December 2007 Newsletter
Next City Meeting:
Thursday, December 13, 7:30 pm
City Hall – Nunnlea
BLOCK WATCH MEETING
Wednesday, Dec.12 at 6pm. at City Hall
Our neighbors at Nunnlea have graciously invited all of us, the residents of Hurstbourne Acres, to their--
Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 9 from 3-5 pm
LEAF PICKUP
I, along with many of you, have not been pleased with the way the leaf pickup has gone thus far. Problems began on Monday, 11/26 with a heavy rain. Stumpbusters wanted to let the leaves dry out some as it is difficult for their equipment to pick up heavy wet leaves. They began picking up leaves on Wednesday, 11/28. This year more residents have utilized this service, probably because about 80% of the leaves fell at the same time. As you realize, this causes the truck to fill up faster and takes additional time to dump them at the Indiana landfill.
I have spoken with Stumpbusters on a daily basis and was told that the other side of Wesley would be picked up on Saturday, 12/1, but I received a call from them late Saturday evening--someone had rocks mixed in with their leaves, and the rocks destroyed the shredder. A new shredder was installed on Saturday, 12/1 and the plan was to pick up on Sunday, but unfortunately it rained. The estimate is that the crew will need 2 days to pick up the remainder of the leaves. Stumpbusters feels that this can be accomplished the week of Dec 3. I apologize, as I know this has been a frustrating situation.
Many thanks for your patience!
The next scheduled LEAF PICKUP will be Monday, 12/17, continuing until all leaves are picked up. PLEASE do not rake your leaves into the street. When this is done, they are run over by cars and stick to the pavement, making it impossible for Stumpbusters to pick them up.
Rake leaves to within 3 feet of the street. Be certain there are no tree limbs or rocks mixed in with the leaves!!! Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns (491-7670)
Again, thanks for your help in resolving this issue!
Donna M Nichols
An early reminder:
Do not park on the streets when there is any measurable snow or a snow forecast. Parking on the street blocks your neighbors and makes it very difficult for any snow removal equipment to plow safely. Our police department will remind those who forget.
Marty Dunn
The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 PM on November 15, 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
Pearlie Woods, Resident
Jeri Heck, Resident
Grace M Scott, Resident
Michael A Block, Resident
Ella Crump, Resident
Margaret Carter, Resident
Sandy Ashley, Resident
Donnie Logsden, Resident
Terry & Linda Shepard, Residents
Minutes for Meeting on October 11, 2007
After clarification by Attorney Emery regarding the salary for Police Chief Redman and what constitutes a ‘raise’, Commissioner Dunn made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lynch which passed with one opposed, Commissioner Nichols.
Treasurer’s Report
John Price read the treasurer’s report for October, 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 Hardin. The motion passed without opposition.
Warrants
The warrants for October, 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 Hardin and passed without opposition.
Police Report
Police Chief Redman provided the following report:
-216 police hours from 10/11/07 to 11/15/07,
-1 citation issued,
-289 police/public contacts,
-16 suspicious persons,
-10 reports,
-2 accidents,
-2 investigations with outside agencies,
-Police Chief Redman & Commissioner Dunn met with Taylorhurst management regarding public safety concerns,
-Mileage on the police car is 10,039 miles,
In answer to a request for an update about the investigation of a house on Addington, Commissioner Dunn and Police Chief Redman met with the appropriate government agencies. Commissioner Dunn stated that the investigation is ongoing and is frequently in contact with those agencies. He hoped the situation would be resolved soon as progress is being made.
In view of the number of ‘suspicious persons’ reported each month, a resident asked why there had not been a Block Watch meeting recently. As recommended by Mayor Fore, Police Commissioner Dunn advised that there would be another Block Watch meeting before Christmas.
Attorney’s Report
Attorney Emery had nothing new on which to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Police Commissioner
Commissioner Dunn reported that there have been a number of incidences, specifically involving businesses in the city, that are troubling. The break-ins typically involved youthful perpetrators. The apartment complexes continue to present a challenge, with Police Chief Redman handling several cases, also including SuperAmerica/Speedway. Inside the city, in the residential area, the crime activity has been relatively quiet. Due to the increase in business crime, emphasis for Police Chief Redman’s patrol time will be on more evening hours. Related to the need to change patrol hours, Commissioner Lynch suggested that it may be time to once again consider hiring a second police officer, if only part-time. Mayor Fore, Commissioner Dunn, and Police Chief Redman said that they would meet to discuss this suggestion further.
In other news, Chief Redman has been assisting the City of Forest Hills with police patrols as a result of the recent loss of their Police Chief Randy Wells. Finally, two months ago, the city authorized the purchase of flowers to be sent to Hattie Duling on her 90th birthday. Commissioner Dunn further clarified the city’s action by stating that Ms. Duling was the first clerk for the City of Hurstbourne Acres. A portion of the letter of thanks from Ms. Duling was read.
Roads Commissioner
Commissioner Nichols confirmed that the installation of speed humps and paving and curbing of the city streets has been finished for a cost of $149,769. The signs for the speed humps have been ordered. Regarding leaf removal pickups, the first pickup is scheduled for 11/26/07, the Monday following Thanksgiving. If rain prevents the pickup that day, the leaves will be picked up Tuesday, 11/27/07. Other pickups will be scheduled as needed. In other news, during the weekend of 11/10/07 a solicitor distributed an ‘Operation House ID’ to all residents. Commissioner Nichols advised that this was not requested or endorsed by our city Commission. She subsequently contacted the solicitor in question, leaving a message on his answering machine. Commissioner Nichols identified herself and stated that the City of Hurstbourne Acres has a ‘No Solicitation’ policy and requested that he not return.
Finally, Commissioner Nichols made a recommendation that the liability requirement for any company hired to perform our snow removal this winter be reduced from $2,000,000 to $1,000,000. It was suggested that the current liability requirement was making it more difficult to find a company to bid for the service. After discussion with the attorney and the other commissioners, Mayor Fore said that he and Commissioner Dunn would handle the responsibility for obtaining a snow removal contract.
Sanitation
Commissioner Lynch advised that Rumpke had missed the Friday, 11/9/07, pickup for Cardwell Way. It was noted that the stickers seem to be working for the ‘green’ pickup. He received a complaint from a resident regarding the trash behind Pier One. The manager attributed some of the mess to the additional packaging from Christmas-related inventory, requiring another dumpster, and to people stealing from the dumpsters. Both Police Chief Redman and Commissioner Lynch have been back to check and have found the same problem. The last time, Police Chief Redman advised that either it would have to be cleaned up and stay cleaned up or the store would be cited.
Finally, it was noted that the trees, 12 in total, are ready to be planted along the berm on Bunsen Way. This should be completed shortly.
Parks
Commissioner Hardin reported that the port-a-let has been removed from the park for the winter and will be replaced in April next year. Also, some obscene lettering was written on one of the park slides and should be removed shortly. Some prices have been obtained for replacing the sand in the park with a different/better material. Trash was cleaned out along Blowing Tree Road.
OLD BUSINESS
Holiday Decorations for the 55 Street Lights
Mayor Fore advised that the holiday decorations have been received. Volunteers are needed to help install the decorations. Commissioner Dunn volunteered to help.
Miscellaneous
A question was raised about whether the city has a recreational vehicle ordinance or deed restriction. An owner of property on Cardwell Way is in the process of selling their house, and the new owners have a 37-ft. recreational vehicle. The current owner found the Louisville Metro Government ordinance that applies and read it to the Commission. Based on the Commission’s understanding, it prohibits any recreational vehicle from being parked in front of the house, but could be parked in the driveway or the side of the house. The current owner will meet with Commissioner Dunn for further review. Commissioner Dunn will provide any pertinent information to Mayor Fore so that a final decision can be made.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bolten, City Clerk