CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY

Regular Business Meeting

MINUTES

Monday, November 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, November 14, 2005.

 

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

 

There were twenty (20) visitors in attendance.

 

MINUTES:

Mr. Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mr. McCormick seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

Mr. McClellan moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as of October 31, 2005 as presented. Dr. Lloyd seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

BILLS FOR PAYMENT:

The bills for payment were reviewed. Dr. Lloyd made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Mr. McCormick seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Kirby read a letter from Toni Twaddell, Arts & Humanities, Gray Middle School, in reference to designs for the new Union City Logo. He also stated that he received another packet of logo designs that contained at least one hundred samples from Ryle. Mayor Kirby has spoken to a resident as well who designs logos, and is ready to get things moving on a decision for a logo.

 

Mayor Kirby read a letter from Kevin Schwab, Group Sales Manager, Florence Freedom Professional Baseball Team. Mr. Schwab was present and commented that the team had a miserable 2005 season. There is a new ownership group, and Mr. Schwab explained the concept of a “City Night” series at the ballpark for 2006.

 

Mayor Kirby read a letter from Gerald Smith, Secretary, Williamstown Lake Expansion Committee in reference to the Williamstown Lake expansion. Attorney Voss stated that he has been on this lake; it is very nice and would benefit from expansion.

 

Mayor Kirby read correspondence from Senator Roeding, with an attached letter from Stephanie Stumbo, Executive Director, Kentucky Community Development Office, in which she thanked Senator Roeding for his letters in support of the Community Economic Growth Grant Project. Mayor Kirby stated that this related to monies the City is requesting from the state to help with sewer lines along Mt. Zion Road.

 

CITY ENGINEER REPORT:

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

 

Item # 2 (a) – Mr. Burke discussed the $200,000 KIA Grant Award for the first phase of the sanitary sewer system.

 

Item # 2 (b) – Mr. Burke stated that this was the GOLD/CEGG Program, which is the second grant application that must be finalized prior to November 29, 2005, which is the other $678,693 for the second phase.

 

Item # 3 and # 4 – Mr. Burke had already mentioned the grants and stated that he must prepare the full submission paperwork for the Mayor’s signature.

 

Item # 6 – Mr. Burke stated that in reference to the Union Village Pond/Retention Basin Dredging, there was a formal application thru Sanitation District #1 in the hopes that there would be some matching funds for storm water pond remediation. This funding was denied. He stated that the project is in jeopardy for this year.

 

Item # 8 – Mr. Burke stated that the Hempsteade Subdivision entrance has been completed and that Paul Michels and Sons did a good job on the resurfacing.

 

Item # 9 – Mr. Burke addressed the issue of the two (2) drainage projects. Paul Michels released themselves from this project and the clearing, storm sewer, cleaning and restoration has been transferred to Benchmark Excavation.

 

Item # 16 – Mr. Burke addressed the storm water complaint from a resident of Abbington Drive. Ryland Homes has stated that they world install a connector pipe between the street and sidewalk to eliminate the problem.

 

Item # 23 – Mr. Burke responded to Bob Hall of McKnight Development concerning “inspections” for a new sidewalk at Grace Baptist Church, a private development. Mr. Burke stated that the Planning Commission staff, the Zoning Administrator and the Building Department act as observers. The inspection of sidewalks is not full-time.

 

At this point, Mayor Kirby stated he had observed that the crosswalk near Kroger and the library seemed to be coming up from the surface; he asked Mr. Burke to take a look at the crosswalk and check on the material warranty.

 

Dr. Lloyd added that the contractor never completed sidewalks in Union Village, specifically where Richmond Road goes from the original Union Village development into the Arlinghaus development. There is approximately an 80 feet break in the sidewalk. There is also an incomplete sidewalk on the south side of Braxton Drive, across from 9094.  Mr. Burke state that he would follow up on these issues.

 

Mayor Kirby read correspondence Ginger Wills, Executive Director, Department of Intergovernmental Programs, Transportation Cabinet, regarding a proposed Resolution and Agreement between the City of Union and the Transportation Cabinet, to perform bituminous resurfacing on various city streets. This would pertain to Windsor Way, Tudor Lane and Whispering Trail, which would give the city about $38,000.  This issue was also addressed in Item # 1 of Mr. Burke’s report. Mayor Kirby asked for a motion to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Cabinet. Mr. McClellan made a motion to enter into the agreement. Mr. Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING:

Mr. Randy Barlow, Planning and Zoning Representative, was present but stated that he had no issues to report at that time.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Second reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2005-014 – AN ORDINANCE ENACTING AND ADOPTING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY. Dr. Lloyd made a motion to approve the ordinance. Mr. McCormick seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that last month we had started the process of passing an ordinance (ORDINANCE NO. 2005-009) limiting all terrain vehicles, dirt bike/motocross and off road vehicles. There has been a lot of input from residents. One of the things that has been added pertains to ATV’s being used for utilitarian purposes on parcels of real estate less than five (5) acres when they are maintaining speeds not to exceed seven (7) miles per hour in a safe manner, for the purpose of snow removal, tool or utility trailer usage, and/or yard work.

 

The issue of the registration fee was addressed, (clarifying that it would be a one time fee) as well as the issues of keeping track of the paperwork and the acreage requirement.  Mayor Kirby stated that he had no problem dropping the registration fee; that it was not a revenue issue.

 

After discussion, Mayor Kirby suggested that the registration fee be eliminated, the wording concerning motorcycles be removed completely, and the wording listed as “All Terrain Vehicles, Dirt Bike and Off-Road Motorcycles.” 

 

Mayor Kirby stated that since there are a number of sections in this ordinance that needed modification, he made a recommendation to table the issue until next month to allow the City Attorney to re-work the wording. Mr. McClellan made a motion to table the issue until next month. Mr. Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby discussed Bid Proposal for Spillman Lawn Care for snow removal. Mayor Kirby stated that we would need to put together a bid package and work with Mr. Burke for basic specifications.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

City Clerk Kathy Porter discussed the 2005 Tax Bills in reference to the Homestead Exemption. She explained the discrepancy in the amount that was listed on the bills, in that the County assessment already included the $29,400 reduction and the city computer program also deducted the same amount. City Clerk Porter stated that supplemental bills would be sent out and that sixty-six (66) property owners were affected.

 

Mr. Pat Muldoon, Union property owner, addressed the commission in reference to his property located off Old Union Road and US 42.  Mr. Muldoon stated that he had been working with Viox and Viox and showed a layout of his property that has been held up for 2 years because of the delay of an owner’s signature on the portion of the Collette’s property. He asked who is the authority to grant a waiver to the storm water controls. Mr. Burke stated that the Sanitation District and the planning commission through the permit process regulate and/or can waive any storm water controls. Mr. Muldoon also thanked Mr. McClellan for his time and service.

 

Mayor Kirby read Commissioner Wayne McClellan’s resignation letter dated November 2, 2005. Mr. McClellan stated that there are a few things that work must continue on that are essential to the city’s growth, such as contact with the Transportation Department to finish Old Union Road. Cinergy and Ohio Bell are to put in new poles, but the work has been delayed due to workers being sent south due to the hurricane situation. Mr. McClellan stated that this project has to be taken care of and finished properly.

 

Mr. McClellan stated that the Union Village Pond situation has been in progress for three (3) years, and he feels like a fool for the residents because we cannot get this addressed.

 

Mr. McClellan stated that the most pressing issue is the sewers. If the city does not get infrastructure for sewers, the Union Town Plan will mean absolutely nothing. He advised to keep up the work that has already been done and please don’t give up on the project.

 

Mr. McClellan stated that he has had a good time, and really enjoyed working with the commission. 

 

Mr. McCormick stated that he has been on the commission for five (5) years and wanted to thank Mr. McClellan for his assistance and wisdom. He also stated that Mr. McClellan has been an awesome advocate for the city and its residents.

 

Mr. Moore stated that Mr. McClellan has done a super job and that many things probably would not have gotten this far along without Mr. McClellan. 

 

Dr. Lloyd stated that he has only been on the commission since January; he has had the opportunity to watch Mr. McClellan work and his passion for the city are unmatched.

 

City Clerk Kathy Porter echoed Mr. McCormick’s comments, and expressed her appreciation to Mr. McClellan for being available when she needed him and that she has learned so much from him.

 

Attorney Voss thanked Mr. McClellan for their cooperative working relationship and wished him well.

 

Mayor Kirby personally thanked Mr. McClellan for his knowledge that he brought to the commission, as well as his service and dedication. These qualities will be missed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

No further business came before the Commission. Mr. Moore moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.  Mr. McClellan seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Signed this 12th day of December 2005.

 

APPROVED:                                                                  ATTEST:

 

                                                                       

_____________________                                          _______________________________­­__

Don Kirby, Mayor                                                        Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer