CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY

Public Hearing (Tax Rates) and

 Special Business Meeting

MINUTES

Friday, September 15, 2006

 

CALL TO ORDER: Public Hearing on 2006 Tax Rates

Mayor Kirby called to order the public meeting for Friday, September 15, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the 2006 tax rates on real and personal property.  Mayor Kirby asked if anyone present would like to speak concerning the tax rates. There was no audience feedback. Mayor Kirby stated that we go through this process every year at this time to determine our tax rates and we have been able to hold steady every year. Our rate last year was .217 per 100 on real property, which would include residents’ homes. Mayor Kirby stated that because we are a residential community with very little commercial, very little industrial, we rely almost solely on residential property taxes. Most of the communities around Union have insurance premium taxes and other taxes that the city does not levy; we manage to keep our tax rate competitive without having any other types of taxes other than real property and personal property.  Mayor Kirby asked if there were any thoughts or proposals on the tax rate for next year. Dr. Lloyd stated that given the state of the city right now and what is going to take place in the next few years, we will have a lot more expenses regarding basic infrastructure, and sometime in the near future there will be a need for some type of police force or cooperation with Boone County in a greater degree than we already are. Dr. Lloyd also stated that there will be new streets put in with more street lights and he sees our budget skyrocketing in the next few years and thinks we should maintain that which has been set in years past so that we can make sure the city stays financially and fiscally sound as a governmental entity.

 

Mayor Kirby stated we should also consider that since the city will be taking over responsibility for snow removal this year, the cost would be four to eight times what we are paying now. We are averaging $4,000-$5,000 a year to the county; with private subcontractors, that could increase significantly.

 

Dr. Lloyd stated that concerning the contract with Rumpke, the rates most likely will increase significantly on the next contract renewal. Mayor Kirby stated that Rumpke has the right to reassess every quarter according to the contract.

 

Mr. Sayers agreed to comments made by Mayor Kirby and Dr. Lloyd. Mr. Kelly commented on tax revenue vs. expenditure on last year.

 

Mr. Reynolds from the audience spoke about concerns of fuel cost going up and how the city handles this when the fuel prices go down. Mayor Kirby stated that the city has over a million dollars in a “rainy day” fund because the city has always been conservative not only with the revenue but with what it is spent on; as the city continues to grow, we will have to offer more services. We have been talking with the Sheriff’s Department about providing a dedicated officer 24/7 in Union and jointly working with them, with the city picking up the cost.

 

Mayor asked for a motion to take the compensating rate plus 4% which is .221 per $100 of assessed value on real property and .199 per $100 of assessed value on personal property. Dr. Lloyd made a motion to accept the rates. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby asked for a motion to close the public hearing.  Mr. Sayers made the motion to adjourn the meeting.  Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Before starting the Special Business Meeting, Mayor Kirby stated that he was glad to see those present. The way the city gets input about what we do right and and what we do wrong and where the city can improve is by input from the citizens.

 

CALL TO ORDER: Special Business Meeting

Mayor Kirby called to order the Special Business Meeting of the Union City Commission on Friday, September 15, 2006, at 7:30 p.m.

 

Present: Mayor Don Kirby and City Commissioners Greg T. Lloyd, Bob Kelly, and Todd Sayers. Also present were

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Greg D. Voss (City Attorney), City Clerk Kathy Porter, and Barry J. Burke P.E. (City Engineer).

 

There were eight (8) present in the audience.

 

MINUTES:

Mr. Sayers made a motion to accept the minutes of August 14, 2006 as presented. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Dr. Lloyd made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as of August 31, 2006 as presented. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby referred to a letter from Anna Steinle and Lynda Gauger, from Gray Middle School, concerning Red Ribbon Week. This event runs from October 23-27. Linda Gauger introduced herself and spoke about showing our children that a healthy lifestyle is the only choice to make and that drugs and alcohol will not be tolerated. Local businesses will be contacted in hopes of getting their support. Mayor Kirby asked Ms. Gauger to contact City Clerk Kathy Porter to determine how the city can be of help.

 

Mayor Kirby addressed the issue of the vacant seat on the Union City Commission. He stated that we have been contacted by and have resumes and/or letters from three (3) individuals who are interested in this vacancy. Mayor Kirby asked if anyone was present who was interested. Resident Patrick Reynolds introduced himself. He stated that he spent 20 years with the New York City Fire Department, and served as Captain with the Union Township Fire Department. He is currently retired and writing a book. He has lived in Union since 1994.

 

Tim Perkins stated that he has worked at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. For the past 22 years, he has worked for the Federal Government as a contract specialist.

 

John Mefford stated that he has 18 years of industrial experience and currently is a teacher at Ryle High School.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At this point, Mayor Kirby stated that the commission would go into Executive Session (closed), at 7:35 p.m., to discuss the vacant seat, according to KRS 61.810(F). Mayor Kirby asked for a motion to retire to the Executive Session. Dr. Lloyd made a motion to retire to Executive Session. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby called for a motion to reconvene into the Special Meeting after the Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. Mr. Kelly made the motion with second from Dr. Lloyd.  The mayor encouraged the two individuals who were not going to be appointed tonight to stay involved.  He took a vote of who to appoint to the vacant seat. Dr. Lloyd voted for Mr. Mefford; Mr. Sayers voted for Mr. Mefford; Mr. Kelly voted for Mr. Reynolds, and Mayor Kirby voted for Mr. Mefford.

 

Mayor Kirby read RESOLUTION NO. 2006-013 – A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JOHN J. MEFFORD TO SERVE AS CITY COMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY REPLACING GARY MCCORMICK WHO HAS RESIGNED. Dr. Lloyd made a motion to approve the Resolution. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby administered the Oath of Office to John Mefford.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Mayor Kirby read a letter dated August 24, 2006, from resident Julie Adkins of Richmond Road, addressed to Commissioner Lloyd, concerning street closing issues. Mrs. Adkins was present and stated that she has lived here

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for over two (2) years and the traffic has gotten worse because of those using Lancashire and Richmond Road as shortcuts to Kroger, etc. Those cutting through Lancashire to get to Mt. Zion Road have created traffic problems.

 

Speeding is very much an issue. Summer time is especially bad. Mrs. Adkins stated that she knows the road cannot be closed but she is looking to the city for any kind of help with these traffic issues.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that we need to come up with a Comprehensive Plan for the entire community because this problem is all over. Part of the problem is that with all the new neighborhoods, even if they have one way in and out, eventually those will have two ways in and out. Emergency Services and Boone County Planning insists that every neighborhood has that. We are limited in being able to close a street, but there are some other things we can do, with police patrols, and digital signs with radar.

 

An audience attendee asked if speed bumps were effective. Mayor Kirby stated that speed bumps have been tried but studies have shown that they are not effective. One of the most effective things that could be done would be a change in the texture of the pavement because it gets the person’s attention. Other than stationing officers at every stop sign, there is no fool proof way. We are open for any type of suggestions.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that neighborhood watches and neighbors banding together works very well because it is your neighbors who are speeding. He stated that he would contact the Sheriff’s Department to see if there is anything else that can be done.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that being a public street, we have had some issues from the Attorney General with that they regulate traffic control devices, even on city and county streets. There is an open question about if we did anything on a mass scale, whether it would be legal or not. Mayor Kirby stated that he would have the City Administrator and City Engineer look at that stretch of road and see what we can do initially. Also, contact the Sheriff’s Department to see about extra patrols and come up with a Comprehensive solution.

 

Mayor Kirby read a letter dated August 2, 2006, from Sara Evans, Department for Environmental Protection, regarding 2007 Litter Abatement Funding. A small amount of money is turned over to the county for services pertaining to litter, etc. Mayor Kirby will sign a letter for the county to continue to provide those services.

 

Mayor Kirby read a letter dated August 28, 2006, from Jeffrey Earlywine, Boone County Administrator, regarding Regulation of Sexually Oriented Businesses (SOB’s). Mayor Kirby stated that the city intends to be involved.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

City Administrator Warren Moore was not present.

 

CITY ENGINEER REPORT:

Mr. Burke’s monthly report had been provided to the Commissioners prior to tonight’s meeting. Mr. Burke discussed and improvised on several items.

 

Item # 1 (2) – Mr. Burke stated that the 36-inch Interceptor that is under construction on Old Union Road may be finished by November 15 before the asphalt plants close, or it may not. If it isn’t, the project will go into spring.

 

Item # 7 – Mr. Burke stated that there was a pre-construction meeting with JARCO, Inc. who is the contractor for the 2006 Street Repair Projects.

 

Item # 24 – Mr. Burke stated that the City of Florence has done some work along Farmview Drive. After the start of work, it was discovered that this portion of roadway between Old U.S. 42 and New U.S. 42 is in Union rather than Florence. There are no residents on that road and it is serviced by 100% of Florence residents. The City of Florence is asking if they are to pursue the work that is incomplete it has a price tag of approximately $16,900.

 

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Mayor Kirby asked if we are in a time crunch for making a decision on this matter; Mr. Burke stated that the contractor is on the job. He also said that Mr. Moore and he have decided that the area in need of repair does not look that bad. Mayor Kirby asked Mr. Burke to work with Mr. Moore by the next meeting to come up with some type of arrangement with Florence.

 

PLANNING & ZONING:

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

 

UNION VISIONING COMMITTEE:

Ms. Mindy Gardt, Consultant, was not present.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that the Union Visioning Committee is made up of a few citizens as well as Commissioner Kelly and himself. They meet to discuss various things within the city. Once there are definitive findings on themes for the city, new logo, lighting, types of facades for the commercial district, they make those recommendations to the commission. A few things that came from the last meeting concerned whether the traffic studies on Whispering Trail and U.S. 42 intersection have been completed. Mayor Kirby stated that he would call the NKADD about the possibility of grants as we pursue a community center type of arrangement. He will also contact Kevin Costello with Boone County Planning about Dave Geohegan and an architect approved by the city to work with them to come up with a plan for our Town Center area so we can be pro-active and find a developer, instead of waiting for them to come to us.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Second reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2006-007AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 10015 OLD UNION ROAD. Mr. Volpenhein was present and addressed the commission. He stated that he has obtained an architect who has given him plans on fixing the structure in question and renting it out. Mayor Kirby thought this was a great idea and asked about the schedule for starting this work. Mr. Volpenhein stated about three (3) weeks. Mayor Kirby proposed to delay reading of this Ordinance in order to give time to get started on the property. He asked that Mr. Volpenhein return for the October meeting to give a report, and asked that our city engineer make sure that there is some progress and that everything is going according to plan. Mayor Kirby asked that the property be bush-hogged in the next two weeks.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

First reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2006-008AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND FIXING THE TAX RATES OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007; LEVYING SAID TAX UPON REAL AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY; FIXING THE DATE OF PAYMENT, DISCOUNT PAYMENT, DELINQUENCY AND INTEREST CHARGES; FIXING THE PURPOSE THEREFORE; AND SETTING FORTH THE PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES.  Dr. Lloyd made a motion to approve the Ordinance. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that one of the things the commission had to do to replace Mr. McCormick was to replace his seat on commission. We also now have an opening for Mayor Pro Tem who acts as Mayor when he is not able to attend. Commissioner Lloyd has graciously agreed to serve in that capacity.

 

Mayor Kirby read RESOLUTION NO. 2006-014A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GREGORY T. LLOYD AS THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY, MAYOR PRO TEM. Mr. Sayers made a motion to approve the Resolution. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS;

Date for next month’s City Business Meeting: Monday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m.

 

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Public Meeting to discuss the relocation of Mt. Zion Road will be held at Ryle High School on Tuesday, September 26, at 5:00 p.m., in the Ryle cafeteria.

 

Mayor Kirby asked if there was any other New Business. Mr. Earl Hall, 1931 Whispering Trail, spoke about his concerns that any business constructed on the corner of Whispering Trail and U.S. 42 would not have access to his street. Mayor Kirby stated that we will check with Planning and Zoning and find out what is going on with that situation because business does not need to be on a residential street.

 

Mayor Kirby read RESOLUTION NO. 2006-015 – A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A MUNICIPAL ROAD AID DISCRETIONARY BOND FUND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INCORPORATED AREA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, TRANSPORTATION CABINET, DEPARTMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS AND ACCEPTING ALL STREETS REFERRED TO THEREIN AS BEING STREETS WHICH ARE A PART OF THE INCORPORATED AREA. Mr. Kelly made a motion to accept the Resolution. Mr. Mefford seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

No further business came before the Commission. Mr. Kelly moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Mr. Mefford seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Signed this 9th day of October 2006.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                                                        ATTEST:

 

 

___________________                                                                    _____________________________

Don Kirby, Mayor                                                               Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer

Dr. Greg T. Lloyd, Mayor Pro Tem