Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

JANUARY 26, 2004

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor Rusty Watson, Beech Grove Baptist Church 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 1/12/2004 meeting minutes. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

James Watkins made motion to approve minutes as printed. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm announced that the mayors from the eight cities in Bullitt County (Bullitt County League of Cities) have scheduled a meeting at the Capitol on January 28^th to talk about storm water and homeland security funding for cities among other issues of importance concerning cities. He stated they would also meet with the Kentucky League of Cities to discuss insurance issues, etc. He invited the Council to attend.

Mayor Sohm also announced that the Recreation Committee would meet on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

City Attorney Wantland had second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) requesting rezoning of nine acres, more or less, from All County Realty, LLC under contract to purchase property from Mae Diemer from AG to B-1 Highway Business located at 334 Cedar Grove Road.

Debbie Ray, 360 Cedar Grove Road spoke in opposition of the rezoning. She stated she feels she is losing her neighborhood in pieces and is concerned about the possible increase in vandalism, theft, speeding and disobeying curfew. She would prefer the property stay Agriculture. Mrs. Ray stated she was not notified of the rezoning when it went before the County.

John Wooldridge, representing All County Realty stated that this property is a 9.69 acre tract with a residence that will be removed. It will be zoned B-1 Business with no apartments or homes. He stated plans are to put mini warehouses on the property. Mr. Wooldridge stated that part of the property is in the floodway and nothing can be built in that area. He stated he is sure his clients will agree to a restriction of no adult entertainment establishments or liquor stores be put on the property.

Stacey Cline asked Mrs. Ray why she was not notified? Mrs. Ray stated she did not get notice.

Larry Hatfield asked Mrs. Ray that if she could choose what kind of business to put on the property what would she prefer? Mrs. Ray stated that if she had to have anything she would prefer storage units to anything else.

John Wooldridge stated again that the property owner would agree to no bars on the property. He stated it will be all inside storage, well fenced and well lighted. He also stated that his clients would agree to a restriction of no commercial use at this time or in the future.

Jack Porter stated that he would work with Mr. & Mrs. Ray to help alleviate their concerns and apologized for them not being notified of the change.

Mr. Porter stated he would agree to put up a privacy fence adjacent to Mr. & Mrs. Ray’s property with a 50-foot setback as required by zoning regulations.

After further discussion Margaret Moore made motion to table this issue until the February 9^th meeting since the homeowner was not notified. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm stated Larry Hatfield asked that discussion on extended hours and Sunday liquor sales be discussed further when all Council members were present. Mayor Sohm also stated that at this time no ordinance has been requested to be written.

Larry Hatfield stated he does not understand how the Conference Centre got a license from the City to sell liquor on Sunday. He stated he feels the restaurants that we’re taking money from deserve an answer and he would like to hear what the people have to say.

Mayor Sohm stated that he feels the Conference Centre should collect the 2% tax the same as everyone else does.

David Huff, ABC Officer for Shepherdsville stated the Conference Centre filed for their Alcohol Beverage license in 1999. He stated he feels someone from the City knew this was happening.

Larry Hatfield stated he would like an ordinance drawn up in favor of extended hours and Sunday sales. Extended hours would be Monday thru Friday until 2:00 a.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. He stated he wants to support the centre and other businesses. He also stated that he would like to see the additional revenue generated from this split between the police department in odd years and fire department in even years. He stated he would like to see the police department use the money to get a drug dog. 

Don Cundiff asked if the Conference Centre was licensed differently?

City Attorney Joe Wantland stated that the State does have the ability to license Conference Centre’s with an ESL that allows them to sell liquor on Sunday. He stated they could get a State license that supercedes the City’s ordinance.

Art Robles, Crossroad Community Church, asked how the State could set precedence on the City? He stated he is concerned about drunk drivers and is not in favor of extending hours.

Peggy Newsome, 302 Arnold Lane in Shepherdsville read a letter in support of extended hours and Sunday sales.

Randy Pace, Family Worship Center and President of the Ministerial Association spoke in opposition of the proposed ordinance.

Tom Wofford, Full Gospel Christian Center stated the City should have say so on what goes on at the Conference Centre. Taxpayers are paying for the Centre.

Karen Craddock, 431 Pine Creek Road spoke in opposition of extended hours and Sunday sales.

Bill Logsdon, 4229 Zoneton Road spoke against the extended hours and Sunday sales citing morale values.

Dondie Johnson, 6743 S. Preston Highway, LJ, stated he was against extended hours and Sunday sales. He stated his wife was hurt by a drunk driver and asked how do you put a price tag on someone’s life.

Bill Klinglesmith, Pastor, Crossroad Community Church said enough is enough.

John Arn, 129 Cliffside Drive, stated he has grown to love Shepherdsville and has no desire to move to Louisville. He stated he doesn’t want to see Shepherdsville change.

Mona Safley, Davidson Memorial United Methodist Church asked if the ordinance could be split between the two issues.

Rusty Watson, Beech Grove Baptist Church asked if the Council was going to look at the issue that the Conference Centre could be illegally selling liquor on Sunday?

John Bradshaw, 1046 Apple Valley Way, stated to just tell them no.

Michelle Proffitt, Cundiff Lane asked if this ordinance would effect the adult entertainment establishments.

Tracy Tryon, Spirit of Christ Church stated all the discussion on the Conference Centre has clouded the issue. She stated she moved to Shepherdsville to get away from bars.

Mayor Sohm thanked everyone for coming out and giving their opinion. He stated he wished it didn’t take an issue like this to have people get involved and that he would like to see this many people at each meeting.

Don Cundiff stated he does not feel the Conference Centre intentionally misled the Council or anyone else when getting their license.

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

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 003-588 providing for and protecting the City’s health and the health of its residents, firms and corporations by forbidding the dumping of any trash, in any place, under any condition and promoting the general welfare of the City by refusing to allow any discharge of any debris which also impedes the City’s property values.

Discussion followed on qualifications for a Code Enforcement Officer. Police Chief Ron Morris stated the Council needs to decide if they want a board to review offenses or if they want offenders to go to district court to pay fines. City Attorney Wantland stated he needs input from the Council on this issue. Larry Hatfield stated he feels we need to use a police officer. He also stated he feels we would have a hard time finding someone to sit on a board.

Police Chief Ron Morris introduced Officer Doug Puckett to the Council. He retired from Louisville Metro Police Department and now works for Shepherdsville.

City Attorney Wantland stated that he has spoken with the County Attorney about the delinquent Waste Management accounts. If people are not paying for garbage collection they will be required to go to court.

Larry Hatfield made motion to approve payment of January bills. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there was nothing new to report for Shepherdsville.

Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert stated that he would get a copy of the meeting docket to City Hall to be copied for the Council. He apologized for missing meetings but was unable to attend due to his work schedule.

Mr. Arn addressed the Council about burning in Shepherdsville. City Attorney Wantland stated that the State statute covers burning in the city.

Police Chief Ron Morris stated that the department had received approximately 1000 gunlocks from Project Childsafe to be distributed to the public. He stated these would be given away at Kids Fest in March. He also reported that two officers (Brent Dawson and Joey Alton) have completed Taser training and he will be ordering tasers for each officer next week.

Tony Miller stated that Tot Moore had contacted him about cutting hay off the property on First Street. Mr. Moore offered to plow it up, plant soybeans and hay, cut hay and split any proceeds with the City. Mayor Sohm stated he thinks growing soybeans would be in violation of the agreement with the Farm Service Agency.

Mr. Miller also reported that Tom Manning has bought the car wash on Buckman and he is complaining about the dogs at the house next door.

Larry Hatfield asked if the City could get a list of businesses in the City using Waste Management. The City Clerk stated she would call Mr. McNally at Waste Management and request that list.

Margaret Moore stated that she had received a call from someone who is concerned with the digging on the south side of the river. Mayor Sohm stated that the property owner is digging and that he does have the proper paperwork from the State allowing him to do so.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel. Larry Hatfield made motion to adjourn to executive session and James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Larry Hatfield made motion to return to regular session. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. City Attorney Wantland stated the Mayor has been given instructions on how to proceed.

Larry Hatfield made motion to adjourn. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m.

APPROVED:                                                                                       ATTEST:

Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor                                                               Tammy Owen, City Clerk