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APRIL 26, 2004

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Councilman Tony Miller gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

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

Stacey Cline made motion to dispense with reading of 4/12/2004 regular meeting minutes. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

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

Mayor Sohm introduced Steve Evert with KVS Information Systems to discuss proposal for purchase of new software for the City. After the presentation Margaret Moore asked City Attorney Joe Wantland if this shouldn’t be bid out. City Attorney Wantland stated that was not necessary since the proposal is for purchase of personal services. After further discussion the City Clerk was instructed to call Don Lawson with Stephens and Lawson, the auditor for the City and ask his opinion of the software. James Watkins then made motion to authorize the Mayor to negotiate for the software contingent upon the auditors okay. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0-1 (Margaret Moore abstained). 

City Attorney Wantland had second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) rezoning property of Thomas B. Givhan, Aaron Givhan, Ellen Givhan and Elise G. Spainhour from R-4, B-1, B-2, IL and IG to R-3 Residential. The property is 70 acres, more or less, and located in the City beginning at the southwest intersection of W Blue Lick Road and Saltwell Drive. The property is bounded, in part, by the southern property line of the Shepherdsville Mobile Home Park, the west property line of Bullitt Lick Middle School property and it abuts part of Bratcher Estates. City Attorney Wantland stated this rezoning received favorable approval with restrictions from the Planning Commission.

A lady in the audience stated there was supposed to be a restriction of all brick homes. City Attorney Wantland stated that restriction was not in the official record from the Planning Commission.

Tony Miller asked Mr. Givhan if he would consider tiling the ditch behind Bratcher Estates to help alleviate the drainage problem? Mr. Givhan stated he doesn’t see how water would get in the tile.

Mayor Sohm stated that before the project begins plans would be submitted to the City for review on drainage and sewage. An engineer will review the plans and determine if they meet the City’s design criteria standards.

After further discussion Larry Hatfield made motion to table this issue so the Council can go look at the area to be rezoned. Motion died for lack of 2^nd.

Janice Clark, 362 Tara Circle in Bratcher Estates addressed the Council stating she agreed to housing, not apartments behind her home. She stated that in the minutes from the Planning Commission meeting Mr. Givhan stated he would make every effort to brick the homes. Ms. Clark also stated that all the homes are on 60-foot lots. She stated she feels bigger houses would be better in the area, and that Shepherdsville has plenty of apartments. She also stated her concern because the water does not drain.

Larry Hatfield asked Mr. Givhan if he would be willing to all brick homes? Mr. Givhan stated absolutely not, that would add at least $8000.00 to cost of each house.

Mr. Hatfield stated he feels all brick will look better in five years.

Mayor Sohm stated he thinks Ms. Clark is asking that just all brick homes be built along the property line along Bratcher Estates.

Mr. Givhan stated that he agreed to hold to single family residences in this area, he stated it has trailer parks adjoining all sides of the property, but he did not agree to put all brick in there.

City Attorney Wantland stated we were not here to rehash the Planning Commission meeting.

Ms. Clark stated she would like to discuss 70-foot lots. City Attorney Wantland stated the City can not go back and change what was agreed to at the Planning Commission meeting.

Stacey Cline made motion to accept rezoning as recommended by the Planning Commission. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm announced there would be a meeting with the Transportation Cabinet to discuss the Study of Highway 44 on Thursday, May 6^th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. He encouraged all business owners, public officials, developers and anyone with an interest in Highway 44 to attend this meeting.

Mayor Sohm stated that he thought all the Council members had looked at the drainage problem at River Valley and Beechwood Estates subdivisions.

Larry Hatfield stated he don’t know what the City can do because of the problem being on private property.

City Attorney Wantland stated if the easement is a dedicated drainage easement and dedicated to public use the City can fix the problem.

Larry Hatfield stated if the City fixes this problem for these people we’re going to have to do the same for everybody else and he feels that financially the City can’t afford it.

Mr. Hatfield asked if the problem could be solved without tiling? Mayor Sohm stated that the hump could come out and the dirt flattened. Mr. Hatfield stated we could take the trees out within our easement.

City Attorney Wantland stated the preliminary estimate to fix this problem was $40,000. He asked the homeowners present if they would be willing to pay half this cost. Mr. Jed Bowman, a resident of  Beechwood Estates stated that he had spoken with the approximately 20 families effected by this problem and many of them do not have the fund available to pay for the project.

Mayor Sohm stated he doesn’t know what we can do, the City can tear down the trees and fix the ditch.

After further discussion, Don Cundiff made 

There was no report from the Sewer, Historical or Transportation/Beatification Committees.

Mayor Sohm stated he had met with David Presnell III and they are ready to proceed with the design on the road to connect the three parks. Mayor Sohm asked the Council if they had any improvements they would like to see made to the parks to let him know. He stated he would like to put dugouts at Frank Simon Park on Highway 44. Margaret Moore stated she would like to see some playground equipment for small children put at Frank Simon Park on Highway 44.

Discussion followed on the proposal from Sweep All to clean city streets. Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated he only received one bid. Margaret Moore asked if this proposal included cleaning Highway 44 East up to the I-65 ramp? PWF Walls stated this bid did not include that area. Margaret Moore stated we need to do the first cleaning now. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls to get two more quotes and call Sweep All and ask if this price would include Highway 44 to I-65. Margaret Moore made motion to do one time clean up including Highway 44 East up to the I-65 overpass. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm stated that Fire Chief Robbie Spriggs and Police Chief Ron Morris had met with a representative from Keyes & Associates Architects to discuss design of a new fire/police station. He asked Assistant Chief Terry Whittaker to explain the bid to the Council. Assistant Chief Whittaker stated that Chief Spriggs and Chief Morris had met with the architect to discuss design of new fire station and police headquarters. He would ask the Council to approve the $2800.00 cost to move forward with the design. Mayor Sohm stated the fire department has applied for grants to help with the cost of construction and federal appropriations may be available for training, equipment, and the training facility. Tony Miller made motion to approve. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm stated that at the special meeting on March 23^rd it was decided to discuss raising the fees of those who hook onto the new interceptor line at this meeting and to also discuss annual CPI increases for sewer customers.

The Council stated they would like to pass on these two items at this time and discuss at the next meeting when developers involved could be present.

There were several residents from River Valley and Beechwood Estates subdivisions present to discuss drainage.

Jed Bowman presented the Council with pictures showing the problems with drainage. He also had a petition asking the City to help with this problem. He stated the residents of Beechcliff Circle and Seminole Court are losing their back yards due to the problem.

City Attorney Wantland asked Mr. Bowman what he thought the solution was? Mr. Bowman stated the first option would be to knock the trees down and widen the ditch or the second option would be to remove the trees and put in a culvert.

Mayor Sohm stated he asked Jim Rice with Flynn Brothers to look at the problem. Mr. Rice feels it would cost between $40,000-$44,000 for this project to correct the problems. Mayor Sohm stated that the dirt from this project could possibly be sold to help defray the cost. Mayor Sohm stated the City has a 15-foot easement on each side at the back of all this property making a total of 30 foot.

Larry Hatfield asked if the Council could go look at the problem. Then bid it out and get it fixed.

City Attorney Wantland asked Mr. Bowman what financial help the residents would be willing to make? Mr. Bowman stated they had not talked about any cost between the homeowners they had hoped the City would fix.

Sharon Miles stated the residents would offer to burn the trees when they come down. That would save some money.

Larry Hatfield stated he feels the Council should go look at. After further discussion it was decided to meet at City Hall on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. to go look at problem.

James Watkins asked the residents present if everyone would be in agreement to grant a temporary easement to fix the problem? Mr. Bowman stated he did not think that would be a problem.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there were three cases brought before the Commission at the last meeting and one case will be heard on April 22^nd. Richard Miles asked for rezoning of 108 acres, more or less from Agricultural to R-3 Residential. This was approved with restrictions. William Reesor, Ronald Reesor, James Ricky Reesor and Darlene Francis Perkins had two cases. The first was to rezone 5.8 acres, more or less, from R-2 and Stream Valley Reserve and B-1 Highway Business. This was approved. The second was to rezone 31.67 acres, more or less, from Stream Valley Reserve to R-3 Residential. This was approved with restrictions. Matsuda, LLC asked for rezoning of 53.163 acres to EPA and 66.864 acres to EPB from R-1 Residential, R-4 Residential, Agricultural and B-1 Highway Business. This case will be heard on April 22nd.

There was no report from Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert.

Police Chief Ron Morris reported that the tasers are in and will be issued to officers on each shift upon completion of training.

Don Cundiff asked about the sign on the underpass allowing three cars at a time to pass through. PWF Walls stated that he had ordered the sign but it had not come in yet. Mr. Cundiff asked Mayor Sohm how the meeting in Frankfort went to discuss road plans in Shepherdsville? Mayor Sohm stated that the Transportation Secretary told the Commissioners present at the meeting to work out the details so that the City could proceed with Adam Shepherd Parkway and Conestoga Parkway.

Mr. Cundiff also stated he would like to go into executive session to discuss litigation, personnel and property purchase.

Larry Hatfield asked how Waste Management bid? Mayor Sohm stated they base their bid on number of households and whether they bill for service or the City bills for service. Mr. Hatfield also stated that in the next budget he feels any new employee should pay a portion of their insurance.

Margaret Moore stated she feels we need a sign a Shoney’s showing traffic must merge. Tony Miller stated there is already a sign there. Ms. Moore stated then maybe we need two because no one pays any attention to it.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss property purchase, litigation and personnel. Stacey Cline made motion to adjourn to executive session. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

James Watkins made motion to return to regular session. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Mayor Sohm stated the City didn’t purchase any property, no decision made on personnel and that the City Attorney shall proceed as directed.

Mayor Sohm stated there is a business on the north end of the City, the rock quarry that is fighting for their right to stay open during legal matters. He would like to send a letter of support from the City stating they should stay open until all matters are resolved. Margaret Moore made motion to write letter. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 3-2-1 (Larry Hatfield, Tony Miller voted against. James Watkins abstained from voting.)

Don Cundiff made motion to adjourn. Larry Hatfield 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:26 p.m.

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