Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

JANUARY 12, 2004

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor Randy Pace, Family Worship Center gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.

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

Stacey Cline made motion to dispense with reading of 12/8/2003 special meeting minutes; 12/8/2003 regular meeting minutes and 12/17/2003 special meeting minutes. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Don Cundiff made motion to approve minutes as printed. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm announced the winners of the 2003 Holiday Spirit Award Winner for best-decorated business was Shepherdsville Florist with Honorable Mention going to Hester Insurance.

Mayor Sohm announced that City Hall would be closed Monday, January 19^th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Mayor Sohm announced that the Board of Education would be hosting an open house on January 20^th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at their offices on Highway 44 to showcase their newly renovated building.

Mayor Sohm announced that a seminar would be held for anyone interested in running for public office on January 15^th at the Paroquet Springs Conference Centre at 5:30 p.m.

City Attorney Joe Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) establishing a permit and fee for the construction or demolition of buildings within the City. After discussion on several questions asked by the council James Watkins made motion to approve. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. (The Ordinance will be numbered 004-606.)

Mayor Sohm reported that a public hearing had been held on January 6^th regarding the Facilities Plan. He stated the plan received favorable comment from those in attendance. Mr. Tom Givhan was present and inquired about running sewers to the east end sooner than the plan anticipates. 

There was no report from the Historical Committee.

There was no report from the Transportation Committee.

Mayor Sohm stated that he felt the City had the best holiday display of lights this year on First Street. He reported that the person who was responsible for setting up the display was Bud Coy, a former employee who retired a couple years ago and who passed away on December 31^st. He stated Bud would be missed.

Mayor Sohm reported that Tom Taylor, Chairman of the Recreation Committee had received a copy of the greenway trails plan presented by Jim Rice at a previous meeting. Mr. Taylor would like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Rice to discuss ideas the Committee has about the trail ways.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of 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. City Attorney Wantland stated this rezoning had received approval from the Planning Commission. The public hearing will be January 26^th.

Larry Hatfield made motion to approve payment of December bills. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Tim McNally with Waste Management addressed the Council regarding past due accounts. He stated that Waste Management has the contract for garbage pick up in Shepherdsville and through the years they have accrued a bad debt in excess of $38,000 and per the agreement with the City garbage pick up cannot be stopped. He asked the Council to review the Ordinance and consider changing this clause. He stated that when the time comes to re-bid the contract this would affect rates charged. He stated at this time Waste Management has no recourse and he would like the Council’s ideas on how to collect this debt.

Larry Hatfield asked what happened in other cities if people didn’t pay their bills? Mr. McNally stated that in any other city if an account is 60 days past due service is cut off.

After further discussion Margaret Moore stated if the Council agrees she would like to take these people to court to collect past due debt owed to Waste Management. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Tim & Donna Wise was present at the meeting to address the Council about clean up of properties. He asked the City to take notice of a property on Fourth Avenue that is in need of clean up and has been for several months. He stated his wife also has a list of several other properties that need something done with them. He then stated that he had gotten a copy of the pet ordinance and it does not limit the number of dogs a person can have. He stated he feels the ordinance needs to be amended to limit the number of dogs a person can have not only for nuisance purposes but also for safety reasons.

Mayor Sohm asked Mrs. Wise to give the list of properties that need cleaned up to the City Clerk and asked City Attorney Wantland to check with Jefferson County to see if they have an ordinance that limits the number of dogs a person can have.

After further discussion on the property at 125 Fourth Avenue motion was made by Margaret Moore for the City to clean up and put a lien on the property. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Wise stated he feels perpetual violators should be told if they cannot keep their property up they would be fined.

Mayor Sohm stated he doesn’t think the City can do anything legally about people not keeping their property clean other than send letters. If the City has to clean up and send the homeowner a bill, and the bill is not paid then a lien will be put on the property.

Mrs. Wise stated the City of Shepherdsville needs a Code Enforcement Officer. She feels the City is too big not to have one.

Chief Morris asked if there was a possibility that the City could have a Code Enforcement Board. That way if an officer cites a violator, the Board would assess the fine and they would pay the fine to the City. He feels that would make the Code Enforcement Officer self-sufficient.

City Attorney Wantland stated that people still have right to due process and will eventually end up in a courtroom for violations if fined.

Mayor Sohm stated that Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls will look at property; the Clerk will send letters to violators, and if the property is not cleaned up in the allotted time in the letter the City will clean up and assess liens on property.

Kimberly Shumaker, who lives at 410 W. Airport Road in Lebanon Junction and works at 300 Buffalo Run Road at Buffalo Run Golf course addressed the Council requesting hours of operation for businesses holding beer and/or liquor licenses to be extended to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday and opening sales on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m. She read a letter to the Council regarding this request.

Peggy Newsome addressed the Council on a petition that was signed by businesses requesting extended hours and Sunday sales.

David Huff also addressed the Council about extended hours and Sunday sales.

Pat Donnelly with Turnpike Liquors stated that he wasn’t against extending hours and Sunday sales but his business would not participate in extended hours or Sunday sales.

Larry Hatfield asked if the City could pass an Ordinance raising fees to businesses that will have extended hours? City Attorney Wantland answered yes.

Margaret Moore stated that she had spoken with the City of Hillview’s ABC officer and he stated he didn’t see any changes since extending hours. She also reported that Elizabethtown told her they have had no problems. They give the person stopped for a DUI the opportunity to call a family member to come get them before they arrest them. She also stated that Bardstown had sent a copy of their ordinance on alcoholic beverages.

James Watkins stated he feels the City should find out why the Conference Centre can sell liquor on Sunday.

Stacey Cline stated she would like to look at the hours the Conference Centre sells.

Don Cundiff stated he does not feel the people who support him would be in favor of these changes.

City Attorney Wantland stated that if the Council would like him to draw up an ordinance to please contact him.

Larry Hatfield stated he would like to have Tony Miller present to discuss this further.

Margaret Moore stated she feels that people who work second shift are not given the same opportunity as others if they would like to have a drink and relax after they get off work.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there were two rezoning requests for the City. The first from Norman and Roberta Dillander to rezone property at 1369 Highway 44 West from R-2 Residential to B-2 Central Business and the second by Valley View Farms I Limited Partnership to rezone property on the north side of Cedar Grove Road, bounded by Mooney Lane on the west, Valley View Drive on the east and Salt River of the north from Agricultural to R-3 Residential. Mr. Robards stated both were approved by the Planning Commission with restrictions.

Mr. Robards also reported that his training has expired and he needs eight hours of training to be in compliance; and he also reported that they are still awaiting the new zoning regulations. He stated the delay was with the printer.

Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert was not present at the meeting. Mayor Sohm stated that he did contact Mr. Isert and he was supposed to be in attendance at this meeting. Mr. Isert stated that he has been unable to attend past meetings due to his work schedule.

Assistant Fire Chief William Hamlin stated that he had been asked to inform the Council that Nick Simon has expressed some concern about mutual aid. City Attorney Wantland stated he would like to discuss this matter in executive session.

Police Chief Ron Morris stated that two new police officers had been hired but because of work schedules they have been unable to attend a meeting. One is a 27-year veteran from the Louisville Metro Police Department and the other is a retired Army Major who will start recruit school on Sunday. He also reported that he had spoken with the insurance carrier about the use of tasers and they will have no effect on our coverage.

Stacey Cline asked that the City not send any letter out addressed to just homeowner.

Don Cundiff again inquired about the sign at Paroquet Springs. Mayor Sohm stated that he had met with Danny Rayhill and was told Kenny Stout has control over the sign. Mayor Sohm also stated that he had spoken with Jim Rice about the sign and Mr. Rice feels something can be done about the sign this year. Mayor Sohm stated that City Attorney Wantland knew all parties involved and would try to schedule a meeting to get this resolved by spring. Mr. Cundiff also stated we need to plan to add a Code Enforcement Officer in the next budget. He feels Shepherdsville is too big not to have one.

Margaret Moore stated she feels we need to advertise for the position now. Mayor Sohm stated we couldn’t advertise for a position when the position has not been created. He asked that the Council start thinking what they would like the Code Enforcement Officer job description to be. Mayor Sohm asked City Attorney Wantland to contact the cities of Mt. Washington and Hillview and get their ordinances pertaining to their Code Enforcement Officer.

Larry Hatfield stated feels the Code Enforcement Officer should have police powers.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation and personnel. Mayor Sohm stated he would like to invite Police Chief Ron Morris and Assistant Fire Chief William Hamlin into executive session.  Margaret Moore made motion to adjourn to executive session and Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Larry Hatfield made motion to return to regular session. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. City Attorney Wantland stated that Counsel had been given instructions on how to proceed in litigation cases and that the City will help any fire department in Bullitt County anytime.

James Watkins made motion to adjourn. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

APPROVED:                                                                                       ATTEST:

Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor                                                               Tammy Owen, City Clerk