Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

AUGUST 23, 2004

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Ed Jensen, Divine Savior Lutheran Church gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

In attendance were Council members Stacey Cline, Don Cundiff, Tony Miller, Margaret Moore, Duane Price and James Watkins.

James Watkins made motion to dispense with reading of 8/2/2004 special (regular) meeting minutes and 8/12/2004 special meeting minutes. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

After discussion on the 8/12/2004 special meeting minutes it was determined that the wrong minutes were printed. James Watkins made motion to approve only the 8/2/2004 special (regular) minutes as printed. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. The 8/12/2004 special meeting minutes will be re-printed for approval.

Mayor Sohm introduced Jim Rice with Flynn Brothers to update the Council on the greenway trails project at the Cedar Grove Business Park. Mr. Rice reported that construction on the walking trails has been started and should be complete within the next 60 days. He reported bridges are being made to go over the spillways. He said it was decided to do the trails in dense grade gravel instead of mulch to keep them cleaner and the trails would be five foot wide. He also stated that people are already using the trails. Mayor Sohm asked Mr. Rice if there would be any docks constructed? Mr. Rice stated that the large lake has a place to stand to fish and at the small lake stepping-stones or big boulders could be put in. He invited the City Council to come out and look at the progress. Mr. Rice stated that they would try to get the path down to Quilts by Donna, both lakes, and the Gordon Food path done in the next 60 days.

Mayor Sohm welcomed back to work Logan Haycraft who was off for several months due to an illness.

Mayor Sohm announced that Rudy Jaques retired from the City effective 7/31/2004.

Mayor Sohm announced that Mike Schroeder has earned his Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class IV Certification. He stated the City is very proud of Mike for this accomplishment.

City Attorney Wantland had second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) on request by Shela Bolus and the Troutwine Family LLC to rezone property located on the east side of W Blue Lick Road, 1500’, more or less, north of Salt Well Road from Agricultural and R-2 Residential to R-3 Residential. There was no public comment. Tony Miller made motion to approve with restrictions. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 004-635.)

City Attorney Wantland had second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) on request by Marilyn M. Lee to rezone property located on the north side of Cedar Grove Road, 300’, more or less, west of Cedar Grove Elementary School from Agricultural to IL – Light Industrial. John Wooldridge stated he was present on behalf of the Lee family if there were any questions. There was no public comment. Tony Miller made motion to approve with restrictions. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 004-636.)

City Attorney Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) providing storm shelters in mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks within the corporate limits of the City. City Attorney Wantland stated this Ordinance only affects new parks. James Watkins made motion to approve. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 004-637.)

City Attorney Wantland had second reading by summary of temporary light duty guidelines to be added to the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual. Don Cundiff made motion to add to the Personnel Policy. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm reported that Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls had looked at several pieces of equipment including a chipper, bobcat skid steer loader, street sweeper and vactor truck. Mayor Sohm stated that some of these pieces could be used for dual purposes. PWF Walls stated that the City is in dire need of a skid steer loader to help with completing the Highway 44 West sidewalk project. Mayor Sohm stated he does feel the City needs a chipper but that we need to do a little more research before making that purchase. Margaret Moore made motion to purchase the bobcat with the skid steer loader. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tony Miller stated he had again been contacted by representatives from the company Street Sweeping of America regarding street sweeping. He stated representatives from the company would like to come to the next meeting to discuss this further.

Mayor Sohm stated he had contacted the State regarding sweeping State roads and they are at least six weeks behind in sweeping. Mayor Sohm was told to call a year in advance for street cleaning by the State.

There was no Sewer Committee report.

Mayor Sohm stated that the history of the Hackett Farm and the graves at the Cedar Grove Business Park would be interesting to research.

PWF Walls stated that Mago was again starting to pave within the City. He reported they would be back this week. After some discussion on repair/repaving of Salt Well Drive it was determined that the City only owns the road halfway back. The rest is the responsibility of the owner to repair. Mayor Sohm stated that the City has not been asked to take the remainder of this road over and would not take it over if asked because the road is in such bad shape. Police Chief Ron Morris was asked to have Code Enforcement send a letter to the owner requesting the road be repaired.

There was no report from the Recreation Committee.

City Attorney Wantland stated that there are minutes from the City showing that Highland Court had been taken over by the City on 9/12/88. He stated he would like to now have minutes showing that the road is dedicated to public use. Margaret Moore made motion to approve. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0-1 (Don Cundiff abstained).

Stacey Cline made motion to approve payment of August bills. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tim Wise, 145 Fifth Avenue addressed the Council about 4^th and 5^th Streets in Salt River. He stated that you couldn’t enter 4^th Avenue without hitting a large pothole. Mayor Sohm stated that 4^th Avenue is on the list for paving repairs. Mr. Wise also stated his concern about two properties on 4^th Avenue. He stated that there is a house that was moved in next door to him that is abandoned and that 234 4^th Avenue is abandoned. He stated he would like to see the house next to him condemned so that he could possibly purchase it and clean it up. Mr. Wise also stated he feels Shepherdsville needs a leash law. Mayor Sohm stated he agrees there are several loose dogs on 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Avenues but there is a countywide lease law that the City follows. He suggested Mr. Wise call the new dog warden. Councilwoman Stacey Cline also suggested calling the County Judge’s office and report the dogs. Mr. Wise stated he has been to several meetings complaining about property owners on 5^th Avenue. Mayor Sohm stated that when a complaint is made a letter is sent and the procedure is followed. Mr. Wise then stated his concern about an 18-wheel truck parking in their front yard. City Attorney Wantland stated that parking in your own front yard is not against the law. This person can park their truck on their property wherever they want. Mr. Wise suggested putting weight limit signs on the street. Mayor Sohm said this could not be done because it would also apply to garbage trucks, dump trucks, etc. Councilwoman Margaret Moore stated these homes were developed from governmental funds and asked if the property owner can be made to keep the property clean? Mayor Sohm answered yes. He stated that the City would isolate the homes, take pictures and get the contracts to City Attorney Wantland to review and take steps to remedy this problem.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there was one case for Shepherdsville. Properties Limited, LLC requested to rezone property located on the south side of Highway 44 East abutting the east property line of 2003 Highway 44 East from R-2 and Stream Valley Reserve to B-2 Central Business. Mr. Robards stated this rezoning was approved with restrictions.

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

Don Cundiff asked about the status of the house on Second Street? Mayor Sohm stated he has had two conversations with the owner of the property and she is still interested in donating the property. He stated a letter was sent to clean up the property. Mr. Cundiff stated he would like to send another letter to the property owner and give a time limit for clean up to be done or donate the property. He stated he feels the City has been more than patient regarding this problem.

Margaret Moore asked Chief Morris to check out Miller Drive in Capps Park for abandoned cars and junk. She also reported that the streetlight at Melwood and Highway 44 was out. Ms. Moore also stated her concern about the pond on Highway 61 where the road is going through. Mayor Sohm stated that the water would continue to pond there until a tile was put in. He asked Ms. Moore if she wanted to give the go ahead to place the tile in the road. She stated yes. Ms. Moore stated she was proud to see former Mayor Sparrow in the audience today and also recognized State Representative Mary Harper in the audience.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss land acquisition, personnel, and litigation. James Watkins made motion to adjourn to executive session. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

James Watkins made motion to return to regular session. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. City Attorney Wantland stated that the Mayor had been given instructions on how to proceed with land acquisition.

Copies of the 8/12/2004 minutes were handed out to the Council for approval. Don Cundiff made motion to approve as printed. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

James Watkins made motion to adjourn. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                                             APPROVED:              

Tammy Owen, City Clerk                                                                     Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor