City of Mount Washington

Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting

September 25, 2006

City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way

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

The Council recessed at 6:31pm to tour the new water building. 

The Council reconvened at 6:58pm. 

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

Minutes

Christi Franklin read the minutes of the September 11, 2006 Council meeting.  Sid Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes as written.  Ralph Lutes seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote. 

Census Bureau Population Challenge

Christi Franklin reported the challenge to the Census Bureau’s population numbers was mailed on Friday.  Using building permits as the method to determine an accurate population, and the Census Bureau’s rate of 94% occupancy, the population submitted was 11,865.  The City should receive a response from the Census Bureau in approximately two weeks.

Treasurer’s Report

Peggy Brinkman gave the Treasurer’s Report for August 2006.  Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

Ordinances

Joetta Calhoun introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance establishing the real and personal property tax rates for the calendar year 2006 and providing assessment equalization and collection.  Christi Franklin said the tax rate is reduced from $.126 in 2005 to $.110. 

Sid Griffin introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance amending regulations for dumpsters located in business, commercial and/or industrial areas. 

Larry Porter introduced and the Council held first reading of an ordinance amending the City of Mt. Washington annual budget for the 2006/2007 fiscal year.  Ronnie Fick explained the need to purchase a new vehicle for Mike Bowen.  Discussion followed. 

Health Insurance Renewal

Christi Franklin discussed the health insurance renewal rates and stated the rates increased by 9% and an alternate plan is also available with a 1% decrease in rates.  Discussion followed.  Larry Porter made a motion to approve the current plan with the 9% rate increase.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

Surplus Assets

Ronnie Fick discussed the need to surplus two police vehicles.  Christi Franklin said the Council should declare them surplus prior to the City selling the vehicles.  Sid Griffin made a motion to declare the 1996 Crown Vic with 130,000 miles and the 1994 Crown Vic with 102,000 miles as surplus.  Joetta Calhoun seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

Guests to Address the Council

Debbie Smith, 324 Hillcrest, representing her neighbor discussed sewage coming out on the ground and presented photos to the Council.  She said she already took samples and sent them to the EPA.  She was told by the utility worker over the weekend that the new subdivision has been tapped in and the treatment plant cannot handle the flows.  Her neighbor won’t go back there and it was also damp in the summer.  Ronnie Fick said he found out a contractor left the end of a main open and storm water drained in.  He also said there is a new lift station but it pumps the same gallons per minute as before, but has a larger wet well to hold the sewage.  Every time he goes to the property he can’t find any problems.  He said dye was placed in the line three weeks ago and it never went into the creek.  He doesn’t feel it is sewage.

Tony Kaelin, 435 Autumn Glen Drive, thanked Rodney Hockenbury and Mayor Sullivan for putting up the MIA flag at the police station.  He requested a spotlight to light the flag.  Ronnie Fick said he is working with LG&E to run electric for a light. 

Report from Council

Larry Porter reported that V Fisher has the materials and will hopefully finish up in a day or two. 

Adjourn

Sid Griffin made a motion to adjourn at 7:27pm.  Larry Porter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.