CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY
COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
March 11, 2002
Mayor Warren S. Moore called the regular business meeting of the Union City Commission to order at 7:30p.m. in the Auditorium of the Union City Building.
Commissioners in attendance were: Jonathan Jennings, Don Kirby, Wayne McClellan and Gary McCormick.
Also present were: City Clerk, Kathy Porter, City Engineer Willard H. Rusk and Attorney Greg D. Voss in absence of City Attorney David W. Martin, Randy Barlow, Union Planning & Zoning Representative, and Gary Walters of David Estes Engineering Inc.
Mr. McCormick made a motion to approve the Regular Business Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2002 seconded by Mr. Kirby. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report as of February 28, 2002 was read and presented for acceptance by Mayor Moore. Motion to accept as presented was made by Mr. McClellan and seconded by Mr. Jennings. Motion carried unanimously.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Mayor Moore presented the bills for payment for review. Motion to pay the bills as presented was made by Mr. Kirby and seconded by Mr. Jennings. Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Moore reviewed a letter he received from Monte Chesko, Real Estate Manager Kroger Store dated February 22, 2002 regarding the noise generated by delivery vehicles servicing the Union Kroger Store at 8825 U.S. 42. Progress seems to being made as Mr. McCormick had spoken to Mrs. Nelson and she was pleased with current improvements. Mayor Moore instructed the City Clerk to draft a letter to Mr. Chesko thanking the Kroger Co. for their cooperation and their positive attempts to be a “good neighbor”.
Received a memorandum from Larry Trenkamp, TEBM Construction, regarding the repair work and improvements at Mt. Zion Road and Gunpowder Road. Mt. Zion Road will not be closed for any significant amount of time during construction. City will be notified when Gunpowder Road has to be closed.
An invitation has been received from the City of Walton to attend a dedication of the ball field in the Community Park to honor long time resident, Pat Scott. Ms. Scott had played with a professional girl’s softball team and had been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dedication will be on March 27th at 4:00p.m.
A request for annual membership dues of the Municipal Government League of Northern Kentucky in the amount of $125.00 for Calendar Year 2002. Mayor Moore stated that we do receive benefits from our membership and will pay our dues.
Mayor Moore had made a commitment to the Boone County Police to equip the office they will use. A quote had been received from Creative Shapes to comply and also install much needed cabinets for the Clerk’s office. The Mayor had already approved getting whatever was needed. The overall maximum quote is $2207.00.
CITY ENGINEER REPORT:
City Engineer, Willard H. Rusk reported on the following:
1. David E. Estes Engineering, Inc. had prepared a certified bid tabulation of bids that had been received for Whispering Trail Pavement Repairs. Each Commissioner has a copy. There were six (6) bids received. Queen City Blacktop Co. - $26,480.40, Paul Michels & Sons - $27,157.00, JPS Construction, Inc.- $28,964.40, Ray Prus and Son, Inc.-$32,305.00, Lonkard Construction Co.-$34,152.50, Spartan Construction, Inc.- $49,941.00. The apparent low bidder was Queen City Blacktop Co. with a difference of $676.60 under Paul Michels & Sons. After much discussion of past performance and quality of service for the City, Mr. McClellan moved to accept the bid of Paul Michels & Sons as the best bid. Seconded by Mr. Kirby. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Mr. Rusk reported that there appears to be some problems that need worked out regarding the lot where the new Wendy’s Restaurant wants to locate across from the bank at Calvary Drive and Richmond Road. Mr. Rusk had reviewed the plan that has been submitted from Viox and Viox Engineers and reminded the Commission of one of the problems we had with Skyline was the water problem from the Erpenbeck property in Florence. Mr. Rusk pointed out on the site plan some of the concerns he has with the Wendy’s plan. He suggested that a catch basin be provided at the northeast corner of the site to provide for water run-off from the ditch along the Florence boundary. Mr. Rusk also informed them that there would not be any trailers parking on the street. There were no storm water calculations available and sizes of PVC pipe were not marked. There was a meeting that took place this morning that Mr. Rusk arranged regarding the site plan concerns and all parties involved were notified by fax about the meeting. Mr. Viox and the Boone County Engineer did not attend and did not send a representative. Mr. Rusk said that there are still some unanswered questions but commented that Wendy’s have a nice site and a nice plan just a few problems that have to be ironed out.
3. Talked with John Ransom at Cinergy that will be sending us a new letter regarding the streetlights at Arbor Springs and with Michelle Kolb at Cinergy about the gas main that is being installed going south on US 42 past New Haven Elementary School.
4. Reported that complaints were received about the Bayswater stop signs being installed. Mr. Rusk commented that this is the first time that we have had people complain that there are too many stop signs, usually they are concerned that there are not enough. Mr. Rusk mentioned that he did not make a full-blown study to determine where the stop signs should go as he was trying to follow the guidance we’ve had on Hempsteade Drive. We have several people who wanted them ahead of time and that is why they went up; now we have people that don’t want them. Mr. McClellan commented that he drove the area and right now the stop signs are doing the job, he would like to see how things go for a while. A resident of Bayswater Drive in the audience supported the stop signs that are in place and commended the Commission for doing this, he had heard that there were complaints on the signs and wanted to endorse this because there are a lot of kids on Bayswater and a lot of people driving 40 to 50 mile an hour on this stretch of road he feels that this is a real effective way of slowing down traffic and does not feel there are too many stop signs. Another resident commented that he lives on a street that connects with Bayswater and he agrees that this is an effective way of slowing down traffic. He suggested that possibly in the future put up flashing yellow signs that pre-warn everybody. Mr. Kirby thanked the residents for their compliments about the stop signs as he has been speaking with the residents that have complained about them and you usually don’t hear compliments about what the city is doing and a lot of times get a one sided view. Mr. Kirby commented that most of the complaints he received was that there are too many stop signs, they’re an eyesore, and concerned about property value. After discussion the Commission decided not to make any changes in the number of stop signs that are in place on Bayswater Drive pending further study.
5. Returned the card back to the Census Bureau regarding the annexation information. Mr. Rusk commented that he reviewed the map and did not find any problems. He called them and also mailed back the card.
6. Mr. Rusk reported that he has not received a schedule as of yet regarding the work to be done in relation to the Encroachment Permit for 1916 Whispering Trail. Attorney Voss sent them a letter regarding this matter and still no action from the property owner.
7. Talked with Ray Erpenbeck early on about Skyline Chili and was able to get him to place a berm on Cavalier and direct the water to the other side of the street until a grading plan is completed. He did say that he would put a catch basin on each side of the street as it comes into Union if he has a storm sewer in which to direct the water.
8. Working with Berling and Jim Wenstrup Vice President of the Scheben Group on trying to get Pickett Run cleaned up.
9. Issued an Encroachment Permit for fixing a drainage problem on Richmond Road near lot #88,89 & 90 that will be tapped into storm sewer. Received a $5,000 bond to get the work done from Hillcrest Homes, Inc.
Mr. Jennings inquired about the Whispering Trail Pavement Repair Invoice line item expense of approximately $500.00 for the photo copies/facsimiles. He asked if this is a normal expense. Mr. Rusk answered that this is reasonable for a commercial firm.
PLANNING & ZONING REPORT:
Mr. Randy Barlow, City of Union Representative commented that Mr. Rusk reported the details on the Wendy’s site plan in his report earlier and mentioned that there has not been a further public hearing scheduled for the Sprint Tower that is continuing to be delayed, but is still active and they are now looking at another location out of our area. Mr. Barlow asked if anyone had heard if the intersection was going to be straightened out at Mt. Zion Road and Hathaway Road? No one had heard that and Mr. Rusk said he would see what he could find out. Mr. Barlow mentioned that he has talked with Bob Newman that owns property on the south end of town and mentioned to him that the city may be interested in purchasing the property for the entryways into town in regards to the Union Town Plan. This is something that if the city would be interested the time is appropriate now to let him know our interest because people are talking with him about doing something with his property. Attorney Voss and Mr. Rusk will talk with Mr. Newman about this as well as look at the north location for sites.
LASSING GREEN LIGHTING:
Mr. Jerry Brinker, Outdoor Lighting Specialist of CINERGY/ULH&P was present tonight to present outdoor lighting information as requested by Commissioner Jennings as he has had an interest in preparing an outdoor lighting ordinance for the city. Mr. Brinker passed out handouts for the Commission regarding information on the lighting rate tariffs presently in effect within the northern Kentucky service area. Mr. Jennings had a list of questions that he prepared and presented to Mr. Brinker prior to the meeting. After the presentation and questions Mr. Brinker commented that he would be glad to meet in the future to discuss how best to develop a fair, and workable, outdoor lighting ordinance that will benefit both the residential and commercial areas within our growing community.
OLD BUSINESS:
No old business presented.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Moore noted that a letter was received from Lassing Green Neighbors dated March 4, 2002 regarding operating a commercial business at a residential address. Attorney Voss will research this.
Julie Schneider addressed the City Commission regarding a petition that was presented tonight with 14 signatures from residents in Lassing Green Subdivision. The petition demands for signs stating “no parking” and “stop signs” at the intersection of Mountain Laurel Way and Bayberry Lane. This is to eliminate parking in the intersection by the white van that continually parks in this intersection and blocks incoming and outgoing traffic patterns. Mr. Rusk stated that he has set at the intersection for approximately 50 to 60 hours in the last three months and studied the area because Mrs. Schneider has indicated that this has been a problem. Mr. Rusk commented that the only time it appeared to be a problem was when you had truck traffic. The white vehicle is only parked there after 5:00 p.m. and is not parked there as often as Mr. Rusk was lead to believe. Also has noticed that it is not parked there all the time on the weekends. Mrs. Schneider indicated that the people that live there think it is an issue and would like to know what the problem is of putting a stop sign there. Mr. Rusk commented that he has no problem installing a stop sign which is agreed to by the City Commission. Mr. Kirby commented that he would like to make sure there is an over all consensus, so that we are not putting resident against each other and we’re not putting fire’s out one at a time instead of handling the whole situation. Mayor Moore commented that if it’s a public safety issue he could put the sign up. Mayor Moore asked the Commission if they had a problem with putting up the stop sign and there was no objection.
Mrs. Schneider asked when the white fence was going to be painted and Mr. Rusk answered that the white fences along the road were painted immediately before when the city took the maintenance over approximately 19 months ago and was in good condition at this time.
Mrs. Schneider mentioned that they received one bid from Scott Jones Lawncare & Landscape Co. Resident Mary Bloom had requested them to provide an estimate on being the gardener to take care of the entrance area instead of using a mower to maintain the entrance. Mrs. Schneider asked if there was any progress in getting a gardener for the entrance area. Mayor Moore commented that he does not think the city wants to get into the landscaping business and what could be done is to contact the Union Garden Club to find out if they would be interested in doing some seasonal plantings. The city could purchase the plants like we did for the entrance to the Union Rice Cemetery and the Garden Club would do the design and plantings. Mrs. Schneider gave Mayor Moore the bid from Scott Jones for review. Mayor Moore commented that the city would continue to take care of the plantings and keeping them alive. As well as, take care of keeping it mulched and trimmed and the lights burning. If the sign goes bad we will replace the sign or repaint it and we will contact the Garden Club to see if they are interested in helping and the mowing service is already been told to do what needs to be done.
Mayor Moore read a complaint received from Clyde and Susan Forman of Whispering Trail via email regarding coyotes. Animal Control was contacted and they were told that hunting season for coyotes is 365 days a year. The coyotes appear to have a den or some type of home on the land behind St. Timothy Church. Mayor Moore commented that the only way to kill coyotes is to poison them or kill them. They are a problem and they will kill pets. Mayor Moore and Mr. McClellan said they have no answer for this at this time. Mayor Moore will answer them back by Email.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Jennings moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Kirby. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ___________________________
Warren S. Moore, Mayor Kathy Porter, City Clerk
Date approved: April 8, 2002