CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS

MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 8, 1998

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Approved as submitted

Motion: Mr. Meier ??Second Mr. Sommerkamp

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Minutes from the regular meeting of September 10th were amended as follows:

The Mayor mentioned that number 7 in the City Administrator’s report stated "There will be held at Summit Hills Country Club on Nov. 14th a 50th anniversary gala." The statement failed to note that the gala was for the City of Edgewood and all council persons should RSVP soon.

Motion: Mr. Meier ??Second: Mr. Sommerkamp

CITIZENS AND GUESTS

?None to report.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Celarek reported on the following:

  1. Trans Care of Kentucky (formerly St. Elizabeth Advanced Life Support Systems) has sent their annual mailing throughout Northern Kentucky asking for memberships from households. Residents of Crestview Hills should ignore this mailing as the City pays for this service.
  2. Council persons received a list of new phone numbers for Rumpke.
  3. It was brought to Council’s attention that legislation was passed in the 1998 General Assembly under SB 44 that could allow the State Local Finance Officer to suspend payment of most state financial assistance to local governments that do not assess both a real and personal property tax. This affects business owners who keep an inventory. There was discussion on what Senators and Representatives in the area should be contacted to express the City’s disagreement with this legislation.
  4. There will be a retirement reception for Judge Schmaedecke on November 5th from 5 to 8PM at Seilers Commons at Thomas More College.
  5. There will be held at Summit Hills Country Club on Nov. 14th a 50th anniversary gala for the City of Edgewood. It is a black tie affair and those interested in attending need to get reservations in as quickly as possible.
  6. Crestview Hills will be holding a reception to honor those retiring this term from council and to hold the swearing in ceremony for the new council on Thursday, December 17th at the Champions Room at Four Seasons Country Club. The reception will be held from 4 to 6:30 PM and the swearing in ceremony will start at 6:30PM with the event wrapping up at 7PM.
  7. The City has already received information for the 2000 census and it has been loaded into the computer system.
  8. There was an article in the September 29th edition of the Kentucky Enquirer about I-275 and how the highway has changed dramatically the face of the Tri-State area. At one point the article mentions that approximately 88,100 cars travel I-275 at Ky 17 which is fourth in volume overall.
  9. A Public Works committee meeting will be held Wednesday, October 14th at 4PM in the City Building.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Economic Development

Mr. Meier read the current definition of a hotel under Article VII as follows:

HOTEL: A building occupied as the more or less temporary abiding place for travelers and transient guests who are lodged with or without meals and in which there are sleeping rooms usually occupied singly and with nor provisions made for cooking in any individual room or group of rooms occupied by a person or persons and with no provision made for cooking in any of the rooms as specified.

Acknowledging the changing market place with reference to extended stay hotels, Mr. Meier felt that a text amendment was needed for our city to be competitive in this area and be able to retain the Marriott project. Mr. Celarek interjected that John Hehman from the Ft. Mitchell Fire Dept., felt that an extended stay hotel in the RP-1 zone should not present any problems from a fire safety perspective. The hotels have sprinkler systems installed and large grease build-ups on stoves should not occur since the units are cleaned on a daily basis. In making the motion to accept the amendment to the text of the Crestview Hills zoning ordinance, Mr. Meier read the preface of 1998-9-2. Motion seconded by Mr. Maloney. Council voted aye unanimously. Mr. Sommerkamp commented that Crestview Hills is not pioneering anything as several extended stay hotels currently exist in Boone and Kenton Counties.
  1. Economic Development

Mr. Meier began discussion of a major change to the Stage I development plan for Thomas More Centre in RP-1 zone by recalling the history of the project. In 1994, there was recommended a service road from access A to access C (being Centreview Blvd.) from the Economic Development committee and NKAPC staff after downsizing the lots in Thomas More Centre. He then reviewed recent recommendations made by Mr. Niehaus’ traffic study which are as follows:
  • signalize the intersection of Thomas More Parkway & Centreview Blvd.
  • Upgrade access point at 320, 328 and 330 Thomas More Parkway geometrically to align with Four Season’s west driveway and to achieve acceptable horizontal and vertical standards. Upgrade geometric design of driveway similar to that of main entrance of Crestview Hills Mall, that is, the entrance T - off for incoming traffic with side traffic yielding. Exiting traffic would have two lanes in which to turn, one left and one right
  • Instead of complete service drive connecting parcels 1,2,3A and 3B with one another and with access points A and C, traffic can flow through the parking areas to Centreview Blvd. This option is not as desirable but since space requirements for the driveways are maximized, this option is manageable. Construction should be augmented by onsite traffic controls and directional signaling.
  • Permit new IN-ONLY access for Hemmer development at point B; revise existing Four Season’s main drive to IN-ONLY. This change should be accomplished in tandem with signalization of point C.
  • If upgrade to access A does not occur, do not recommend connector to access C at all.

A letter from Four Seasons Country Club was read by Mr. Celarek. The letter stated opposition to a curb cut a point B, reinforcement of signalization at point C, a request for signalization at point A and if point B will have a curb cut, to restrict it to in only.

In the original plans, a curb cut was requested across from Four Seasons Sports Club, which was denied. City Council [in 1994] suggested dividing the lots into smaller parcels and connecting them all by a service road to Centreview Blvd. If a large development were to present itself, Hemmer Co. could return to council and ask again for a curb cut across from Four Seasons. The problem with a service road would be that it would kill the Marriott extended stay hotel project and make those smaller lots undesirable for other projects.

Mr. Meier noted that stage I plans are not usually cast in concrete but according to NKAPC when a change is made to property lines, that usually denotes a major change.

Mr. Maloney felt that having traffic flow through parking lots would be hazardous regardless of numbers at this time. With full development in the Research Park, the potential for problems would be great. Also, he felt the City should not bear the entire burden of signalization at access A, should that become an issue.

Under a request from Mr. Laird, Mr. Berling recommended in a letter that council adopt the findings and report of the Economic Development Committee dated 10/07. These findings were as follows:
    • Install signalization at point C.
    • Permit new curb cut at point B for an entrance only to the proposed Marriott Towne Suites Hotel and Chapel Place II.
    • Improve point A by widening the radius and by working with private property owners to implement other improvements.
    • Construct an internal sidewalk system that connects the various lots.
    • Allow a left turn on both sides on point A. Monitor this intersection with the intent of installing a traffic light when conditions warrant.

There was light discussion on the Stage I and II plan timetable for Marriott.

Mr. Maloney inquired as to whether these recommendations were compatible with the Quast project. Mrs. Patricia Quast stated that she was uncomfortable with the fact that there was no signalization at point A which means it will be continually difficult to exit from either side. She was also unhappy that the connecting road was being eliminated as that was one of the considerations when she and Dr. Quast decided to build in that location.

There was heavy discussion on the possibility of a traffic signal at point A when conditions warrant and whether the connecting road had to be eliminated. Mike Hargis from Hemmer Co. pointed out that Dr. Quast was more concerned with the flow of traffic through the lots and agreed that, at this time, point A really did not warrant a light. Mrs. Quast replied that she had her own concerns and Dr. Quast was not present at this meeting. Mr. Celarek stated that Mr. Berling felt signalization at point A would create more problems by backing up traffic in both directions on Thomas More Parkway. Under current conditions, traffic backs up for approximately 45 minutes during AM and PM rush hours.

Mr. Laird and Mr. Maloney suggested postponing the voting on the second reading of this ordinance. Mr. Meier emphasized that Marriott needed a vote one way or another tonight. More discussion on the traffic flow currently and how it might be if the access road were still built. Alternatives were also discussed such as working with Mid-American, Dr. Quast, Hemmer Co., and Ashley Corp to create easements on each lot so that each building becomes accessible through the lot of another and most exit onto Centreview Blvd.

Mr. Meier made the motion for the acceptance of the second reading of Ordinance 1998-9-3 amending an existing approved Stage 1 development plant for an approximate 25 acres area located at the Northwest corner of the intersection of Thomas More Parkway and Centreview Blvd., with considerations from the Economic Development Committee and the NKAPC. Motion seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp.

VOTE CALL

Mr. Laird - No, Mrs. Draud - Yes, Mr. Sommerkamp - Yes, Mr. Maloney - No, Mr. Meier - Yes.
  1. Economic Development

Mr. Celarek commented that the attorney for Marriott NGH was appealing the decision that their recent plans submitted were new plans as opposed to a minor change in site plans. The Board of Adjustments will meet again and make a formal recommendation when Marriott sends complete plans. Summit Lakes residents have sent letters voicing their opinion on the project.

D. Finance

Mr. Laird noted that the finance committee reviewed the property tax calculations and recommend holding the same rate as last year, .1525. The motion was made by Mr. Laird to accept second reading of Ordinance 1998-9-1 providing for the levy, apportionment and collection of taxes and revenue of the City of Crestview Hills for the year 1998. Motion seconded by Mr. Maloney. There was no opposition with all present members voting aye.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Finance Resolution 1998-10-1

Mr. Celarek introduced Dirk Bedarff from Peck, Shaffer and Williams, to explain that each series of bonds issued must meet with the approval of City Council through the passage of a resolution. This is a resolution authorizing the issuance of industrial building revenue bonds. Series 1998C of the City of Crestview Hills, Kentucky in an aggregate principal amount of $125,000. The proceeds of which shall be loaned to Thomas More College to finance the acquisition and installation of equipment suitable for use in furtherance of the educational purposes of Thomas More College, authorizing a first supplemental loan agreement to secure such bonds.

Mr. Sommerkamp made the motion to accept Resolution 1998-10-1, seconded by Mr. Meier. Mr. Meier suggested that the Mayor call for vote.

VOTE CALL

Mr. Laird - No Vote, Mrs. Draud - Yes, Mr. Sommerkamp - Yes, Mr. Maloney - Yes, Mr. Meier - Yes

B Finance Resolution 1998-10-2

The City is under no financial obligation. This resolution authorizes the issuance of adjustable rate demand industrial building revenue refunding and improvement bonds. Series 1998 of the City of Crestview Hills, Kentucky in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,750,000, the proceeds of which shall be used to make a loan to Thomas More College to refund the outstanding City of Crestview Hills, Kentucky industrial building revenue bonds dated December 23, 1987 and to finance the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of an industrial building to be located within the City of Crestview Hills, Kentucky for use in furtherance of the educational purposes of Thomas More College. These bonds will be made public. Mr. Sommerkamp made the motion to accept Resolution 1998-10-1, seconded by Mr. Meier. Mr. Meier suggested that the Mayor call for vote.

VOTE CALL

Mr. Laird - No Vote, Mrs. Draud - Yes, Mr. Sommerkamp - Yes, Mr. Maloney - Yes, Mr. Meier - Yes
  1. Administration City endorses proclamation to honor Kentucky League of Cities "City Government Week," October 19-23, 1998. Proclamation accepted on a motion by Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Meier. All council members voted aye.
  2. Public Works

Crestview Hills chooses Trick or Treat hours from 6 to 8PM on Saturday, October 31, 1998. Motion by Mrs. Draud, seconded by Mr. Laird.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Works - Mr. Berling reported that the resurfacing of Horsebranch Road will begin within two to three weeks. Bids have been accepted on the Centreview Blvd. traffic signal but a time frame has not been set for that project as of yet. The intersection of Thomas More Parkway and Medical Village Drive has been completed to everyone’s satisfaction. The next project to undertake for the spring will be the Dixie Highway sidewalk on the mall side of the road.

Mr. Celarek noted that the City Building has been receiving numerous complaints about the intense lighting on I-275. The complaints have come in the form of letters, phone calls and emails through the City’s website. The City has complained to Joe Kearns at KDOT through one meeting, four phone calls, three letters and another meeting has been scheduled for October 30th at 10AM. The City attempting to get either more shading or the reduction of bulbs to six on the pole rather than ten.

Police Authority - Mr. Meier reported that the long range study committee has evaluated results of the newsletter survey and provided a copy to all council persons. Participation has dropped slightly. There might be a survey of officers next. Mr. Celarek mentioned that the members of the Police Authority wished to pass on their appreciation for the luncheon held October 2nd.

Recreation - Mr. Meier commented that stuffed Halloween bags are available at the City Building for children and orders for Cincinnati Cyclones tickets for November 18th which is UK night are being taken at this time.

 

After general conversation, motion to adjourn made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Maloney at 9:00 PM.