November 2007 Newsletter
The first LEAF PICKUP will be Monday, November 26. If all raked leaves are unable to be picked up that day, Stumpbusters will return the next day, Tuesday, November 27. Leaves must be at the edge of yard, within 3 ft. of the street.
PLEASE REMEMBER: IF IT RAINS THAT MONDAY, PICKUP DATE WILL BE MOVED TO THE NEXT DAY, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27.
Additional pickup days will be scheduled as needed. Any questions, please feel free to give me a call!
Donna M Nichols 491-7670
Minutes October 11, 2007
The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 PM on October 11, 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
Charles Pennington, Resident
Sally Price, Resident
Leslie C Dunn, Resident
Peggy Hayes, Resident
Grace M Scott, Resident
Sandy Ashley, Resident
Ella Crump, Resident
Janie Blair, Resident
Terry & Linda Shepard
Margaret Carter, Resident
Donald Smith, Resident
Jeri Heck, Resident
Minutes for Meeting on September 13, 2007
Commissioner Dunn made a motion to accept the minutes as approved in a special meeting on September 22, 2007. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lynch which passed unopposed.
Treasurer’s Report
John Price read the treasurer’s report for September, 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 without opposition.
Warrants
The warrants for September, 2007 were then read by John Price, and copies were made available for all people in attendance. Commissioner Dunn made a motion to approve payment of the warrants, which was seconded by Commissioner Nichols and passed without opposition. A question was asked about a charge for flowers. Commissioner Dunn explained that the flowers were to recognize a resident who had turned 90 years old and who had been the city’s first clerk. Mayor Fore was contacted prior and approved the expense. There was a discussion expressing a concern about late invoices from StumpBusters. Commissioner Hardin advised that he had already talked with the company, but said he would follow up. Concerning a charge for a storage bin, Mayor Fore explained that the volume of city records, predominantly from the treasurers office, require a storage location off site. Regarding a question from last months meeting, Commissioner Dunn and Police Chief Redman explained the $450 invoice that was for the labor to install emergency equipment in the police cruiser.
Police Report
Police Chief Redman provided the following report:
-297 police hours from 9/14/07 to 10/11/07,
-1 theft which was referred back to the resident as a warrant case,
-2 thefts of over $300,
-1 citation issued,
-287 police/public contacts,
-14 suspicious persons,
-11 traffic stops,
-7 house checks,
-5 motorists assists,
-4 ongoing investigations, 2 of which were with outside agencies,
-Mileage on the police car is 9,134 miles, approximately 8,500 of which are in city patrol miles.
Police Chief Redman asked all residents to be vigilant of trick or treaters. In answer to a question about when the time for trick or treaters for Halloween should end, Police Chief Redman said that Crime Prevention recommended 10:00 pm though Mayor Fore suggested 9:00 pm. Also, a tip from Crime Prevention, which we participate in with the Metro Police, is to be very observant this year. A potential problem involves smaller stature older males coming to doors with masks and robbing elderly residents. Police Chief will be out and about with lights on, giving out candy.
In other news, Mayor Fore received a call the middle of September advising that there was a known sex offender trying to move into the city. The attorney was contacted about the law and determined that this person was in violation of parole relating to the distance to the Kennedy School and city park. The city acted accordingly, and the person decided, on their own, to find residence elsewhere.
Attorney’s Report
Attorney Emery reported that we did receive a response from the Attorney General’s office regarding the matter of a tax rebate. Under Kentucky law, a city cannot return a validly collected tax. It was noted that this was not a formal opinion.
Another issue concerns the allegation that a dwelling in the city is not being used as a single-family residence. A notice has been sent to the property owner requesting evidence that they are in compliance, and noting that if they fail to provide the evidence, the complaint will be turned over to the Metro department that can enforce the zoning restrictions.
Finally, the attorney’s office has reviewed information provided by Commissioner Lynch regarding zoning issues for the display of signs. There is a hearing that Commissioner Lynch is considering attending along with Mayor Fore. Attorney Emery advised that in order to speak at the hearing, you must first get on the sign-in list. The city wants to go on record that there are already enough signs on Hurstbourne Parkway. Since the signage in question is outside of our city, the attorney recommended that we contact the City of Forest Hills so that they can provide their input.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Police Commissioner
Concerning the ongoing investigations in the city as noted in Police Chief Redman’s report, Commissioner Dunn provided clarification. He assured the residents that the city is well aware of what is happening and the necessary process that the city and other agencies must follow to enforce the regulations. He noted further that the issues will be resolved but could take months. Police Chief Redman has spoken to the people in question, and the laws will be enforced. As stated by the Commissioner, any other comments during the meeting would compromise the investigation. However, Commissioner Dunn did offer to talk with anyone after the meeting to share more details.
Another issue has been raised regarding Police Chief Redman’s hours. As in the past and which will continue, the upcoming 30-day schedule for Police Chief Redman is provided to Commissioner Dunn that anyone is welcome to see. It was noted that the schedule changes frequently, depending upon the needs of the city, and is well monitored. Additional clarification concerning the Police Chief’s salary was provided. It was stated that the Police Chief did not receive a raise but is being paid at the same rate and now in accordance with the increased number of hours of work beyond the original contract. Also, his health care is being included in his salary package. If anyone has questions about the schedule, they are asked to contact Commissioner Dunn. Police Chief Redman then outlined all of the areas of the city and the areas surrounding the city for which he is responsible. Related to this issue, Mayor Fore read a petition that was signed by 50-plus residents expressing their dissatisfaction with the alleged raise for Police Chief Redman, the medical coverage in his contract, and the belief that he spends significantly less time patrolling the city than required. The Mayor addressed these issues as outlined above, and the matter was closed.
Sanitation
Commissioner Lynch advised that there was a missed backdoor pickup, but the garbage/waste collection continues to improve. There are still some stickers available that Rumpke provided, designed for the yard waste can. It was recommended that all sticks/branches be bundled before putting out for pickup.
Parks
Commissioner Hardin reported that the cost of the picnic this year was $3,565. He was congratulated for his work and the resulting success. It was mentioned that the city now owns a corn-toss game board which residents can borrow. Commissioner Hardin advised that he was not satisfied with the condition of the swing set and the sand and bordering beams. He again recommended that the sand be replaced with new sand or substitute rubber material. The port-a-let will be removed at the end of October and will be installed once again next spring.
Roads Commissioner
Commissioner Nichols advised that she, along with the Mayor, did a walk/drive-through with Flynn Brothers regarding the repaving. There were two issues about which some residents complained. First, on Haviland, Wesley, and Woodfield the asphalt looks different on one side than the other. As reported, Flynn Brothers had another job for the State on Bardstown Road at the same time. Some of the leftover asphalt from the State job, which was better-quality asphalt, was used during the paving of Hurstbourne Acres. Over time, the color of the asphalt should blend and no longer be noticeable. It was also mentioned that the next time the streets are paved, they will need to be milled out since the pavement is becoming higher than some driveways. Flynn Brothers will be returning to do some cosmetic work, including the necessary striping and painting. There was some damage to one of the new curbs by a truck.
In other news, the sprinkler system by the city entrance sign on Hurstbourne Lane will be repaired by StumpBusters. Bushes in front of the city entrance sign to Cardwell Way have been trimmed back. There will be leaf pickups again this year, but no definite dates have been set. It was recommended that there be two pickups in November and one in December. Our past provider of snow removal is no longer providing this service, so another company is being sought. Commissioner Nichols e-mailed her contact at LG&E regarding the painting of the street light poles. A question was asked about the fire lane striping on Hurstbourne Lane. Former Fire Chief Renninger will be contacted for his opinion. A speed hump will be installed on Blowing Tree Road. Another issue on Blowing Tree is the need, as expressed by Commissioner Hardin, to replace the current sign to read, ‘Caution: 1 Lane Road with 2 Lane Traffic’. Commissioner Nichols will meet with Commissioner Hardin to discuss further.
OLD BUSINESS
Holiday Decorations for the 55 Street Lights
The Holiday Decorations committee chairman, Mayor Fore, has obtained a bid of $3,145 from Street Display Sales for 30 brackets to hold the Holiday banners. Commissioner Dunn made a motion to accept the bid as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lynch and passed unopposed.
Jefferson County League of Cities Dinner
Mayor Fore received a letter from the Jefferson County League of Cities about their annual dinner that will be held this year on 11/7/07 at 6:00 pm at the Louisville Marriott Hotel. Although the Mayor cannot attend this year, he said that the city will pay for any of the Commissioners to attend. The cost is $39.50 per person.
Skunk Removal
Mayor Fore has a bill from Critter Ridders for the capture and removal of a skunk for a resident. The payment of the invoice was authorized by Commissioner Nichols. In the future, Commissioner Dunn will be contacted to help with documentation and authorization.
Letter/Packet from Mayor Abramson--2010 Census
The letter was read by Mayor Fore, who then advised that the packet included forms and handouts needed to participate in the 2010 Census. He instructed the City of Louisville, who maintains the tax records for Hurstbourne Acres, to submit our information to the Census Bureau.
Miscellaneous
Regarding the bus stop issue in front of the entrance to Hurstbourne Acres from Taylorsville Road, a resident at the meeting confirmed that the Route 23 and Route 40 buses no longer drop off or pick up there or at the Cherry Hill Apartments.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bolten, City Clerk