CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
March 17, 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.  

INTRODUCTIONS:

Mayor Eberle introduced two Boy Scouts in attendance; Connor Murphy and Tanner White from Troop 109 of St. Francis School.   They, along with Troop Leader Dick White, attended the Council Meeting to fulfill part of the requirements for their Communication merit badge.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of February 18, 2008; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded: passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S . REPORT:

Mayor Eberle reported that the 2008-09 Budget Committee had its initial meeting on March 5 th and a first draft of the proposed budget should be forthcoming in April.   City Administrator Ann Simms recently researched past utility taxes owed to the city going back three years and will send out billings to collect those funds. He thanked Ms. Simms for her efforts in collecting those monies.   In other current budget concerns, it appears that revenue shortfalls may occur in the areas of property tax and interest income.   Expense concerns include increased pension costs, utility charges, snow removal and motor fuel charges.   Mayor Eberle has asked Police Chief Marvin Wilson to look into possible actions to conserve on motor fuel expenses and Chief Wilson should report back in that regard shortly.

The Mayor announced that he has submitted a grant application to the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) for the funding of a detailed comprehensive transportation plan for Prospect.   The grant would provide engineering and design funds for connectivity within the city, including shared-use trails and related ground transportation plans.   If the KIPDA grant is received, application for a state transportation enhancement grant will be made in January of 2009 to provide funds for purchase of any necessary easements and the beginnings of construction.   

Mayor Eberle noted that supplements to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Prospect have been received with copies included in packets of materials given to each Council Member.   He thanked City Administrator Ann Simms who helped him with editing and proofreading the several drafts.   Re-codification of ordinances is conducted every two years.   The new code supplement covers ordinance enactments from 2006 and 2007.   It includes the Prospect forestation ordinance and the temporary trash and storage container ordinance as well as other changes to the Code of Ordinances since 2005.  

The Mayor noted that the new computer program for the Reading Center has been fully installed.   Book inventories and related data are currently being entered into the system.   He thanked Council Member Sandra Leonard, Library Committee Chair Sarah Kelly, and Library Committee Member James Norsworthy for their substantial volunteer efforts in selecting the new system, and for their continuing assistance with data entry.   Council Member Sandra Leonard told the Council that roughly one-sixth of the titles have been entered into the system to date.  

Finally, Mayor Eberle noted that he was pleased to announce that Hunting Creek Country Club has agreed to allow the city use of Country Club property for the staging of the fireworks display for Prospect's 4 th of July celebration again this year.   Some adjustments were necessary as a result of the Country Club's installation of a new golf practice area.   The Mayor noted that Country Club General Manager Randall Rosenthal and Grounds Manager Ted Willard were most helpful in working out details to accommodate the event again this year.  

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the monthly police report.   He noted that a burglary had occurred recently at the McDonald's restaurant in Prospect Village Shopping Center and a possible suspect has been identified.  

The Chief also noted that the Police Department is conducting class for parents and their teenagers on drinking, drug use and driving.   The class will be held on the evening of Tuesday, March 25 at City Hall.   Twenty-four teens and parents are currently registered for the class.     

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

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

NEW BUSINESS:

Council Member Alan Simon gave FIRST READING to Ordinance 487, Series 2008: AN ORDINANCE ENACTING AND ADOPTING THE 2007 SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT.       

Action on proposed Municipal Order No. 3, Series 2008: AN ORDER CONSENTING TO THE NOMINATIONS OF THE MAYOR FOR CITIZENS OF THE CITY TO SERVE ON THE CITY OF PROSPECT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD was deferred until the April 21, 2008 City Council Meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mayor Eberle noted no need for an executive session and no Council Member moved for such a session.  

ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk