CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 20, 2005
(A complete transcript of this meeting is available at City Hall and on the City’s Web Site, HTTP://www.PROSPECTKY.COM)
PRESENT:
Mayor Lonnie Falk; Council Members Nan Milliman, Harold Smith, Alan Simon, Todd Eberle, Lee Zimmerman, Sandra Tucci; City Attorney Grover Potts, City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.
Mayor Falk opened the meeting and introduced Mayor of the Day Elizabeth Crush at 7:28 p.m. Elizabeth called the meeting officially to order by rapping the table with the gavel.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Council Member Smith moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of May 16, 2005; Council Member Simon seconded; passed unanimously.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:
Scott McClinton said he lives near the back entrance to Bridgepointe and he is very aware of the cut-through traffic that comes and goes through Bridgepointe, but he is concerned installing a gate with a bar code reader system at the back entrance would not work. It would be a hindrance to the Police Department, the Worthington Fire Department and ambulances if they had to come from Highway 22, as well as the 51 members of the Swim Club that do not live in Bridgepointe. He asked whether there is a traffic study telling us how many cars go through the back entrance. He said a gate could filter traffic into the Swim Club parking lot where kids play basketball, skateboard and ride their bikes. He asked how lawn care services, sprinkler services and other services that come into Bridgepointe have access to the back entrance and that persons who are attempting to cut through Bridgepointe and then see the gate will have difficulty backing up and out into Wolf Pen Branch Road. Mr. McClinton urged more study before a decision is made on this issue.
Bridgepointe Homeowners’ Association President Jim Halvatgis also addressed the issue of the proposed gate. Mr. Halvatgis told the Council the association has been reviewing options for over a year. They considered speed bumps, more stop signs, but in the long run feel that putting up a gate will deter more traffic. Access would be limited to residents of Bridgepointe through a key-card or other system, he said. There will be a meeting on Wednesday night for all Bridgepointe residents to come and voice their opinions and a poll will be sent out before any decision will be made.
Mayor Falk and several Council Members said they are not opposed to the plan if this is what the residents want, but they need to consider all the issues, including potential liabilities and access for emergency services. The Mayor added Prospect is not allowed to deny use to the general public of any City street, so if the ultimate decision of residents is they want such a gate, the street would have to be deeded back to the Homeowners’ Association. He said he would be at the residents’ meeting to answer questions homeowners may have. City Attorney Grover Potts explained the legal process which would have to be followed, adding the Metro Planning Commission must approve the closing of any street in the county.
Dr. Elmer Dunbar and his son Chad proposed a Resolution to be adopted by the City asking the Kentucky Retirement System to divest itself of holdings in companies doing business in Sudan. The Bush Administration and Congress have labeled the military campaign against civilians in Darfur by the government of the Sudan to be “genocide.” Council Member Tucci moved approval of RESOLUTION No.1, SERIES 2005, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MANAGERS OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT’S RETIREMENT FUND DIVEST SUCH FUNDS OF INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES WHICH SUPPORT THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF THE SUDAN. Council Member Zimmerman seconded; passed unanimously. The Mayor said a copy of the Resolution would be forwarded to appropriate officials of the Kentucky Retirement system without delay.
POLICE REPORT:
Chief Wilson presented the Police Report. There were no questions. The Chief commented that they are gearing up for the Community Celebration on July 4 and that once again Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey will provide deputies to assist with the Security Detail.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council Member Milliman gave FIRST READING, ORDINANCE NO. 455, SERIES 2005: AN ORDINANCE ENACTING AND ADOPTING THE 2005 SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT.
Council Member Simon gave FIRST READING, ORDINANCE NO. 456, SERIES 2005: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 150.02(D) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT SO AS TO SET REQUIREMENTS FOR OUTBUILDINGS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF THE CITY.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Falk thanked Elizabeth for her participation as Mayor for the Day. Elizabeth offered several suggestions for maintenance and upkeep of the Don Cowley Greenspace, which backs up to her home. Upon motion by Council Member Smith and a second from Council Member Eberle, Elizabeth then gaveled the meeting closed at 8:40 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary
Approved:
Lawrence C. Falk
Mayor