CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
July 20, 2009

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

ATTENDANCE:

  Present:    Mayor Todd Eberle; Council Members Loretta Ertel, Sandra Leonard, Mike Scott, Alan Simon, and Sandra Tucci; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Chief Marvin Wilson; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.  

Absent:     Council Member Stuart Miles

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 May 18, 2009; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Mayor Eberle thanked Council Member Alan Simon, City Administrator Ann Simms and Chief Marvin Wilson for their coordination of the city's 4 th of July celebration.   He also expressed thanks to those Council Members who participated, the city hall administrative staff, the Prospect Police officers, and the Jefferson County sheriff's deputies along with Police Explorers who assisted with crowd control.   Despite light rain, the city's sixteenth 4 th of July Parade went ahead on schedule.   The skies cleared just in time to allow for a wonderful fireworks show in the evening.  

The Mayor noted the city's financial picture at the end of eleven months of operations indicated that roughly 89% of budgeted revenues were collected.   This is the result of a shortfall in property tax income and interest income.   Fourth quarter insurance premium tax payments are still being received and it is hoped they may bring us closer to meeting budgetary anticipations.   End-of-the-year expense reports indicate roughly 97% of budgeted expenses disbursed, however reimbursements available from Federal Emergency Management Association for the January ice storm should lower a portion of the expense figures.   He commended the city and its staff for holding the line on expenses wherever possible over the past year.   The annual fiscal year audit for 2008-2009 will begin in mid-August with a final report by October.     

The Forestation Board has completed the re-inventory of the public trees necessitated by the additional damage incurred as a result of the September windstorm and January ice storm.   The Mayor thanked all the volunteers who contributed to that effort.   The Forestation Board  

obtained the opinion of certified arborists and as a result decided to remove the large beech tree at the entrance to the Hunting Creek neighborhood.   Several trees have been pruned and cleaned, including the Chinkapin Oak at the Cowley Open Space and the State Champion Kentucky Coffee Tree in the Putney Pond and Woodlands area.   The Board has also been addressing the condition and needs of public trees in various other locations throughout the city.   The Board's current priorities continue to focus on trees and stumps in need of removal in the aftermath of the wind and ice storms.

The Mayor acknowledged the presence of Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee Chair Linda Wardell and thanked her for her recent efforts which included the completion and filing of the Putney Pond and Woodlands Annual Management Report with the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.   She and the Committee are also working on property Access and Use Guidelines and advising the city on the access road off of Timber Ridge Drive.   Committee Member Eric Lehmann has been very helpful in the design and selection of a logo for signage on the property.  

The Mayor noted the recent work of the Library Committee under the direction of Committee Chair Sarah Kelly and Council Member Liaison Sandra Leonard.   Council Member Leonard thanked everyone who donated books to our Spring Book Sale and all the volunteers who worked.   Over one hundred seventy five new books were purchased with the money made from the sale.   The late Mayor Lonnie Falk's books which have been donated to the city are now displayed on a special shelf in the library.  

SPECIAL ORDER:

Mayor Eberle introduced Mark Adams, a professional engineer with QK4 Engineering, who explained progress on the access road to Putney Pond.   He presented drawings to illustrate the most workable locations and designs to allow entrance to the property and a turnaround to facilitate exit from the property.   Comments and questions were received from all Council Members present.   Citizen comments were received from Bruce Smith, Eric Lehmann, Penelope Morton and Dan McNair.   Mr. Adams noted that additional meetings with interested parties may lead to modifications concerning the final plan.   Future presentations will be made to the Council including design recommendations and cost estimates for the project.  

POLICE REPORT:

Police Chief Marvin Wilson presented the Council with the monthly police report and statistics.   He brought the City Council up-to-date on a pending burglary case for which defendants have been charged.   Officers are also currently investigating a case where a female suspect entered a vehicle at the Hunting Creek Country Club removing credit cards and checks from a wallet and later used them to access the victim's bank accounts.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:

Beverly Anderson expressed her appreciation to the City Council for their work on ordinance revisions, and to the police department for their current ordinance enforcement efforts to improve the appearance of the city.   She particularly noted current efforts to improve the city's fence ordinances.  

Dan McNair expressed concerns regarding language in the ordinance which proposes to prohibit artificial feeding stations for deer.  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Council Member Alan Simon gave SECOND READING to ORDINANCE 497, SERIES 2009: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 152 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO STANDARDS APPLYING TO FENCES.   After a second, the ordinance was discussed at length by the members of the Council.   It was suggested that the ordinance undergo further study.   Council Member Alan Simon moved to table Ordinance 497, Series 2009; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.

Council Member Alan Simon gave SECOND READING to ORDINANCE 498, SERIES 2009: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PROSPECT RELATING TO DEER.   After a second, the ordinance was discussed at length by the members of the Council.   It was suggested that the ordinance undergo further study for clarification as to language and intent.   Council Member Alan Simon moved to table Ordinance 498, Series 2009; Council Member Sandra Tucci seconded; passed unanimously.

Mayor Eberle suggested that both ordinances be referred back to the Ad Hoc Committee on Fence Regulation and Enforcements for further consideration in light of the concerns expressed by members of the Council.   Those present agreed.  

NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business proposed for consideration by the Council.  

ADJOURNMENT:

Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Loretta Ertel seconded; passed unanimously.

Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Melton
Recording Secretary

Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor

ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk