City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting
February 11, 2002
City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way
6:30 p.m.


Mayor Ed Hilbert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Sam Beichler, Sid Griffin, Frank Sullivan and Brent Wheeler. Ralph Lutes arrived at 6:34. Barry Armstrong arrived at 6:37.

The City Attorney, Utility Superintendent, and City Clerk were also present. The City Engineer arrived at 6:41 p.m.

The invocation was given by Doug Stillwell of the United Methodist Church.

Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 11th meeting as read. Barry Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

Mayor Ed Hilbert read a proclamation to make the week of February 17-23, 2002 "Professional Land Surveyor's Week" and encouraged all citizens to recognize the importance of the role of the Professional Land Surveyor to our City and great Commonwealth.

A bid opening was held at City Hall on February 7th, 2002 for property and liability insurance. Public Entity Insurance was the only bid submitted. Public Entity is our current insurance agency. Barry Armstrong made a motion to accept the property and liability bid from Public Entity Insurance for $47,595.96 for the year beginning February 14, 2002 through February 14, 2003. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

Kenny Stout addressed the Council in regard to Ordinance 02-02 amending the building permit ordinance to made sidewalks mandatory for all new developments in the City. He was not against mandatory sidewalks for developments but did not like the format in which the ordinance was presented. There was discussion on whether the developer should be responsible or the builder. Mr. Stout suggested that the developer put mandatory sidewalks in their subdivision restrictions. Mr Wantland, City Attorney, stated that the developer should still show sidewalks on their plans submitted to the City. Mr. Wantland will rewrite the ordinance to reflect what was discussed. Brent Wheeler made a motion to table the first reading of Ordinance 02-02. Sid Griffin seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

The first reading was conducted on Ordinance 02-03 on zoning amendment 2001Z-66 for Gibson Investments on .38 acres more or less at 10424 Hwy 44 East in Mt. Washington. The Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission approved the zoning amendment with one restriction of a 50 foot building set back from Hwy 44 East. Attorney John Wooldridge spoke on behalf of Gibson Investments. In summary, Mr. Wooldridge stated that the Comprehensive Plan suggests Commercial zones for the area. He said the trend in the area is toward commercial development because of the proximity to the intersection of Hwy 44 and Bardstown Road and that there have been rezonings on Highway 44 East to commercial such as the ones for Harbin's Floor Covering, a barber shop, and a State Farm Insurance Office. Rodney Burress, Attorney at Law, represented an adjoining property owner. In summary, he stated that his client was opposed to the rezoning because this part of Highway 44 East is residential in nature. He said Highway 44 East couldn't handle the additional traffic, which would be created by more businesses. He said the lot is narrow and commercial development would effect the neighbors. He said the property is accessed through a shared driveway with his client. He said that the location of the driveway, being across from Branham Way, would also create traffic problems. Joe Wantland, City Attorney, asked Mr. Burress if he disagrees with the finding of the Planning Commission that there has been substantial changes to that area toward Commercial development; if he disagrees with the finding of the Planning Commission that Businesses such as Harbin's Floor Covering, a barber shop, and a State Farm Insurance Office affects the area's rezoning; and if he agrees with the findings that the area is in the Comprehensive plan suggesting commercial development for this area. Mr. Burress answered yes to these questions.

Brent Wheeler made a motion to adopt Resolution 02-01 regarding the Municipal Aid Agreement with the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, Commonwealth of Kentucky for the apportionment of $103,562. Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

Bob Combest, of 670 Simmons Lane, addressed the Council in regard to the Bethel Branch Subdivision. He questioned the proposed eight (8) lots facing Simmons Lane. He felt Simmons Lane was too narrow to accommodate more residents. City Engineer, Dave Derreck, stated that the section of the subdivision that these proposed lots are on have not been approved and that the City did have concern about the narrow road when the preliminary site plan was submitted. The developer mention possibly widening the road. City Attorney, Joe Wantland, stated that when the County made the road public, individual property owners could use the road and there wasn't much the City could do. There is no access to the subdivision from Simmons Lane.

Pearl Hudson addressed the Council about the great job City Police Officer Rodney Hockenbury did in regard to a robbery at her store, Pearls Food Mart. She also presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation.

During the report from Council, Brent Wheeler stated his displeasure with the re-districting of Bullitt County by the State. There was some discussion by the Council. Barry Armstrong made a motion to authorize City Attorney, Joe Wantland, to fight the re-districting and to contact other cities in Bullitt County to see if they would like to join in. Brent Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

Sid Griffin made a motion to enter into executive session at 8:22 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. Ralph Lutes seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

Ralph Lutes made a motion to reconvene open session at 9:14 p.m. Barry Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.) Sid Griffin left the meeting after executive session.

There being no further business before the Council, Brent Wheeler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Barry Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion passed. (Unan.)

The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m.