CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Mayor Harold A. Ries with the Pledge of Allegiance and a silent prayer.

ROLL CALL - Present were Mrs. Beverly Draud , Messrs. Ralph Laird, Paul Meier , Frank Sommerkamp and Joe Maloney. Mr. John Drummey was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Approved as submitted.

Motion: Mr. Sommerkamp
Second: Mr. Maloney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - - Minutes from the regular meeting of December 11 were amended to read that Mr. Laird had a no vote concerning Ordinance 1997-12-1. Motion to accept as corrected by Mr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp.

Motion: Mr. Meier Second: Mr. Sommerkamp

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Mr. Celarek reported on the following:

• There was correspondence that was read from Mrs. Shirley Pitts, Mrs. Betty Oppenheimer, and the Meier family concerning the recent passing of a member of each of their respective families. They were appreciative that the City sent sympathy floral arrangements. There was also correspondence from Mrs. Peno of Woodspoint Drive on behalf of residents along that roadway. They were appreciative of the new sidewalk and demise of offensive bushes.
• Mr. Celarek is working with Mr. Noll and Mr. Wehrman on the supplemental fire and EMS contract with Edgewood Fire Dept.
• Mr. Celarek thanked the councilpersons that attended the appreciation celebration on December 19th.

OLD BUSINESS

Economic Development & Zoning - Mr. Meier stated that the NKAPC staff had a hearing and they seemed to agree with the text amendment that would delete congregate living of any sort from the Research Park zone. However, the KC&MP&ZC recommended that the City not remove congregate living as a conditional use to the Research Park. The KC&MP&ZC felt constraints could be put in place to limit the number of such living facilities in the area. Mr. Meier suggested the matter be postponed until next month. Mr. Sommerkamp agreed with the decision. Mr. Meier invited the representatives from Ashley Development and Hemmer Construction to the next Economic Development meeting to be held February 10th at 4PM.

NEW BUSINESS

Residential Development - Mr. Meier noted that the area in question was the Mansion Place and Summer Lane area where Hemmer Lyons Communities have requested approval for a minor change in the Summer Lane/Mansion Place PUD for nine new condos. The change in the stage I plan is considered minor because for now, only the number of condos is changing from ten to nine. Mr. Maloney wanted to be sure this is the only change that Council would vote on this evening. Mr. Meier agreed but stated that NKAPC recommendations have been given to Mary Hemmer for compliance. The Homeowners Association does not object to the development but the current plans show buildings that do not fit in with other buildings currently there. There is also concern over the amount of green space being used. Mr. Meier made the motion to accept the minor change to the stage I plans which will reduce the number of units from ten to nine, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp. Council agreed.

State of the City - Mayor Ries read the annual report on 1997 accomplishments and reported on the goals and objectives as follows:

CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS - 1997
THE STATE OF THE CITY
MAYOR HAROLD A. RIES
JANUARY 8, 1998

The City of Crestview Hills has experienced a progressive and successful year in 1997.

Many public works projects were completed last year. The entrance to Grandview Summit was widened and relined. A new sidewalk was constructed along Turkeyfoot Road and at the entrance to Woodspoint Drive. Part of Shinkle Road was repaved. Five new streetlights were installed in the "Old Crestview Hills" area. The Calumet Cul-De-Sac was reconstructed. Several more projects were in the planning stage and hopefully will be started this spring.

In economic development, the city approved five new developments in the Thomas More Centre Research Park. Top Flight Gymnastics completed its new facility, plus four other buildings were under construction in the research park. - They are: the Flottman Printing building, the Waltz Business Systems building, the Quast building and Mayfield Medical Center.

In residential development, 96 units in the Grandview Summit development were completed and most are occupied.

The city convened a task force to study the long range fire and emergency medical service needs of the citizens, visitors, and businesses in Crestview Hills. After four months of deliberation, the committee reaffirmed its confidence in the current fire and EMS services provided by the City of Ft. Mitchell and established a new supplemental agreement with the City of Edgewood to provide additional services.

The city maintained its property tax rate, thus continuing my pledge not to raise the property tax rate for over 12 years. Over the past year, the Kenton County Treasurer's Office has collected business taxes for the city. This arrangement seems to be working very well for both businesses and the city.

During 1997, staff productivity continued to improve. City staff also made a concerted effort to work closely with Kenton County and a variety of neighboring cities to improve services to our businesses and citizens, and to maximize your tax dollars.

City Council should also be commended for the many, many hours they have spent in committee meetings discussing issues and implementing policies. This has been one of the best years of my mayorship. I thank City Council and the staff for your support during 1997.

GOALS and OBJECTIVES FOR 1998

In my last year as mayor, my goal is to work closely with City Council to establish a better foundation for future business development, beautification projects and recreation programs.

My Objectives for 1998 are:
1. To improve our recreation programs and investigate the possibility of purchasing land in the City for recreational purposes.

2. To create a Beautification Committee for the purpose of establishing plantings at main entrances and planting more trees.

3. To seek economic development projects that enhance our City and are compatible with the current developments in the Thomas More Centre Research Park.

4. To implement a variety of public works projects to improve the infrastructure in our city. These projects include a sidewalk along Dixie Highway, repaving certain roads, and installing more street lights.

5. To conduct a long range study of our Police Authority and the safety/policing needs of our residents and businesses. I also want to support the citizen based Neighborhood Watch programs to foster crime prevention.

6. To seek better ways to maximize the efficiency of our City services by working with other governmental agencies and to provide the best possible services at the lowest possible cost to the residents and businesses in Crestview Hills.

These are my objectives for 1998. I welcome your assistance in accomplishing them.

The Mayor also recommended that Ky Webb be reappointed to a new three year term on the Board of Ethics. Confirmed on a motion by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Maloney. The Mayor also recommended that Joe Overmann be reappointed to a new three year term with the Board of Adjustments. Confirmed on a motion by Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp. Mr. Meier made a motion to accept the committees as the Mayor had listed at each place, seconded by Mrs. Draud. Motion was approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

Safety - Mr. Meier reported that the Fire and EMS contract will take effect February 1st.

Police Authority - Mr. Meier stated that the Police Authority has acquired a new officer who came to Crestview Hills from Ft. Wright Police Department. The new officer's name is Joe Sheppard. Kathleen Corneil had comments that Officer Sheppard gave residents in attendance at the Lookout Farm Homeowner Association meeting some pointers how to not become a victim of robbery. Mr. Maloney chipped in by saying that residents can call the Police Authority to let them know when they will be on vacation and an officer will be sent to drive by and check out the resident.

General comments were made out of the committee reporting about the walk/don't walk light on Thomas More Pkwy. and Turkeyfoot Rd. Mr. Sommerkamp would like someone to check out that area as he has seen tractor trailers make wide turns from Turkeyfoot Rd. onto Thomas More Pkwy and one day a pedestrian could be hit. Mr. Berling said he would examine the situation and give a recommendation to the Public Works committee. Mr. Maloney noted that the guard rail from Crestview Hills Mall turning right onto Dixie Hwy. needs to be fixed. Mr. Celarek mentioned that he has been trying to get the [State of Kentucky] Highway Department to fix it.

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp at 8:13 PM.