CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
November 16, 2009

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

ATTENDANCE:                                                                                                                  

Present: Mayor Todd Eberle; Council Members Loretta Ertel, Sandra Leonard, Stuart Miles, Mike Scott, and Sandra Tucci; Acting City Attorney Frank Chuppe; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Barbie Hennessey.   Absent:   Council Member Alan Simon.   

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Sandra Leonard moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of October 19, 2009; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle advised the Council that end-of-first-quarter financial reports are in. They reflect 59% of budgeted revenues received (largely from property taxes and transfers from reserves) and 22% of budgeted expenses disbursed.   As a result of declining revenues the city has instituted measures to limit expenditures.   He was pleased to note that through 25% of the year only 21.5% of budgeted expenses have been disbursed.   He also noted that the city's reimbursement for January ice storm expenses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been received in the amount of $73,000. He expressed appreciation to City Administrator Ann Simms for her work in processing the FEMA claims.  

The final report of the Prospect Transportation/Mobility Study funded by a grant from the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) should be available in the next few weeks. It was a comprehensive study conducted by the Qk4 Engineering and Planning firm and includes twenty-one specific recommendations with cost estimates for each.   When the final report is received the city intends to make it available through the city web site.    

The Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee and Council Member Stuart Miles have been working on the trail system through the woodland portion of the property.   The Committee is also working on a listing of desired improvements to the natural area which can hopefully be funded through grants from public or private sources.  

The Prospect Police Department recently purchased two Ford Escape hybrids police cars to replace existing cars which were experiencing undue amounts of repair expense.   These are the first hybrid police patrol vehicles purchased by any city in the state of Kentucky.   The Louisville Courier-Journal has already published one article regarding the cars and the Kentucky League of Cities is planning an article in their monthly statewide publication for December or January.   Mayor Eberle thanked Police Chief Marvin Wilson for his cooperation, support and work on this effort.     

The numerous City sponsored events in October included the 12 th Annual Punk'in Paint'n celebration, on October 25; the Fall Book Sale from October 29-31; the 2 nd Annual Arborfest on October 31; and Mayor's Beautiful Day with plant distribution and announcement of the 1 st Annual City Beautification Awards on October 31.   All were very successful.   First Place in City Beautification Award contest went to Albert and Janet Ochsner of 7608 Rockingham Road for the redesign of their home's front entrance and landscaping.   In noting the results of the Fall Library Book Sale, Council Member Sandra Leonard reported that proceeds will exceed $1,000 for the first time in the history of the sale.     

Concluding his report, Mayor Eberle noted the recent death of Martyne Lich, a longtime resident, who lived in the Prospect area before the city was incorporated.   Her devotion to and love for the city has been evident for many years.   She will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know her.

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the Council with the monthly police statistics and report.   He noted that Officer Mike Thomas recently worked a case in which someone was passing checks stolen from a local church.   A suspect has already been arrested.  

Chief Wilson also noted a series of incidents involving vandalism, burglary and destruction of property on Friday, November 13 th in the Hunting Creek area.   Officer Marianne Haverlin as well as Officer Heather Loeser did prompt and effective work on the case; interviewing residents, obtaining videotapes and following up numerous leads.   One adult and three juveniles have already been arrested.   The adult has confessed.   The three juveniles have been interrogated and will be formally charged this week.      

Finally Chief Wilson noted that computers will soon be completely installed in all patrol cars.   The in-car computers allow for prompt checks of criminal records, outstanding warrants and other records concerning vehicles and individuals.   They were obtained through a series of grants totaling over $80,000.   The latest grant provides two computers for the new hybrid police cars.  

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

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

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Sandy Tucci gave first reading to ORDINANCE NO. 502, SERIES 2009: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2008 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2009 SO AS TO REFLECT THE RESULTS OF THE CITY'S ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Council Member Loretta Ertel moved seconded reading for ORDINANCE NO. 501, SERIES 2009: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 38 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO ETHICS DISCLOSURE FORMS . Council Member Mike Scott seconded; passed unanimously on a roll call vote 5 to 0.      

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Loretta Ertel moved to adjourn; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.  

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk