October 2008 Council Meeting Minutes

October 2008 Minutes

October 2008 Minutes
Of Woodlawn Park City Council

The Woodlawn Park City Council met on October 20, 2008, at Woodlawn Park City Hall. Present were Attorney Matt Carey, Chief Jim Carter, Council Members, Scott Horn, Sherry Hyde, George Langford, Becky Ritz, Greg Claypool, and Doug Watson, Treasurer Charlie Veeneman and City Clerk Chana Elswick. Mayor Tim Robertson was absent. Council member Doug Watson acted as chief presiding officer for the meeting.

The meeting began at 7:30 pm.

A resident from Ambridge Circle asked about tree and branch removal and was the $10,000.00 used. He stated only a portion of the debris was removed. He stated he was told that ID would only pick up what 1 family would normally have. Becky asked if the bill for the storm cleanup had been received. Charlie stated he did not think it had been received. The resident said the owner’s of the house had emailed Tim and his response was ID would only pick up what be what 1 family would normally have. George stated to contact ID to pick up the debris, but it could be at the owner’s expense. Doug stated the Mayor was going to try to arrange one more sweep of the City, which was a couple of weeks after the storm. Becky asked about the dumpsters at Beechwood. Charlie said a bill had been received for $1,500.00 for tree removal at City Hall. George stated he would contact TLD. Sherry stated she was calling ID about yard waste pickup, which is scheduled for the entire year.

The council reviewed the minutes for the September 15, 2008 meeting. Matt Carey stated that on the second page, change Deegan house to Payne house . Greg made a motion to accept the amended minutes, and Sherry seconded the motion. All voted aye and the minutes were accepted.

Charlie Veeneman gave the Treasurer’s report. The City is 3 months into the year. Greg asked about the prior year excess income listed in revenues, of $41,330.00. Greg asked if there was any other and should it be shown in the report. Charlie stated if it was transferred, it would show in the report. Charlie stated $100,000.00 of property taxes had been collected for the current year with $4,200.00 past due. He got a CD at First Capital for 4% interest. He stated he was nervous about having all the money in National City, so he moved $95,000.00 to First Capitol, for an FDIC, 1 year CD. He stated the interest will not be received until 09/30/09. He stated revenues were over the budgeted amount and expenses were under the budgeted amount. Road expenditures are at 58% of the budgeted amount. Sherry asked about the service charge of $85.54 in the miscellaneous column. Charlie stated he would find out what that is. Greg stated it might be for the domain name. Charlie stated he anticipates a charge from National City Bank. Greg asked for detail on the charges. George made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, and Becky seconded the motion. All voted aye and the minutes were accepted

Charlie stated he had received $225.00 from Mrs. Fernandez and the property, Deegan House 814 Stivers Road, was no longer being rented. She stated she would honor the back charges. There is no lien on the property. He gave a questionnaire to the Beechwood offices, TLD and William Perry, to complete and return for the Business License. There was a discussion regarding who operates businesses and who occupies the building. Charlie stated Eline owns the building and paid 1 rental license fee. Chief Carter stated TLD and William Perry occupy 1 building. Charlie asked if Eline should pay a rental fee for each business. Becky stated TLD should pay 2 years of Business License, for 2007 and 2008 and she requested a bill to be sent. Greg and Becky stated that Eline should be billed 2 rental fees and Perry should pay 2 years of business license fee. Eline will owe 2 years rental fee for Perry’s office. Matt Carey read from the business license ordinance. There was a discussion regarding how to bill for the license fees. Charlie stated that TLD has an address of 6906 Creston Dr, 40258 listed with the Secretary of State. Greg stated that they are 2 separate locations so Eline owes 2 rental fees for TLD and Perry for 2007 and 2008. Eline will owe 1 more rental fee for this year. Charlie asked how to bill the business license fee. Greg stated to bill Perry for 2 years and TLD for 2 years. Charlie stated the business on Orchid Hill was not registered with the Secretary of State. He state Perkins and Gittings were not registered. Becky stated his name (Perkins) is on his trucks and workers go to his home to get work. She requested the bill be sent. Jim stated he could run the license plates to determine where the business is located. Becky asked that the $50.00 bill be sent because the City knows he is running a business out of the home. She stated that it was decided last month that Gittings was not a business. Greg stated to build a case before sending Perkins a bill. Jim stated it was sporadic when workers come by the house. Doug asked that a letter be sent acknowledging his response, and stating residents have seen trucks, if this persist a he will be charged the fee.
A resident stated she had lived Woodlawn Park for 53 years and paid taxes for 52 years. She did not receive the property tax bill this year. She did receive the second warning. She asked to not have to pay the late fee. Charlie stated per Gloria that the payment had been received on 09/30/08, which is on time. Greg stated the City would forgive the other issue if proven she has history that she paid on time. Greg made a motion to forgive the fee. Charlie verified the payment had been received on time. George asked to nullify the late fee. Becky seconded the motion. All voted aye and the motion was passed.
Doug asked that a letter be sent to Perkins first. Greg stated to go ahead and bill him and let him prove he does not have a business in the city.

Chana Elswick gave the Clerk’s report. She stated there were 1113 hits to the home page and 2311 to the discussion area. She stated that she had sent the Open House invitation with the newsletter. She stated Becky had asked her to send thank you notes to attendees of the Open House. She explained that in order to receive special meeting notifications via email, the Council members would need to sign a request form. She handed out forms to the Council members to complete.

Chief Jim Carter gave the police report for September. He had 4 citations, 13 warnings, 175 miscellaneous, 2 reports, dog bite and domestic. He spent $204.00 on gas. A resident thanked Jim for his work with the kids at the train tracks. One Saturday evening there were 15 cars. Jim talked to the kids and now there are no more kids.

Council Focus

Fences and Building Permits Doug Watson stated he had 1 property addition request at 6815 Green Meadow Circle, which has not been reviewed.
Emergency Preparedness George Langford stated he was attending Meth Lab 101 at Male High School. He stated he spoke with Jennifer Osborne at the last Ken Fleming neighborhood forum about LG&E power outages. George will write a letter to LG& E about the power outages to find out what the problem is. George stated there are quarterly block watch meetings. He asked that there be a Captain's meeting next month in response to website complaints. Sherry stated the block watch captains should not be delivery people because they are volunteers. George asked about the captain’s duties. Jim stated they know more than the average person and are extra eyes for the City. George stated holding a meeting in December would be fine.
Communications Sherry Hyde stated there was nothing to report.
Public Relations Sherry Hyde Stated the City Hall dedication and Open House was under budget. She stated Becky had helped her. She stated social events are not well attended. Doug stated the Council should discuss future events. Becky stated it was not worth it to have refreshments at the December meeting. She did not want to spend tax payers money for the last meeting of the year.
Streets and Signs Scott Horn stated a verbal quote of $4000.00 from Mac Construction, to seal Orchid Hill and Place had been given to Tim. This had not been done since 1994. Still waiting on Kinloch, due to the drainage issue. He had not received many complaints about the paving work. There are no streets currently slated for repairs. Ahland will be next on the list. Nothing new on entrance signs. Doug asked what the wait on Kinloch was. Scott stated the problem is who is responsible to repair the pipe. He has not exhausted all avenues with MSD. Scott stated he had not seen the quote for the sealing. No paving will happen this year.
Grants Greg Claypool stated he had nothing to report. He has not seen anything to get reimbursed for storm cleanup.
Welcome Becky Ritz stated she had welcomed 706 Beechwood Road.

New Business Becky stated that 816 Beechwood was not given a warning and there is a TLD bill for $125.00. She wanted the Council to be aware of the charge. She asked that the City put out for bids for TLD work. She stated it was $2,500.00 for this month and close to $10,000.00 for debris cleanup. Greg asked if it was a contract or month to month. Doug will check with the Mayor. Becky stated she would like to get the best deal for the City. She asked this be put on next month’s agenda.

Old Business Westport Road Church of Christ There are no updates. Matt stated he is expecting a letter from Glenn Price with the Church by 4:00pm on Friday. The report has not been completed, so the letter has not been sent. Sherry asked what the survey is and what it entails. Matt stated no one knows, as the letter had not been sent Sherry questioned who the study is with and what it is about. A resident asked what was the purpose of voting no access for the Church, if they have another proposal. Greg stated the vote stands. Becky stated then they would have to sue the City. Greg talked about the Church’s parking and choice of access. He stated it may not be approved by Metro Louisville.

Becky stated she had called the real estate agent for the Ambridge Circle property. She was told the houses may be moved by the Church to the lot. Becky stated she let them know that they would need City approval first. A resident stated that Riverside Housing, which is part of Habitat for Humanity, had put in a bid for the lot. The Church might donate the 5 houses to Habitat. Becky stated she reminded the agent of the City rental fee.

Greg stated he had done a little research on the rental license fee. He looked at the websites for surrounding cities, like Windy Hills, Hurtbourne , Indian Hills and none address a rental fee. Becky stated Mike Brown thought Windy Hills had a fee. Greg stated Ken Fleming said Windy Hills mayor said they did not have a fee, but 95% of their problems are rentals. Indian Hills reviews business a lot. A resident asked if there was any information about the percentage of rentals. Greg stated no. Resident wondered if we are high or low compared to other cities. Sherry asked Matt about other rental fees. He stated none of the cities he represents have a rental license fee. Greg stated he would like to wait for Mike Brown’s information to be on safer ground before increasing the fee.

Charlie stated the grant for City Hall expires in 1 week to spend the money. He had sent a letter to Ken Fleming. Jennifer Osborne said send the letter and ask for another year to spend the money. Matt stated the lien collection for $1,315.00 for 2006 and 2007, will be at the closing. Matt asked for a payoff from Charlie for 600 Stivers for 2006,2007, and 2008. Charlie stated he hopes to have the audit ready by the next meeting.


Becky made a motion to adjourn the meeting. George seconded the motion. All voted aye and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.



Respectfully submitted,

Chana R. Elswick
City Clerk