City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting
November 8, 2004
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following Council members present: Lloyd Dooley, Ralph Lutes, Joetta Calhoun and Larry Porter.
Also present were City Clerk Christi Franklin, City Treasurer Peggy Brinkman, Utility Superintendent Ronnie Fick and City Attorney Rodney Burress. City Engineer Dave Derrick arrived at 6:36pm.
Rodney Burress read the following ordinances for consideration by the Council:
The meeting recessed at 6:44pm.
Mayor Sullivan resumed the meeting at 7:00pm.
Ralph Lutes gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes
Christi Franklin read the minutes of the October 25, 2004 Council meeting. Ralph Lutes made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 25, 2004 meeting as corrected. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Police Report
Chief Hockenbury presented and discussed the Police Department’s monthly activity report for October 2004.
Ordinances
Lloyd Dooley made a motion to adopt the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to re-zone 10.29 acres, more or less, located at the southwest intersection of Highway 44 East and the 31-E Bypass (Docket No. 2004Z – 39). Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Larry Porter made a motion to pass the ordinance annexing 9,750.28 square feet, known as the Davis and Thelma Whitaker property located at 12345 Highway 44E. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
David Kilner answered questions from the Council regarding the proposed annexation of .635 acres known as the David and Diane Kilner property described as lot 20 Section 2 of Fernwood Acres.
E. Sanders Lane
Glenn LaPointe of Polo Properties discussed a proposal to re-route E. Sanders Lane and answered questions from the Council. Mr. LaPointe asked the Council for endorsement on the proposal. Discussion followed. Joetta Calhoun made a motion to endorse re-routing E. Sanders Lane as proposed. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Sullivan welcomed the students in attendance from Bullitt East High School and asked the students if they had any questions. One student asked about annexation and Joetta Calhoun and Mayor Sullivan discussed why property owners want to be annexed and what that means for the City.
Mayor Sullivan asked Christi Franklin to address employee health insurance. Ms. Franklin said the coverage has been underwritten and the rates are lower. Mayor Sullivan called a special Council meeting for Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 11:30am to review the plans and rates of the health insurance.
He also reported that the total cost of paving and painting the tennis courts is at least $15,000.
Regarding those property owners that are in violation of the City’s ordinances, Mayor Sullivan talked with Mike Bowen, the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, and said Mr. Bowen understood that a lawsuit would not be filed on those who are making an attempt to clean up the properties. Discussion followed regarding the definition of “cleaning up the property” and when a lawsuit should be filed. Mayor Sullivan asked Ms. Calhoun to discuss those properties with Mr. Bowen and bring a list of names to him to file lawsuits.
Guests to Address the Council
Tony Kaelin, 435 Autumn Glen Drive, congratulated the incumbents on their re-election and said he was sad to see Sam Beichler not re-elected. In addition, he addressed the City’s sewer adjustment policy for new lawns. He asked why this issue had not been discussed at any Council meeting. Christi Franklin stated the process to adopt the policy is administrative, and did not need to come before the City Council. She also discussed the current policy. Discussion followed. Mayor Sullivan said he will give Mr. Kaelin a one time only adjustment and Mr. Kaelin said he will come to City Hall tomorrow to discuss it with him.
Norman Lemme, 833 Twelve Oaks Drive, read a letter from an engineering firm (J.E. Black) to some Twelve Oaks residents that said, “at the request of the City of Mt. Washington, we are hereby requesting that you consider granting a water line easement through your property” and further in the letter talks about compensation. Mr. Lemee asked if the City authorized the sending of this letter to acquire water easements and if this is a prelude to a threat of condemnation of the property. Ronnie Fick said the City did not authorize the engineering firm to act on the behalf of the City, but is aware that this is one of two options available to the engineering firm in the design of water lines to the property. Rodney Burress asked for a copy of the letter to contact the engineer and advise them that they are not to represent the City of Mt. Washington. Mr. Lemme also congratulated the Council members present on their re-election.
Clifford Klumb, 634 Winding Woods Trail, addressed the Council regarding the City’s sewer adjustment policy for new lawns and his concerns about how the public was notified of the change in policy. About two years ago he conducted research about the water usage and determined it would not be cost effective to him to put in an irrigation meter and that he would receive a sewer adjustment for watering his lawn. He recently found out that sewer adjustments are no longer offered for watering the lawn and was not notified of this policy change. He felt this is a rate change and he was treated unjustly. Rodney Burress said from a legal prospective, his understanding is that these were discretionary abatements granted over the last few years. Once that change was made, it must be applied universally and it is not mandatory to issue mailers. Discussion followed. Mayor Sullivan said notice will be placed on the water bill and he will consider looking at his bill again.
Bridgette Branham said there is a lack of jobs for teenagers in Mt. Washington and asked the Council to encourage businesses to locate in Mt. Washington. Discussion followed.
Report from Council
Joetta Calhoun asked the status of the GIS mapping workshop. Christi Franklin said she is waiting to hear from the other entities if they are interested in participating in and contributing financially to the workshop.
Lloyd Dooley reported the garbage cans have been ordered.
Ronnie Fick said street resurfacing has begun.
Executive Session
Joetta Calhoun made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of pending litigation at 8:23pm. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Reconvene
Lloyd Dooley made a motion to reconvene at 8:57pm. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Rodney Burress stated that no action was taken as a result of executive session.
Adjourn
Larry Porter made a motion to adjourn at 8:58pm. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.