Regular Business Meeting
CALL TO ORDER: Regular Business Meeting
Present: Mayor Don Kirby and City Commissioners Todd Sayers, Bob Kelly, and John Adams. Also present were Barry J. Burke P.E. (Foppe Technical Group), Kathy Porter (City Clerk/Treasurer) and City Attorney Greg Voss. Commissioner John Mefford was absent.
Audience attendance totaled twelve (12).
MINUTES: (All Commissioners were provided copies prior to tonight’s meeting)
Mr. Sayers moved to accept the minutes of July 9, 2007 as written. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Kelly moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report of July 31, 2007 as presented. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
There was none presented.
DISCUSSIONS:
There was a presentation by KZF Design and Boone County Planning and Zoning. Mr. Kevin Costello, Executive Director, Boone County Planning Commission, spoke about being asked over six months ago to perform a design project for the Union Town Business District. He stated that in 2000 the Union Town Plan was created for that area. This was a follow-up to that plan which creates the business district. The planning commission put together a concept to market the downtown area to developers, and to let the public know what is going on in terms of future uses.
Mr. Costello introduced Ron Edgerton, Project Manager, and Chad Edwards, both with KZF Design, who were responsible for the business district project. They presented a power point presentation at that time. Mr. Edgerton spoke about the core of downtown Union, and the type of vision wanted for the area, such as a park like setting with a fountain where people can have interaction, and a surrounding with mix usage, such as business offices and residential. Mariemount and Hyde Park were used as examples.
Mr. Chad Edwards showed those present visual images of other communities, land uses, and transportation system appropriate to connect the four quadrants as it evolves over time. Mr. Edgerton stated that, when asked what it would cost to develop this project, it would depend on the mix of land use, the density of that land use, the amount of earth and infrastructure improvements that would be necessary, and the direction in which the development team in cooperation with the city and county would want to move the project.
Mr. Edwards presented the visual images of the master plan.
Mr. Costello asked if anyone had questions after the power point presentation. Mr. Kelly inquired about the retail maximum square footage. The plan would allow one, maybe two buildings that could be 40,000-45,000 square feet. Beyond that, it would be getting into the big box retail. The majority of the retail will be specialty shops, convenient stores, anywhere from five to fifteen to 20,000 square feet.
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Mayor Kirby stated that because of all the residential growth, there will be more in the Town Center area, and considering Union’s demographics, it has a very similar growth pattern, income levels, etc, to other areas of the country where this type of development has been successful. He stated that we did not want to see the typical strip mall development. The citizens did not want this, and the land owners agreed.
Mr. Kelly mentioned that the 6 million dollar park is a draw for downtown support.
Mr. Edgerton stated that Mr. Edwards and he have enjoyed working with the city on this process; that a diverse group had been put together that can help them to imagine the city’s future, to put those ideas on paper in order to provide a vision. Mr. Edgerton stated that he looked forward to enjoying the new space with the city sometime in the future.
There was a presentation by Mr. Terry Sievers, Drees Midwest Region President, in reference to the Harmony development. He stated that he was excited about the Union Town Plan. Drees is making Harmony a part of the community and has planned three (3) events that will be open to the public. They will be sending out flyers and passed around a flyer of the upcoming events to give an idea of what they have in mind.
Mayor Kirby stated that these events are mentioned on the city’s web site.
Mr. Sievers requested that we continue to endorse these events as part of the city. Mayor Kirby stated that Drees has the city’s support.
REPORTS OF CITY OPERATIONS:
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Carryover: Mr. Warren Moore reported that in reference to the Union Town Plan, final presentation had already been presented.
In reference to Mt. Zion Rebuild, there was no change.
In reference to the Tax Software, it has already been installed on the office computers. The software is an impressive package in terms of features and should make the tax season more pleasurable for both city personnel and our citizens.
In reference to the Volpenhein house, the asbestos inspection should take place later this week, after which we can issue bids for demolition.
In reference to Midland Atlantic, they want to continue talking with us.
In reference to Display Equipment, it has been fully installed and tested.
In reference to Telephony, the switch over from Cincinnati Bell to Insight has been delayed due to Insight’s policy of not touching customer hardware. Someone has been located to handle the custom wiring.
Current: Mr. Moore stated that in reference to the John Kirby Development, our city attorney has researched our options, and at this time it appears that we have one option – remove the restriction from the appropriate City Ordinance that keeps access/egress to/from a commercial development at a residential street from being a condition of the Union Town Plan. Since we did not advertise this, it would be best to delay action on this until the September meeting, as there will be citizen input at that time.
In reference to Traffic Control, the Boone County Sign Department is currently under a very large backorder situation and has requested that we allow them to replace the old speed limit signs on an incremental basis, rather
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than all at once. We do have the option of using a third party company to swap them out all at once, but it would cost more than using the county. Mr. Moore suggested the incremental scheme from a financial aspect.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Department has requested that the full traffic light at the intersection of Old Union Road and Mt. Zion/Hathaway be replaced with a 4-way stop sign. Since there is still a fairly decent amount of traffic coming into that intersection from Hathaway, Mr. Moore proposed to KDOT that they replace the existing signal with a 4-way red flasher, as well as standard 4-way stop signage. This should satisfy the Sheriff’s Department’s needs as well as provide safety at the intersection.
In reference to Fingerprinting, since we had public request for such a service at this office and the city clerk stated that this was not the first such request, Mr. Moore contacted Col. Les Hill with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department to see whether or not we can provide such a service. We were told that we could. Col. Hill will get back with Mr. Moore to go over what is required. Since only the Sheriff’s Department is providing this service at the present time, and it is an out of the way trip for county residents in the south and east parts of the county, this will be a very nice service we can provide to our citizens.
In reference to Union Point Centre, nothing has been finalized yet. Dr. Wright and his development partner Mike Brown appear to be moving away from a gas station on the corner of U.S. 42 and Frogtown. They are currently in discussion with two (2) major restaurant chains for the possibility of using the corner lot for such use.
In reference to Daily Complaints/Suggestions, those complaints that have not needed review by either the city attorney or the city engineer have been handled.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Mr. Bob Kelly stated that a resident by the name of Scott Smith, Hempsteade Drive, has an issue with speeders. Mr. Kelly contacted Boone County Sheriff’s Department and talked with Lt. Dennison who is in charge of traffic control; Lt. Dennison was able to get a speed trailer placed in front of Mr. Smith’s house. The sheriff’s department will continue to control Hempsteade Drive.
Mayor Kirby stated that it was brought to his attention that the main road into the Raycon Development, Fowlers Creek, does not have a street sign. The residents who live there have stated that visitors have trouble locating them. Mayor Kirby stated that this needs to be addressed as soon as the sign department can take care of it.
CITY ENGINEER REPORT:
Mr. Barry Burke with Foppe Technical Group presented the City Engineer’s Report. (All Commissioners were provided copies of the report dated August 8, 2007 prior to tonight’s meeting).
Item # 1(a) – Mr. Burke stated that the major sewer interceptor by Sanitation District No. 1 was proceeding. Work on the north project has extended to an area north of Clarkston Lane. Kokosing Contractors is actively working on that. It will be late 2007 or early 2008 before that system is interconnected with Florence and is operational. That is one of the reasons why we are concerned relative to timing for advertising for bids.
Item # 1(d) – Mr. Burke addressed the three (3) options for city action on the Union Sewer Projects. He stated that he did not want to get into all the details but we are simply trying to go forward and refer back to the original plan to identify all the areas as Phases A, B and C as we consider each of them. The OPTIONS should be reviewed for future city action. Phases A and B are the areas on both sides of Mt. Zion Road, and Phase C is the area on Russwill Lane. OPTION 1 separates Phases A and B from Phase C for bids and construction in 2007 or 2008. The issues are; a) Phases A and B could be bid first with Phase C bid later; b) A temporary holding chamber with monthly pump-outs would be required until the District’s interceptor system is operable; c) Three (3) KIA Grant Agreements must be revised; and d) Delaying Phase C with a short fall in local funding of about $441,000 must still be committed.
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Individual assessments made to the Russwill residents (about 28 users) will be unpopular compared to Phase A and
B (See letter to Ms. Fran Chesser dated December 13, 2006); or OPTION 2 combines Phases A, B and C for bids and construction in 2007 or 2008. The issues are: a) Phases A, B and C could be bid together for better economies of scale; b) The entire project would no longer be eligible for more KIA funding in 2009 or 2011; c) Including Phase C with a short fall in local funding of about $441,000 must still be committed. Individual assessments could be spread over a larger customer base for Phases A, B and C (80 users) rather than just (28 users) in OPTION 2; or OPTION 3 combines Phase A, B and C for bids and construction in 2009 or 2011. The issues are: a) Centralized sewerage service for unsewered polluted uses would be delayed 2-4 years; and b) KIA Grants may be lost if the state of Kentucky doesn’t approve the extensions, as required. At this time, it is the city engineer’s recommendation to move forward with OPTION 2. More discussions will be necessary.
Item # 3(a) – Mr. Burke addressed the street repairs projects for Indian Hill and Ivy Pond. He stated that the invoices have been paid.
Item # 3(c) – Mr. Burke stated that the issue with Mark Hadley (who was not present) along Golden Pond Drive regarding excessive sump pump line drainage is still pending.
Item # 9 – Mr. Burke stated that Boone County Public Works has made asphalt repairs to the bridge abutments and documented other street concrete curb and asphalt paving failures on Churchill Drive in the Gunpower Greens Subdivision.
Item # 11 – Mr. Burke addressed Dr. Wright’s project at Union Point Center. He stated that he finally obtained detailed plans for the pedestrian railings, the ConSpan bridge structure railings that cross the creek parallel to Frogtown Road. The design will be timber. The developer has stated that they will install and maintain it, as indicated by letter from Michael A. Brown dated July 27, 2007.
Item # 22 – Mr. Burke stated that Westbrook Estates by Arlinghaus is under construction. A cut had to be made across Old Union Road due to no other alternative. An Encroachment Permit was approved with the condition that the asphalt seams be sealed with an acceptable joint seal.
Item # 23 – Mr. Burke addressed the issue of a bikeway system along Wetherington Boulevard. The City of Florence, Public Works, has invited Union to partner for the resurfacing of the existing eight (8) foot wide bikeway. The portion in Union is between a point just north of Appomattox Drive and Mt. Zion Road. The total for the city via Alternate Bids for Union is a reasonable price. In response to a question from Mr. Kelly, some repairs are necessary and consistency with contiguous jurisdictions is recommended. If the city decides to accept, Mr. Burke will coordinate with the City of Florence and they will go into contract with Paul Michels and Sons Paving. They want to proceed with this project quickly.
Mayor Kirby asked for a motion to approve working with Florence to complete the city’s portion of the bikeway along Wetherington Boulevard. Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the work. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Item # 25 – Mr. Burke addressed the Union Pet Center plans, by Hastings Realty, submitted by Cardinal Engineering Corporation. The plans include the demolition of two (2) existing structures and entrance, an approximate 4500 square foot new building addition, new parking and access point along Old Union Road. A site Plan review is in process by the BC Planning Commission. Applications forms for an Encroachment Permit along Old Union Road (formerly Old US42) subject to the KYTC transfer have been forwarded to Cardinal Engineering Corp.
Item # 26 – Mr. Burke responded to a complaint from a new land use owner in the name of DECA (Drug Enhancement Company of America), Mr. Roger Griggs, Managing Director, who recently purchased the old PNC
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Bank Building at the corner of U. S. 42 and Hathaway Road. The complaints focus on inappropriate use of the public right of way fronting the site along Hathaway Road. There are large trucks leaving their engines running in the parking lot and crossing the street without a cross-walk to the Union Food Mart. Other issues are air quality, blind spots for approaching intersection traffic, and storm water rutting. Mr. Burke emailed Mr. Bill Madden of the KYTC; Mr. Madden’s response indicated that if the city has an ordinance relative to no parking, the highway department will put up the signs. Also, their division of maintenance will check the site; if anything is necessary to improve storm water to the existing storm sewer basin, they will put it in.
PLANNING AND ZONING:
Mr. Patrick Reynolds was not present. He had reported to Mayor Kirby that there was nothing major to report.
In reference to the UNION VISIONING COMMITTEE, Mayor Kirby mentioned the “Union in Motion” event last week at Ryle High School. He stated that it was a fantastic event to be able to share and talk to residents and area citizens about the Town Plan, the KZF studies and the developers who were there to talk about their projects, including Drees and Harmony. The turn out was good, and Mayor Kirby thanked Karen Franxman who put this event together in less than a month. The number of people who came far surpassed what was expected.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS:
First reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2007-008 – AN ORDINANCE ENACTING AND ADOPTING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY. Mr. Adams made a motion to approve the Ordinance. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mr. Bob Kelly asked if Whispering Trail would be on the agenda for the September meeting.
Mr. Mike Trout asked that a note be sent to all residents on Whispering Trail concerning the Kirby property before the next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Date for next month’s regular business meeting: September 10, 2007, 7:30 p.m. City Clerk mentioned that a Public Hearing will take place prior to the regular meeting for the purpose of hearing comments regarding the proposed tax rates for the 07-08 Fiscal Year.
ADJOURNMENT:
No further business came before the commission. Mr. Kelly moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Mr.
Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Signed this 10th day of September 2007
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ _____________________________
Don Kirby, Mayor Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer