Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

MAY 23, 2005

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor John C. Lehenbauer, Divine Savior Lutheran Church gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.

In attendance were Council members Tony Miller, Margaret Moore, Faith Portman, Trina Summers and Alan Wetzel.

Trina Summers made motion to dispense with reading of 5/9/2005 meeting minutes. Alan Wetzel 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Tony Miller made motion to approve minutes as printed. Faith Portman 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm announced that the 1994 Sewer Bond issue would be paid off in June.

Mayor Sohm announced that the Special Meeting with the Auditor had been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 24th, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Mayor Sohm reminded everyone that the Red Crow Indian Pow Wow would be held at the First Street Park on June 4th and 5th. He encouraged everyone to attend.

City Attorney Wantland had second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) confirming annexation of property of unincorporated territory adjoining the City of Shepherdsville located at the north side of Kentucky Highway 44 East at the east boundary of the City. There was no public comment. Tony Miller made motion to confirm annexation. Trina Summers 2nd. Motion carried 5-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 005-656.)

Mayor Sohm reported that the facilities plan and interceptor line project plans submitted to the State should be back in approximately ten weeks.

There was no report from the Historical Committee.

Mayor Sohm stated that Sharon Klosterman with the Bullitt County Women’s Club had contacted Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls about watering the plants along Buckman Street again this year. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls about the possibility of getting larger plants for the hanging baskets on Buckman that would last longer. PWF Walls agreed that the plants should be larger so that maybe the heat coming from the road would not kill them as fast as the smaller plants. He stated he would look into getting larger plants for the hanging baskets.

Mayor Sohm stated that Rick Dant was interested in becoming a member of the Recreation Committee.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) concerning request by E. Keith White and Dorothy White to rezone 2/10 acre, more or less, from IL Light Industrial to R-3 Residential located at the south west intersection of Cedar Grove Road and S Hickory Lane.

City Attorney Wantland had first summary reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) providing personnel policies and procedures for all employees of City Government located in the City of Shepherdsville. Mayor Sohm stated that he would like to commend Police Chief Ron Morris for taking the initiative and getting the policies and procedures updated. He stated this project was started in 1999 and has just now been completed.

Councilwoman Margaret Moore stated she feels the Council needs to be made aware when new employees, part time or full time, are hired. Mayor Sohm stated he’s not aware of any new City employee who hasn’t been introduced to the Council but he has no problem putting notice in the Council’s boxes when new employees are hired.

Mayor Sohm stated the Council had received his budget message in their packets and if anyone had any questions to call him to discuss.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) adopting the City of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky, annual budget for fiscal year July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, by estimating revenues and resources and appropriating funds for the operation of City Government. Mayor Sohm stated he would like to commend the Council on their cooperation and good ideas in preparing this budget.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) adopting the City of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky, Water and Sewer Operation and Maintenance budget for fiscal year July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 by estimating revenues and resources and appropriating funds for the operation of the Water and Sewer Department. He stated that the public hearings on the budgets, Municipal Road Aid and LGEA would be at the next meeting on June 13th.

Tony Miller made motion to pay May bills. Alan Wetzel 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards reported that two subdivision plats had been approved; Miles Homes Hensley Estates was zoned R-3 with R-2 density and MM Investment for 11 lots 70’ and larger.

Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert was not present at the meeting.

Major Dannye Allen, Shepherdsville Fire Department reported that the fire department had participated in mine training with Zoneton and Fairdale Fire Districts. He also reported that Shepherdsville Fire Department along with Nichols Fire Department had two house burns for training purposes in recent weeks. He also reminded everyone that Crusade for Children was coming up. 

Police Chief Ron Morris handed out a draft ordinance on abandoned vehicles. He asked City Attorney Wantland and the Council to review.

Councilwoman Moore stated she had received a call about a trailer on Highway 44 West near Raymond Road with high weeds that looks terrible. Chief Morris stated he would have the Code Enforcement Officer check on the trailer. Councilwoman Moore stated she would like to have the trailer moved is possible.

Mayor Sohm asked Tom Barr with The Pioneer News to put something in the paper letting people know about the City having a Code Enforcement Officer and if they have a code enforcement issue to call the police department.

City Attorney Wantland stated that we may have as a community allowed people to do business in improper zones. He stated that after some research there is not one car lot in Shepherdsville zoned properly. He stated that the Council could give a moratorium giving car lots a certain amount of time to get zoning in place. He stated he would call the Department of Motor Vehicles and speak with them about the situation. Councilwoman Trina Summers stated she feels we need to give enough time to rezone, she suggested at least six months. City Attorney Wantland stated he would call David Garnett with the DMV. He stated that B-1 zoning allows for car lot sales. Councilwoman Moore stated she is sick and tired of seeing car lots in Shepherdsville and stated she would like to know what each is paying in taxes. She stated that cars are still being parked along the sidewalk on 2nd Street. Councilwoman Summers again stated the City needs to offer an amnesty program. Mayor Sohm stated we would check with the DMV and find out what needs to be done. Police Chief Morris stated he is not sure there is a sidewalk there but would double check. Margaret Moore made motion to give the City Attorney authority to move forward with this to contact people to straighten this situation out. Tony Miller 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Councilman Tony Miller stated that Bruce Thomason had a piece of property he has no access to. Mayor Sohm stated the City would have to pay Louisville Gas & Electric to move a pole in order to open the road. He stated if we open the road it would only make a one way street. Mayor Sohm asked the Council if they wanted to open up the ally. Councilwoman Moore stated we need to ask the neighbors whether they want it open or not. Mayor Sohm stated that he has had some interest in opening it up. PWF Walls asked if the City would build the road. Mayor Sohm stated the City wouldn’t build the road we would ask the property owners to build the road to the City’s Design Criteria specifications.

Tony Miller made motion to adjourn. Faith Portman 2nd. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                                             APPROVED: