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

ROLL CALL - Present were Mrs. Peggy Sensel and Messrs. Joe Maloney, Paul Meier and Ralph Laird. Mrs. Beverly Draud arrived just after roll call. Mr. John Drummey was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Approved as written on a motion by Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Sensel.

Motion Approved

Yes 5 No 0 Absent 1

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Maloney made the following suggestions: Under Citizens and Guests in the last sentence delete the word "excited." Insert positive comments concerning the Tree Board made by Mrs. Sensel. On page three, under NEW BUSINESS, B) Valley View Ridge, the sentence regarding number six needs to be clarified. Approved as changed on a motion by Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Laird.

Motion Approved

Yes 5 No 0 Absent 1

CITIZENS AND GUESTS

Father Cleves and Mr. Bob Edward were present to accept a proclamation from the Mayor declaring 1996 as the year of Thomas More College in commemoration of the college’s 75th anniversary.

Karen Wehrman, representing U.L.H.& P., spoke regarding Town and Country lights vs. gas light replica along Shinkle Rd. The estimated cost for the Town and Country lights is $10,436.34 for fifteen lights. This was authorized by Joan Weingartner, former administrator, with the Town and Country lights being chosen at that time to match existing lights in the Lookout Farm area. It is possible to change the fixture type, but the cost would increase to $35,799.10 for fifteen gas replica lights identical to the ones installed on Mall Road. The main difference in the lights is that the gas replica lights are on a fluted steel pole specially designed for that fixture, while the Town and Country lights are on a fiberglass pole. Ms. Wehrman mentioned that the gas replica lights could be put on the fiberglass poles, however, that would make them much less attractive. Mr. Meier was concerned that fifteen lights would be too many for the area of Shinkle Road under consideration. Ms. Wehrman made the point that originally the plan called for eighteen lights but three were deleted because some overhead lighting already exists in that area. Mr. Maloney inquired as to the monthly cost for each type of light, which was answered $6.11 for the Town and Country and $6.14 for the gas replica lights. U.L.H.&P. would be responsible for maintenance and replacement as necessary. Mr. Maloney induced that putting in the lights could possibly give those using the sidewalk a false sense of security. It was also felt that one part of Shinkle Road was being addressed while the other part [around the lake] was being ignored. Mr. Laird suggested that the streetlighting and public works committees look into the possibility of lights at least to Secretariat and while working with Ms. Wehrman, bring new drawings and revised figures to next month’s council meeting. Mr. Meier agreed but suggested council make a consensus as to whether to go with the Town and Country or gas replica lights. The Mayor asked each councilmember present which light was preferred and each councilmember agreed that the Town and Country style was most cost effective and made more sense because that is the style of light currently in the Lookout Farm area.

CORRESPONDENCE

Ms. Monhollen reported on the following:

- Calendar of Events from the Chamber of Commerce:

-Eggs n Issues, "1996 Economic Forecast ", Friday, January 12, Quality Inn, Covington.

- Business After Hours "All Roads Lead to Northern Kentucky", Thursday, February 1, Farnham Dudgeon Civic Center, Frankfort.

- Congressional Forum with Congressman Jim Bunning, Friday, January 19, Noon - 1:30PM, Metropolitan Club, Covington.

- Environmental Forum " The One Person Environmental Department", Tuesday, February 13, Four Seasons, Crestview Hills.

- Eggs n Issues, "The Bengals: Their Future in Greater Cincinnati", Tuesday, February 20, Quality Inn, Covington.

- letter from Dr. Bing Summerell thanking the Mayor and council for entrusting him and the other members of the Tree Board to carry out the assignment of beautifying the City.

- mentioned that the City contributed $55 to the Needy Children’s Christmas Fund of Covington raised through citizen donations.

OLD BUSINESS

A) Engineering: Mr. Jim Berling reported on the various projects.

1. Thomas More Parkway - The contract has gone through all necessary stages and has now been signed by all contributors. The contributors have to approve engineering drawings which will take place at the Crestview Hills City Building, January 23 at 7PM. If there are no major disagreements, the project is expected to go out for bid on January 26. Mr. Maloney was concerned with whether the estimated cost was still in the 1 million dollar range. Mr. Berling replied that all is in accordance with the grant monies. The project is going to bid at a great time so the bids should come in lower than if bid later in the year. If the project would happen to start going over bid, then some curbing and gutters could be eliminated or a meeting could be had with the contributors to possibly raise original contributions. Mr. Maloney voiced his concerns regarding road maintenance and the possibility that five to ten years from now, with current development, Thomas More Parkway might need to expand to four lanes. Mr. Berling assured him that the Parkway has been thoroughly studied by the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, The Kentucky Department of Transportation, and the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council. The Department of Transportation takes the position that three lanes would be adequate to handle traffic flow on the Parkway.

B) New Committee: Mayor Ries asked councilmembers for potential committee members for the Area Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Meier had phoned his recommendation to the city building, Mr. Maloney and Mr. Laird had not yet contacted the people they wanted to recommend, Mrs. Draud had no suggestions and Mrs. Sensel endorsed Janet Buhr.

Mr. Celarek, new administrator, solicited members for various city committees. It was suggested that councilmembers review the 1995 committees and their members and make suggestions at the next council meeting. Mr. Meier proposed adding Mrs. Sensel to the Safety Committee. The Mayor agreed to add Mrs. Sensel to the Safety Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

A) Streetlighting:

Karen Wehrman’s presentation is under Citizens and Guests.

B) State of the City:

Mayor Ries addressed council, staff and residents on the state of the City, January, 1996, which is as follows:

- the major event of 1995 was the request and confirmation of a half million dollar grant from the State of Kentucky for the widening of Thomas More Parkway. The City of Crestview Hills has reached an agreement with the City of Edgewood in reference to maintenance of the Parkway which will become the responsibility of Crestview Hills once construction begins.

- the sewer system was surrendered to Sanitation District Number 1 as of July 1, 1995 in accordance with SB 255.

- had a zoning change in the Research Park area from RP-1 to R2B to allow for the development of Valley View Ridge, which is in the planning stages. Summit Lakes Phase II should begin soon.

- the City has annexed the remaining portion of Horsebranch Road, to the intersection at Orphanage Road.

- the City has planted, with much effort from the Tree Board, and maintained 246 trees in public right of ways.

- sidewalks were installed on Mall Road, Dixie Highway, and Shinkle Road.

- streetlights were installed in Old Crestview Hills and along Mall Road.

- property taxes were lowered once again, the net profits tax was lowered .25% and the payroll tax has been capped to correspond with the FICA taxable limit.

- said good-bye to the City administrator of nine years, Joan Weingartner and welcomed a new administrator, Kevin Celarek.

Goals and Objectives for 1996:

- continue to work with council to provide best service at the lowest cost to the taxpayers.

- see the completion of the widening of Thomas More Parkway and corresponding sidewalk.

- have the administration work with the recreation committee to improve recreation program.

- encourage economic development by working with the developers of Thomas More Centre.

- see to the installation of streetlights on Shinkle Road.

- administration shall monitor and support the development of Valley View Ridge and Phase II of Summit Lakes.

- continue to investigate the possibility of purchasing land for the development of recreational facilities in the City.

- lead the City against the forces of consolidation to preserve the uniqueness of the City.

Mr. Celarek had comments concerning his first week on the job. There was then discussion regarding the fine job JARCO, Inc. did on snow removal.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

There were no committee reports this month.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 8:21PM by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mrs. Draud.

Respectfully submitted:

___________________________	___________________________
Harold A. Ries, Mayor	C.R. Monhollen, Clerk