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APRIL 11, 2005

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Elder Bill Drake, Divine Savior Lutheran Church gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:35 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 3/28/2005 meeting minutes. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Tony Miller made motion to approve minutes as printed. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm announced the Bullitt County Health Fair will be Sunday, April 17^th at the Conference Centre.

Mayor Sohm announced that the American Cancer Society’s Memorial Dinner will be held Friday, April 15^th at the Conference Centre.

Mayor Sohm introduced Police Chief Ron Morris who introduced Kenneth Bernardi, Shepherdsville’s newest police officer. He joined the Louisville Police force in 1980 as an EMT and retired from Louisville Metro after 26 years.

Mayor Sohm thanked Brother Drake for coming to the meeting and giving the invocation. He stated he appreciated him taking his time to attend.

Mayor Sohm introduced Elaine Wilson, Executive Director with the Tourism Commission who gave an update on the Conference Centre’s upcoming events for the next several months. She reported that the annual audit showed they are doing exactly what they are supposed to do and they are growing each year. She stated last year was a great year. She reported that the restaurant tax being collected by Shepherdsville is helping to retire their debt; and at this time they rank 14 out of 120 counties in the State for tourism dollars. She reported they are doing several improvements at the Conference Centre such as adding a carport at the front door; and trying to complete an outside speaker system before the July 4^th celebration. She also reported they had purchased additional tables and chairs. She stated the Commission has priced four LED signs on poles to be placed throughout the County to let people know what’s going in the County. She stated they need a place for the sign and electricity from the four largest cities in Bullitt County and that a location needs to be found that minimizes restrictions.  She stated the sign can carry multiple messages. Mayor Sohm stated the City has a right of way in front of Wendy’s at 44 and Adam Shepherd Parkway and this may be a good spot to consider for placement of a sign.

Mayor Sohm announced that the old iron works may have been located on City property. He asked David Strange to explain this discovery in more detail. Mr. Strange reported that the Mayor has been in contact with Ken Blair who has been researching iron furnaces. He stated the discovery is located towards the end of the park property and went on to explain a short history of the iron works business in Shepherdsville.

Mayor Sohm also announced that two lodges are going to work together to clean the cemetery on First Street and put a fence up around it.

There was no Sewer Committee report.

Mayor Sohm again mentioned the old iron works has possibly been located.

Mayor Sohm reported that he had talked with representatives from the State about the roads. He reported that work on the Salt River Bridge will start on Wednesday. There will be one lane closed for the next 40 days. He also reported that Interstate 65 repairs are due to be complete on May 26^th.

There was no Recreation Commission report.

City Attorney Joe Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) rezoning property of Ronald Morton from R-2 Residential to R-3 Residential. The property is 3.5 acres, more or less, located at 640 W Blue Lick Road. City Attorney Wantland stated the rezoning was approved by the Planning Commission with restrictions. The second reading and public hearing will be April 25^th.

Councilwoman Margaret Moore asked the other Council members what they thought about requiring 75’ lots. Councilwoman Trina Summers stated she thinks it’s a good idea. She stated the City could do a text amendment requiring R-3 to 75’ lots. Mayor Sohm stated he could talk with Larry Belcher about making this change. City Attorney Joe Wantland stated he feels we need to get more input before we commit to 75’ lots. He feels this would force builders to construct multi family developments instead of single family dwellings. Mayor Sohm asked Councilwoman Moore to do whatever research she feels is needed to educate herself and if the change is warranted he would support it.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) rezoning property of Rosalio Villa and Tonda Villa from R-2 Residential to R-3 Residential. The property is one lot, 85’ x 149’ located at 654 W Blue Lick Road. City Attorney Wantland stated this rezoning also received approval from the Planning Commission with restrictions. The second reading and public hearing will be April 25^th.

City Attorney Wantland read Resolution 05-001 approving and allowing the Mayor to sign all agreements pertaining to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Institutional Distributors, Inc. Mayor Sohm stated this was a grant from the Transportation Department to add a lane on the south side of Cedar Grove Road. He stated that Bob Fouts with the Economic Development Authority was instrumental in obtaining this $103,950. He stated he feels this will help traffic on 480. Margaret Moore made motion to approve. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there was one new case concerning Shepherdsville. E. Keith White and Dorothy White to rezone 2/10 acre, more or less, from IL Light Industrial to R-3 Residential. The property is located at the south west intersection of Cedar Grove Road and S Hickory Lane. He also reported that he had a rough draft copy of the new residential zones available.

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

Police Chief Ron Morris reported that the Code Enforcement Officer had opened 161 cases since the first of the year. 112 cases have been settled and six people have been cited. He stated that 95-96% of the people are complying. Councilwoman Trina Summers asked Chief Morris about the traffic problems around the City. He stated that there was little the police department could do except possible cite people for blocking intersections.

Councilwoman Moore asked about the railroad crossing completion date. Mayor Sohm reported that tentative completion date is July. He stated there may not be a light at this time but feels there will be one eventually.

Councilwoman Trina Summers complimented the City Clerk for hosting the KLC training on April 5^th. She stated it was a very good workshop. She also asked if there was any way to open up the new park for overflow parking from Frank Simon Park. Mayor Sohm stated we could move the fence back and allow cars to park along the fence in a rocked area. He stated we could use some money left in the park fund for this purpose. Councilwoman Summers stated people need to stop parking along Cox’s fence, but that they need a place for these people to park. She feels a gravel lot would be great because the property at the back stays so wet all the time. Mayor Sohm stated we may be able to determine where the final fence will be erected and move the fence there for parking on gravel. Councilwoman Margaret Moore stated if the YMCA is using the Park they should be helping take care of it. Mayor Sohm stated we need to call a meeting of the Recreation Committee to discuss this and several other issues.

Councilwoman Margaret Moore stated that she drove through the park last week and there were several kids there. She stated this is the reason for having parks to allow young people to have something to do. Mayor Sohm stated that with more use of the parks there is going to be more and more vandalism. He stated we want to be able to keep the parks safe for anyone who uses them.  

Trina Summers made motion to adjourn. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                                             APPROVED:

Tammy Owen, City Clerk                                                                     Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor