CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
February 18, 2008

(A complete transcript of this meeting is available at City Hall and on the City's Web Site, http://www.prospectky.com

PRESENT:

Present:   Mayor Todd Eberle; Council Members Loretta Ertel, Sandra Leonard, Stuart Miles, Alan Simon, Sandra Tucci; Acting City Attorney Frank Chuppe; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.

Absent:   Council Member Lee Zimmerman

Mayor Eberle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Ertel moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of January 14, 2008; Council Member Tucci seconded: passed unanimously.

SPECIAL ORDER:

Mayor Eberle announced that the newly elected 2008 Craigmyle Public Service Award recipient is current Council Member Sandra Tucci.   A member of the Prospect City Council for twelve years, Sandy has also served as City Council Representative to the Prospect Ordinance Review Board, a member of the Police Department Evaluation Board, past and current member of the city's Budget Committee, and a longtime member of the Library Committee.   She is also well known as the author of the monthly book reviews in the Prospect Newsletter.   The Mayor extended his deep appreciation for all Ms. Tucci has done and continues to do for the city.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle reported that the city is at the midpoint of the current budget year.   71% of budgeted revenues have been collected and 53% of budgeted expenses have been disbursed.   Revenue shortfalls may occur in the areas of property taxes and interest income.   The only expenses significantly over budget are employee pension costs, and motor fuels.      Deputy Clerk for Finance, Deirdre Buckley, has collected all but five of current city business licenses.   Prospect has been meeting with its independent insurance agent and Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services.    This has resulted in significant savings in general liability insurance premiums.   A new computer system has been purchased for the Reading Center and costs came in at budgeted expense figures.   The new system will make check-in and check-out of books much more efficient, as well as assist in the monitoring of inventory.   The city has submitted a grant application to the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency for matching funds to assist the city in the development of a comprehensive transportation plan which would provide a detailed blueprint for a variety of transportation concerns including pedestrian and bicycling paths.   Mayor Eberle has met with local members of the Kentucky General Assembly in recent weeks.   He has learned that construction on the addition of the turn lane for U.S. Highway 42 through the central part of the city will likely be delayed an additional two years as a result of state budgetary problems.  

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the monthly police report.   He updated the Council on both the Fox Harbor and Bridgepointe Block Watch programs. The captains of each program are beginning to register residents for participation.   In addition to Fox Harbor and Bridgepointe, there are existing Block Watch programs in Sutherland, the Hunting Hills Condominiums, and the Woodlands Condominiums.   The Police Department is planning a seminar for teens aged 13-17 on March 25, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall entitled "DUI: The Hard Truth."   It will be a family oriented presentation and parents are encouraged to attend with their teenage children.   There is no cost for the seminar and enrollment can be arranged by calling City Hall.  

PRESENTATION:

Mayor Eberle introduced Mark Adams and Doug Heberle, engineers with Qk4 Engineering of Louisville for discussion of an initial feasibility assessment regarding a Prospect connector trail system .   Mr. Adams noted that a connector trail system would relate in large part to the city's work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the widening of U.S. Highway 42 from Harrods Creek to River Road, in addition to separate connector trails in the Bridgepointe entrance area and the Overlook at Harrods Creek property currently under construction.   The perceived goal would be to connect all areas of the city to each other and all areas to the village center / commercial area.   The city has yet to receive design alternatives for the U.S. Highway 42 widening from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.   However, those alternatives will likely include pedestrian and bicycling accommodations on both sides of the road in addition to a raised grass median with turn lanes through the central area of Prospect from the Harrods Creek bridge to the point where River Road intersects U.S. 42.   Mr. Adams narrated a slide presentation setting out possible phases for connector trails.   Discussion followed among members of the Council and citizens in attendance.   Mayor Eberle noted that this was an initial feasibility presentation and that one or more public meetings would be scheduled for additional citizen comment once the feasibility study can be developed with more specificity.   He expressed hope that a connector trail proposal could be integrated into a revised small area plan for Prospect and northeastern Jefferson County in the coming year.  

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

There were no comments from citizens or members of the public.

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of a MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2, SERIES 2008:   AN ORDER CONSENTING TO THE NOMINATIONS OF THE MAYOR FOR CITIZENS OF THE CITY TO SERVE ON THE PROSPECT FORESTATION BOARD AND AFFIXING TERMS OF OFFICE THERETO.   Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded. Passed unanimously.   Mayor Eberle noted that the terms of the five Board Members are staggered and that the Board plans to elect officers at its next meeting.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mayor Eberle noted the need for an executive session to discuss the possible purchase of real estate by the city.   Council Member Loretta Ertel made a motion to move into executive session; Council Member Stuart Miles seconded; passed unanimously.   The Council went into executive session at 8:25 p.m.   

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon return from executive session it was announced that no official action had been taken.   Council Member Sandra Leonard moved for adjournment; Council Member Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk