CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY

Business Meeting

MINUTES

Monday, March 14, 2005

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Don Kirby called the Regular Business Meeting of the Union City Commission to order at 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 14, 2005.

 

Present: Mayor Don Kirby and City Commissioners: Gary McCormick, Wayne McClellan, Warren Moore.  Absent: Greg T. Lloyd. Also present were Greg D. Voss (City Attorney), Kathy Porter (City Clerk/Treasurer) and Barry Burke (City Engineer).

 

Visitors signing the attendance list were: Mike Trout and Rick Harvey.

 

MINUTES:

After reviewing the past minutes presented, Mayor Kirby asked for comments or corrections. Mr. Moore moved to dispense with reading of the minutes and accept as presented.  Mr. McClellan seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

Mr. McCormick moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as of February 28, 2005 as presented.  Mr. Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

BILLS FOR PAYMENT:

The bills for payment were reviewed. Mr. McClellan made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Mr. McCormick seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The Commission was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the snow removal invoice amount as we experienced inclement weather the previous months. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Kirby read a letter from Robert Parmele, a twelve-year-old resident regarding his view of the new Curfew Ordinance and how it would affect him and his friends.  Mr. Parmele expressed he is happy that the City is trying to stop teen vandalism.  His views were that the curfew should start at 12:00 a.m. on weekdays during summer vacation, when school is out.  Mayor Kirby’s view is to study later this summer to see how the curfew is being observed and proceed from there.

 

The second letter was from James M. Shumate, P.E., L.S., Project Manager of CDS Associates, Inc. 11120 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242-1818.  Mr. Shumate was providing information on their Proposed Racon Development Condominiums located on 18 acres located in between old US 42 and the new US 42 across from Longbranch Road.  Also, he would like to begin the construction later this year and to be able to have the first condominium units for sale by summer of 2006. He understands that the Sanitation District No. 1 will be constructing a trunk line sewer along Fowlers Creek and realizes this will not be in operation for several years. Their request was for the City to provide acceptance and treatment of the flows generated from the Racon Development project at the Old Union Road wastewater treatment plant being constructed jointly by Drees, Arlinghaus and the City of Union.  Mr. McClellan commented the proposed development was his property. The Commission and Attorney Voss discussed their concerns and obligations of the city’s 55 residents first, capacity, cost, present and future developers and legal

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES – March 14, 2005 – Page 2

 

 

preparation.  Mayor Kirby will discuss with Mr. Burke and proceed with a study of the request.  Mayor Kirby or Mr. Burke will contact Mr. Shumate and inform him the Commission will research and study to see if the city can enter into a possible agreement.

 

Attorney Voss gave an update on the Maple Street (paper street) closure.  There are some legal matters to be finalized by Muldoon and Collett.  Hopefully, this will be settled and done within a month, as it has to be resolved before the city can sign off.

 

CITY ENGINEER REPORT:

Mr. Burke’s monthly report had been given to Commissioners and he discussed and improvised on several items:

 

Item # 1 – Mr. Burke had spoken with Boone County Fiscal Court officials yesterday concerning the agreement regarding the standing annual contractor rates for projects greater or less than $20,000. There isn’t a problem with using the same contractor rates as the county bids.  Another option would be to do our own public bidding for better rates.  Various related subjects were discussed such as other agreements and the subdivision regulations. 

 

Item # 4 – Reviewed a Preliminary Plat for Harmony Subdivision and was made aware by planning commission that streets having 26 ft. right-of-way would be considered city streets for ownership and maintenance by an agreement.  Mayor Kirby apologized for the neglect of making Mr. Burke aware of those previous agreed upon requirements and the “heart burn” it caused.  He praised Mr. Burke for doing an excellent job in the detail work regarding the review of the project.   

 

Item # 5 - Concerning Doris Creech drainage swale restoration (rears of Picket Run and Merrimac Court) not being completed. Recommends getting another contractor as DADS has delayed the work since approval in 2004.  A similar situation exists at 10205 Hartwood Court.  Water is backing up in the storm sewers.  Where sewers are impacted by sediment build-up and a health problem exists, it is recommended that these problems be remediated.

 

Item # 6 - No new information on the Union Village Pond project is known. 

 

Item # 8 - Mr. Burke will be getting back with KTC District Engineer Tom Schomaker, as a result of his call about the Nantz property storm sewer.

 

Item # 15 - Whetherington Road pavement settlement. Since Asphalt Plants are not open yet, this is a project weather permitting.  BCPW was contacted and will perform the work at the county’s rates.

 

Item # 20 - Response to Ingraham complaint regarding the street drainage, parking and school bus accessibility at Union/Florence Corporation line.  The street drainage problems are about 98% in the City of Florence. Digital photos were presented for better information regarding the storm sewers.  The city of Florence will be contacted as well as the apartment owner for seeking a solution to the parking and drainage problems. 

 

Item # 22 - Hempsteade HOA had requested the reduction of about six (6) 25 MPH signs to 20 MPH for

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES - March 14, 2005 – Page 3

 

 

Cedarwood, Ashton, Fireside and Irish Drive and various street repairs in the subdivision.  This reduction would be consistent with other established signage. However, Boone County officials indicated this higher speed was maintained for the sub-collector route not to further restrict the traffic flows. Reference was made to another sub-collector street (Hempsteade Drive) with 20 MPH signage and speed humps. Mr. Moore and Mr. McClellan discussed taking the 20 MPH signs down for now as they felt 25 MPH was not an unreasonable speed.  Mr. Burke stated that Hempsteade was not included in the original request and should not be included. Mayor Kirby is concerned about the requested change and will get back with the HOA and explain some facts involved with the County and the City to maintain safe traffic flow.  Items regarding speed bumps, street repairs with alternative solutions have been forwarded to BCPW.  Mayor Kirby mentioned that Senator Roeding had called and requested a list of roads that needs repair in the city.  There is no direct money, but it is possible that there could be some funding available. Mayor Kirby or Mr. McClellan will contact Senator Roeding with the information.  Mr. McClellan mentioned that Gunpowder Greens and Whispering Trails do need attention.

 

Item # 25  - Mr. Burke attended the March 2nd meeting sponsored by OKI on the topic “Where Do We Grow From Here? Input was received regarding the $3 billion shortfall in transportation and possible remedies regarding land consumption exceeding population growth by a factor of 5.

 

Item # 26 - Attended the March 10th meeting at the Scheben Library sponsored by Boone County Planning Commission regarding the workshop on the Boone County P&Z Comprehensive Plan.

 

Item # 27 - Regarding the request of Bill Madden PE, KTC Traffic Branch Manager to consider changing the Traffic Control Signalization at Old Union Road (US 42) and SR 536.  Mr. Moore and Mr. McClellan had considered past concerns involving fatalities with Stop Signs. After discussion of alternatives, the Commission decided to retain the existing traffic light signalization. Mr. Madden will be notified of their decision.

 

Mr. McCormick mentioned that there were two tools, backhoe and bucket that are rusting on the former IGA property that needs attention.

 

The Mowing Specs are completed. Bid opening will be on April 7, 2005 at 3:00 p.m.  A discussion on the public right-of-way on Old Union Road, this should be cut twice a year by bush hog.  Regarding the white fences, these should be touch up only, not paint the entire fence.  Contractors already picked up specs will be notified of touch up only.  It was suggested to obtain a cost estimate on plastic fencing.

 

PLANNING & ZONING:

Mr. Randy Barlow, Planning & Zoning Representative, was not present.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Second reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2005-002 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY.  Mr. Moore made a motion to approve the Ordinance and Mr. McClellan seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES - March 14, 2005 – Page 4

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

First reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2005-003 - AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ORDERLY SUCCEESSION OF OFFICE OF MAYOR IN THE EVENT OF THE ABSENCE OR DISABILITY OF THE MAYOR. Mr. McClellan made a motion to approve the Ordinance and Mr. Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mr. McClellan requested a letter be forwarded to the owner of the abandoned house located by the BP Gas Station.  It has not been maintained in approximately five (5) years.  After discussion, Mayor Kirby asked if Mr. McClellan would work with Mr. Burke and City Clerk Kathy Porter and take care of getting the proper notification of the violation out to the owner.

 

Mr. McClellan investigated the feasibility of a request for a street light to be installed at the new access on the north end of the Union Presbyterian Church. After discussion, it was decided that there is no practical place right now to put a light. The request will be denied at this time. Future development could change the status. 

 

The garbage contract with Rumpke will be expiring this year.  Attorney Voss explained the need to update the current contract regarding option for another year.  A new bid contract will be finalized before accepting bids.

 

Mr. Trout asked about the status of the Union Park.  Mayor Kirby said he had not had any more information since the meeting with the County.  The development will be in phases and hopefully there will be some work done this spring.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

No further business came before the Commission. Mr. Moore moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.  Mr. McClellan seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Signed this 11th day of April 2005.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                                        ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________                                          _______________________________

Don Kirby, Mayor                                                    Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer