April 2006 Newsletter
BLOCK WATCH
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
This Wednesday – March 29 – 7 pm
City Hall
April meeting – CITY HALL:
Thursday – April 13 - 7:30 p.m.
Nunnlea
1940 S. Hurstbourne Parkway
Notes from the Mayor
The last six weeks have been trying for all residents of Hurstbourne Acres. Please be advised that we have increased hours of police coverage and have instituted a Block Watch program. I encourage all residents to become active in this program.
In the executive session held after the regular meeting, the entire Commission heard the report of the Private Investigator regarding the Citizens Alert letter that was sent to a number of residents. As a result of those findings, I am pleased to report that Chief Chris Redman enjoys the complete confidence of the entire Commission of the City of Hurstbourne Acres.
I look forward to seeing you at the Easter Egg Hunt and the Block Watch Meetings.
BLOCK WATCH DETAILS
Consider becoming a Block Watch Captain for your street: just maintain a phone tree and coordinate occasional meetings. Find out what’s going on Wednesday, 3/29, 7 pm at City Hall (Nunnlea). Refreshments will be provided. Questions? 499-2352
ANNUAL CITY EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday – April 15 - 11 am
Marvelous Prizes & Great Good Fun
Ideas & Help?
Easter Bunny 499-9809
The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 PM on March 9, 2006 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
Geraldine Heck, Commissioner
Donna Nichols, Commissioner
John Price, Treasurer
John Frith Stewart, City Attorney
Chris Redman, Police Chief
Leo (Danny) Cook, City Police Officer
Michael Bolten, City Clerk
Debbie Bates, Resident
C. F. Bates, Resident
Ella Crump, Resident
Kenneth & Margaret Carter, Residents
Betty Hardin, Resident
Steve & Diane O’Brien, Residents
Margaret Bode, Resident
Jim Lynch, Residen
Jamie Blair, Resident
Frank Kamenish, Resident
Pearlie Woods, Resident
Sally Price, Resident
Don Smith, Resident
Neil Alioto, Private Investigator
Vince Guenthner, Louisville Water Co. Representative
Commissioner Dunn made a motion to approve as published. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nichols and passed unopposed.
Treasurer’s Report/Warrants
John Price read the treasurer’s report for February, 2006 and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Commissioner Nichols then made a motion to approve as read, which was seconded by Commissioner Dunn. The motion passed without opposition.
The warrants for February, 2006 were then read by John Price, and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Commissioner Nichols made a motion to approve payment of the warrants, which was seconded by Commissioner Dunn and passed without opposition.
Police Chief
Police Chief Redman first introduced the city’s new police office, Danny Cook, and then reported on the following:
-2 burglaries, one business & one home,
-DUI arrest & 6 traffic stops with warnings
-47 calls for service & 3 house watches,
-Block Watch signs were installed throughout the City. In conjunction with that mention, Police Chief Redman briefly described the program along with the services that will be provided,
-Attended a Metro Safe meeting and reported that funds are available to improve the park and programs for our citizens,
-Some graffiti has been found in our City that is gang related. Both Police Chief Redman and Commissioner Hardin are involved in getting it removed as it is found,
-There have been two investigations with outside agencies,
-8 students were escorted to the Kennedy School,
-We have been in contact with the Kentucky Homeland Security and the Kentucky State Police with whom we are now ‘online’ with their reporting system. This helps our City obtain grant money at the end of the year. There will be a meeting with Kentucky Homeland Security tomorrow.
-There have been 256 hours of police coverage from February 10, 2006 to today,
-Magnets with contact information for the City Police Department are currently being delivered to all City residents,
-A piece of plywood has been installed over a hole in the ground found at the area by the bus stop at Hurstbourne Circle. The hole will be repaired by either the Louisville Water Co. or MSD.
Water Tower Update
Vince Guenthner with the Louisville Water Company reported that the property by the Kennedy School is not currently being considered for location of a water tower but is not ‘off the table’. A short-term solution for the water pressure for the Hikes Point/McMahan area has been found using a series of pump stations. However, the long-term solution (5 to 15 years, depending upon the growth in the area) will still require the construction of a water tower. One of the properties that is currently being considered that would have an impact to our City is located along I-64 behind the Farm Bureau building.
OLD BUSINESS
Parks
Commissioner Dunn reported that the reason sand is getting in the water fountain requiring regular maintenance is from children using the fountain to wash their hands. As a result, he is proposing that a ‘Do Not Wash Your Hands in the Fountain’ sign be displayed by the fountain. Commissioner Hardin suggested that the water fountain be removed completely or permanently shut off. Commissioner Dunn will look into that and report during next month’s meeting.
Again it was confirmed that the Easter Egg Hunt will be at 11:00 am on April 15, although it has been learned that Nunnlea is also having an Easter Egg festival that day.
The City has been in contact with StumpBusters regarding the grass-cutting contract. They have agreed to perform the service for $420 per cutting, up slightly from $400 last year. For cutting the drainage ditch at the corner of Hurstbourne Parkway and Taylorsville Road and the right-of-way on Blowing Tree Road, a maximum of 7 times per year, the price will increase from $370 to $380 per cutting. He will have the completed contract for discussion/review at next month’s meeting, to be effective April 1, 2006.
Sanitation
Commissioner Heck had nothing specific about which to report.
Roads
Commissioner Nichols reported that 3 additional ‘No Soliciting’ signs were ordered and installed, one at each entrance to Hurstbourne Circle and one at the entrance to Cardwell Way.
Police
Commissioner Hardin provided a general update regarding the police activity in our City, stressing that most of the recent problems have derived from the Kennedy School.
Attorney’s Report
Attorney Stewart was asked to attend the Executive Session to be held after this meeting. This was in response to letters sent to many residents of the City concerning our police personnel.
NEW BUSINESS
Fence at the End of Hoke Road (Update)
Commissioner Dunn reported that he met with Mayor Fore, our city attorney, and a representative from Camden Apartments to examine the area at the end of Hoke Road for the repair of the fence. Initially, a quote to match the cedar fencing was obtained in the amount of $5500. Since then, another quote using pine/dog-eared fencing was obtained for a total of $2575. Commissioner Nichols recommended that other quotes be obtained. In response, Mayor Fore instructed Commissioner Dunn to obtain two more quotes. Kelly Dotson, Leasing
Manager at Camden Apartments, was contacted to discuss sharing the cost of the fence repair. However, the management of Camden Apartments believes that due to the significant taxes they pay to our City for limited services, they should not have to share in the cost. It was also reported that the fence would be located partially on City property, partially on the property of two City residents, and partially on the property of the apartments as a boundary line fence. Attorney Stewart was asked to send letters to the two residents involved getting their approval. After Attorney Stewart advised the Commission that under Kentucky law, the owners on both sides of the fence have to share in the cost, he was asked to send a letter to management of Camden Apartments.
Second Reading: Ordinance #1, Series 2006
Commissioner Dunn made a motion to have the second reading establishing the new meeting location for the City council. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hardin and passed unopposed. The reading was then completed by Attorney Stewart. Commissioner Dunn made a motion to enact and ordain. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Heck and passed without opposition.
Special Townhall Meeting
Mayor Fore advised that residents would be contacted soon about the Special Townhall Meeting. The purpose of this annual meeting is to solicit ideas for the use of monies in the Municipal Road Aid Fund and the Mineral Severance Tax Fund.
Miscellaneous
Mayor Fore mentioned that the budget process would soon begin regarding the next fiscal year.
In other news, in reply to inquiries from some residents at the meeting concerning the letter about our police personnel, Mayor Fore advised that the issues would be discussed in a special Executive Session.
Mayor Fore advised that he had not as yet sent a letter to the Highway Department concerning the fence along the ramp off I-64.
Finally, after discussing a request for sponsoring by ‘Hikes Point Optimists’, Commissioner Nichols made a motion to donate $200 which was seconded by Commissioner Dunn and passed unopposed.
The meeting was temporarily recessed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing specific personnel issues under KRS-61.810. After all information was provided and discussed, the Executive Session was adjourned, and the regular meeting reconvened.
There being no further business or discussion, the regular meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bolten, City Clerk