City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting
June 11, 2007
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
Mayor Joetta Calhoun called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following council members present: Barry Armstrong, Lloyd Dooley, Greg Gentry, Gary Lawson, Emily Rucker and Brent Wheeler.
Also present were City Treasurer, Peggy Brinkman, City Clerk, Kenneth Stovall, Deputy Police Chief, Roy Daughtery, Utilities Superintendent, Ronnie Fick, City Attorney, Jim Winchell and City Engineer, David Derrick.
Brent Wheeler led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Calhoun asked those present to take a moment to reflect according to their beliefs.
Minutes
Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the May 14, 2007 regular council meeting. Barry Armstrong made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Greg Gentry seconded the motion. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
Treasurer’s Report
Peggy Brinkman read the Treasurer’s Report for April 2007. Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept the report as read. Emily Rucker seconded the motion. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
Police Report
Police Chief Rodney Hockenberry was not present due to illness. Deputy Police Chief Roy Daughtery presented the report in his absence.
Ordinances
First Reading
a) Barry Armstrong introduced and the Council held the first reading of the Ordinance relating to the Water and Sewer Rates and Connection Rates for the 2007/2008 fiscal year.
Robert K. Miller, Vice President and Treasurer for the Louisville Water Company, gave a presentation on Louisville Water Company rates and cost drivers. After his presentation Mr. Miller opened the floor to questions.
Ace Hilp then made a PowerPoint presentation showing why the City must increase rates and how the City has not passed on cost increases in previous years to its customers.
Doris Owen discussed City and County water rates.
First Reading
b) Emily Rucker introduced and the Council held the first reading of the Ordinance relating to the Prohibition of Smoking Indoors Within the City.
Speaking for the Ordinance: Paul Kiser, Prevention Specialist for Seven County Services,
said that polluting public air is not a right. He stated that smoking ordinances are public health initiatives and this is a health issue. Cynthia Brown, with the Bullitt County Health Department,
said that business owners should remember that they are open to all the public, including those with lung diseases.
Speaking against the Ordinance: Denise Kulis, owner of The Country Diner, spoke of business owners’ rights to operate their business as a smoking establishment. Josh Spaulding, owner of Kettle Creek Restaurant, said that this Ordinance would have a negative affect on his business and would be a negative factor for future businesses considering opening in Mt. Washington. He also said that he provides separate smoking and nonsmoking areas and the smoking area does not ventilate into the nonsmoking area. Ace Hilp spoke of his concern for the children, but did not want the government to take this decision from business owners.
Further discussion followed.
Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept this as the first reading of the Ordinance and to allow further comment at the Ordinance’s June 25, 2007 second reading. Barry Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
First Reading
c) Lloyd Dooley introduced and the Council held the first reading of the Ordinance Amending the City Budget for the Fiscal Year 2006/2007.
First Reading
d) Brent Wheeler introduced and the Council held the first reading presenting the Annual Budget Ordinance for the Fiscal Year 2007/2008.
Gary Lawson discussed police salaries. Mayor Calhoun said that the budget is balanced and any changes would require a cut in another area. Discussion followed.
Second Reading
e) Brent Wheeler made a motion for Jim Winchell to read a summary of the Ordinance amending the meets and bounds description for the Darrell Harrod and Sandy Harrod property. Gary Lawson seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote. After the reading, Greg Gentry made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Emily Rucker seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
Second Reading
f) The Council held a second reading of the Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2006/2007 Water and Sewer Budget. Discussion followed. Barry Armstrong made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Brent Wheeler seconded. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
Second Reading
g) Brent Wheeler made a motion for Jim Winchell to read a summary of the Adult Entertainment Ordinance. Barry Armstrong seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote. After the reading, Lloyd Dooley made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Brent Wheeler seconded. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
Second Reading
h) Brent Wheeler made a motion for Jim Winchell to read a summary of the Ordinance relating to Unsafe Structures and Equipment. Greg Gentry seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote. After the reading, Greg Gentry made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Barry Armstrong seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
City Engineer’s Report
David Derrick gave a report on the progress of the sewage treatment plant expansion plans.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Calhoun said that due to the length of the meeting, she would withhold her comments until the next regular council meeting on June 25, 2007.
Report from Council
Barry Armstrong expressed his concern that all shifts are covered within the Police Department. Assistant Police Chief Roy Daughtery said that all shifts are staffed. Mayor Calhoun said help would be here with the hiring of a lateral and that we currently have an Officer in the Academy.
Greg Gentry invited the Council Members and all present to the ribbon cutting ceremony at First Citizens Bank on June 12 from 4:30pm – 6:30pm.
Adjourn
Greg Gentry made a motion to adjourn at 9:42pm. Emily Rucker seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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Prepared by: Kenneth J. Stovall, Jr.
City Clerk
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Joetta Calhoun, Mayor