Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

MARCH 10, 2003 

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Pastor Michael N. Smith, Mt. Zion Baptist Church gave the invocation.

 The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

 Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:35 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 2/24/2003 regular meeting minutes. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

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

 Mayor Sohm announced that the Tire Amnesty program scheduled for April 3-5 has been cancelled.

 Further discussion followed on building inspections. Mayor Sohm stated the City has two options. We could allow the County to do inspections on buildings up to 20,000 square feet and they would give the City 25% of the cost; or we could hire someone to do all inspections for the City under 20,000 square feet. He stated that he has spoken with Melvin Atcher, the City’s current commercial building inspector, and he is interested in continuing to do inspections on buildings 20,000 square feet and larger.

 Mayor Sohm stated that a decision does not have to be made at this meeting.

 Don Cundiff asked if we have gathered any figures? Mayor Sohm stated that the Council had received a breakdown of residential building permits issued over the last several years in their packet. He stated we have not heard back from Mr. Atcher on the number of commercial inspections he has done over the last several years.

 Larry Hatfield stated he feels we ought to go with the County; he does not think the City needs to be in the business of building inspection.

 Mayor Sohm stated that would probably be the simplest solution. Let the County do all inspections and give the City 25% and let Melvin Atcher continue to inspect commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet and pay the City 25% for his inspections.

 Mayor Sohm stated we would ask the County and Mr. Atcher to provide the City with rates to do inspections and give the City 25% of the cost and allow them to do all inspections. He also stated that if we find this arrangement is not working we can change it at a later time.

 Mayor Sohm asked the Council if Mr. Atcher quits in the next few years if they would want the State to do inspections on buildings 20,000 square feet and larger?

 Larry Hatfield stated he thinks Melvin Atcher needs to go away. He stated the City needs to run commercial inspections through the State and the rest through the County. He stated that will save the City from hiring someone and also save us from having someone on standby. He stated if in a year this is not working the City could look at something different at that time.

Mayor Sohm asked the Council if he should tell Mr. Atcher he would no longer be needed to do inspections or allow him to do inspections and give the City 25% of his fee?

 Tony Miller asked how long it would take to have a building inspected if the State did the inspection? Mayor Sohm stated we could make some phone calls and find out the time frame. Mr. Miller stated he felt we should go with Don Coffman and let the County do inspections.

 Mayor Sohm stated the City does have a building inspection ordinance that he would review and then call County Judge Executive Kenny Rigdon and negotiate building inspection fees with him.

 Mayor Sohm reported that several people have come in to City Hall and paid their sewer tap on fee for their new sewer service. He also stated that several residents have been granted extensions.

 Mayor Sohm introduced Elaine Wilson, Chairperson of the Historical Committee to give a report for the Committee. She stated they were in the process of trying to recruit someone from the Genealogical Society to join the Committee and they are working on getting a grant to do a comprehensive plan to determine the direction the Committee should follow. She also asked if anyone had any old issues of the Pioneer News or anything of historical value to let her know?

 Mayor Sohm reported that we are waiting for all finish grade work to be completed before we start paving the streets where sewers were installed.

 Mayor Sohm reported the Recreation Committee report had been put in the Council packets. He stated the road connecting the two parks is the Committee’s top priority. Mayor Sohm also stated the City has plans to develop a small park on Seventh Avenue. He stated a resident is donating the park design and some material.

 City Attorney Norman Lemme reported that he had made some revisions to the YMCA Lease that was discussed at the last meeting. He stated he has spoken with June Daugherty with the YMCA and she is in agreement with the changes.

 Charles Knopp addressed the Council about an accident he was involved in in 2001 with a police officer. He read a letter that he had received from Police Chief Ron Morris. Mayor Sohm told Mr. Knopp he should make an appointment with Chief Morris to discuss this matter.

 Gobel Newsome addressed the Council about open records requests he had made. He expressed his dissatisfaction at the receipt of his open records request and tapes from 1/14/2002 and 2/11/2002 council meetings.

 Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards reported there were four rezoning cases coming up for Shepherdsville.

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

 Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated the Council had received his report in their packets.

 Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Mike Schroeder reported that the sewer department is offering a new service to residents in the City. He stated if a resident is having problems with their sewer and they call the sewer plant before calling a plumber we would come out and check the line at no charge to determine the problem. He also reported that 4000 feet of sewer line had been jetted and 1500 feet had been TV’d; all lift stations east of I-65 are on line; and that he has talked with someone from CSX railroad about the drain problem. He also reported that during the first week in April flow would be put to the new sewer plant to check the equipment.

 Assistant Fire Chief Terry Whittaker gave a report of the fire department activities since the last meeting.

 Police Chief Ron Morris assured the Council that all open records requests are handled the same for everyone in a timely manner.

 Larry Hatfield asked what the status is on the new Kroger? Mayor Sohm answered that plans for the building had a few changes and the design for the road is 75% complete. Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated that the opening has been moved back to the Fall due to bad weather causing delays.

 Margaret Moore asked about her list of items for clean up? Mayor Sohm stated that a few letters had been sent out and research was being done to find the owners of the other properties. Ms. Moore also stated she wants a sign put up that says, “do not block sidewalk”.

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

 Don Cundiff made motion to return to regular session. Margaret Moore 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Mayor Sohm stated that litigation, personnel and purchase of property had been discussed with instructions given to the City Attorney to move forward.

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

 APPROVED:                                                                                       ATTEST:

 Joseph G. Sohm, Mayor                                                               Tammy Owen, City Clerk