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 and John Drummey. Messrs. Joe Maloney and Frank Sommerkamp were absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Mr. Meier noticed that the agenda had an incorrect date for approval of the special meeting minutes. It was suggested the date on the agenda be changed to February 10, 1997. Approved as corrected.

Motion: Mr. Drummey Second: Mrs. Draud

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The minutes from the meeting held January 9, 1997 were changed as follows:

Mr. Meier noted that the new police officer would attend the academy January 20^th and be ready for street duty by May and lives in Southgate, not Ohio. Approved as corrected.

Motion: Mr. Meier Second: Mrs. Draud

Minutes from the special meeting of February 6, 1997 were approved as submitted.

Motion: Mr. Drummey Second: Mrs. Draud

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Celarek reported on the following:

• Fire contract is up for renewal this year. Bid packets will be sent by February 17^th to Ft. Mitchell and Edgewood. The contract was also advertised so if others choose to bid on it, the bids must be received by March 1, 1997.
• The Northern Kentucky City and County Administrators held the most recent meeting at Crestview Hills City Building. Approximately 45 administrators attended the meeting, which was considered a success.
• A layout and information sheet on Grandview Summit luxury rental condominiums was distributed. Rent will run from $695 to $915.
• Ft. Mitchell appreciation dinner is to be held March 15^th at the Drawbridge Estates with cocktails at 6:30 PM and dinner commencing at 7PM. City Council members, the Mayor, staff and guests are invited to attend.
• NKAPC quarterly meeting is February 19^th at the Drawbridge Estates at 7PM. The topic will be the ARTIMIS transportation system.
• NKADD budget workshop is March 19^th from 6:30PM to 9:PM at the NKADD in Florence.

Mr. Celarek expressed relief that the weather is not the same as last year at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Safety

Mr. Celarek reported on the beginning of a Neighborhood Watch Program. A meeting was held at the city building February 6^th in which 30 residents participated. A list of twelve concerns was discussed at the meeting with the immediate focus on:

the smashing of mailboxes, possibly with a baseball bat,cars and trucks parked on lawns, andthe stealing of checks from mailboxes. The scheme runs when a red flag is seen up on a mailbox. The schemers take mail from the mailbox and if there are checks in the bunch, they steal the person’s name, address and account number. Checks are then written against the account along with a phony deposit. Banks, post offices and police have been notified of the problem. The watch group will meet again on March 12^th with Officer White from the Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Department explaining how the department will assist residents.

B. I-71 Update

Mr. Celarek passed out a map showing the approved changes for the I-71 corridor, specifically Ft. Washington Way. The solution for that stretch involves some widening but mostly more exit ramps. Traffic, at this point, will not increase on I-275 from the destruction of the I-71 to I-75 connector.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Engineering - Thomas More Parkway

Mr. Berling stated that basically the road is completed. Currently, auditing on invoices submitted is taking place. The invoices will be reviewed with Mr. Celarek and a final analysis of the project could take place next month.

B. Ordinance 1997-1-1

Second reading of the ordinance that would lower the speed limit on Thomas More Parkway from 45 to 35 MPH. Mr. Meier thought that the police chief has recommended for some time the speed limit be lowered. The Mayor interjected that Edgewood had already passed the change. Mr. Meier made a motion that Ordinance 1997-1-1 be accepted as is, seconded by Mr. Drummey.

Motion Approved

Yes - 4 No - 0 Absent - 2

C. Ordinance 1997-2-1

Second reading of an ordinance to impose a bank franchise and local deposit tax on banks within the city. The bank shares tax is no longer in existence. The maximum rate that can be imposed is .025, although the ordinance sets a .017 rate. Mr. Celarek answered Mr. Laird’s question from the special meeting, saying that the state statute did indeed make a discount available for payment of the tax within thirty days of the issuance of the bills. Mr. Meier made the motion to accept Ordinance 1997-2-1 to impose a bank franchise and deposit tax, seconded by Mr. Laird.

Motion Approved

Yes - 4 No - 0 Absent - 2

D. Ordinance 1997-2-2

Mr. Wehrman read the header and changes to section 110 of the Crestview Hills Code of Ordinances. This ordinance would amend section 110 and the interlocal agreement with Kenton County Fiscal Court, which would allow aforementioned to issue a county wide occupational license for $175. If a business operated in four or more Kenton County cities, it would be more cost effective to purchase a county wide license. However, if the business were only operating in one or two cities, the business has the option to purchase only those licenses. Mr. Meier stated that this is one way the City of Crestview Hills is trying to make things better for all. Mr. Drummey made the motion to accept Ordinance 1997-2-2, seconded by Mrs. Draud.

Motion Approved

Yes - 4 No - 0 Absent - 2

Committee Reports

Streetlighting

Mrs. Draud informed council that the committee is looking at more locations for street lights. Some could be rather costly but so far almost all comments received about the lights have been positive.

Police Authority

Mr. Meier is now the Vice Chairman of the Authority, with Tom Jordan, Councilman from Lakeside Park, is the Chairman. The Police Authority purchased a new computer system which, when completely set up, will be compatible with the county computers. However, there will be no change in the radio systems as of yet. That’s a future possibility. The record system is updated also.

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mrs. Draud at 8:03 PM.