CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
July 21, 2008

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

PRESENT:

Mayor Todd Eberle; Council Members Loretta Ertel, Sandra Leonard, Stuart Miles, Alan Simon, Sandra Tucci, Lee Zimmerman; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of June 16, 2008; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.

Council Member Stuart Miles moved approval of the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of July 9 th , 2008; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle thanked the Prospect Police Department, the Harrods Creek Fire Protection District, and Edwards Lawn Care Service for their excellent efforts in clearing the debris in the roadways so promptly after the recent storm.

Mayor Eberle advised that he has confirmed a real estate closing date of July 31, 2008 with Stephen Cox, the current owner of the Putney Pond and Woodland property.   All necessary parties, including all state agencies involved, are now in agreement on the date and the City should obtain ownership of the 24 + acres as a natural area within the next ten days.  

The Mayor thanked Council Member Alan Simon for Prospect's highly successful 4 th of July Celebration. The parade, the dedication to former Council Member Harold Smith, the dedication of the tree at Cowley Open Space to the late Mayor Lonnie Falk, the parade and the fireworks all went smoothly.   Two new features: horse carriage rides, and a full service food vendor were very well received and will be included in future years.   Alan Simon thanked everyone for the hard work and support given to him as Event Committee Chair.

The City of Prospect has received formal approval of a $48,000 grant from the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the City which will focus on connectivity issues between the various neighborhoods and commercial areas of the City.   The KIPDA grant monies will be matched with $12,000 in city funds to provide a total of $60,000 for the study.   The funds will not be disbursed until January 2009 and will be available for expenditure during the 2009 calendar year.   

Mayor Eberle expressed his gratitude to City Administrator Ann Simms for her extensive efforts in setting up the city's new health insurance program.   The new group health insurance policy will combine with city-funded Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts to provide improved health care coverage for city employees while at the same time saving money for the city.  

The Mayor thanked Council Member Loretta Ertel for her willingness to investigate options regarding the planting and location of vegetable gardens on private property within the city.   She has provided the city with copies of the deed restrictions in the Sutherland neighborhood which could serve as a possible guide to treatment of gardens city-wide prior to the 2009 planting season.  

Mayor Eberle noted that he has met with individuals from the construction management firm, Alliance Corporation, who are taking over The Overlook at Harrods Creek development.   The firm is based in Glasgow, Kentucky.   They will be obtaining a new building permit from the City and plan to begin work toward completion of the development in the next few weeks.   Facilitation of the project's completion has been a priority of the city for several years.   Alliance Corporation has been provided with the agreements and binding elements between the city and the development and they have agreed to comply with all of the provisions.   

POLICE REPORT:

Chief of Police Marvin Wilson presented the Council with the monthly police report and statistics.   He noted that some complaints have been received with regard to speeding in the Hunting Creek area and that the Police Department will be placing a "Smart Cart" speed indicator in that area for the next several weeks.  

Chief Wilson noted that the Prospect Code Enforcement Board will meet later this month to discuss a final draft of revisions to the Code Enforcement Board ordinance. The ordinance revisions will clarify the operations of the Board and more clearly reflect actual procedures which have been in place for some time.

Chief Wilson advised that Prospect Police Department personnel have met with Louisville Metro Police Department personnel regarding the upcoming Ironman Triathlon Competition scheduled for Sunday, August 31.   Bicyclists will travel a 112 mile loop through Prospect on River Road and along U.S. Highway 42, proceed into Oldham County and return the same route.   Police personnel will distribute flyers prepared by the Greater Louisville Sports Commission to Prospect residents advising when certain streets will be blocked to vehicular traffic.   Prospect will also place information on its website and send e-mails to residents registered with the city e-mail alert system.  

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS AND GUESTS:

Hunting Creek resident Ted Lawwill requested that the next time Tallwood Road is paved in front of his house that the city arrange for a change in the lateral grade of the road in order to enhance the function of a new drain installed by the Metropolitan Sewer District directing water flow from the road into the drain.   Mr. Lawwill noted that he would be willing to share in any reasonable increase in the cost of paving to effect the change.   Mayor Eberle thanked Mr. Lawwill for bringing the issue to the attention of the Council.   He noted that paving in that area is not planned during the current fiscal year and that the current Council could not enter into an agreement obligating a future Council with regard to the road, though the City could certainly take note of the issue and facilitate any necessary changes when paving that area in the future.  

Joseph Kehlbeck inquired as to whether an ordinance exists controlling the operation of golf carts on public streets.   Police Chief Wilson noted that golf cart operators are required to have a driver's license, and the Prospect Police currently allow golf carts in the Hunting Creek neighborhood to travel to and from Hunting Creek Country Club.   Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to drive golf carts on public streets, and adults should check with their liability insurers to determine whether their policies cover them in the event of an accident.   

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Sandy Tucci moved to adopt RESOLUTION NUMBER 2, SERIES 2008:   A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR, AND UPON APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR A PROJECT WITH THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO FACILITATE AND ADMINISTER THE PROJECT AND TO ACT AS AUTHORIZED CORRESPONDENT.   This Resolution will facilitate application for grant funds, and allow the City to enter into an agreement with the Office of Homeland Security regarding a grant which we have applied for to obtain mobile data computers for police cars. Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.   Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk