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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/08373 JANUARY 15, 2008 At a'Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Tuesday, January 15, 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, Smith, Watkins and Mayor Paxton (5). WORKSHOP COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Finance Director, Jon Perkins introduced Mike Rundle and David Hampton of Kemper CPA Group. Mr. Hampton presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Audit for FY2006-2007 and thanked the employees of the Finance Department for their assistance in gathering information for the preparation of the audit. He gave an overview of the audit by explaining how the audit is divided into four sections --Introductory Section, Financial Section, Statistical Section, Single Audit Section—and reported that the City is in compliance with the Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. A copy of the audit and management letter will be received and filed at the next commission meeting. Mr. Perkins also thanked his staff for their efforts. OWENSBORO ICE SKATING PARK REPORT Steve Doolittle, Downtown Development Director, and Mark Thompson, Director of Parks Services gave a report of their visit to the ice skating park. The park is supported through the Owensboro Performing Arts Center. It is a temporary ice skating rink that is open for about 20 days between Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays. This is the third year for the event and so far it has been very successful. Budget for the event is $110,000. Would the Commission want to pursue this idea? Locations proposed were at Noble Park or one of the City's downtown parking lots. The Commission discussed the idea and agreed that they do want to move forward and try the temporary rink and possibly a permanent rink. They instructed Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Thompson to look into what it would cost, contact other cities that have ice skating rinks and come back with a report. They also would consider using municipal funds for the event but would like for them to check into the possibility of co-sponsors. TRANSIENT DOCK & SCHULTZ PARK PROGRAM ELEMENTS Tom Barnett, Planning Director, gave an update on the progress of the riverfront development. The project was voted on and began in the spring of 2007 and the Commission gave instructions that Phase I was to include the redevelopment of Schultz Park and the boat launch. Contracts have been awarded for the design and engineering of the project. Funding received is $170,000 from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife for the boat launch and $9.3M has been secured through federal funds with the assistance of Sen. Mitch McConnell. Ground will be broken soon for the boat launch. The marina is not part of Phase I and the City is looking into private and public partnerships for this portion of the development. Rick Murphy, City Engineer, reported that due to funding the City has received from the federal government, there are federal guidelines that have to be met. One of those guidelines is to have an environmental assessment document completed and approved. At this time, the City is in the process of completing that assessment and moving on to the next portion of the engineering design phase for the redevelopment of Schultz Park. Some site constraints such as settling of fill material, ADA compliance, etc. have to be completed before the project proceeds. A memorandum of understanding will be presented to the City from JJR for the design. Public education for the project has begun. A waterfront website www.riverfroptpaducah.com will be created, posters are being placed at key locations in the city explaining the project, presentations are being given at various civic organizations, etc. In conclusion, the schedule for the project is as follows: 2007 -Contract 2007-2008 Engineering Spring 2008 – Boat Launch 374 JANUARY 15, 2008 Summer 2008 — Schultz Park Fill Summer 2009 — Schultz Park Redevelopment CODE ENFORCEMENT AND MAIL NOTICES In response to a question raised at the previous commission meeting about why notices of property violations are placed at the rental property and not mailed directly to the property owner's current mailing address, Joel Scarbrough, Chief Building Inspector, went through the process of the violation notice procedure. Mr. Scarbrough believes the current process is the most efficient method of getting property owners to be responsible for their property and that they should not have to be notified when their property should be mowed or properly maintained. Majority of the Commission is comfortable with the current process and does not want to revise the ordinance. CITY MANAGER REPORT • Former City Commissioner Joe Keeling passed away. • City Hall will be closed in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Proposed Personnel Changes — No discussion • Requested an executive session for discussion of a personnel issue COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Comm. Watkins asked that the policy for leaf pickup for senior citizens be clarified. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Kaler offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Coleman, that the Board go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topic: Issues which might lead to the appointment, dismissal, or disciplining of an employee, as permitted by KRS 61.810(1) (f). Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Smith, Watkins and Mayor Paxton (5). OPEN SESSION Commissioner Watkins offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board reconvene in open session. Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Smith, Watkins and Mayor Paxton (5). Mayor Paxton announced there would no further action at this time. Upon motion the meeting adjourned. ADOPTED: February 26 , 2008 City Clerk