City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting
February 23, 2004
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following Council members present: Sam Beichler, Joetta Calhoun, Lloyd Dooley, Sid Griffin, Ralph Lutes, and Larry Porter.
Also present were City Clerk Christi Franklin, City Treasurer Peggy Brinkman, Utility Superintendent Ronnie Fick, City Engineer Dave Derrick and City Attorney Rodney Burress.
Larry Porter gave the invocation and Lloyd Dooley led the pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Sullivan introduced Rebecca Troutman as the City’s new police officer.
Bob Miller, Treasurer for the Louisville Water Company discussed the new wholesale rates effective May 1, 2004 and May 1, 2005 and the rate making process. The wholesale rates will increase by 10.6% in May 2004 and 4.7% in May 2005. Christi Franklin is putting together figures to determine the financial impact and possible rate increase to the City’s customers. Discussion followed.
Minutes
Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 9, 2004 meeting as corrected. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Treasurer’s Report
Peggy Brinkman gave the Treasurer’s Report for January 2004. Larry Porter made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for January 2004. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
The Council held second reading of an ordinance to adopt or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to rezone 31.577 acres located on the south side of Highway 44 East abutting the west property line of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the City of Mt. Washington from Agricultural to R-2 (Docket No. 2003Z – 54). The Council also held second reading of an ordinance to adopt or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to rezone 10.358 acres located on the south side of Highway 44 East abutting the west property line of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the City of Mt. Washington from Agricultural to R-3 (Docket No. 2003Z – 55). Rodney Burress discussed the possibility of using Mark Ave. as a second entrance and the options for the Council. Eric Farris addressed the second entrance, but would like the Council to move forward with the zoning, with the understanding that the issue of a second entrance will be addressed at a later date. Discussion followed. Larry Porter made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission for Docket No. 2003Z – 54 to rezone 31.577 acres from Agricultural to R-2. Sid Griffin seconded motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission for Docket No. 2003Z – 55 to rezone 10.358 acres from Agricultural to R-3. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. After the vote, the following addressed the Council regarding the above re-zoning:
Jim Hamlett of 293 Stringer Lane stated that he does not have a problem with the subdivision, but has questions and objections regarding the possible opening of Mark Ave. He feels that Stinger Lane is dangerous now without any additional traffic. Also because Mark Ave. is not a through street, it is a quiet neighborhood.
Joy Hagan of 177 Mark Ave. agreed with Mr. Hamlett. She would like the second entrance of the subdivision at the second curve on Stringer Lane instead.
Phil Newman of 166 Mark Ave. agreed with Mr. Hamlett and Ms. Hagan. He also commented that at the Bullitt County Joint Planning and Zoning meeting, Eric Farris said that the developers did not want to connect to Mark Ave. He found out in today’s newspaper that this is a possibility.
Catherine Schell of 195 Mark Ave. said that she has no objection to the re-zoning but objects to opening up Mark Ave. because it is a quiet street.
Jim Coulter of 138 Mark Ave. agreed with Mr. Newman and that no one on Mark Ave. wants the street opened up.
The City Council discussed this further.
Sam Beichler introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance to adopt or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to rezone 16.07 acres, more or less, located on Hardy Lane in the City of Mt. Washington from R-2 and Agricultural to R-3 (Docket No. 2004Z – 03). The following addressed the Council:
Michael Mann of 294 Hardy Lane stated his concerns about drainage and the width of Hardy Lane. He said that the water currently drains across his property and he would like to see a drainage plan and distributed photos to the Council. He also measured the road and the average width is 12’6”. He asked the Council to require the developer to widen the road. In addition, he spoke with Mr. Powell at Salt River regarding a utility pole that was recently moved. Prior to the re-zoning he would like to see these issued addressed.
Greg Dorris of 114 Sunshine Court agreed with Mr. Mann with both the drainage and roadway issues. He asked the Council to visit the site and look at Hardy Lane. He also stated that he was told by Kenny Stout that the patio homes would be between 1800-1900 sq. feet not 1400 sq. feet. He would like the Council to require the larger patio homes.
Scott Williams of 404 Hardy Lane agreed with Mr. Mann and Mr. Dorris and said he felt he was misled on the square footage. He thought the patio homes would be in the 1800-1900 sq. foot range. He is also concerned about the drainage and roadways. He presented appraisals of several houses in the area.
Kenny Stout addressed the Council and stated that he never said he would build 1400 sq. foot patio homes. He said the patio homes would be at least 1450 sq. feet but he would build 1800-1900 sq. foot patio homes to start. He said that he would probably withdraw his application.
Resolution
The Council reviewed a resolution approving the Municipal Aid Cooperative Agreement. Christi Franklin discussed the Agreement. Larry Porter made a motion to pass the resolution approving the Municipal Aid Cooperative Agreement. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Report from the Council
Sam Beichler reported that since the 2000 census, the City has grown by approximately 3,500 people.
Ralph Lutes wants the City to investigate another entrance to the Ploetner development from Stringer Lane. Mayor Sullivan said the developer should do that.
Sid Griffin agreed with Mr. Lutes regarding the entrance on Stringer Lane. Also, he discussed the issue of a new street light on a cul-de-sac off Flat Lick. Ronnie Fick stated that the easement is behind the house. He checked a few years ago, and it would cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Mr. Griffin said it would be less than 100 feet. Ronnie will look into it.
Executive Session
Joetta Calhoun made a motion to enter into executive session at 8:08pm for the purpose of the sale or future acquisition of real property and pending and proposed litigation. Ronnie Fick and Barry Gentry were invited to attend the litigation portion. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Reconvene
Ralph Lutes made a motion to reconvene at 10:25pm. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Sam Beichler made a motion to extend Gardiner Way and Gardiner Court in the Mt. Washington Business Centre pursuant to the original development scheme at a total change order not to exceed $800,000. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed by a vote of 4 to 2 as follows:
Yes No
Sam Beichler Joetta Calhoun
Lloyd Dooley Sid Griffin
Ralph Lutes
Larry Porter
Adjourn
There being no further business before the Council, Sid Griffin made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:30pm. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.