those answers.
Mark Stout stated the advantages the City has to gain from this project are jobs, occupational taxes and revenue from water and sewer bills. There have been no favors or requests asked of the City. Security issues have been addressed and he assured the Council that it is a secure facility, although there is no guarantee of good behavior of the children. He asked the Council to consider the one group of people that have not been able to stand up for themselves, and that is the children.
The Mayor asked the Council their feelings on this issue. Discussion followed.
Sid Griffin made a motion to table this issue until the next Council meeting. Motion failed for a lack of a second.
Ordinances
The Council held second reading of an ordinance annexing 39.33 acres, known as the Stout Bros. Farm (former Maddox Property). Discussion followed. Sam Beichler made a motion to pass the ordinance annexing the Stout Bros. Farm. Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Due to a tie vote, Mayor Sullivan voted. Motion failed by a vote of 4 to 3 as follows:
Yes No
Sam Beichler Joetta Calhoun
Ralph Lutes Lloyd Dooley
Larry Porter Sid Griffin
Frank Sullivan
The Council held second reading of an ordinance relating to the wage allocation policy and employee pay scale for the City of Mt. Washington. Sid Griffin made a motion to pass the ordinance relating to the wage allocation policy and employee pay scale. Sam Beichler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
The Council held second reading of an ordinance relating to the water and sewer rates. Joetta Calhoun asked if the agreement that states the rates are higher in the rural areas and the revenue collected is to be used to extend the rural water lines will remain in place with this ordinance. Ronnie Fick responded yes. Joetta Calhoun made a motion to adopt the ordinance relating to the water and sewer rates. Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance to adopt or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to rezone 14.32 acres, more or less, located on the west side of Parkland Trace, approximately 600’, more or less, north of Highway 44 East (Docket No. 2004Z-13). Frank Cornell did not make a presentation to the Council but when asked by Sam Beichler if this is a continuation of the subdivision, he said yes.
Lloyd Dooley introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance annexing 73.83 acres known as the Gladys Cornell Limited Family Partnership property located on the south side of Highway 44 East and the north and east sides of Sanders Lane. Glen LaPointe, representing Caldwell Properties, discussed the proposed use of the property and answered questions from the Council.
Ralph Lutes introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance amending the City of Mt. Washington budget for the 2003/2004 fiscal year. Christi Franklin discussed the amendment.
Resolution
The Council reviewed a resolution to rename Beechtree Lane from Highway 44 East to Walnut Lane to Green Tree Lane. Ronnie Fick and Christi Franklin discussed the reason this change is needed. Sid Griffin made a motion to pass the resolution renaming Beechtree Lane from Highway 44 East to Walnut Lane to Green Tree Lane. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Sullivan reported that the City’s application for the recreational trails grant was denied. Funds are anticipated for next year and in addition he is working on other means to continue with the project at a minimal cost to the City.
Report from Council
Joetta Calhoun asked if it is legal to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of vandals. Rodney Burress said he is researching that information. She also said she is considering moving the sign by the cemetery closer to the Jefferson County line. Ronnie Fick responded that the City will need to obtain approval from the State. Ms. Calhoun asked the status of the Grant lift station project. Dave Derrick said it is progressing and his employees are working overtime to complete the engineering. She also reported a beatification project to plant shrubs from Dr. Bowels office to beyond the Baptist Church parking lot. She is working on quotes.
Sam Beichler reported that one perspective buyer in the business park withdrew and two others have committed to purchase property.
Sid Griffin reported that at the corner of Bardstown Road and Lakeview, there is a hole that needs to be filled. Mayor Sullivan will take care of it.
Rodney Buress reported that regarding LG&E’s property on Gene Street, they will send someone to shoot the elevations and drain the property to the rear, although they will need help from the City regarding the culverts.
Executive Session
Sid Griffin made a motion to enter into executive session at 8:44pm for the purpose of litigation. Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Reconvene
Joetta Calhoun made a motion to reconvene at 9:06pm. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Larry Porter made a motion to approve entry into an agreed order to dismiss the settlement of the Gibson Investment lawsuit. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Adjourn
Ralph Lutes made a motion to adjourn at 9:07pm. Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.