CITY OF PROSPECT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
March 16, 2009
(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 Sandra Leonard, Stuart Miles, Mike Scott, Alan Simon, and Sandra Tucci; City Attorney Grover Potts; City Administrator Ann Simms; Police Lt. Dennis Wine; Recording Secretary Ann Melton; Court Reporter Bruce Handy.
Absent: Council Member Loretta Ertel
Mayor Eberle called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Council Member Alan Simon moved approval of the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting of February 16, 2009; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Eberle noted two sets of financial reports for eight months of operation; one from the accountant and another being the mayor's annotated report. They reflect an approximate$100,000.00 shortfall in property tax revenue anticipated for the current fiscal year. Interest income will also anticipate a shortfall in the approximate amount of $40,000. Mayor Eberle noted that we have received around $457,000 of the $820,000 budgeted in the insurance premium tax. It is possible that insurance premium tax revenues will meet budgetary expectations. The Budget Committee is to meet on April 7 th at City Hall.
The city's waste haul contractor continues to pick up debris from the January 28-29 ice storm under the same requirements in place for regular yard waste pick-up. Debris not meeting those standards will be picked up by Louisville Metro and Metro hopes to have all debris picked up before the Kentucky Derby on May 2 nd . City Administrator Ann Simms has been meeting with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in pursuit of our disaster assistance claims resulting from the ice storm. The original advisory suggested 100% reimbursement for expenses immediately following the storm. That now has been revised to only a 75% reimbursement rate. Reimbursements will not likely be received in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Mayor Eberle noted great pleasure in announcing that Prospect is now officially certified as a "Tree City U.S.A." by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. Prospect will be honored as 2009's only new "Tree City U.S.A" in the state of Kentucky at the Kentucky State Arbor Day Foundation Celebration to be held on April 3 rd at Clear Creek Park near Shelbyville, Kentucky. The city will receive a plaque, a Tree City flag to be flown below the U.S. flag at city hall and signage to be placed at city limit locations around the city. Tree City status will assist the city in obtaining funds in natural resources and environmental related grant offerings.
The Prospect Ethics Commission distributed the 2009 conflict of interest disclosure forms in February to all city employees, elected officials and appointed officials. Forms were sent to thirty-seven individuals and were to be returned to the Commission on or before March 9, 2009. Several persons have yet to return disclosure forms and the Commission has been in contact with them with reminders. An extended deadline has been established for March 23, 2009. If forms are not received by that time, the Commission will ask the City Council for decisions on appropriate actions.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:
There were no comments from citizens or members of the public.
POLICE REPORT:
Police Lieutenant Dennis Wine presented the Council with the monthly police report. He noted seven car break-ins on the evening of March 11 th . Full investigations have been made but no leads have resulted at present. The city's email alert system is utilized to advise citizens of recent break-ins in their neighborhoods and to remind everyone to lock their vehicles, remove valuables from vehicles and to garage vehicles if at all possible.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eberle noted that the State has requested that Prospect execute a Resolution concerning the Municipal Road Aid Discretionary Bond Fund Agreement signed by the City on February 20, 2009 which confirmed the receipt of monies for paving expense reimbursements. City Administrator Ann Simms informed the Council that the City was awarded $74,450.00 from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Rural and Municipal Aid under an agreement to pave Olde Creek Way and Foxcroft Road within the city. The paving has been completed. The requested resolution is necessary to express City Council approval of the Municipal Road Aid Discretionary Bond Fund Agreement. Council Member Sandra Tucci moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Council Member Alan Simon; approved unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Council Member Alan Simon noted that the entrance lighting had been resolved with regard to lighting at the Prospect Professional Center, but asked that the Council continue to review and assess possible changes for the current lighting ordinance in order to clarify regulation regarding lighting in commercial areas. It was agreed that the consideration of issues under the current lighting ordinance should continue to be studied by the Council.
Council Member Mike Scott, member of Prospect's Ad Hoc Committee to Review Fencing Regulation and Enforcements presented the Council with a list of considerations which
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Eberle indicated a need for an Executive Session to discuss anticipated possible litigation. Council Member Mike Scott excused himself. Council Member Stuart Miles made the motion to go into executive session; Council Member Sandra Leonard seconded; passed unanimously. The Council went into Executive Session at 8:16 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Upon return from Executive Session, Mayor Eberle stated that no specific decision had been made by the City. Council Member Alan Simon moved to adjourn; Council Member Sandy Tucci seconded; passed unanimously.
Mayor Eberle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Melton
Recording Secretary
Approved:
Todd B. Eberle
Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann R. Simms
City Clerk
March 2009