CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
January 11, 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; Acting City Attorney Frank Chuppe; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Debra Skaggs;   Court Reporter Rose Mary Kithcart.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Sandy Tucci moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of December 14, 2009; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

SPECIAL ORDER:

Louisville Metro Mayoral Candidate Hal Heiner asked to address the Council concerning his candidacy for Metro Mayor in the May 18, 2010 primary election.   He thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak and outlined his reasons for running for Mayor of   Louisville / Jefferson County Metro Government.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Todd Eberle noted, due to the early date of this month's Council meeting, the accountant's report for the end of December has not yet been received.   He stated that his summary financial report based on internal records for the end of December (end of the second quarter) had been distributed.   That report reflects better than anticipated amounts collected for property taxes.   He expressed appreciation to Deputy Clerk for Finance Debra Skaggs for her efforts in getting timely notices out for property taxes and her following up with liens when taxes are not received.   In summary, half way through the fiscal year, the internal records indicate 76 percent of budgeted revenues collected and 47 percent of budgeted expenses disbursed.   To more effectively control expenditures Mayor Eberle issued an Executive Order on January 4, 2010 which directed that any discretionary expenditure in excess of one hundred dollars be specifically reviewed and approved prior to being incurred.   The Executive Order also directed that no new staff positions be created through the end of the current fiscal year and any vacancies in staff positions be filled only on approval of the City Administrator, Chief of Police and Mayor.

The Prospect Comprehensive Transportation Study, also known as the Prospect Mobility Study, is near completion and is currently in draft form.   The Study was made possible by a grant from the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) and was conducted by the Qk4 Architecture/Engineering firm in Louisville.   Final input from several resources is being sought and the report should be ready for distribution no later than the February City Council Meeting.  

The two new hybrid police patrol cars are in service and performing well.   They are the first hybrid police patrol cars placed in service in the state of Kentucky and among the first hybrid police vehicles in use nationwide.   The Louisville Courier-Journal, the Oldham Era and the Kentucky League of Cities recently gave media coverage to the new vehicles.   A detailed press release is being prepared for additional publicity on a state-wide and regional basis.   These are the first replacement police vehicles purchased by the city in over three years and will contribute to cost savings in motor fuels as well as greater air quality for the city and the region.  

The Prospect Forestation Board is reviewing their priorities for the upcoming year and should have their 2010 Annual Forestation Plan ready for Council approval at the March or April City Council Meeting.   Application materials have been submitted for re-certification as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities.   In addition, application has been made for a Tree City USA Growth Award for the first time.   Forestation Board Secretary Greg Huelsman, other members of the Board and Mayor Eberle worked on the application for special recognition which received the support of urban forester Peter Barber with the Kentucky Division of Forestry.   The City should be advised as to Tree City USA re-certification status and the Tree City 2010 Growth Award in February or March of this year.

Putney Pond and Woodlands has new temporary signage on the trails, has opened a gate in the fence behind The Landings Subdivision entrance for easier pedestrian access, and moved forward with right-of-way proposals for the new access road off Timber Ridge Drive.   Stuart Miles, Council Liaison to the Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee, noted that he and Committee Chair Linda Wardell had met with the consulting firm handling the biological inventory of the natural area mandated under the grant received from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.   He also noted that the Committee is looking at proposed plans for a bridge which would provide greater access across a ravine on the trail system, along with stone steps to a traditional gathering area near the bridge site.   The Committee plans to contact a variety of persons and organizations in order to raise monies for the improvements.  

SPECIAL ORDER:

Mayor Eberle noted that the 2010 Craigmyle Public Service Award winner has been selected.   The annual award was named after former Mayor Beach Craigmyle and established in 1990 "to recognize outstanding public service commitment to the City of Prospect."   Mayor Eberle expressed great pleasure in announcing this year's award recipient, Harry K. Hardin.   Mr. Hardin has been involved with volunteer activities in the City of Prospect for many years prior to his playing an instrumental role in the formation and operation of the Prospect Forestation Board.   Earlier volunteer efforts include service on the Prospect Ordinance Review Commission, the Mayor's Advisory Council, and the Forestation and Public Lands Advisory Committee.   The latter group worked with the Kentucky Division of Forestry on urban forestry issues, developed the Prospect Forestation Ordinance, and ultimately formed the Prospect Forestation Board which has served as a model for many other cities in Kentucky and the region.   Most recently Mr. Hardin and his wife donated two gingko trees, grown from seeds of historic trees at Louisville's Cave Hill Cemetery.   They planted them in public areas of the city this past fall.   Mayor Eberle and the members of the City Council extended their congratulations to Mr. Hardin and thanked him for all he has done and continues to do for the city.  

POLICE REPORT:

Chief Marvin Wilson presented the police report.   Several thefts have occurred over the past month either from unlocked vehicles or open garages.   He stressed that residents should keep vehicles locked and remove items inside them from view.   In an update to the previous month's report concerning a burglary and vandalism off Montero Drive, the adult arrested has plead guilty and was sentenced to six months incarceration plus a probated six month sentence for two years.   The juvenile involved remains in a treatment facility and will be charged immediately upon his release.   Restitution is being sought and some monies have already been obtained.   Chief Wilson noted that the two new Ford Escape Hybrid police cars are receiving a good number of compliments and the officers are very pleased with their performance.   The average gas mileage for the Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers is roughly 12 ½ miles per gallon and average mileage for the hybrids is roughly 22 miles per gallon.   Letters of commendation were distributed including several expressions of appreciation for the Police Department's Housewatch Program.   Council Member Miles asked whether any house had ever been broken into while on the Housewatch Program.   Chief Wilson advised that had never occurred, and that the program seems to be very effective.   More and more of our residents are registering for Housewatch either via the city web site or by calling the Prospect Police Department.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

Joe Kehlbeck inquired as to the amount of money the city should retain in reserves in comparison to the city's general operations budget.   A reserve fund in the amount of six months of general operating budget was suggested.   Mayor Eberle noted that current audited reserve funds represent approximately six months of general operation budget funds.   Up to $90,000 is currently budgeted for transfer to the general operation budget, should that or a lesser amount be necessary to cover expenses at the end of the current fiscal year.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Eberle noted that the City Council had traditionally passed a post-audit budget ordinance.   In recent years the city's legal counsel indicated such an ordinance was not specifically required by law. The decision was made to pass, but not expend monies to publish the ordinance.   This year's post-audit ordinance was introduced on first reading at the December 2009 Council Meeting.   Several of the line items provided by the auditor did not reflect the line items set out in the budget. Alternative actions concerning the ordinance were suggested including:   sending the ordinance back to the auditor for corrections to be considered at an upcoming Council meeting; tabling the ordinance indefinitely; and providing corrected line item figures to the public solely for information purposes.   Council Member Alan Simon moved and Council Member Stuart Miles seconded indefinite tabling of the ordinance with later provision of corrected figures for City of Prospect, 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 .   Passed unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:                            

A general discussion was had concerning   City of Prospect, Ordinance No. 503, Series 2009,   AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO INSURANCE COMPANY LICENSE FEES .   It was noted that changes to the ordinance had been discussed for over a year and that in order to take effect in the upcoming 2010-2011 fiscal year any changes would by law, have to be enacted on or before March 19, 2010.   Discussion ensued among members of the Council.   Citizen comments were received from Susan Nicholson and Gregory Huelsman.   Council Member Loretta Ertel moved to table the ordinance indefinitely.   Council Member Alan Simon seconded.   Discussion continued.   Council Member Ertel and Council Member Simon withdrew their motion to table.   Council Member Mike Scott moved second and final reading for the ordinance.   Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded.   The ordinance failed with no aye votes and six no votes on a roll call vote.    

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.   Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.    

Respectfully submitted,
Debra Skaggs
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk