CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
April 20, 2009

(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, Mike Scott, Alan Simon, and 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 7:05 p.m.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Sandra Leonard moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of March 16, 2009; Council Member Stuart Miles seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle noted we are at the end of the 3 rd quarter and our budget reflects a shortfall in property taxes, areas of interest income and insurance premium taxes.   I'm working on next year's budget right now and have those figures in hand.   We should have first reading on the budget at May's meeting.   We have had a budget committee meeting once and will plan on having another one in April or the first part of May.

Mayor Eberle announced that the City of Prospect Tree City plaque award is hanging in the entrance foyer, and the Tree City flag is flying underneath the U.S. flag at city hall and Ron has placed one sign at the west entrance to the city coming from Oldham County.   Tree City status will assist the city in obtaining funds in natural resources and environmental related grant offerings.  

The Putney Pond/Woodlands Committee will have their first organizational meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.    Survey has been done for the proposed short connector road to Timber Ridge Drive to replace the current one-lane road accessed from U.S. 42.  

The Qualification Selection Committee for the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency's (KIPDA) grant in the Prospect Transportation Study has been awarded to the engineering/planning firm QK4. We have met with QK4 last Thursday and we have the meeting minutes on the table.    In their study, they will focus on connectivity issues and alternative transportation plans.   The first meeting will be held in late May on any proposed plans and the public should be able to give comments later in the fall.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

            Robert Westerman of 7510 Rockingham Road said he plants a vegetable garden in his side yard at Rockingham and Indian Springs.   He read something in the newsletter concerning planting a garden and he was concerned the City was going to pass an ordinance to stop allowing vegetable gardens in the city of Prospect.    Mr. Westerman said he puts a temporary ornamental black decorative metal 2' fence around his garden to keep the deer out and removes it immediately. The Mayor told Mr. Westerman the article was concerning the fence used around the gardens and once the fence committee can meet them they will discuss the fence issues.

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the Council with the monthly police report.   He reported his concern with some residents leaving garage doors open and items in plain view.   He is also concerned with vehicles parked in the driveway overnight containing valuables such as laptop computers, GPS devices, IPods, radar detectors, etc.   In order to encourage residents to park their vehicles in the garage, officers will occasionally place a Crime Prevention flyer in the paperbox.   The City's email alert system is utilized to advise citizens of recent break-ins to vehicles in their neighborhoods and to remind everyone to lock their vehicles, remove valuables, and secure the vehicle in the garage.   The Police Department applied for and received a grant through the Kentucky League of Cities to purchase a car video system.   The grant will pay $2300 of the $4600 cost.  

NEW BUSINESS:

            Each year the Forestation Board is required to develop and seek council approval for forestation plans.   The plan is to provide long range strategy for public forestation efforts involving street trees and trees upon public right of ways, trees in parks and natural areas, and trees upon other publicly owned lands within the City of Prospect, Kentucky.   The tree inventory has been completed in 2008, but due to the damage to the trees from the winds from Ike and the ice storm we will do another inventory in the coming weeks.   Mayor Eberle called for a motion to approve the Forestation Plan.   Council Sandra Leonard moved for a motion; Sandra Tucci seconded; passed unanimously.  

Mayor Eberle noted the State has requested that Prospect execute a Resolution for designation of applicant's agent who will be gathering information for FEMA to obtain federal financial assistance under the disaster relief act or the president's disaster relief fund.   Ann Simms will be the cities representative.   Council Member Sandra Tucci moved to approve the resolution authorizing Ann Simms to be the city of Prospects designated agent; seconded by Council Member Loretta Ertel; approved unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mayor Eberle gave an update on activities of Ad Hoc Committees regarding the fence ordinance.   It was mentioned to check with other cities and see if they have an anesthetic ordinance on issues of adequate maintenance to be considered under fence ordinance. It has been proposed to issue a time frame to repair damaged fence or be cited.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mayor Eberle indicated a need for an Executive Session to discuss anticipated possible litigation.   Council Member Mike Scott excused himself.   Council Member Alan Simon made the motion to go into executive session; Council Member Sandra Leonard Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.   The Council went into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon return from Executive Session, Mayor Eberle stated that no specific decision had been made by the City.    Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Sandy Tucci seconded; passed unanimously.  

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk