CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
May 19, 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 Loretta Ertel moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of April 21, 2008; Council Member Alan Simon seconded; passed unanimously.

SPECIAL ORDER:

BUDGET MESSAGE:

Mayor Eberle noted that the Budget Committee had completed and approved the 2008-2009 budget. The budget as submitted is balanced at $2,790,760 which is $3,140 less than last year.   We have some new items that are included, such as a self-storage structure that provides storage in fighting the winter storms to replace the one we have now that is literally falling down.   We added another new item, the Reading Center Software annual license.   We have also set aside money to match figures for the Kentuckiana grant, which we hope to have with the area agency for planning and development, if we should get the grant. We should note that we have projections from Jefferson County and Oldham County PVA's for the next year's property tax, and have budgeted accordingly.   It looks like this may be the first year in the history of our city or for a long time, that we are anticipating our property tax revenue to be less than the year before. We also took into consideration the higher cost of utilities and motor fuel.    

Mayor Eberle thanked Council Member Tucci and Council Member Simon for serving once again on the Budget Committee to review the budget ordinances and worksheets and reports.   He also thanked Ann Simms and Deirdre Buckley for their help.

Mayor Eberle opened FIRST PUBLIC HEARING:   USE OF MONEY RECEIVED BY PROSPECT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE (COAL AND MINERAL TAX) (Approximately $135 Fiscal Year 2008-2009).   The Mayor stated the funds will be rolled into the general government fund.   No one testified at the public hearing and the Mayor closed the hearing.

Mayor Eberle opened FIRST PUBLIC HEARING:   USE OF MONEY RECEIVED FROM STATE MUNICIPAL ROAD AID FUND (Approximately $89,000 FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009.   The Mayor stated the funds will be used for road repair, repair of street signs, and snow removal.   No one testified at the public hearing and the Mayor closed the hearing.

Mayor Eberle opened FIRST PUBLIC HEARING:   SETTING THE AD VALORUM TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF PROSPECT AT 21.25 CENTS PER $100 ASSESSED VALUATION.   The Mayor stated the tax rate would remain the same.   No one testified at the public hearing and the Mayor closed the hearing.

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the monthly police report. He noted they have been very busy investigating two series of car break-ins. Metro officers recently contacted our officers about an arrest involving a subject that broke into cars in the Polo Fields subdivision. The person resides in Prospect and has retained an attorney.   Officers will work with his attorney to see if the person will speak with them. The Chief briefly discussed several commendations. Officer Marianne Haverlin was commended for her outstanding work involving the arrest of three suspects for three Prospect burglaries committed several months ago.   All three subjects have been indicted and are awaiting trial.   Officer Michael Thomas arrested two suspects for removing an ATM card at a local bank and going on a spending spree in which they spent $4,100.   The Department recently created another block watch, this one in Hunting Creek. Meetings have also been conducted with residents in other parts of Hunting Creek and the Landings about creating block watches in those areas.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

Mr. Greg Poganski who lives at 5800 Timber Ridge Drive in the Landings expressed his concerns to the Council regarding dogs running after him and others while they are jogging or bike riding.   It was his understanding that owners must have their animals under control at all times. Some of the residents have invisible fences, but it is disturbing to have a dog come charging up within 10 feet and then stop.   You don't know if they are going to stop.   The majority of the dogs were not restrained and those are the ones I'm concerned about.   Chief Wilson asked Mr. Poganski to carry his cell phone with him and when he observes a dog unrestrained, call 228-cops (2677) and ask for a Prospect Police Officer to come to where you are so he may observed the dog running loose and then they can address the issue very quickly. Also, if you can tell us which house the dog belongs at, we'll go up and talk to the owner.   Mr. Poganski agreed to try that.

Mr. Joe Kehlbeck of the Estates of Hunting Creek wanted to express his concerns to the Council regarding Putney's Pond.   While acting as interim Mayor, he worked on the City of Prospect's plan to purchase Putney Pond.   Most of us have toured Putney Pond and see it as a very nice park someday or a place we all could enjoy.   I really appreciate what everyone on the Council is doing to support the Putney Pond effort, and I'm very disappointed that we have one neighbor that seems to be a problem.   I really hope we can work the problems out so that Putney Pond does not become another fiasco like that wooded area down US 42.   I really hope we are in a better position than to let something like that happen in our city.

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Sandy Tucci gave FIRST READING TO ORDINANCE 488, SERIES 2008:   AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2008 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2009.

Council Member Sandy Tucci gave FIRST READING TO ORDINANCE 489, SERIES 2008:   AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A BUDGET FOR THE MUNICIPAL ROAD AID FUND OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2008 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2009.

Council Member Sandy Tucci gave     FIRST READING TO ORDINANCE 490, SERIES 2008:   AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF PROSPECT.

Council Member Alan Simon made a motion to adopt MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 3, SERIES 2008:   AN ORDER CONSENTING TO THE NOMINATIONS FOR CITIZENS OF THE CITY TO SERVE ON THE CITY OF PROSPECT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD AND AFFIXING TERMS OF OFFICE THERETO.   Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Simon moved adjournment; Council Member 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