CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
August 18, 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, City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Chief Marvin Wilson ; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.

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

Absent:   Council Member Lee Zimmerman

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mayor Eberle asked the Council to defer approval of the July 21, 2008 minutes until the September 15, 2008, meeting, due to a necessary delay in their preparations.   All members of the Council agreed to defer approval.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle noted extreme pleasure in announcing that the real estate closing for the Putney Pond and Woodlands property within the city occurred as scheduled on July 31 st .   The City of Prospect and all of its citizens are now the proud owners of Putney Pond and woodlands.   The property transfer and on-site dedication event were covered by local newspapers and television.   The Vice Chair of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund was present along with several other state government officials to present a facsimile check representing the grant award which made the purchase possible.   The Mayor expressed his sincere thanks to the many, many people who helped in the effort to acquire the property over the past several years.   He stated that acquisition and preservation of the 25 acre plot as a natural area for the community and the region was one of the most significant events in the history of the City of Prospect.

The Mayor advised the Council that the City hired Ms. Debra Skaggs as the new Deputy City Clerk for Finance earlier this month.   She will begin work August 26 th .   She holds an Associate Degree from Sullivan College and has worked for Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator's office for the past eight years.   He thanked the city staff and the members of the City Council for their patience during the interview period and noted that all concerned are extremely pleased with Ms. Skaggs' agreeing to join the city administrative staff.

Mayor Eberle noted his regret that City Council Member Lee Zimmerman has decided not to run for a seventh term on City Council.   He expressed his appreciation for Mr. Zimmerman's many years of dedicated service to the city not only as a member of City Council, but as a key representative of the City in a broad range of roles over many years.   Lee received Prospect's Craigmyle Public Service Award in 2004.   Along with Alan Simon, Lee currently serves with the most seniority among members of City Council.   Mayor Eberle noted that we will all deeply miss Lee's presence and wise counsel on our City Council and thanked him for all he has done for the city over the years.

The Mayor noted that the Prospect Forestation Board's City Forestation Plan, submitted for Council approval at this meeting, includes a plan for a comprehensive inventory of public trees (street and median trees) within the city.   Planning for the inventory has been underway for several months.   On August 15 th Prospect began the process when 21 volunteers attended a three-hour morning training session conducted by the Kentucky Division of Forestry at City Hall.   The training was followed that afternoon by an initial inventorying of trees in the Innisbrook neighborhood.   This inventory represents the first such partnership between a Kentucky city and the Kentucky Division of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program.   Additional inventory sessions are planned throughout the fall along with at least one additional training session for volunteers.   The data collected will be used to prioritize the City's efforts for the care, management, and enhancement of our urban trees and forests.

Mayor Eberle noted that the bas-relief plaque honoring the Late Mayor Lawrence "Lonnie" Falk had been installed in the Falk Reading Center on the second floor of the City Hall Building on August 15, 2008.   Mayor Falk's vision for a reading center/library and his dedication to bring it to a reality has benefited the citizens of Prospect for many years.   Mayor Eberle noted that the dedication of the Reading Center to Mayor Falk was a highly appropriate tribute and encouraged everyone to take a moment to view the memorial plaque after the Council meeting.

POLICE REPORT:

Chief of Police Marvin Wilson presented the Council with the monthly police report and statistics.   He advised that the city experienced six burglaries on July 14 th . Three juveniles and one adult have been charged with the offense.   Most of the crimes were committed during the day with the perpetrators traveling through neighborhoods using garage door openers to enter homes.   The Prospect Police Department recovered a great majority of the stolen items and restitution has been made in cases where property was not able to be recovered.

The Louisville Ironman Triathlon is scheduled for August 31 st and will include a bicycle route through Prospect.   Chief Wilson noted that the Prospect Police have been in close contact with Louisville Metro Police Department personnel regarding the event.   Flyers noting the routes, along with the times and locations of street closings will be distributed to area residents.   The City has also published articles in its newsletter, placed notices on the City website, and provided e-mail notices to those who subscribe to the city e-mail alert system.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS AND GUESTS:

Hunting Creek resident Homer Sarobi requested a change in the city's sign ordinance pertaining to real estate for sale signs during open houses.   He noted that if more than one directional sign was allowed for open houses he would have a better opportunity to sell real estate which he owns in Prospect.   He also recommended a larger fine for anyone who failed to remove a sign after an open house is concluded.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Eberle presented the Prospect Forestation Board's 2008 Forestation Plan for Council approval. Its objective is to create a plan for the enhancement of sustainable forestation in the city which is safe, healthy, diverse, aesthetically pleasing and functional. The plan's stated goal is to provide a locale where city residents and visitors may obtain greater appreciation for the benefits of trees and forestation in the urban environment.   The Plan has received the unanimous support of all five members of the Prospect Forestation Board and the Mayor.   Motion by Council Member Sandra Leonard to receive and approve the 2008 Prospect Forestation Plan; seconded by Council Member Loretta Ertel; passed unanimously.

Council Member Alan Simon gave first reading on ORDINANCE NO. 491, SERIES 2008: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 39 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO THE PROSPECT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD.

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk