CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
April 21, 2008

(A complete transcript of this meeting is available at City Hall and on the City's Web Site, http://www.prospectky.com)

PRESENT:

Mayor Todd Eberle; Council Members Loretta Ertel, Sandra Leonard, Stuart Miles, Alan Simon, Sandra Tucci, Lee Zimmerman; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.

Mayor Eberle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of March 17, 2008; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle noted that the Budget Committee had its second meeting concerning the 2008-2009 fiscal year budgets on April 14 th .   A presentation was made by Prospect Police Officers regarding salary schedules.   Subsequent meetings will be scheduled over the next month and a proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year should be ready for introduction at the May 19 Council Meeting.   On April 14 th the Mayor issued an Executive Order requiring specified approval of certain expenditures.   While next year's budget will be very tight, it is not anticipated that the budget will include a recommendation for any new taxes or any tax rate increases for the coming year.   He noted that revenues have leveled off at the same time costs are increasing for the majority of services which the city provides to its citizens.   With state law requiring cities to develop balanced operating budgets, Prospect may have to consider methods of generating additional tax revenues in future years.  

The Mayor noted that the 2008 regular session of the Kentucky state legislature did not produce many positive changes for cities.   The failure to pass the pension reform bill will continue to cause financial problems for Prospect and all other Kentucky cities in the coming years.   The insurance premium tax reform bill was passed and signed into law.   It will clarify many administrative difficulties with that tax, but unfortunately its effective date is not until 2010.     

Mayor Eberle noted he was extremely pleased to announce that Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government's Parks Department had included Prospect in its plan for the 100 Mile Louisville Loop Trail.   Several proposals were under consideration, and he was gratified that Louisville Metro had responded favorably to the city's request that the northeast portion of the trail include a connection to Prospect.   The Parks Department's initial plan was released at a public meeting held on April 9, 2008.   It includes a route connecting through Prospect with a designated trailhead near the intersection of River Road and U.S. 42. Mayor Eberle stated that the Louisville Metro Parks plan for the 100 Loop Trail should dovetail with efforts to make the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's planned widening of U.S. 42 from Harrods Creek Bridge to

River Road attractive and convenient for our citizens.   He noted further that the northeast section of the 100 Mile Loop Trail will be many years in development, but the fact that Prospect residents will ultimately have access to the trail will help maintain and improve property values, provide ready access to exercise and recreational resources, and will assist with "connectivity" among our various neighborhoods.   He noted that a great deal of work and perseverance on the part of the City and its citizens had paid off and thanked those who worked so diligently on various committees related to these issues in recent years.

Mayor Eberle thanked Council Member Alan Simon for chairing the city's 4 th of July celebration again this year.   Several Prime Sponsors have agreed to contribute to the festivities and Hunting Creek Country Club has once again agreed to allow the fireworks display to be conducted from their property.   The traditionally popular features of the event will be continued and a few new activities will likely be added for 2008.

SPECIAL ORDER:

Mayor Eberle noted that he was most pleased to give a Mayor's Plate Award to a longtime member of the community who had volunteered many services to Prospect.   The award was presented to R. Stephen Pennington who served for many years as City Auditor and more recently had given years of service on the Code Enforcement Board, including a term as its Chair.   Mayor Eberle also noted that Mr. Pennington has continued to be helpful in providing professional counsel in financial matters.   He has recently retired from the Code Enforcement Board, and continues to reside in Prospect.   Mayor Eberle presented him with the award and thanked him for all he has done for the city.

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the monthly police report.   He referred to several commendation letters given to Council Members, including one letter regarding outstanding performance of Officer Elgin Price and Officer Heather Loeser for the class they conducted titled, "DUI: The Hard Truth."   The class, dealing with teenagers, driving, alcohol, and drugs was held on March 25 th with 24 teenagers and parents in attendance.   Another letter referred to an April 3 rd incident where the police department investigated a missing nine-year-old who ran away from home.   Prospect officers found the young man after a two and one-half hour search that involved personnel from the Harrods Creek Fire Department, Louisville Metro Police Department, Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, Metro Safe and several citizen volunteers.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

There were no comments from citizens or members of the public.

OLD BUSINESS:

Council Member Loretta Ertel gave SECOND READING to ORDINANCE 487, SERIES 2008: AN ORDINANCE ENACTING AND ADOPTING THE 2007 SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT.   Council Member Alan Simon seconded.   Mayor Eberle explained that this ordinance essentially re-adopts ordinances enacted over the past two years, but in a codified style in the format of the full Code of Ordinances.   After brief discussion, the ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION:                                                                      

Mayor Eberle suggested a need for an executive session to discuss the possible purchase of real estate by the city. Council Member Zimmerman made a motion to move to executive session; Council Member Simon seconded; passed unanimously.   The Council went into executive session at 7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon return from executive session it was announced that no specific action had been taken which needed to be confirmed or adopted by the Council.   Council Member Sandra Leonard moved to adjourn; Council Member Lee Zimmerman seconded; passed unanimously.

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk