City of Mount Washington

Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting

July 26, 2004

City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way

 

Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm 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. 

 

Ralph Lutes gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Minutes

Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 12, 2004 meeting as written.  Sam Beichler seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.  Joetta Calhoun made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 14, 2004 special meeting as written.  Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Peggy Brinkman gave the Treasurer’s Report for June 2004.  Discussion followed.  Larry Porter made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for June 2004.  Sam Beichler seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Ordinances

The Council held second reading of an ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances.  Sid Griffin made a motion to pass the ordinance adopting the supplement to the Code of Ordinances.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

The Council held second reading of an ordinance amending §150.16 of the Mt. Washington City Code relating to building re-inspection fees.  Larry Porter made a motion to pass the ordinance amending §150.16 of the Mt. Washington City Code.  Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance annexing 10.0018 acres known as the William and Brenda Dawson property located at 12663 Highway 44E.  Glen LaPointe addressed the Council regarding the proposed use of the property.  Discussion followed. 

 

Sam Beichler introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance annexing 47.981 acres known as the Jessie L. Collins, William Keith Collins and Donna Sue Collins property located at 664 Stringer Lane.  Discussion followed.

 

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 18.96 acres, more or less, from Agricultural to B-1 Highway Business, located on the east side of S. Bardstown Road, directly across from Old Bardstown Road, Docket No. 2004Z-26.  John Wooldridge discussed the proposed use of the property and the factors related to the proposed zoning change.  Discussion followed.  Mark Stout discussed the office building to be placed on this site and the related occupational taxes.  Discussion followed. 

 

Norman Lemme distributed information to the Council and stated that the Comprehensive Plan’s definition of how the Stout Brothers Farm should be zoned is low density suburban residential, not commercial.  He also said that seeking rezoning for a property that just received a Conditional Use Permit is improper.  Mr. Lemme referred to his handout and discussed how commercial zoning is not appropriate in this area as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan.  He said along the By-pass, the property is not deep enough to develop.  Discussion followed with Sam Beichler regarding how correct the Comprehensive Plan is. 

 

Scott Wantland asked that if the Comprehensive Plan is wrong, why has it not been addressed for six years and the Council needs to discuss this with their representatives on the Planning Commission to get it fixed, because the City is bound by the law to follow the Comprehensive Plan.  The Comprehensive Plan is here to guide the City in responsible growth.  At the time his clients purchased their homes they felt they would have residential neighbors.  Many people don’t want businesses next door.  Mr. Wantland stated that going against the plan would be letting his clients down and they ask that their residential uses are protected by their representatives. 

 

John Wooldridge addressed additional questions from the Council regarding the “strip” by the By-pass and its depth relating to commercial development.

 

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Sullivan read a letter commending the police department for their assistance in escorting a TARC bus.

 

The Chamber of Commerce will be holding a seminar at the City Annex on July 27th at 8am to discuss taxes for small businesses.

 

Mayor Sullivan asked Christi Franklin to report on the meeting with Louisville Water Company regarding base mapping.  Christi stated that several jurisdictions in Bullitt County were in attendance and viewed Louisville Water Company’s base mapping system.  They are considering selling licensing to other jurisdictions.  She discussed the system and stated she is organizing a meeting at the Annex building for all Bullitt County officials to view this system. 

 

Mayor Sullivan thanked Larry Porter for the use of a lot for dumpsters for residents to place tree debris after the recent storms.  He also thanked Echo-tech for their assistance with the dumpsters.

 

Report from Council

Sid Griffin addressed the power outage last Friday and doesn’t understand why a two hour outage would cause such damage to businesses.  He felt that LG&E needs to be contacted.  Discussion followed.  Mayor Sullivan said he is trying to set up a meeting with Senator Tapp about this issue.  Mr. Griffin reported there is a deep hole in the road on the corner of Highway 44 and Bardstown Road.  Mayor Sullivan said the City will fill the hole. 

 

Larry Porter said the Mayor deserves credit for the dumpsters and commended the City employees for keeping the area around the dumpsters clean.

 

Sam Beichler thanked Happy Cahoe for his assistance during the power outage after the storms.

 

Joetta Calhoun asked the status of the Grant lift station.  Dave Derrick said the State has asked for a few minor revisions and he hopes to hear something early next month, then it will be sent out for bid.  She also discussed drainage problems at Southgate and Shannon.  Ronnie Fick said he believes there is a sink hole around the drain and will fix it this week.  Ms. Calhoun also discussed code enforcement issues and suggested the City initiate lawsuits.  Rodney Burress suggested that Mike Bowen assemble a list of those not complying with the City’s ordinances and make a recommendation to the Council at the next meeting.  Discussion followed. 

 

Lloyd Dooley reported a drain that is blocked on Bradford Place.  Ronnie Fick said it is on the list.

 

Chief Hockenbury reported that Glen LaPoint will be donating two fully equipped police bicycles.

 

Rodney Burress reported that LG&E has completed site modifications to the property on Gene Street to resolve the problems.  They are in a “wait and see” status to determine if other problems exist.  Responding to prior discussion by the Council regarding structuring the occupational licenses on gross or net income, he does not recommended this because it becomes too much like an income tax. 

 

Adjourn

Joetta Calhoun made a motion to adjourn at 8:12pm.  Larry Porter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.