City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting
November 24, 2003
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
The meeting was called 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 Ralph Lutes led the pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Sullivan welcomed the students from a political science class at Bullitt East High School.
Mayor Sullivan introduced Bob Fouts, the newly appointed Bullitt County Economic Development Administrator.
Minutes
Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 10, 2003 meeting as corrected. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Treasurer’s Report
Peggy Brinkman gave the treasurer’s report for October 2003. Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Christi Franklin discussed the issue of the use of the $500 additional water tap fee for rural water customers. Based on her research, she found that in August 2000, the City Council increased the water tap on fee for rural customers from $1,500 to $2,000, effective September 1, 2000. Although the minutes do not reflect the specific use for the additional $500, Ronnie Fick recalls that the money was to be allocated to repair and upgrade the rural water lines. From September 2000 to present, 232 rural taps have been purchased. At $500 extra for each tap, the total cost of additional funds collected to be allocated to repairs and upgrades of the rural lines is $116,000. The City completed two projects (Bells Mill and Armstrong Lane) totaling $38,574. Discussion followed.
Officer Rodney Hockenbury discussed the status of the Wrecker service issue, the current procedures, the new rotation and new log sheet. The new procedures were implemented a few days ago. Linda Smith commended Officer Hockenbury for his work done on this issue, addressed the qualifications to be placed on the wrecker list and asked that the qualifications be enforced. She also asked the definition of “office in the City” and stated that the regulations need to be fair for everyone. Mayor Sullivan addressed the City’s liability on the location of the lot if a vehicle is impounded as evidence. Discussion followed. Donnie Jess addressed the Council and stated that the location of the office and lot and the tax issues need to be addressed. Larry Porter made a motion to have the City Attorney and the police department work on the legal language that should be placed in the policy, make a report to the City Council at the next Council meeting, and once a policy is adopted, ensure that the policy is enforced. Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Christi Franklin stated that the employee health insurance rates will be increasing 20% beginning January 1, 2004. She discussed several options to reduce the cost, two of which are the most favorable by the department supervisors confirmed by the Mayor. Discussion followed. Lloyd Dooley made a motion to approve the option increasing the deductible to $750 and the office visit co-pay to $15, which represents an 8% increase. Larry Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Officer Rodney Hockenbury announced a new program within the police department, Operation Bright Christmas. The police department will spend $1,500 (currently in the budget) on 15 underprivileged children in the community, and purchase toys to make their Christmas brighter. They will be distributed on December 23rd at a gathering at the City annex building, in which the Mayor and members of the City Council are invited to attend.
Mayor Sullivan said that he received letters from two citizens commending the police department on how they handled their particular incidents. Officer Steve Cox and Officer Buddy Stump were the officers involved.
The City donated $100 to Junior Achievement for economic programs.
Mayor Sullivan announced that the Louisville Water Company will be increasing the wholesale water rates on May 1, 2004 and will increase again in 2005. He stated the City has not increased water rates since 1994 and previous City Council’s had opted to absorb any rate increases from the Louisville Water Company and not pass the increases on to the consumer. The City should receive notice of the final rates from the Louisville Water Company within the next 30-45 days. Discussion followed.
Guests to Address the Council
Betty Froleicher thanked Christi Franklin and Peggy Brinkman for their work done and thanked the Mayor and City Council for listening to her concerns. She wished all a happy Thanksgiving, and thanked the City for putting up the Christmas decorations early.
Report from the Council
Ronnie Fick reported that he is having all the wreaths put up.
Adjourn
There being no further business before the Council, Sid Griffin made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:23pm. Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.