7:00 p.m. Regular Business Meeting
CALL TO ORDER: Regular Business Meeting
Mayor Don Kirby called to order the Regular Business Meeting for the Union City Commission on Monday, March 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Don Kirby, City Commissioners Bob Kelly, Todd Sayers, John Adams, and John Mefford. Also Barry Burke, (FOPPE Technical Group), City Attorney Greg Voss and Warren Moore (City Administrator). Kathy Porter (City Clerk/Treasurer) was not in attendance. Twelve (12) signed the attendance sheet.
MINUTES: (All Commissioners were provided a copy prior to tonight’s meeting)
Commissioner Kelly moved to accept the REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES of Monday, February 9, 2009 and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Sayers. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Commissioner Mefford moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as of February 28, 2009 as presented. Commissioner Adams seconded the motion. Motion carried
CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK:
Mr. Paul Parmele introduced Boy Scouts from Troop 702 working on their Citizenship and Community Merit badge. The boys introduced themselves as David Holman, Sam Krugel, Tyler Zahn and Evan Johnson.
CORRESPONDENCE: Commissioner Bob Kelly read a letter from Harmony Homeowners Association regarding safety concerns over lack of stop signs and speed control signs in Harmony Sub Division. Mr. Kelly stated that he did contact Drees and that they have decorative streets signs with street labels. Mr. Kelly called Greg Martin with the Boone County sign department who completed a survey of the signs in Harmony stating that approximately 25 signs need to be installed. Mr. Martin recommends No Parking signs in several areas for safety concerns. The cost of the signs is $900.00. Further contact needs to be made with Drees to address the stop signs and placement of those signs. Mayor Kirby read a letter/request from Bella Steinle student softball player at Ryle High School asking if the city would like to purchase an advertising banner for the upcoming softball season. The cost of the banner is $300.00, with a renewal cost of $250.00. The Mayor and commissioners all agreed this is an excellent opportunity to support the Ryle High School team.
Mr. Kirby introduced Mr. Chris Novak, Assistant General Manager/Director of Capital Improvement Projects, and Mr. Brandon Vatter Program Manager with Capital Improvement Group. The gentlemen are here to present facts and information on watershed plans and how the City of Union will be impacted. Consent decree came from the federal government to heed requirements of clean water act and to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, as well as combined sewer overflows. The goal of this presentation is to educate the city with regards to future planning, costs, and funding, and approaching consent decree and watershed planning efforts. The city of Union currently flows through network of sewers 5% of overflow, or 3.5 million gallons is associated with the city. The Western Regional collection system, which is currently underway, will be complete in the fall of 2012, and all of the city’s water will travel through this system. It is designed to eliminate 55 million gallons of overflow and will provide capacity for future growth. Traditional approach only deals with SSO’s (sanitary sewer overflows) and CSO’s, but not creek runoff. Total cost to upgrade system and water quality will be approximately 3.5 billion dollars, or 387.00 monthly per resident. The argument that will be made to regulators is that this is too costly and unrealistic to expect to pass these costs off to the residents. The five year outlook provided included a stimulus from the government but Mr. Vatter’s group stated this will not be enough to cover the high costs. The program’s objective is to secure as much federally funded dollars as possible. The program will require going out to the bond market, and purchasing bonds. The information packet that was passed out to all commission members provided costs, rate comparisons, and management of Northern Kentucky’s wastewater and storm water information.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Warren Moore – City Administrator
Mr. Moore had no new items to report. Carryover issues included: Union Town Plan, Sanitary Sewers, and Transfer of State Right of Way to the City. Current issues: Ice Storm-the city has provided Boone County with costs for ice removal in an effort to gain disaster funds provided to Kentucky via the DR1818. Damaged tress on US42 will be replaced by Florence Nursery. Disaster Recovery Plan-currently working on program that is provided by league of cities, gathering bids for electrical work needed for easy access to generator power.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS/UNION VISIONING COMMITTEE: Bob Kelly-Commissioner of Public Works Snow removal in Union Village was an area of great concern due to the fact that two of Spillman’s trucks/plows were inoperable due to repairs needed. A resident addressed concerns during the last snow storm that she was not able to reach anyone in the City Building and asked if there is a number she can call if no one is available. Mr. Kelly stated that this is something the city is currently working on and aware of, setting up a number that will provide immediate response. Hempsteade Drive-we are hoping the federal stimulus money will speed up work on other roadways enabling work on our streets to be expedited. Visioning Committee – Pizzuti was in town February 25th for an all day meeting of which some landowners were present in the afternoon. They would like the city to work on a “logo” to attach to this project. Any thoughts or ideas on a logo are encouraged/welcome.
PLANNING & ZONING: Jim Longano - Planning and Zoning Union Representative
Mr. Longano attended the BCPC regular business meeting on March 4, 2009 and reported there were no new items on the agenda that directly impacted the City of Union. Kevin Costello reported at that meeting that Pizzuti project is about 25-30% completed. Market research is also complete and contact has been made with the property owners.
CITY ENGINEER REPORT:
Mr. Barry Burke with Foppe Technical Group presented the City Engineer’s Report. (All Commissioners were provided copies of the detailed report dated March 9, 2009) Mr. Burke summarized several issues from the report. New sewers within Russwill Phase C are 100% completed, except for restoration. He is coordinating with G&T to complete restorations. Four (4) invoices were submitted for payment at tonight’s meeting. Three of the invoices were recommended for payment, holding back 10%. The fourth invoice for $1,800.00 will be put on HOLD for payment pending hump reconstruction and another review. Mr. Burke suggests that residents call a licensed plumber for hire to tap-in to the new sewers via proper permit. SD1 will coordinate with local inspector. Federal grant paper work for 2010 Governor Stimulus Economic Plan is in progress. Whispering Trails, which is part of Gunpowder Creek, can be included in this paperwork, if the city desires. Gunpowder Greens Subdivision is also in need of public sanitary sewers. Mr. Burke is asking for the commission to consider preliminary design and surveying work on these two areas so that these projects can avoid delay, even though the government stimulus is requiring projects to be “90 day shovel-ready” for bidding. Mr. Burke’s conclusions on the added spot speed study for the existing hump along Richmond Road, was that it was not constructed to minimum ITE standards; and does appear to be slowing traffic, if used in combination with the stop signs. However, since the hump didn’t comply with standards, the city decided to deny payment regarding invoice. Mr. Burke will contact Mr. Michaels to inquire about the speed humps currently in place and repositioning them as we are not satisfied with work done.
CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK: Resident Randy Lovett complained of watershed occurring on Whispering Trails as the result of resident Marjorie Layne, where fence posts/rods are restricting the flow of water and pooling on Mr. Lovett’s property. Attorney Greg Voss stated the city is happy to help facilitate this issue but does not take a legal position. Mr. Lovett brought pictures to show areas in his backyard that are flooding due to the alleged “barriers” placed by Ms. Layne. A letter was sent to Marjorie Layne asking her to remove these barriers. According to Mr. Lovett, as of this day, March 9th, 2009 the barriers had been removed.
A resident asked about the status of the “Kirby Project”. Mr. Burke stated that the underground drainage culvert, access entrance and grading, looks to be complete. The next step would be building stakeout. Mr. Kelly stated that the Tulley’s Tavern project is due to start once closing paperwork is completed, and as of February 25th, was within a one week window.
Regarding the City Event’s Coordinator position, the Mayor stated the city had received fifteen (15) resumes and that the
commission and administrator wish to set up interviews and make a final decision by the next city meeting which is scheduled for April 13th. Commissioner Mefford, Adams, and City Administrator Warren Moore are all interested in participating in the interviewing process.
City Administrator Warren Moore asked the Mayor to consider making a decision on the landscaping bids that were submitted in order to secure services for the city. Greg Voss stated it would be in the best interest of the city to take the lower bid since the dollar amount of the higher bid was nearly double that of the lowest. A committee will form consisting of Mr. Kelly, Mr. Moore and Mr. Sayers to interview and compare the two bids and make a final decision. Attorney Voss will be in attendance during this interview.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business to discuss.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Next City Commission Meeting: Monday, April 13, 2009 @ 7: p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
No further business came before the Commission. Commissioner Mefford moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Commissioner Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Signed this 13th day of April, 2009.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ _______________________________
Don Kirby, Mayor Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer