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MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 8, 1997 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Harold A. Ries called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with a Pledge of Allegiance and silent prayer. ROLL CALL - Roll was called by Judy Rae Cox, Administrative Assistant in the absence of C.R. Monhollen, City Clerk/Treasurer. Present: Beverly Draud, John Drummey, Ralph Laird, Joseph Maloney, Paul Meier, Frank Sommerkamp. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Mayor Ries entertained a motion to approved the agenda with the addition of item EXECUTIVE SESSION for the discussion of personnel matters. CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT - Kevin Celarek, City Administrator reported that Thomas Bernard, Public Works was in the hospital, St. Lukes, West. Mr. Bernard thanks Council for the cards and letters. Bob Haglage, a retiree, has been hired, part-time to assist Jim Conelly in Mr. Bernard's absence. The City has entered into contract with Link's Lawn Service to mow Dixie Highway, West. The City has been working with the citizens crime prevention group and the postal service to examine the relocation of a mailbox on Druid Lane. There was a sewer problem at 113 Druid that the City is working on along with Jim Berling, city engineer. A letter was written to Mr. Wm. Erpenbeck of the Erpenbeck Company regarding the Horsebranch Road entrance to Valley View Ridge which is now Grandview Summit. Mr. Erpenbeck had assured the City that improvements will be made as agreed. Mr. Celarek wrote the letter to clarify the commitment in writing. Mr. Celarek met with Don Smyers, Kenton Co. Extension Office, to discuss horticultural questions, in particular, the gateway project planned by the Council. Alliance Research will be conducting a phone citizen survey sometime in June. Mr. Celarek requested the assistance of one member of Council to work with Alliance to finalize the details. Ashley Development will meet with the Board of Adjustment on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 to ask for a conditional use variance for a project on Legends Way. Mr. Celarek will graduate from Leadership Northern Kentucky on Friday, May 11, 1997.
OLD BUSINESS Engineering - Jim Berling, City Engineer, reported that the reseeding has been held back because of the seasonal rains. Some of the grass has sprouted sparcely along Thomas More Parkway and some reseeding will be necessary during the next week or ten days. The contractors will be working on the striping of the road that faded. Mayor Ries inquired whether the road would be resurfaced. Mr. Berling replied that he would be looking into this with the contractor. Mr. Sommerkamp stated that on the south side of Thomas More Parkway along the curb by Four Seasons the road tilts into the driveways. Mr. Berling stated that the original intention was to lay sidewalks then in order to get the sidewalk grant a task force needed to be formed at that time to study the design of Thomas More Parkway. After six to eight months of study it was found necessary to do an overlay on the original paving. Many of the rough spots coming through the paving is caused by the original condition of the road. Mr. Berling stated that he did not feel this was a dangerous situation, however, rough spots do need attention and he will look into the matter further. Mr. Celarek stated that the reseeding on the hill where the grass was removed will reduce the flow of water coming down onto Legends Way. Mr. Wehrman stated that there being 12 units per building raised a question of economics. The City does not assess property owners or users individually for garbage pickup, therefore payment comes out of general funds. The City pays approximately $108 per unit per year for garbage collection. Mr. Wehrman reported that he and Mr. Celarek had met regarding the matter and tried to come up with a value relying on PVA information. PVA stated that they do not have a Platt for that area. This would be based upon NKAPC findings. It is guesstimate that each of these buildings will be worth $725,000, which does not include land or garages that are valued at $5,000 per garage. The City should come up with the value of buildings, land, garages, etc. that are pertinent to a particular building and multiply by the current tax rate (.1525 per $100 valuation) to determine the property tax revenue coming to the City, then determine cost to the City for solid waste collection. If the cost is determined to be unfair, the city must amend the current business tax ordinance to say that the ownership and renting/leasing of apartments is a business activity and delete them from the current business tax ordinance. If the city determines that the economics from picking up the garbage for these 396 potential units will not be satisfied by ordinary ad valorem taxes on real property, the city will need to collect the tax by some other means in order to pay for solid waste collection. The alternative would be to delete from the exemption of payroll tax the ownership or rental income from apartment units or housing units. If it is the city's wish to do so this can be done. Someone will need to determine the economics. Mr. Laird suggested that this be brought to committee to be discussed and return next month with plans. Mr. Wehrman stated that the committee should be an ad-hoc committee. Mayor Ries appointed Frank Sommerkamp, Ralph Laird, and Joe Maloney to an ad-hoc committee. Mr. Meier stated that Mr. Erpenbeck, the developer, had presented the project to Council as $0 expense for garbage collection. Council, therefore, could only deduce from this presentation of $0 expense that Mr. Erpenbeck intended that garbage be handled as is customary which is to have dumpster service for the buildings at the expense to the complex. If the City does elect to provide garbage collection to the complex, an alternative to individual cans could be a bulk collection area which could be the most economical solution. Mr. Meier expressed disappointment that Mr. Erpenbeck was not at the meeting to discuss the issue. Mr. Celarek stated that Mr. Erpenbeck had been invited to the meeting but declined to attend. He is going to send a letter. Budget Ordinance - Ordinance 1997-5-1 - First reading of an ordinance adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year, July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998, the purpose of which is to estimate revenues and expenditures for the appropriation of funds for the operation of city government. was presented to City Council. Resolution - Mayor Harold A. Ries presented to council a resolution providing for the application to FEMA to apply for listing with the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) which will allow residents the option to purchase flood insurance from private insurance carriers. Discussion followed with regard to flash flooding due to heavy rains in the past three or four years. Mr. Celarek reported Horsebranch Road and Campus Drive were the only areas affected by surface water problems. Mr. Celarek stated that several property owners in those two areas had approached him about water problems. These property owners had unsuccessfully tried to purchase flood insurance from private agents. The City contacted FEMA. FEMA's representative confirmed the fact that agents were not permitted to sell flood insurance unless local government belonged to the NFIP. Mr. Celarek reported that the process did not involve an expense to the city. To join NFIP is a matter of paperwork. Mr. Berling confirmed that FEMA had done the elevation studies in the area. Mr. Berling reported regarding the cul-de-sac on Lookout Farm Dr. Mr. Berling will research the possibilities. Mr. Celarek reported that there was cracking in the joints at the entrance to Lookout Farm Drive. A Public Works Committee meeting is planned for early June.
Mr. Maloney suggested that the City look into the possibility of having a Crestivew Hills day at Kings Island. Mr. Celarek will research. Mr. Meir stated that Springfest is Saturday, June 7 from Noon to 5 PM at Thomas More College. A recreation schedule and registration forms were mailed recently in the newsletter. It is too early to determine response. Some of Edgewood's, Presidents Park events are available to Crestview Hills residents. Motion Passed: Yes 6 No 0 Motion Passed: Yes 6 No 0 |