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APRIL 14, 2003

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor Robert Stoess, Shepherdsville Church of Nazarene gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Cub Scout Pack #176.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

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

Tony Miller made motion to dispense with reading of 3/24/2003 regular meeting minutes, 4/3/2003 and 4/10/2003 special meeting minutes. Don Cundiff 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Tony Miller made motion to approve minutes as printed. Don Cundiff 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm introduced Dannye Allen; Shepherdsville’s first full time paid training officer for the fire department.

Mayor Sohm announced that Bullitt Derby Days would be held May 2-3 at the Paroquet Springs Conference Centre.

Mayor Sohm announced that effective April 29th Joe Wantland would be Shepherdsville’s City Attorney. Norman Lemme is taking a leave of absence.

Mayor Sohm announced that Judge Waller ruled in the City’s favor in the KAT annexation case.

City Attorney Lemme had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-570 relating to rezoning real property of Charles L. Hamilton Living Trust, Mary T. Hamilton Living Trust, Mary Ann Miller Revocable Trust, James C. Hamilton Living Trust and the Sarah Nell McDade Revocable Trust, containing 34.39 acres, more or less, located on the south side of Cedar Grove Road across from Cedar Grove Elementary School to B-1 Highway Business and 122.35 acres, more or less, on the south side of Cedar Grove Road across from Cedar Grove Elementary School to IL Light Industrial. City Attorney Lemme stated this rezoning had received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Attorney John Wooldridge was present as Counsel for the applicant.

There was no public comment.

Tony Miller made motion to approve rezoning. Don Cundiff 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Lemme had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-571 rezoning real property of Judy Newsome, containing 4.78 acres, more or less, located at 212 Cedar Grove Road to IL Light Industrial. City Attorney Lemme stated this rezoning had also received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Attorney John Wooldridge was present as Counsel for this applicant also. He stated that Gobel Newsome Jr. has a contract to buy this property and will build one building and house his equipment on the property.

There was no comment from the public.

Don Cundiff stated he has some concerns about traffic in the area.

Larry Hatfield made motion to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Tony Miller 2nd. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Don Cundiff abstained).

City Attorney Lemme had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-572 rezoning real property of Kerrin Hester Sr. containing 10 acres, more or less, located at 1689 S. Preston Highway to B-1 Highway Business. City Attorney Lemme stated this also received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission.

There was no public comment.

Larry Hatfield made motion to accept rezoning. James Watkins 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Lemme had second summary reading and public hearing on Ordinance 003-573 rezoning real property of Dogwood Homes of Kentucky, LLC containing 39.35 acres, more or less, located at 348 Old Ford Road to R-3 Residential. City Attorney Lemme stated this also received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission.

John Clan, a resident of Old Ford Road stated he was all for this zoning change.

Tony Miller made motion to rezone. Larry Hatfield 2nd. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Margaret Moore abstained).

Mayor Sohm reported he called the State building inspector’s office and talked with Mr. Logan Spalding. Mr. Spalding stated they have 15 inspectors for the entire state but assured the Mayor that service would not change in regard to 20,000 square feet buildings and up. Mayor Sohm stated that the County would do inspections for up to and including 20,000 square feet buildings and give the City 25% of the fee. Mayor Sohm stated the County’s plan is to have someone if the future to do all buildings. He stated that in talking with the County Judge and County Building Inspector Don Coffman the City could sign an interlocal agreement using each level three inspector.

Larry Hatfield made motion to turn building inspections over to the County and have the State inspect buildings over 20,000 square feet maintaining a copy of the records at City Hall. Tony Miller 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

City Attorney Lemme reported that he had further conferred with the County Attorney Walt Sholar and they have agreed to the revisions the City wants in the agreement for street repair and ditching. Don Cundiff made motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. James Watkins 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Sohm reported that we did not receive the rate study we were thought to get today so we could further discuss the sewer rate increase. He stated he feels we need a 27% increase to cover the cost of the new sewer construction cost and sewer plant.

Further discussion on revising the occupational tax ordinance followed. Mayor Sohm stated it’s clear that we have to do something to raise revenue. He stated if we leave the property tax rate at 14.6/$100 with the added property this year that will generate approximately $50,000-$60,000 additional revenue. Mayor Sohm stated he has been gathering other cities tax rates to compare to ours. He also stated if we raise the occupational license fee to $100 that could bring in approximately $50,000 additional revenue and if we raise the occupational withholding tax to 1% that would generate approximately $625,000 in additional revenue.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Mike Schroeder reported that some grade and seed work is being done to the area affected by sewer installation but it’s still not dry enough to do much.

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

Discussion followed on a request by Jessie and Jackie Carrier to subordinate their mortgage agreement. James Watkins made motion to subordinate the mortgage not to exceed $42,000. Don Cundiff 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Discussion followed on a request by Full Gospel Christian Center to have their annual Crosswalk on Good Friday. Margaret Moore made motion to allow the Crosswalk. Tony Miller 2nd. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Sohm asked Police Chief Morris to have to police department help with traffic control.

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards reported there were three new rezoning cases for Shepherdsville, Givhan, Able LLC and PIE Inc.

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

Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls reported they were still cleaning up around the public works building and cutting grass in the City. He also reported that the fire department was going to use the old water plant as a training facility.

James Watkins stated he feels the City needs to support the fire department in every way possible because we are a Council for the people who are going to have to pay additional fire tax if the fire department issues are not resolved.

Don Cundiff stated he feels the construction company building the new courthouse needs to do a better job of cleaning up the area around the site. PWF Walls stated he would talk with Judge Rigdon about the problem.

Larry Hatfield stated main street needs to be swept. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls to get prices on street cleaning. Mayor Sohm stated he would call Bill Monhollon with the Highway Department about getting streets swept.

Mr. Hatfield asked that a clean up letter be sent to Joey Harper on Hester Street.

Mr. Hatfield also stated that Mr. J.E. Lee had spoken with him about the sewer line going through his property. Mayor Sohm stated that he has spoken with Mr. Lee about this matter several times and the City cannot grant the easement Mr. Lee wants because it is a utility easement and not the City’s to give.

Margaret Moore inquired if the Olde Tyme Days Festival was going to be July 3, 4, 5, and 6 this year. She stated the City needs to be involved with this to help make it a success.

Mayor Sohm stated he wanted to reiterate what Mr. Watkins said about the fire department. He stated when the fire department started the population was 2700 now it is close to 10,000. He stated that anyone added to the City limits after 1978 will have to pay an additional fire tax to the fire districts. He feels the City should support whatever must be done to make our fire department regular.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel, possible property purchase, litigation and a potential company locating in Shepherdsville with competitive consequences that require confidentiality. James Watkins made motion to adjourn to executive session. Margaret Moore 2nd. Motion carried 5-0.

Don Cundiff made motion to return to regular session. James Watkins 2nd. Motion carried 5-0. City Attorney Lemme stated several matters were discussed that were allowed in executive session and instructions were given to the appropriate people on how to proceed in those areas.

Tony Miller made motion to adjourn. James Watkins 2nd. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m.

APPROVED:                                                                                       ATTEST:

Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor                                                               Tammy Owen, City Clerk


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