City of Mount Washington

Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting

June 12, 2006

City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way

 

Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following Council members present:  Lloyd Dooley, Joetta Calhoun, Ed Hilbert, Ralph Lutes, Sid Griffin 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 Jim Winchell. 

 

Larry Porter gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Minutes

Christi Franklin read the minutes of the May 22, 2006 Council meeting.  Joetta Calhoun made a motion to accept the minutes as written.  Ralph Lutes seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Christi Franklin read the minutes of the May 25, 2006 special meeting.  Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected.  Larry Porter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Police Report

Chief Hockenbury presented the police report for May 2006. 

 

Ordinances

Christi Franklin read Mayor Sullivan’s budget message for the 2006/2007 fiscal year.  Lloyd Dooley introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance adopting the City of Mt. Washington budget for the 2006/2007 fiscal year. The Council held a public hearing on the use of the Municipal Road Aid and Local Government Economic Assistance Funds.  No comments were made by the public. 

 

Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance to adopt or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to re-zone 10.197 acres, more or less, (Docket No. 2006Z-13) known as the Judith Hayden, Johnnie Hayden and Eric Hayden Sr. property located at 2612, 2692 and 2706 Flatlick Road from B-1 Highway Business and R-2 Residential to R-3 Residential. 

 

Boyce Carey stated concerns about the entrance road being close to his home, traffic control issues, especially during emergency situations and drainage.  Mr. Carey stated his home does not have an addition that would bring it closer to the roadway.  He said the entrance road will be 14’6” from his house. 

 

John Wooldridge, representing the applicants, stated the emergency access is an issue regardless of whether the property is developed.  He also discussed the proposed drainage plan submitted to Planning and Zoning and said drainage will be improved in the area because 45% of the water will be taken to a creek.  Mr. Wooldridge presented a subdivision plan to the Council and discussed the use of the property for 59 patio homes. 

 

Emma Taylor stated her concerns about drainage and traffic.  She is also concerned about access in emergency situations.  If the re-zoning is approved, she would like a privacy fence because her home is 2 ½ to 3 feet from the Hayden property.  She felt her privacy would be taken away without a fence.

 

Judy Hayden said she would not agree to a privacy fence for the Taylor property due to the appearance of the development, although she plans to plant trees or do something attractive along the Taylor’s property line.

 

John Wooldridge and Judy Hayden answered questions from the Council.

 

Dave Derrick addressed the drainage issues and said he and Ronnie Fick will review the plans once the final engineering plans are submitted to the City at a later date.

 

 Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance amending the procedures for abating a nuisance.  Jim Winchell discussed the ordinance and answered questions from the Council.  The Council added the provision that a person designated by the Mayor can also enforce the ordinance. 

 

Guests to Address Council

Chris Harbin addressed the Council about requiring businesses to erect fencing around dumpsters.  He asked if the ordinance is law.  Jim Winchell said yes.  Mr. Harbin said as of May 28th, many deadlines were not met.  He found 49 businesses that had not complied with the ordinance including the police station and City annex.  He feels if the City writes an ordinance they should also follow it.  Mayor Sullivan said the City is under contract to erect the fences as required and he informed the Code Enforcement Officer to give businesses an additional 30 days.  Mr. Harbin discussed the violations at other businesses and offered to show photos he has taken.  He said he would rather see the junk on the north and south sides of the City cleaned up rather than fencing dumpsters.  Discussion followed.

 

Pearl Hudson said she agrees with Chris Harbin on the dumpster issue.  She stated she does not appreciate the City passing an ordinance and not following through on it and would like to know who came up with the idea of this ordinance.    

 

Report from Council

Joetta Calhoun said at the Homebuilders Association luncheon, Senator Tapp said that money has been allocated for the Highway 44 improvements.  For Armstrong Lane, Bogard Lane and Bells Mill Highway the State is looking at putting in three lanes.  The money for the design has been allocated.  It will be 2007 before money will be allocated for the design of the whole highway to either four or five lanes.

 

Sid Griffin said hearing the complaints, if the people are dissatisfied with the job the City Council and Mayor are doing, they can vote them out of office.  The City Council is not an easy job, and even though they may make a few mistakes, he feels overall; the City Council does a good job and doesn’t appreciate being criticized even though in this case they should be criticized.   Mr. Griffin discussed the ordinance review committee and the need to enforce the ordinances written or take them off the books.  Mr. Griffin said he is working on regulations for the time frame for political signs and yard signs.  He should have something at the next meeting.

 

Adjourn

Larry Porter made a motion to adjourn at 7:48pm.  Ralph Lutes seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.