City of Mount Washington

Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting

March 27, 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, 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 Jim Winchell. 

 

Chase Williams gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Minutes

Christi Franklin read the minutes of the March 13, 2006 Council meeting.  Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2006 meeting as corrected.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Peggy Brinkman presented the Treasurer’s Report for February 2006 and answered questions from the Council.  Larry Porter made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for February 2006.  Ralph Lutes seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Ordinances

The Council held second reading of an ordinance relating to engineering review of subdivision/development plans.  Mayor Sullivan proposed adding the Utility Superintendent to review the plans in Section 2 of the ordinance.  Discussion followed.  Larry Porter made a motion to add the Utility Superintendent to review the plans in Section 2 of the ordinance.  Ed Hilbert seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.  Larry Porter made a motion to pass the ordinance relating to engineering review of subdivision/development plans.  Lloyd Dooley seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. 

 

Larry Porter 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 2.687 acres, more or less, (Docket No. 2006Z-07) known as the Mt. Washington Fire Protection District property located behind the Mt. Washington firehouse and administration building located at 772 N. Bardstown Road from R-1 Residential to B-2 Central Business.  Jim Conway representing his mother asked the Council to follow the recommendation of the planning commission and deny the re-zoning.  He stated the Fire Department does not need to re-zone this property for any fire department uses, and feels the only reason they would need to have this re-zoned is if they plan to sell it.  Mr. Conway said if the intent of the Fire Department is to sell the property, they should do the re-zoning at the time of the sale and see the proposed use of the property. 

 

Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance relating to water rates.  Doris Owen said she thought she was told that when the next water rate increase occurred, the rural and city rates would be set at the same schedule.  She would also like the difference to be placed in an escrow account for improvements in the County.  She asked the Council to think about this issue more before voting.  Ronnie Fick explained that the rural area has more dead end lines, less homes per foot of water line and requires more maintenance than the City.  Therefore the rates should be higher.  Joetta Calhoun asked if the City could have an ordinance that reflects an automatic increase in rates when the Louisville Water Company increases the water rates.  Discussion followed.  Mayor Sullivan said he does not want to increase the sewer rates this year.  Discussion followed.

 

Guests to Address the Council

Donnie Tinnell introduced himself as a democratic candidate for Bullitt County Sheriff.  He discussed his qualifications and goals. 

 

Kevin Mooney introduced himself as a candidate for Bullitt County Clerk.  He discussed his qualifications and goals. 

 

Melanie Roberts introduced herself as a candidate for Bullitt County Judge Executive.  She discussed her qualifications.

 

Dennis Griffin introduced himself as a candidate for Bullitt County Sheriff.  He discussed his qualifications and goals.

 

Roger Clark, President of the local chapter of the AARP invited the Mayor, Council and other public officials to attend a meeting at the City annex on April 6th at 12:30pm for government appreciation day to thank them for their work.  The meeting will also include a presentation on emergency preparedness. 

 

Towing Agreement

Officer Mike Huffman reported that he had motor vehicle inspectors come in and conduct their inspections and all wrecker services are up to date and in compliance and have provided adequate insurance coverage. 

 

David Proctor said he hopes that after tonight everything is settled and they don’t have to go through this again. 

 

Eric Hayden discussed fencing of the lots and the time frame for compliance.  Mayor Sullivan said the fences must be up within 90 days.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Hayden also discussed subcontracting and feels that if a wrecker is not available they should turn down the run and let the next one on the list take the run.  Discussion followed including discussion regarding the police department’s rotation list.  Mr. Hayden said he pays occupational tax and those that have access should be annexed into the City. 

 

Jerry Smith feels if a service is not in compliance with the fence requirement, they should be taken off the list until they are in compliance.  He also feels they should be located within the City and pay occupational taxes.

 

Karen Burns said her main concern is subcontracting and would like this to be able to continue.  She would also like to see a master list for rotation.  Ms. Burns also stated she paid occupational tax until she was told by the City she didn’t have to and the money paid was refunded. 

 

Larry Porter said the wrecker services should be able to subcontract to another service on the rotation list.  Discussion followed.  Sid Griffin made a motion to adopt the wrecker service agreement with the provision that subcontracting is permissible to another service on the rotation list.  Larry Porter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. 

 

Report from Council

Joetta Calhoun asked if the City can remove the signs at the corners of Highway 44 and Armstrong Lane and Armstrong Lane and Helmwood.  Mayor Sullivan said this is the County’s responsibility.  Ronnie Fick said he will defer this to the County.

 

Executive Session

Larry Porter made a motion to enter into executive session at 7:44pm for the purpose of litigation and the sale of property.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Reconvene

Sid Griffin made a motion to reconvene at 8:06pm.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

 

Jim Winchell stated that no action was taken as a result of executive session.

 

Adjourn

Sid Griffin made a motion to adjourn at 8:07pm.  Larry Porter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.