CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
October 18, 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 Sandy Tucci; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Lieutenant Dennis Wine; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; 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 September 20, 2010; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Todd Eberle reminded the Council that this coming Sunday is Prospect's 13 th Annual Pun'kin Paint'n Celebration at the Cowley Park Open Space from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. In addition to the pumpkin painting contest and the costume parade, the event will feature music from the Bluegrass band "Old Hat", balloon artist Gilbert Adams, free carriage rides, an inflatable playground and free police department children's ID cards. Prizes will be given for all age groups in pumpkin painting. All costume parade participants will also receive a prize.
Community Sponsors are Republic Bank, Dairy Queen and the Businesses of Prospect Pointe.
Prospect's Fall Book Sale will be held on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Council Member Sandra Leonard noted that the book donations for the sale are coming in well and a successful sale is anticipated. Proceeds from the sale are used to purchase books and other library media for the permanent collection. Donations are accepted up to and during the sale.
The Prospect Forestation Board will host the City's 3 rd Annual Arborfest from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 30 th at Little Hunting Creek Park in the area adjacent to the City Hall parking lot. Personnel from the Kentucky Division of Forestry will be present, a ceremonial tree planting will be held in Little Hunting Creek Park, tree service providers will have information booths, tree literature will be distributed by members of the Forestation Board, and the Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee will provide trail tours transporting participants to the unveiling of the newly constructed Woodland Loop Trail Bridge. Free daffodil bulbs will be distributed to residents in recognition of the City's annual Mayor's Beautiful Day.
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Mayor Eberle noted current fiscal year finances reflect $1,535,999 in revenues and expenses of $654.031. Revenue figures are currently ahead of schedule as a result of the October 1 st property tax due date. Deputy Clerks Debra Skaggs and Ann Melton as well as Police Clerk Jill Vidito have been working hard to keep the revenue figures up to date.
City Administrator, Ann Simms continues to work on a Homeland Security grant application to obtain an electric generator for Prospect City Hall. The grant deadline is October 29, 2010. If the City is successful in obtaining the grant, it will reduce expenses in the event of an extended power outage and ensure that city offices continue without interruption during emergencies.
The Putney Pond and Woodlands (PP&W) Advisory Committee have been working on trail maintenance as well as the approaches to the new Woodland Loop Trail Bridge. Committee Chair Linda Wardell reported on a recent PP&W work day. She also noted that a biological survey of Putney Pond and Woodlands is being conducted by Skybax Ecological Services and nearing completion. The survey will be included in the final Resource Management Plan for the area required by the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. PP&W Committee member Lynn Granger advised the Council that several Eagle Scout Projects are planned for improvements to the area. They will include benches, small trail bridges and an informational kiosk for visitors. Stuart Miles, City Council Liaison to the PP&W Advisory Committee, thanked the many private contributors who made funds available to construct the new Woodland Loop Trail Bridge. During the past year, over $15,000 has been raised in private donations for the Hardin Boulder Stairway and the new Woodland Trail Bridge. A boardwalk connecting the City Hall parking area to the main trails is planned for the future. He also noted that numerous high school science fair projects are planned allowing Jefferson County Public High School students the opportunity to use the natural area for environmental studies.
The Prospect Forestation Board has completed a re-inventory of all ash trees on city lands and right-of-ways. Board Chair Lee Tucci noted that Board members were assisted in this effort by Kentucky Division of Forestry Urban and Community Forester Peter Barber and Prospect resident Randall Holub. The re-inventory is being conducted in an effort to assure that all public area ash trees receive preventive treatments to resist infestation by the emerald ash borer.
Currents efforts to lower the speed limit on U.S. Highway 42 were discussed. Police Lieutenant Wine noted that lowering the speed limit would serve to reduce accidents, especially in areas where drivers must pull out into traffic from unsignalized intersections.
GUEST CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE:
Ann Harris introduced herself to the members of the Council. She is the daughter of State Senator Ernie Harris who is a candidate for re-election in the 26 th Kentucky Senatorial District. She noted that a prior obligation prevented Senator Harris from attending the meeting and asked those present to remember her father at the polls in the November 2 nd General Election.
POLICE REPORT:
Police Lieutenant Dennis Wine presented the monthly police report and statistics to the Council. An effort was conducted over the past month to increase traffic enforcement. It resulted in nine citations as well as a number of warning tickets.
On Friday, September 24 th the Department participated in a "Transportation Day" event for pre-school children at St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church. Community Relations Officer Patrick Timmons represented the City during the event.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:
There were no comments from citizens or members of the general public.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council Member Alan Simon gave first reading to an amended version of City of Prospect Ordinance No. 508, Series 2010: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 33 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO DEPOSITS. Mayor Eberle noted that the ordinance relates to accounting treatment of funds on deposit with the city received in conjunction with the issuance of permits.
Council Member Sandra Tucci moved to adopt: RESOLUTION 1, SERIES 2010; A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AND ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR ITS PURCHASE.
Mayor Eberle noted that the resolution would provide written confirmation of Council actions at the September Meeting where a unanimous vote approved a negotiated contract for the purchase of real estate providing land for an access roadway off of Timber Ridge Drive to the city-owned Putney Pond and Woodlands natural area. Council Member Stuart Miles seconded; passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mayor Eberle noted two draft ordinances designed to regulate the parking of vehicles on yards or lawns; as well as the parking of vehicles for purpose of sale. Discussion followed and it was agreed to consider the ordinances with suggested changes at the November 15, 2010 Council Meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was no unfinished business to be brought before the Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further action to come before the Council, Council Member Sandra Leonard moved to adjourn. Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded. Motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary
Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk
October - 2010