CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
April 19, 2010

(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, Alan Simon, and Sandra Tucci; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Jill Vidito; Court Reporter Carola Strijek.

Mayor Eberle called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of March 15, 2010; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Todd Eberle announced that the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year Budget proposal is complete.   He expressed thanks to Council Members Loretta Ertel, Alan Simon and Sandra Tucci who comprised the 2010-2011 Budget Committee, as well as to City Administrator Ann Simms, Police Chief Marvin Wilson and Deputy City Clerk for Finance Debra Skaggs for their additional assistance with the numerous budgetary drafts over the past few months.   The balanced budget of $2,753,360 represents a $79,216 reduction from the previous year's budget and is the lowest budget in several years.   It includes a modest 1 ½ per cent merit increase for all staff.   The budget reflects the fiscally conservative approach the city is taking with regard to its finances.   On the income side, reductions are projected in revenues from the insurance premium tax and interest income.   On the expense side there are twenty-one non salary/benefit expense categories.   Of that number 4 were increased, 4 remained constant and 13 were decreased.   Looking at the ninety-one specific non salary/benefit line items, 16 were increased, 23 remained constant and 52 were decreased.   Copies of "The Mayor's 2010-2011 Budget Message To The Prospect City Council and The Community" were distributed and made available to all present.   The Budget Message will also be printed in the April issue of the Prospect Newsletter.  

End-of-third quarter financial reports for the current fiscal year were distributed.   They reflect that 81% of budgeted revenues have been received and 69% of budgeted expenditures have been dispersed at the close of the ninth month of the fiscal year.

Mayor Eberle noted that he has completed a Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Grant Application and filed it with the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA).   The grant requests funding for a multi-use pathway through Little Hunting Creek Park to City Hall from a point near the intersection of Fox Harbor Road and U.S. Highway 42.   The application has been reviewed by both KIPDA staff and the regional Transportation Technical Coordinating Committee.   Both of those entities ranked the application in the top half of all grants submitted.   Final decisions must yet be made by the KIPDA Transportation Policy Committee, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Governor's Office.

City Administrator Ann Simms has been working with the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management to pursue two Homeland Security Grants.   One would involve possible 100% funding for an emergency generator to provide electricity to City Hall during times of power outages.   Another would restore erosion in the area where Little Hunting Creek runs through a culvert under Timber Ridge Drive.   The erosion mitigation grant would be a 75% reimbursement grant requiring a 25% match from the City.  

The Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee is planning an "Open House" from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 th at the Fox Valley Drive Trailhead entrance.   Guided tours of the trails will be provided by members of the Committee and several volunteers.   A special feature of the "Open House" will be the new boulder stairway along the trail descending to a traditional gathering area in the woodlands.   A campaign to collect monies to build the stairway is underway.   A lead gift, covering fully half of the cost, was made by Prospect residents Harry and Doris Hardin.   The fund drive is now within $200 of raising the entire project expense from private donations.   The Advisory Committee, along with Committee Chair Linda Wardell,   City Council Liaison to the Committee Stuart Miles, and City Director of Parks, Maintenance and Technology Ron Cundiff have been coordinating plans for the event.

The Prospect Forestation Board has completed its 2010 City of Prospect Forestation Plan, substantially revised its Official Approved Public Tree Listing, planned the eradication of invasive tree of heaven on city land near Harrods Creek, and is investigating prevention treatments for ash trees to minimize the effect of the emerald ash borer which has been detected in the area.   On Thursday, April 15 th the official Kentucky State Arbor Day Celebration was held on the grounds of the Newburg Library in Louisville.   The City of Prospect was honored with re-certification as a Tree City USA, and singled out as the only city in Jefferson County to receive a Tree City Growth Award for 2010.   Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear, and Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson presided over the ceremonies.   Attending the event were Prospect Forestation Board Members Lee Tucci and Harry Hardin, City Council Member Sandy Tucci, and Mayor Todd Eberle.  

The Prospect Library Committee is involved in preparations for their Spring Book Sale.   The Sale will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday May 14 & 15.   This represents a change from the traditional three-day sale but includes extended hours on Saturday.   City Council Liaison to the Library Committee, Sandra Leonard, noted they are making special efforts to encourage donations of books, tapes, DVD and other library media for the sale.   Proceeds from the sale are used to purchase books for the library's permanent collection and provide improvements to the library facility.    

From mid-March to mid-April, the City of Prospect provided a northeast Jefferson County temporary service location for the U.S. Census Bureau to interview citizens and answer questions pertaining to the conduct of the 2010 Federal Census.   The Bureau's presence has aided the City in obtaining an accurate count of residents.   Prospect is presently showing a census response rate in the 73 - 78% range.   The current national response rate is 69%, the Kentucky response rate is 72% and the overall Jefferson County rate is in the 67 - 72% range.    

POLICE REPORT:

The Police Report was presented by Chief Marvin Wilson.   Monthly statistics were noted which reflected a record number of house watch registrations for the month of March 2010.   The total number exceeded the previous record by roughly 400 house watch registrations.   The Police Department is pleased with the increased use of the program and making some adjustments to keep up with the additional demand for the service.  

Chief Wilson noted that the Department had recently received a grant from the Kentucky League of Cities to purchase an in-car digital video camera to replace one of the VHS cameras currently in use.   The Department plans to apply for grants for additional digital cameras and eventually replace the older models in all of the patrol cars.   Grants earlier this year finalized installation of in-car computers in all patrol cars.   Those grants have been received over a number years and the final grant for $37,000 was obtained this year.

Addressing citizen concerns, the Department has set up radar in unmarked police cars to measure speeds on the lower portion of Deep Creek Drive and the "hill"area of Fox Harbor Road.   On Deep Creek Drive the average recorded speed was 24 miles per hour.   The highest speeds were in the range of 34 miles per hour.   On Fox Harbor Road the average speed was between 24 and 25 miles per hour.  

Council Member Stuart Miles expressed appreciation to Chief Wilson for two recent   minor crimes in the Prospect area which were quickly solved through Police Department investigations.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

Beverly Anderson, a resident of the Fox Harbor neighborhood, addressed the Council to express her appreciation for the work which the Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee has done on the woodland trails in the natural area.   Council Member Stuart Miles noted that upcoming improvements will include the installation of benches via Eagle Scout Projects conducted by local Boy Scout Troops.  

Shane Swenson, a resident of The Landings neighborhood, addressed the Council and voiced concern about a large garden which has been planted in The Landings.   It was noted that the garden did not apparently violate any ordinance, but that it may be a violation of deed restrictions in The Landings or regulations enforced by The Landings Estates Homeowners Association.   Discussion followed.   Council Member Stuart Miles offered to speak with the owner of the garden to advise of the concerns of neighbors.   Council Member Mike Scott indicated that he would join Miles in the effort to resolve the concerns.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Sandy Tucci moved for Acceptance and Approval of the CITY OF PROSPECT, KENTUCKY 2010 FORESTATION PLAN as submitted by the Prospect Forestation Board, as well Acceptance and Approval of the newly revised CITY OF PROSPECT, KENTUCKY OFFICIAL PUBLIC TREE LISTING as submitted by the Prospect Forestation Board.   Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded.   Discussion followed with Council Member Sandra Leonard proposing an amendment to the wording of the title page of the CITY OF PROSPECT, KENTUCKY OFFICIAL PUBLIC TREE LISTING.   Both Council Member Sandy Tucci (original motion) and Council Member Loretta Ertel (second) accepted the proposed amendment.   Both documents were accepted and approved unanimously by the Council on a voice vote.  

Council Member Sandy Tucci moved for Acceptance and Approval of CITY OF PROSPECT, MUNICIPAL ORDER NO.1, SERIES 2010, AN ORDER CONSENTING TO A NOMINATION OF THE MAYOR FOR A CITIZEN OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT TO SERVE ON THE CITY OF PROSPECT FORESTATION BOARD AND AFFIXING A TERM OF OFFICE THERETO.   Second by Council Member Alan Simon.   Passed unanimously on a voice vote.   Christina Kramer is confirmed as a member of the Prospect Forestation Board.

Council Member Loretta Ertel moved for Acceptance and Approval of CITY OF PROSPECT, MUNICIPAL ORDER NO.2, SERIES 2010, AN ORDER CONSENTING TO A NOMINATION OF THE MAYOR FOR CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT TO SERVE ON THE CITY OF PROSPECT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD AND AFFIXING A TERM OF OFFICE THERETO.   Second by Council Member Alan Simon.   Passed unanimously on a voice vote.   James Dantin is confirmed as a regular member of the Prospect Code Enforcement Board and Daniel Shomer is confirmed as an alternate member of the Prospect Code Enforcement Board.

Council Member Alan Simon gave first reading to ORDINANCE NO. 504, SERIES 2010: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING, JULY 1, 2010 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2011.   Discussion included inquiry as to the line items regarding full reimbursement grants and matching grants, the relative success of hybrid police patrol cars, and the costs of general liability insurance.    

Council Member Alan Simon gave first reading to ORDINANCE NO. 505, SERIES 2010: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A BUDGET FOR THE MUNICIPAL ROAD AID FUND OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING, JULY 1, 2010 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2011.   No discussion.      

Council Member Alan Simon gave first reading to ORDINANCE NO. 506, SERIES 2010: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF PROSPECT.   Discussion confirmed that the proposed ordinance does not change the ad valorem tax rate for the City in the upcoming fiscal year.      

Council Member Sandra Leonard gave first reading to ORDINANCE NO. 507, SERIES 2010: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2010 FINAL REPORT OF THE PROSPECT MOBILITY STUDY AS AN OFFICIAL PLANNING DOCUMENT OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT, KENTUCKY.   Discussion included the fact that, once finally adopted, the Study would be included in an amendment to the City of Prospect's Land Development Code.      

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Council Member Sandra Leonard inquired as to the status of The Overlook at Harrods Creek development off of U.S. Highway 42.   Mayor Eberle noted that there has been little if any recent construction activity on the condominium development.   The last contact regarding the development was over a year ago when Jerry Stapleton, Project Superintendent for Alliance Corporation of Glasgow, Kentucky indicated that his company was to complete the project.   Concern was expressed among Council Members that the unfinished buildings may constitute a health or safety hazard.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mayor Todd Eberle and City Attorney Grover Potts indicated the need for an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and negotiations for the sale and purchase of real estate.   Council Member Sandra Tucci made a motion to remove to executive session; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded. Passed unanimously on a voice vote.   The Council went into Executive Session at 8:27 p.m.   

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon return from Executive Session, Mayor Eberle noted that discussions had occurred but no decisions had been made by the City Council during the session.   Council Member Stuart Miles moved to adjourn; Council Member Alan Simon seconded; passed unanimously.  

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Jill Vidito
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk