Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

MARCH 28, 2005

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Father David Naylor, St. Aloysius Catholic 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 Stacey Cline, Tony Miller, Margaret Moore, Faith Portman, Trina Summers and Alan Wetzel.

Trina Summers made motion to dispense with reading of 3/14/2005 meeting minutes. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tony Miller made motion to approve minutes as printed. Trina Summers 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm announced that the City is hosting a City Government Basics Workshop presented by KLC on Tuesday, April 5^th, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Conference Centre.

Mayor Sohm announced and congratulated Pat Welsh, an employee at the Sewer Plant who attained his Class I Wastewater Operators License. He stated he took the initiative to learn more and accomplished his goal.

Mayor Sohm announced that the Norton Immediate Care Center will be open by the end of the month. The hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. seven days a week. He stated this is a great addition to the community.

Mayor Sohm announced that Congressman Ron Lewis would be at City Hall at 9:00 a.m. on March 30^th to present the City with a $100,000 grant check to be used for the Phase II Stormwater initiative. He invited everyone to attend.

Mayor Sohm announced that the City will receive $110,224.62 from the General Assembly to be used for road repairs. Mayor Sohm stated the amount was based on the 2000 census population and was a pleasant unexpected surprise.

Mayor Sohm announced that a Civil War Reenactment, “Morgan’s Great Raid”, would be held at First Street Park on August 6^th. It is open to the public and admission is free.

Mayor Sohm stated that at the last meeting Councilwoman Moore requested a special meeting with the auditor to discuss the audit. He announced the meeting would be on Tuesday, April 26^th at 5:00 p.m. The Council unanimously agreed to date and time.

City Attorney Joe Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 005-(number to be assigned) amending a portion of Ordinance 000-508 establishing all fees for the City of Shepherdsville’s Wastewater Treatment facilities. Trina Summers made motion to accept. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 005-652.)

There was no Sewer Committee report.

Mayor Sohm again mentioned the Civil War Reenactment in August. He stated he would like to see the City get more involved and promote activities like this. He stated the Tourism Commission will help promote the event. 

Mayor Sohm again mentioned the money coming in from the General Assembly. He stated he would like to use the money for road repairs throughout the City.

Mayor Sohm stated that the Public Works Department has been getting prices on another mower with a 72” cut to help keep up with grass mowing in the City. We will have more information available at the next meeting.

Ms. Ruth Chowning with the Bullitt County Extension Office was present at the meeting to discuss a Walkable Communities program in Bullitt County. She stated that Cynthia Brown with the Bullitt County Health Department was unable to attend and sends her regrets. Ms. Chowning stated that Bullitt County needs to address obesity trends in the County. They have grown in large numbers in the past years and she feels this project will give people an opportunity to help with the problem. She outlined the program and asked that First Street Park be promoted at a walking path. She stated she is asking for three things from the City: She would like permission to put up signs in City Park denoting the walking trail; she would like assistance from the City in putting up the signs along the trail; and would ask that the City work to develop further walkable communities throughout the area. She stated there is a lot of federal money available to help make communities “walkable”. Councilwoman Summers stated that Lazy River North was not in the City limits so she would have to contact someone else about that area. Ms. Chowning stated she would contact the homeowners association of Lazy River for permission to use this area. Mayor Sohm stated he can’t think of any reason why the City wouldn’t want to participate in this program. Councilwoman Summers asked Ms. Chowning if the City would be responsible for upkeep of the equipment. Ms. Chowning stated that they would maintain and replace the equipment when needed. Stacey Cline made motion to place all medical mile signs throughout First Street Park. Trina Summers 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Faith Portman made motion to approve payment of March bills. Alan Wetzel 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Gaither Flatt. A resident of The Pointe subdivision was present to again address the problem of drainage. Mayor Sohm stated that the area had been videoed and there is one drain where a tile connects to the wet well that is in bad shape. He stated he does not know if the City can legally pour concrete to keep it from eroding any further and backfill with dirt. Councilwoman Moore stated the developer should be called. Mayor Sohm stated we can’t go back on the developer or their heirs to fix something not done when constructed. Councilwoman Portman made motion to fix on a temporary basis. Councilman Wetzel stated we need to talk to property owners to get permission to fix. He also stated he is concerned about putting concrete in. He feels this could hinder finding the real problem. Mr. Flatt stated there are easements behind their property. City Attorney Wantland asked Mr. Flatt what he would like the Council to do. Mr. Flatt stated somebody needs to take responsibility. He feels the developer should fix this problem. City Attorney Wantland stated that the homeowner holds the builder accountable for making sure the job is done correctly. Councilwoman Portman withdrew her motion to fix on a temporary basis. Stacey Cline made motion to table until Council could go out and look at the problem and discuss further at the next meeting. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated he could quick plug but the best way to determine problem would be to dig out. He stated if the City fixes it must be dug up. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls and Wastewater Superintendent Mike Schroeder to go look at the problem and get estimate to fix.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there were no new cases concerning Shepherdsville.

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

Police Chief Ron Morris reported that the e-mail alert system now has 1100-1200 recipients. He encouraged anyone interested to call and get registered for the program. He stated the program has already helped apprehend several suspects. Chief Morris stated that several meetings ago the Council asked about physicals for the officers. He reported that officers are required to have physicals and there is also a random drug testing program in place. He also stated that the Ordinance that deals with junk vehicles needs to be revamped. He stated he would work on revisions and put copies in the Council’s box.

Tony Miller stated he would like to thank Happy Cahoe for fixing the streetlight at High School Drive.

Margaret Moore stated that as soon as the weather permits she wants the parks and park equipment cleaned up and repaired. Ms. Moore asked if the City was going to have a City wide garbage pick up. Mayor Sohm stated the County is having one in April. He stated the City has grown and it takes more time and is more expensive. He stated we could possibly set up a uniform day with Rumpke to pick up large items. Ms. Moore thinks the City needs to get more involved with clean up. Chief Morris stated the Code Enforcement officer opens cases every day with over 100 cases this year. Trina Summers stated she would like to compliment the Code Enforcement officer on his efforts on Highway 61. Chief Morris stated he will have a report at the next meeting on how many cases have been opened up. He feels the compliance rate is very good. Ms. Moore also asked about the car wash at the railroad tracks. She stated it needs to be cleaned up. Chief Morris stated that is one problem with the ordinance we have in place now. It allows for two junk cars to be on a property.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss possible property purchase. Faith Portman made motion to adjourn to executive session. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tony Miller made motion to return to regular session. Faith Portman 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

City Attorney Wantland stated they discussed land acquisition and the Counsel and Mayor have been given instructions on how to proceed and will do so.

Alan Wetzel made motion to adjourn. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                                             APPROVED:

Tammy Owen, City Clerk                                                                     Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor