Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

MAY 12, 2003

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor John Lehenbauer, 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, Larry Hatfield, Tony Miller, Margaret Moore and James Watkins.

Tony Miller made motion to dispense with reading of 4/28/2003 regular meeting minutes. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

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

Mayor Sohm announced that the City would again be participating in the Relay For Life Cancer Walk on May 16^th at Bullitt Central High School.

Mayor Sohm reminded everyone that City Hall would be closed May 26^th in observance of Memorial Day. He stated that a decision would be made at the end of this meeting on whether or not to have a meeting on May 19^th.

Mayor Sohm announced there would be a special meeting on May 13^th at City Hall to discuss a new business possibly locating in Shepherdsville.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Mike Schroeder reported that the old plant was out of service and the new plant was on line. He also stated that he had received several calls on when the repair work would begin from where sewers were put in. He stated the engineer told him that it’s still too wet to begin repair work. 

There was no report from the Historical Committee.

Mayor Sohm stated that he’s been in small cities where trees line Main Street. He stated he would like to do something like this in the downtown area and asked the Council to give it some thought.

Margaret Moore stated the city of Springfield has a great idea on that and suggested the Council go and look at.

Mayor Sohm reported that the Recreation Committee had not had the opportunity to meet but that Reverend Lehenbauer and Thom Miller with the YMCA are interested in joining the committee.

City Attorney Joe Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 995-343 relating to the imposition of an occupational license tax upon the privilege of engaging in any trade, occupation or profession within the City of Shepherdsville. After some discussion Tony Miller made motion to pass. James Watkins 2^nd. Vote tied 3-3. Mayor Sohm broke the tie voting in favor of passing the occupational withholding tax increase. Motion carried 4-3. (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-574.)

City Attorney Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 995-345 imposing a business license fee upon businesses, occupations, trades and professions carried on, conducted or read within the limits of the City of Shepherdsville requiring all persons, firms or corporations pursuing same to first obtain a license therefore and providing penalties for engaging in same without a license. After some discussion Larry Hatfield made motion to leave the business license fee as it is. Motion died for lack of 2^nd. After further discussion Larry Hatfield again made motion to leave the business license fee as it is. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion failed 2-4 (Margaret Moore, Stacey Cline, Tony Miller, James Watkins). James Watkins made motion to pass business license fee increase. Margaret Moore 2^nd. Motion carried 4-2 (Don Cundiff, Larry Hatfield). (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-575).

City Attorney Wantland had second reading of Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 000-493 establishing all fees for the City of Shepherdsville’s wastewater treatment facilities.

Larry Hatfield suggested this item be tabled for a while. He feels this ordinance should be separated into two ordinances, one dealing with fees and one dealing with the capacity charge. City Attorney Wantland stated that the State prefers all wastewater fees be covered in one ordinance. Margaret Moore made motion to pass. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 4-2 (Larry Hatfield, Stacey Cline). (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-576.)

Mr. Hatfield stated this not only raises residential rates but it charges each developer a high fee.

City Attorney Wantland stated this would only affect new developments started after June 1^st.

City Attorney Wantland had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) rezoning real property of Thomas B. Givhan, containing 0.3 acre, more or less, located at the northeast intersection of Cherry Street and Plum Street to R-3 Residential.

Mr. Aaron Givhan was present at the meeting. He stated the property was zoned for residential use and they are not building apartments there. He stated there will be a single family home and it was zoned R-3 for the lot size. James Watkins made motion to pass. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-577.)

City Attorney Wantland had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) rezoning real property of P.I.E. Inc., containing 8.61 acres, more or less, located on the west side of Coral Ridge Road, 200’, more or less, north of 301 Coral Ridge Road from R-2 Residential to B-1 Highway Business. He stated there are restrictions on this ordinance. James Watkins removed himself from voting on this issue.

John Wooldridge was present at the meeting. He stated there would be a screen buffer running east/west and also a buffer on 1020 for residences. He stated it would be an earthen buffer with trees planted on top.

Tony Miller made motion to rezone. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 5-0-1 (James Watkins).  (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-578.)

City Attorney Wantland had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) rezoning real property of Able, LLC, containing 3.88 acres, more or less, located at the intersection of Highway 44 East and Houston Drive from R-3 Residential to B-2 Central Business.

John Wooldridge was present at the meeting. He stated this request did receive a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission and the primary use of the property will be for an office building.

Tony Miller made motion to rezone. Larry Hatfield 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-579.)

City Attorney Wantland had second summary reading of Ordinance 003-(number to be assigned) amending Ordinance 982-82 establishing the position of building inspector and alcoholic beverage control commissioner.

Larry Hatfield made motion to pass. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. (This Ordinance will be numbered 003-580.)

City Attorney Wantland read a Resolution requesting the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority issue Industrial Building Revenue Bonds to finance an industrial building project within the City for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky Inc. Peter Diakov and Dr. Marsha Berry were present at the meeting to answer any questions from the Council. After some discussion James Watkins made motion to pass. Tony Miller 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Discussion followed on request from Daniel & Valerie Moore to subordinate their mortgage. Larry Hatfield made motion to pass subordination. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm reported that Hill Bleemel has offered to cut hay on the City’s property this year.

James Watkins stated he feels we should put this discussion off until the next meeting and bid out.

After some discussion Don Cundiff made motion to allow Hill Bleemel to cut the hay with a 60/40 split of the money. Margaret Moore 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tony Miller made motion to pay May bills. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated that he has talked with Ms. Baugh and she is working to clean up her property. He also stated she told him she is willing to sell the lily pond.

Mayor Sohm stated we need to consult with the Health Department and ask Chief Spriggs to look at the property and give an order to remedy.

He also stated Ms. Baugh would give an easement to widen Old Ford Road.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards reported there was one application for Shepherdsville but it had been withdrawn. He also stated that Fiscal Court has been asking for more detailed notes from the Planning Commission meetings and suggested that if the City would like to receive more detailed notes we should contact them and let them know.

City Attorney Wantland recommended getting the audiotapes from the testimony given at the meetings as well as additional information.

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

Assistant Fire Chief Terry Whittaker stated he was glad the Council has stepped up to the plate by passing an Ordinance to bring more revenue to the City.

Police Chief Ron Morris reported that the Shepherdsville Police Department would participate in the Buckle Up Kentucky program from May 19^th to June 1^st. He also stated that several letters had been delivered by the police department to area businesses regarding their occupational business license.

Don Cundiff asked about the house on Highway 44. Mayor Sohm stated that Chief Spriggs met with the property owner and he needs to coordinate with PWF Jesse Walls to help tear the building down with a backhoe.

Mr. Cundiff also asked about the Hall property behind Shell where the building burned.

Larry Hatfield asked about the sewer line easement on J.E. Lee’s property. Mayor Sohm stated they are waiting on signatures from other utility companies. He stated he would call the engineer to check the status.

Margaret Moore asked what the qualifications were for the code enforcement officer. Mayor Sohm stated we have an ordinance on the code enforcement officer. Ms. Moore stated she would like to see if the City could get a code enforcement officer.

City Attorney Wantland stated he would talk with the Chief and look at the ordinance about a code enforcement officer.

Ms. Moore asked if more picnic tables could be put on First Street? Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls to take care of this.

Ms. Moore also asked if new equipment could be ordered for the park on Highway 44 West? Mayor Sohm stated we would put this request in the budget.

Ms. Moore also stated there are some benches that are leaning and need to be dug up and reset. She asked PWF Walls to put a bench on Highway 44 and she would show him where.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation and possible purchase of property.

Tony Miller made motion to adjourn to executive session. Stacey Cline 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 that the Mayor had been given instructions from the Council to proceed.

Larry Hatfield made motion to adjourn. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

APPROVED:                                                                                       ATTEST:

Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor                                                               Tammy Owen, City Clerk