January 2008 Newsletter
GARBAGE PICKUP
Rumpke observes the following 6 holidays:
New Year’s Day Labor Day
Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day
Independence Day Christmas Day
When there
is an observed holiday during the week, the pickup will be postponed one
day.
Jim Lynch
Commissioner of Trash & Recycling
The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 pm on December 13, 2007 at the meeting room of the Hurstbourne Acres City Hall/Police Department, 1940 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky, with the following persons present:
Sean Fore, Mayor
Marty Dunn, Commissioner
Brent O. Hardin, Commissioner
Jim Lynch, Commissioner
Donna Nichols, Commissioner
John Price, Treasurer
Chris Redman, Police Chief
Stephen Emery, City Attorney
Michael Bolten, City Clerk
Mark Wehrenberg, ‘Dirtworks’
Clayton C. Childs, ‘Dirtworks’
Charles Pennington, Resident
Sally Price, Resident
Jeri Heck, Resident
Pearlie Woods, Resident
Margaret Carter, Resident
Ella Crump, Resident
Margaret Bode, Resident
Sandy Ashley, Resident
Minutes for Meeting on November 15, 2007
Commissioner Dunn made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded my Commissioner Lynch and passed without opposition.
Treasurer’s Report
John Price read the treasurer’s report for November, 2007 and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Commissioner Dunn then made a motion to approve as read, which was seconded by Commissioner Nichols. The motion passed unopposed.
Warrants
The warrants for November, 2007 were then read by John Price, and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Regarding the charge for a phone line and fax line, a question was raised by Commissioner Nichols as to why the city office needs both lines. Police Commissioner Dunn said that he would check into that issue and report back next month. Commissioner Dunn made a motion to approve payment of the warrants, which was seconded by Commissioner Lynch and passed unanimously.
Police Report
Police Chief Redman provided the following report:
-208 police hours from 11/22/07 to 12/13/07,
-123 police/public contacts,
-1 citation issued,
-16 suspicious persons,
-4 reports (1 terroristic threatening, 2 theft by deception, 1 stolen vehicle),
-1 investigation with outside agency,
-Block Watch meeting held on 12/12/07,
-Grant was approved for car video camera, which has been ordered,
-Mileage on the police car is 10,491 miles,
Crime Prevention Tips:
-Don’t leave packages on car seats unattended or secure in the vehicle’s trunk,
-Empty boxes, especially for high ticket items, should be cut up and placed in the garbage can/dumpster,
Attorney’s Report
Attorney Emery had nothing new on which to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Roads Commissioner
Commissioner Nichols, after discussing with ‘StumpBusters’, advised that the scheduled leaf pickup for Monday, 12/17/07, has been canceled. This is primarily due to the continuation of anticipated wet conditions, either rain or snow. Residents are asked to check the upcoming newsletter for the next scheduled date. After a discussion about some of the problems with the first leaf pickup, it was mentioned that the current service provider will not be bidding next year. In other news, the signs for the speed humps have been installed. Also, a resident had asked that the city check and advise the possibility of amending the name of ‘Hurstbourne Lane’ to ‘Old Hurstbourne Lane’. Before the attorney does any research, Commissioner Nichols will check with the residents along ‘Hurstbourne Lane’ for their input. It was noted that any change of the street name could cause difficulties with several government agencies. These include, but are not limited to, the Post Office, Fire & Rescue, U.S. Topographical Department, and Homeland Security. Finally, Mayor Fore received a complaint from a resident about the recent paving. Commissioner Nichols was asked to contact the resident to get more specifics and determine what steps, if any, are needed to resolve the situation.
Police Commissioner
Commissioner Dunn reported that the city continues to move forward on the police investigation mentioned in the previous month’s meetings, although it is not progressing as quickly as the city would like. The city is also pursuing the zoning issue of single-family housing, but will be a long process.
Concerning the request to consider hiring a second police office, Mayor Fore, Police Chief Redman, and Commissioner Dunn have had a couple of discussions. They are currently working on a set of criteria for consideration. Generally, they are looking for a retired Jefferson County police officer, and to work approximately 20 hours per week, primarily evening hours. The goal is to have a second officer in place during the first quarter of 2008.
Commissioner Dunn met a former resident of the city who expressed his appreciation for the help that Police Chief Redman provided over the past few years regarding some domestic situations. He indicated that due to Chief Redman’s help, he has overcome his problems, is now working, and will be entering the Army soon.
Finally, the new ‘Snow Removal’ contract with ‘Dirtworks’ was discussed, including the criteria. Mayor Fore and Commissioner Dunn explained that they had reviewed the proposals from three companies and awarded the contract to ‘Dirtworks’ To assist ‘Dirtworks’ in performance of this service, Commissioner Dunn is asking all residents not to park their vehicles on the street when snow is predicted. Also, residents should keep garbage cans off the street. The contract does not include the clearing of any resident’s driveway. However, residents may individually contract with ‘Dirtworks’ for this service. In a question about the use of ‘brine’, it was explained that the equipment needed and the permit to use, would not make this cost effective, so this is not part of the service or contract. Mayor Fore asked for a copy of the contract, and that a copy of the contract be furnished to the clerk.
Sanitation
Commissioner Lynch advised that during the past month, there had not been any misses for garbage pickup or recycling. There was an incident where a Rumpke employee forgot to close a gate, but the neighbors were able to prevent the dog from escaping. It was noted that since Christmas falls on a Tuesday, garbage pickup for that week will be delayed 1 day. The pickup days will be Wednesday and Saturday. Finally, it was confirmed that the trees have been planted along the berm on Bunsen Way.
Parks
Commissioner Hardin reported that there will be one more grass cutting this year. Also, another obscene word was found on the slide in the park and has been now been painted over.
OLD BUSINESS
Holiday Decorations for 55 Street Lights
Mayor For advised that the Holiday Decorations have been put up throughout the city thanks to the work of Commissioner Dunn, resident Don Smith, and the Mayor.
Planning & Zoning Meeting
There was a recent Planning & Zoning meeting about the use of the old Dillons Restaurant as a ‘car lot’, i.e. Preston Car Sales. The meeting was attended by resident Don Smith. As a result, Mayor Fore and Commissioner Dunn will be meeting with the mayor of Forest Hills, which has jurisdiction, to express Hurstbourne Acres’ concerns.
Miscellaneous
Mayor Fore advised that the city audit has been completed and the city passed with no problems. As mentioned in the Police Chief’s report, the grant of $2210 for the police vehicle video camera was approved by the Kentucky League of Cities. A bill from the attorney’s office was received by Mayor Fore which appears to apply to another city. Attorney Emery will check with John F. Stewart and report back. In recognition of those homeowners who decorate for the holidays, Commissioner Lynch would like to offer a reward in the form of a gift certificate. Although the Commission agreed that this was a good idea, after further discussion, it was decided to postpone this until next year. This would allow all homeowners to be notified in advance of the ‘contest’ through the city newsletter. Finally, it was suggested by a resident that once the holiday decorations are down, the existing brackets could be used at other times of celebrations during the year for other appropriate messages.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bolten, City Clerk