January 2010 Newsletter
Next City Meeting:
Thursday, January 14
City Hall 7:30 pm
POLICE CORNER
2 warnings:
Any car parked on the street is subject to towing when snow is forecast.
Residents are being ticketed for rolling through stop signs.
From Commissioner Teresa Renninger:
Sanitation
Now that the holidays are over the Rumpke workers should be back on their normal schedule, so be sure to have your sanitation cans and recycle items out early on Tuesdays. They can come very early many mornings. On Fridays they will also pick up early for your sanitation and yard waste; be prepared.
Weather Reminders
With the weather being colder we need to keep an eye out for our neighbors. We need to pay close attention to those neighbors who live alone or may have difficulty going out in the extreme cold. Please be aware of them and make sure that they are doing OK. If you do not feel comfortable checking on them and have not seen any activity at your neighbors’ home, please contact one of our police officers, and they will be glad to check on your neighbors for you.
Do not forget our four legged friends. It is very cold and they need to be taken care of as well. Make sure they have shelter, water and bedding if they are outside animals. When taking them for a walk, remember their little paws get cold very fast.
From Jim Lynch, Commissioner of Streets & Lights
MSD has been installing drain pipes on Woodfield Road to help improve drainage. Unfortunately several driveway areas and yards were disturbed in the process. There will be additional work on Haviland at Addington. This work is the result of a request submitted to MSD by the Mayor and former Commissioner Donna Nichols two years ago.
The street sign at Blowing Tree was vandalized on 12/20/09 and was repaired. On 1/7/10 the sign was stolen. Please call the police when there are any suspicious activities observed at this corner with Wesley. A reward is being offered for arrest and conviction of this criminal. Should you spot the Blowing Tree signs at a yard sale, flea market, or on an internet website, please notify me.
Response to Mayor’s comments in the December newsletter:
The Mayor’s statement that his name and phone number appear on the back of every cable bill for Hurstbourne Acres area is incorrect. The Insight bill delivered to my home that was brought to the December meeting did not contain his name or phone number anywhere. Jim Lynch, Commissioner
In response to Commissioner Lynch’s comments:
It has been determined by the Jefferson County Cable Commission that Commissioner Lynch’s residence had not been charged the appropriate tax for the Cable Franchise Fee. This situation will be corrected shortly. It is my hope that he will “catch up” with the rest of us who have been paying the tax as mandated by our local ordinance.
Sean Fore, Mayor
The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 PM on December 10, 2009 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
Teresa Renninger, Commissioner
John Price, Treasurer
Chris Redman, Police Chief
Steve Emery, City Attorney
Michael Bolten, City Clerk
Sally Price, Resident
Brent Renninger, Resident
Charles Pennington, Resident
Ron Walter, Resident
Thanks from Mayor Fore
Mayor Fore began the meeting by thanking everyone for their hard work while he was home convalescing.
Minutes for Meeting on November 5, 2009
After a comment and correction to the minutes by Mayor Fore regarding the Cable Bill funds, Commissioner Hardin made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded my Commissioner Dunn and passed without opposition.
Treasurer’s Report
John Price read the treasurer’s report for November, 2009 and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Commissioner Dunn then made a motion to approve as read. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lynch which passed unanimously.
Warrants
The warrants for November, 2009 were then read by John Price, and copies were made available for all people in attendance. In discussion, it was noted that the City of Hurstbourne Acres will be reimbursed by the Kentucky League of Cities for the Accreditation Fee. Commissioner Dunn then made a motion to approve payment of the warrants, which was seconded by Commissioner Lynch and passed unopposed.
Police Report
Police Commissioner Dunn provided the following report:
-278 police hours from 11/12/09 to 12/10/09,
-2 arrest,
-4 citations,
-8 reports,
-13 traffic stops,
-5 investigations,
In other news, the accreditation process has been finished. Also, our city is in the process of being mapped for better dispatching. It was noted that the city has 27 streets, 185 residential homes, and 900 apartment units. We recently received a grant of $1000 from Wal-Mart. The money will be used to buy digital cameras & a laptop. Police Chief Redman also reviewed the changes & improvements the city has seen over the past 12 months.
Attorney’s Report
Attorney Emery had nothing about which to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Police Commissioner
Commissioner Dunn had a few items to discuss. First, with the number of walkers in the city along with children out and about, all drivers should stop at stop signs. Consideration had been given to residents in the past but can no longer continue. Second, with winter season and the chance of snow-covered roads, all residents are being reminded that there is an ordinance requiring all vehicles be moved off the streets during a snow emergency. Both of these issues will be included in the next city newsletter.
Concerning the Police Department accreditation process, it was suggested that the petty cash fund be increased from $100 to $250. It is kept in a lockbox and will be stringently watched. Lastly, it was recommended that Police Chief Redman be reimbursed in the amount of $150 for the use of his own vehicle for 3 days while the police vehicle was being repaired. Commissioner Dunn made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Lynch. The motion passed unopposed.
Roads Commissioner
Commissioner Lynch reported that there was another attempted theft of the Blowing Tree street sign. It is currently damaged and in the process of being repaired. Commissioner Lynch is asking for the help of anyone who may have knowledge of the person or persons involved. In other news, he finished his part for the completion of the Police Department accreditation.
Parks Commissioner
Commissioner Hardin advised that the Port-A-Let is still in the park but should soon be removed. The flag has been taken down and will be replaced with another at the appropriate time. It was noted that spring plans are in place to run electricity to the park, in part to spotlight the flag. Finally, it was noted that the new park sign cost $1,418.
Sanitation Commissioner
Commissioner Renninger reported that 3 residents requested and received new trash containers. In other news, it was noted by some residents that trucks over at Taylorhurst are picking up too early and are out of compliance with the noise ordinance. Attorney Emery has been asked to find and provide a copy of the ordinance to the appropriate parties, including Mayor Fore and Commissioner Renninger.
OLD BUSINESS
House on Addington
Commissioner Dunn confirmed that a state-approved company to handle the meth lab cleanup has been hired. There are only so many companies in the state approved for this type of cleanup, and it will be handled properly.
Miscellaneous
Leaf removal service went well; there were 3 pickup dates, and the last was early December. Gang problem in the city was discussed. Concerning the 5th-class city update, Commissioner Dunn and Police Chief Redman were advised that the city is about 300 persons short. This issue will be addressed at a later time. Snow removal contract with DirtWorks was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
Generator for the City
In view of recent catastrophic losses in the region, Commissioner Lynch proposed that the city purchase and install at Nunnlea a generator to house residents who lose power from storms for an extended period. The initial cost would be approximately $5,000. After discussion, it was decided that the idea be tabled until a future date.
Another Police Vehicle
With two police officers in the city and the recent situation with the police vehicle being out of service for a few days, Police Commissioner Dunn presented the idea of purchasing another vehicle for the city. A proposed method of paying for the vehicle would come from a fund, currently totaling $38,000, shown as a separate item in our city’s Treasurer’s Report. The fund is not created from our residents’ taxes but from the State of Kentucky to be used for local police purposes only. After a full discussion, including the specific vehicle in mind, time frame, and the exact cost to purchase ($25,678) with all of the appropriate police equipment, and place to purchase, a decision was made. Commissioner Dunn made a motion to amend the fiscal budget to allow for the purchase of the vehicle. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hardin. The motion passed unanimously.
With no further questions or discussion, the meeting was recessed to allow
for a special executive session.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bolten, City Clerk