CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS

MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

August 12, 1999

CALL TO ORDER - With the Pledge of Allegiance and a silent prayer, Mayor Paul W. Meier called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

ROLL CALL - Present were Messrs. Ralph Laird , Joe Price, Harold Ries and Mrs. Robin Huller. Joe Maloney and Frank Sommerkamp were in absentia.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Accepted as submitted.

Motion: Mr. Ries ??Second: Mr. Laird

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Mr. Price noted that item 2 under City Administrator's Report should read that the proposed zoning text amendments were for the City of Edgewood. Mayor Meier wanted it known that the meeting last month was held at the Lookout Farm Clubhouse. Accepted as amended.

Motion: Mr. Price ??Second: Mrs. Huller

CITIZENS AND GUESTS

Sgt. Paul Herbst was introduced as the new acting Chief of the Police Authority. Col Fred Anderson was granted a leave of absence through September 30, 1999. A brief history was given then Sgt. Herbst said a few words on his goals for the starting of the accreditation of the Police Authority. Mr. Laird made the motion to accept Sgt. Herbst as the current Acting Chief of the Police Authority, seconded by Mr. Price. Ayes carried.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Celarek reported on the following:

  1. Mr. Celarek and Ms. Monhollen met with Robert Owens and Ivan Frye of the Kenton County Fiscal Court to discuss improvements in the County collection system. Hopefully there will be a meeting of all the cities involved with the Fiscal Court every four months to discuss needs, wishes, and improvements.
  2. With the replacement of computer equipment and upgrades from our vendors, it is believed that the City is now completely Y2K compliant and is offering assistance to other cities that may not yet be in compliancy.
  3. A telephone meeting was had with Principal Dwight Raleigh and Superintendent Dr. Susan Cook of Caywood Elementary School. The school anticipates no change in the school for at least three or four years. This was in response to rumors heard by residents who live near the school.
  4. Wednesday, August 18th, Northern Kentucky University is hosting "Northern Kentucky Together 2000" from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. It is a special reception bringing together elected and community leadership to celebrate the region. A very short program highlights community challenges and the importance of collective influence as we enter the 21st century.
  5. The Northern Kentucky Area Development District's annual meeting and dinner will be held Monday, August 16th at the Drawbridge Estates.
  6. The NKADD has recently started a small business revolving loan fund. For more information, Mr. Celarek should be contacted at the City Building.
  7. Manor Care received a certificate of need from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services for their recent application for the addition of four beds.
  8. OKI has mapped the phase I route for the light rail system. It will be built from Pfeiffer Rd. in Ohio to 12th St. in Covington. In phase II, it will extend to Kings Island in Ohio and Florence and the International Airport in Kentucky.
  9. Committee meetings for the next week include:
    • Finance, Tuesday, August 17th at 4pm
    • Public Works, Thursday, August 19th at 10 am
    • Recreation, Thursday, August 19th at Noon
    • Personnel, Thursday, August 19th at 4pm

    Mayor Meier noted that the Chamber of Commerce would have their annual dinner on September 21st at the Covington Convention Center, for those who are interested in attending.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Communications

Mrs. Huller noted that the committee has looked at many drawings provided by Don Neihaus. Mr. Neihaus has been a graphics designer and a resident of the City for many years. The current proposed design is an alteration of the old logo. It was decided that the colors to be used on the logo should be 310 turquoise, 286 blue and 874, 124, or 125 gold. The gold color shall be made firm as soon as trial copies can be ran. It was undecided out of committee which gold would complement the other colors in the logo. Mr. Ries made the motion to accept the modified logo as the official logo of the City Of Crestview Hills to be used on documents and stationary, seconded by Mrs. Huller. Ayes carried.

Mr. Celarek mentioned that on Friday, December 17th from 4 to 7pm shall be held at the City Building, a Millennium tree lighting ceremony and open house. Residents of Crestview Hills are encouraged to mark this date on their calendars to be in attendance. Food, Crestview Hills promotional items and entertainment are being planned at this time.

The Communications Committee is also working on a mission statement for the City Of Crestview Hills. Mr. Ries inquired as to whether the City would do a Millennium clock like many other cities in Northern Kentucky. There was discussion on plans made by other cities with a general declination of commitment for a similar project at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Economic Development

Mr. Celarek introduced Gary Bockelman, Vice President for Administration and Finance for Thomas More College, who gave a brief history of the football program at the college. Mr. Bockelman believes that converting the current soccer field to a natural bowl-shaped stadium will enhance the recruitment process for the football program. An additional benefit would be the anticipated overall increase in student enrollment and satisfaction. A new soccer field and softball mini-complex is being built on the northeast part of the campus grounds in time for spring practices.

The plans presented to Council show metal bleachers and press box installed that would be opposite residential property lines, a donated medium-sized scoreboard and three flags adjacent to residential property lines. Drainage would occur with a natural swale on the northwest corner of the field. However, this will eventually be piped and enclosed for aesthetic purposes. Speakers will run adjacent to residential property lines and would face the bleacher and press box area. This should significantly reduce noise to homeowners.

The residential property lines were walked and it was felt that the natural barrier provided by trees was significant in all but a 25' span. Mr. Bockelman committed Thomas More College to purchasing and planting more trees if necessary.

Some dimensions given:

  • It is approximately 156' to the farthest property line and approximately 120' to the closest one, thus meeting the setback requirements.
  • The slope of the hill leading from the existing parking lot shall be improved to a 10' drop over 25', from 12' drop over 35'.
  • The capacity of the first set of bleachers is expected to be 1100. They will be 108' wide with a 128" concrete base. There will be wheelchair accessibility.
  • The press box will be 36' wide, 20' off the ground with 6' open platforms on either side.

It was noted that there will be no alcohol sold now or in the future and the field shall not be rented. The field shall have no use other than athletic events. Mayor Meier asked Mr. Bockelman to submit plans showing compliance with setback requirements.

Mr. Price made the motion to accept this site plan for the modification of the former Thomas More Soccer field into a football field with the conditions that there be no alcohol sales, no rentals to outside parties, no overhead lights, the positioning of the public address system toward the bleachers and away from residential areas, and the placement of the back, unlighted part of the scoreboard to run adjacent to residential property lines. Motion seconded by Mrs. Huller. Mr. Laird abstained as ayes carried.

There was additional discussion on parking and traffic flow concerns.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Works -

  • Mr. Berling reported that the entrance radius at Thomas More Parkway and the Four Seasons area will soon be softened. This will affect four entrances. The expected cost should be under $10,000 so the project will be awarded soon to a contractor of Mr. Berling's choice.
  • The radius from Turkeyfoot Rd. onto Thomas More Parkway is currently at 30ft. Mr. Berling has proposed making it a 45ft. radius which would involve moving a type A box and a utility pole. Estimated cost of the project is $17,000 and it is expected to be bidded next month.
  • KDOT has been contacted referencing the possibility of a state funded traffic signal at Horsebranch and Orphanage Roads. The traffic warrants are there and the ratio is high. Mr. Celarek speculated that Horsebranch Rd. could be a three-lane road in the future.
  • Mr. Berling is waiting on a letter from KDOT to begin the Dixie Hwy. sidewalk project.
  • There is a sewer ditch running under Varsity Court that is causing the pavement to break down. The pavement now has a 3" offset, so the problem will need to be addressed soon. Mr. Berling will get an estimate on the project soon.
  • Mr. Ries inquired about College Park and Campus Drives. Mr. Berling notified Don Thielan to investigate the problem. It was thought that the drought could be causing pavement to slip in various areas in Northern Kentucky. Don Thielan did not find a problem.

Finance- Mr. Laird reported that the City has purchased new Windows-based property tax program. It is called Citywide for Windows and contains many features that will make processing more efficient.

Fire and Safety- Mrs. Huller noted that there will be a Neighborhood Watch meeting October 5, 1999.

Development and Zoning- Mr. Price stated that the purpose of the Edgewood zoning text amendment is to eliminate all new multi-unit residences. The Planning Commission rejected the proposal citing the Kenton County Comprehensive Plan requires the county to provide housing for those with all levels of income. The Edgewood attorney will review the rejection and the proposal and make a recommendation.

Recreation- Mr. Price reiterated the concerns expressed last month by Mr. Laird for the donation of money to help offset the expense of fireworks for Edgewood's 4th of July celebration, since many of our residents enjoy the festivities that day. A report was circulated showing the amount of money spent this summer on Edgewood participants in Crestview Hills recreation programs. Mr. Celarek read a note from the participants in the Kentucky Horse Park trip expressing their enjoyment of the trip and hoped that it and others like it will be continued by the Recreation Committee. Mr. Price stated that and adhoc committee is being formed to better plan recreational events, activities and green space in the City.

Personnel- There will be a meeting Thursday, August 19th at 4pm.

After general conversation, motion to adjourn made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Ries at 8:43 PM.