CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
May 17, 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 Debra Skaggs; Court Reporter Carola Strijek.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of April 19, 2010; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Todd Eberle noted the financial reports for the current fiscal year reflect that 84.2% of budgeted revenues have been received and 82.7% of budgeted expenditures have been dispersed at the close of the tenth month of the fiscal year.   83% of the fiscal year has passed and the revenues and expenditures correlate.  

Mayor Eberle advised that the Congestion Mitigation /Air Quality Grant Application has moved a step forward with a recently received "State Clearinghouse Review" approval from the Department of Local Government in Frankfort.   This confirms no identifiable conflict with any state or local plan, goal or objective.   Final action on the grant application is expected in the next two months.  

Mayor Eberle noted that City Administrator Ann Simms is continuing to work on a Division of Emergency Management grant for a generator system at City Hall which would provide electric power in emergency situations.   While it was originally described as a 100% reimbursement grant, it now appears that the grant may require a 13% match on the part of the City.   If correct, this would require matching funds from the City of around $9,000.   The grant for mitigation of problems regarding the culvert which extends under Timber Ridge Drive has consistently been understood as requiring a 13% match.   Neither grant has been awarded at this time, but if matching funds were determined to be too costly, the City could decline either of the grants and not be required to make the financial commitment.       

Mayor Eberle noted that the May 8, 2010 "Open House" event at Putney Pond and Woodlands was very successful.   He introduced Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee Chair Linda Wardell who gave a summary review.   It is estimated that roughly 130 persons attended the event which afforded an opportunity to showcase the new "boulder stairway" along the main hiking trail paid for entirely by private contributions.   Twenty-six volunteers assisted in various capacities including greeting of visitors, traffic control and guided tours of the trails.   Council Member Stuart Miles created a video which played in the welcome tent area.   The video covered both the history of and future plans for the natural area.   Boy Scout Troop 30 from Temple Congregational Adath Israel Brith Shalom set up the welcome area at the Fox Valley Drive trailhead and Police Explorers assisted the Prospect Police Department in directing traffic.   An advance article appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal.   Attendees were able visit the anticipated site of the proposed loop trail bridge near a traditional gathering area along the trail.   An effort is now being undertaken to raise funds for the trail bridge.   Council Member Stuart Miles expressed his appreciation to both Linda Wardell and Nick Nicholson for all of their work in preparation for and carrying off the event.  

The Library Committee held their Spring Book Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 14 th and 15 th .   Proceeds from the Sale are used to purchase new books and make improvements to the Lawrence Falk Reading Center.   While proceeds from the Spring Sale were not as great as the record level of receipts from the Fall 2009 Sale, they were comparable to other sales, and the Committee plans to continue both Spring and Fall Sales annually.   Unsold books from the Spring Sale remain in the library and are available for purchase through the end of May.     

Mayor Eberle noted that the Prospect Forestation Board has been active on several fronts.   They have marked thirty-two tree stumps in public areas.   They are under contract to be removed by a stump removal service for $35 per stump.   Plans are also underway to treat ash trees located in public areas to avoid their destruction by the emerald ash borer.   Back Tree Service of Cincinnati has been selected to treat ash trees of a certain diameter and above.   Treatment is by trunk injections and should begin within the next several weeks.   Finally, Urban Community Forester, Peter Barber, of the Kentucky Division of Forestry recently assisted City Maintenance Director, Ron Cundiff, in an effort to eradicate an invasive stand of Tree of Heaven in a forested area along Harrods Creek.   The Division of Forestry provided their services free of charge to the City and are planning follow-up treatments in the coming months.   Eradication efforts will need to be conducted over a period of several years in order to be completely effective.      

On May 11, 2010 the Metro Louisville Parks Department held a public hearing concerning the Northeast Corridor Plan for the 100 Mile City of Parks Loop Trail.   Mayor Eberle, City Administrator Ann Simms and Council Member Loretta Ertel attended the hearing.   The plan for the trail continues to include a route through Prospect with a trail head near the intersection of River Road and U.S. Highway 42.

The Prospect Area Chamber of Commerce's 6 th Annual Community Expo was held on May 13, 2010.   Mayor Eberle, City Administrator Ann Simms and Council Member Alan Simon attended.   The City had a booth staffed by Police Officer Pat Timmons, Deputy City Clerk Ann Melton and Police Lieutenant Dennis Wine.   It was a successful event and the City was well represented.

Council Member Alan Simon has been working on plans for the City's 17 th Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Cowley Park Open Space.   Vendors have been confirmed as well as street people, clowns, etc.   Mayor Eberle also noted that the three $3,000 Prime Sponsors from last year have once again agreed to participate.   The Prime Sponsors are Republic Bank, Dairy Queen and the Merchants of Prospect Point Shopping Center.   Supporting Sponsors at the $250 level are also being sought.  

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the monthly Police Report and statistics.   He also noted that Officer Heather Loeser recently graduated with honors from Jefferson Community College receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.   It had been fifteen years since she attended college classes and the City is very proud of her decision to return and finish her degree.  

Increased traffic patrols were recently concentrated in the area of Deep Creek Drive and Deep Creek Court which appeared to slow traffic at the bottom of a steep hill.   Future patrols are planned for other parts of the City.

Last week Officer Marianne Haverlin thwarted the operations of jewelry thieves after a suspicious persons alert was sent by a local jewelers network.   Three suspects were involved and Officer Haverlin apprehended and arrested two of the three near Prospect Jewelers on U.S. Highway 42.   A theft at Prospect Jewelers was prevented, and outstanding warrants and ongoing investigations were revealed concerning the suspect in the states of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.   The suspects are now being held in the Jefferson County Jail Facility.   The Federal Bureau of Investigation is actively working on the case.   

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

Joe Kehlbeck, a resident of the Hunting Creek Estates neighborhood, expressed his appreciation for the Putney Pond and Woodlands "Open House" event and the guided tours of the trails.   He also suggested that regular financial statements for the city be made available in a public format so citizens can follow the progress of municipal finances throughout the fiscal year.

Susan Nicholson, a resident of the Fox Harbor neighborhood, expressed appreciation for the City's efforts concerning 100 Mile Loop Trail being developed by Louisville Metro Parks.   She noted that as a representative of the Fox Harbor Neighborhood Association, she would like to offer any needed support from the Neighborhood Association for the encouragement, establishment and   completion of the 100 Mile Loop Trail through Prospect.  

NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business to be brought before the Council.  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Council Member Alan Simon moved second reading for 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.   The motion was seconded by Council Member Sandy Tucci.   The ordinance was adopted unanimously on a roll call vote.       

Council Member Sandy Tucci moved second reading for 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.   The motion was seconded by Council Member Alan Simon.   The ordinance was adopted unanimously on a roll call vote.          

Council Member Alan Simon moved second reading for ORDINANCE NO. 506, SERIES 2010: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF PROSPECT.   The motion was seconded by Council Member Loretta Ertel.   Discussion followed and it was noted that the ad valorem tax rate is to remain unchanged for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.   The ordinance was adopted unanimously of a roll call vote.         

Council Member Alan Simon moved second reading for 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.   The motion was seconded by Council Member Sandra Leonard.   The ordinance was adopted unanimously on a roll call vote.         

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Stuart Miles seconded; passed unanimously on a voice vote.     

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,
Debra Skaggs
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk