Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/08JULY 1, 2008 At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., Mayor Paxton presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk, the following answered to their names: Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Watkins, and Mayor Paxton (4). Commissioner Smith was late (1). Mayor Paxton announced the Clyde F. Boyles' Greenway Trail is now open. This section of the greenway trail is 1 3/4 miles long. The City is intending to open the 2 -mile stretch from Brookport Bridge to Executive Inn by the end of the year. Mayor Paxton also announced he had received the May crime stats through May 31St Compared to the same time period in 2007 --Major crime is down 17.44%, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, larceny, auto thefts and arson. Murders are still at zero from last year. Robberies are up by 1. Recently started periodic stationary patrol assignments for loud boom boxes—time spent so far approximately 5 hours and issued 1 citation. WORKSHOP FIRE TRUCK PURCHASE PLAN Acting Fire Chief Kyle—At a previous commission workshop the Chief submitted a proposal of $400,000 for the purchase of a fire truck. He was charged by the Commission to find a way to purchase the truck or trucks at a reduced amount. With the assistance of Randy Crouch, Fleet Manager, and other members of the Fire Department, a new plan has been completed. The new plan would require the manufacturer of the trucks to commit to a 3 year contract so one truck can be purchased every year for the 3 year commitment. This would save money and the trucks can be purchased between $300,000 to $315,000. Maintenance data shows the life of the trucks would be approximately 10 years. At that time the truck would be evaluated and either placed in reserve status or used as a trade-in on another truck. Chief Kyle requested the Commission's approval to move forward with this plan. Commission liked the new plan and agreed by consensus for the Chief to move forward in the purchase of the trucks. OAK GROVE CEMETERY CREMATORIUM PROPOSAL Earnie Via, Public Works Director—Mr. Via has received a proposal to build a cremation garden and crematorium at the Oak Grove Cemetery. The City would lease the property to the business and it would build, maintain and operate the facility. He is requesting the Commission's approval to approve the initiative for the crematorium and cremation garden and to develop/solicit `Request for Qualifications". Once the proposals are received a panel will review the submissions and he will come back to brief the Commission. Commission agreed for Mr. Via to proceed but is mixed on the crematorium. ELECTRONIC SIGN RECOMMENDATION Steve Ervin and Ben Peterson of the Planning Department—Reprised the issue of how often a digital sign could flash or change messages. This issue came before the Commission almost a year ago. Staff's recommendations are as follows: 1) To follow the recommendation of the Federal Highway Administration of an 8 - second static image followed by a transition period of 2 seconds. 2) Require in the ordinance controls that prevent a sign from flashing when a malfunction or power loss occurs. 3) Require in the ordinance brightness controls. 4) Prohibit the use of temporary signs at businesses that have a digital sign. 5) Add dilapidated digital signs to the signs constituting a nuisance section of the ordinance. (The recommendations of the Federal Highway Administration were recommendations made to the States. The Kentucky Department of Transportation was then to evaluate their laws on the matter and propose any changes. At this time the KYDOT has not made any changes and it does not appear it will happen in the near future.) Louis Michelson—still wants the digital signs to be able to flash constantly with full animation and the amount of time a message can remain before changing. JULY 1, 2008 Lamar Advertising—Agrees with the 8 -second rule and the recommendation of the Planning Department. The Commission is not unanimous with the sign change and the Mayor instructed the Planning staff to proceed to take the matter before the Planning Commission to get its' recommendation. TREE ORDINANCE REVIEW Steve Ervin, Acting Planning Director, has drafted an ordinance for removal of trees in residential and commercial areas on private property. Purpose of the tree ordinance: 1) to protect, preserve and promote tree canopy 2) regulate excessive cutting of trees 3) protect older specimens of trees 4) encourage innovative design This ordinance applies to trees over 18" in diameter located on: private property, development of land that is over 1 acre or a subdivision of land of 3 or more lots. Some of the exemptions are as follows: nurseries, orchards, dead/dying or diseased trees, or trees that are causing structural damage. A tree inventory will be required if the trees to be removed are over 18" along with a plan detailing the disposition of the trees. An escrow of $100 is required and each tree removed shall be replaced with similar 3" trees. A tree removal permit is required before removal. If the owner/developer wants to burn the trees a burn permit will have to be issued. The next step will be for Mr. Ervin to meet with different interest groups such as the tree advisory board, neighborhood associations, etc. take their suggestions and incorporate them into the ordinance and come back to the commission with a revised ordinance for discussion. HEARING FOP PATERNITY LEAVE GRIEVANCE City Manager Jim Zumwalt stated the nature of the grievance to be heard. (A copy of the grievance is in the minute file.) Rick Johnson, Attorney, represented Officer Brian Kopischke. Stacey Blankenship, Attorney, represented the City. Mr. Johnson gave opening remarks. Ms. Blankenship gave opening remarks. Mr. Johnson offered rebuttal. After discussion, Mayor Paxton called for a vote. Mayor Paxton offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Watkins, that the grievance filed by the Fraternal Order of Police on behalf of Officer Brian Kopischke be denied. Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Kaler, Smith and Mayor Paxton (3). Nays, Commissioners Coleman and Watkins (2). CITY MANAGER REPORT o Gov. Beshear's visit to the City last Monday was successful. o City Hall will be closed on July 4cn o Noble Park -Mark Thompson requested permission to hire Brandstetter Carroll to create a new plan for the park at an approximate cost of $35,000. It is time for the park to be upgraded. Mayor Paxton suggested that Mr. Thompson and Commissioners Kaler and Smith work together to formulate a cheaper way to re- do the park. JULY 1, 2008 o Public Works -Due to holiday pickup several residents' trash did not get picked up. Those residents who were missed can call Public Works to come back to get their trash but there will be a fee. o Personnel Actions — no discussion Upon motion the meeting adjourned. ADOPTED: July 22 , 2008 M��M N"LoW,