CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 2006
7:30 PM
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. Frank Sommerkamp, David Kramer, Ralph Laird, Thomas Moser, and David Thiel. Tony Maschinot was not present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Mayor Meier desired addition of items that would amend the agenda as follows:
NEW BUSINESS:
A) Resolution 2006-12-1 and 2006-12-1a – in which 12-1a would agree with the construction of a sidewalk from Dudley Road and the City would contribute up to $56,000 toward the project.
B) Resolution 2006-12-2 – for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet agreeing to use $451.40 toward a street resurfacing project.
C) Adoption of an interlocal agreement with NKAPC for the formation of a seven-member, multi-jurisdictional code enforcement board.
D) Approval of City Council to petition Kentucky House or Senate sponsorship of a bill that would move Crestview Hills from a fifth to a fourth class city.
E) Appointment of KC&MP&ZC representative.
Approved as amended.
Motion: Mr. Thiel Second: Mr. Laird
Ayes carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular meeting minutes of November 9, 2006. Mr. Moser suggested bullet-point five under the Public Works committee report be changed to read: ” On October 16, 2006, sealed bids were received…..”
Approved as amended.
Motion: Mr. Laird Second: Mr. Thiel
Ayes carried.
CITIZENS AND GUESTS
Mayor Meier recognized Michael Lanin with SyncRoots.com who gave a brief overview of a new way for residents in Crestview Hills and people in other Northern Kentucky cities to connect with one another, called Connect Crestview Hills. Erlanger has just started the program [called Connect Erlanger] and currently has the Police Department overseeing a neighborhood watch online forum as well as other groups that have started. The basic idea is for residents to log on and connect with others who share common interests, such as animal lovers, book groups, church groups, neighborhood watch groups, etc. The idea came from the Vision 2015 project (formerly VisionQuest) with the premise that ideas and information flow seamlessly and intuitively across the internet regarding Northern Kentucky projects and interests. Each formed group has a private calendar that can be uploaded to the site’s main calendar so everyone who logs onto the site can see an overview of time and location of various group activities and meetings.
Mr. Sommerkamp inquired about the amount of staff time needed to set up the project. It was suggested that a dedicated staff person be hired for the set up as it is very time and labor intensive. Mr. Lanin believed that interns could be found at NKU or Thomas More College, volunteers could be recruited, or funds could be raised somehow for the additional staff needed.
Examples were given how each council person could form their own group and could answer specific questions directly and in a timely fashion, ask questions, get feedback, or post surveys.
No action was recommended nor taken.
1. An anonymous donation was received December 7, 2006 with the request that it be spent on learning toys for children, with a specific list of how much was to be spent on particular age groups, and that the toys be donated to needy families and organizations that assist those in need. The Mayor, most staff, some police officers and their spouses volunteered to choose the toys for the age groups on Sunday December 10. They will be completely distributed by Friday December 15.
1. A thank you note was read from the Crestview Hills Park Club in Old Crestview regarding city plantings and median projects.
2. Christmas trees can be dropped off for recycling at the Lakeside Park City Building on Monday January 8, and in Edgewood at President and Freedom Park on Thursday January 11.
3. A brochure describing the Kenton County Ethics policy was distributed and briefly mentioned.
4. The animal control report for the month of November, segregated by city, was distributed.
5. The Ft. Mitchell Fire Department smoke detector program appears successful as thus far 950 out of 1,000 have been installed amongst Crestview Hills, Lakeside Park and Ft. Mitchell residences.
6. The Crestview Hills City Building will be closed December 25 and 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday and January 1 and 2 in observance of the New Year holiday.
OLD BUSINESS
A. None.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution 2006-12-1 and 2006-12-1a Mayor Meier noted his participation in ongoing talks regarding the Dixie Highway corridor and improvements that could ease traffic congestion or aid in aesthetic value. Resolution 2006-12-1 is the result of two recommendations from the “Oversight Team” which address two specific intersections that would have a corridor-wide benefit. The two intersections are: 1. In Erlanger/Elsmere; Garvey/McAlpin intersection alignment. 2. In Edgewood; Dudley Road intersection improvement. Adoption of the resolution is merely a show of support for the Oversight Team to pass on the recommendation for CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funding through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments. Motion for passage made by Mr. Sommerkamp, seconded by Mr. Laird. Ayes carried. Mayor Meier, as part of the Dixie Fix Oversight Team, participated in another recommendation that would construct a sidewalk on the east side of Dixie Highway from Dudley Road to the main entrance of the Crestview Hills Town Center. The City, upon passage, commits itself to financially participate in the project up to $56,000. Depending on the start date of the project, a budget amendment could become necessary for FY 07. Brief discussion ensued with Mr. Berling, City Engineer, explaining that the right of way area would have to be expanded to allow the installation and construction of the sidewalk as well as curbing and guttering. At this time, no plans are in place to pipe the large, sloping, bushy ditch that provides multiple source drainage and fronts the Town Center. A motion for passage was made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Kramer. Ayes carried. It was stated that if the City of Edgewood does not pass a similar resolution (since Dudley Road is located in that city) the project would die.
B. Resolution 2006-12-2 Mr. Groth commented that recent money received from discretionary funds through the Municipal Road Aid Bond program as overseen by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to resurface Chancellor Blvd. and Rosemont Ave had an excess in funding of $451.40. This resolution guarantees to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that the remaining funds shall be used for bituminous resurfacing, rehabilitation, or bridge replacement. Motion to accept passage made by Mr. Sommerkamp, seconded by Mr. Kramer. Ayes carried.
C. Adoption of Interlocal Agreement with NKAPC Mayor Meier acknowledged a previous interlocal agreement had been approved through council for a Code Enforcement Board. However, some minor changes have been made to that agreement and the current form, as passed by the Kenton County Fiscal Court on October 24, has to be approved again. Mr. Jeff Mando, City Attorney, stated the requirements for the commencement of a Code Enforcement Board are listed in the Kentucky Revised Statutes 65.8801 through 65.8839. The Board will have the authority to fine property maintenance code offenders or City ordinances relating to property offenses, such as high grass, after first seeking contact with the resident through city administrative offices. If the offender disagrees with the fine, he may appeal the decision all the way to the Kenton County Board. Mr. Sommerkamp moved passage which would pave the way for a Crestview Hills resident to join a partnership effort with Kenton County and several other cities to form a Joint Code Enforcement Board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thiel. Ayes carried.
D. Reclassification of Crestview Hills Mayor Meier discussed the slight differences in Crestview Hills being a fifth class city and being reclassified as a fourth class city. Being able to regulate restaurants and liquor sales was the main interest. Kenton County has not been regulating liquor sales in the City since mid-2003. The City has an estimated population as of July 1, 2006 of 3,367. Mr. Sommerkamp made the motion for the City to submit required paperwork for the 2007 General Assembly’s consideration for the City of Crestview Hills to be reclassified to a fourth class city. The motion was seconded by Mr. Moser. Ayes carried.
E. Appointment of KC&MP&ZC representative Mayor Meier recommended reappointment of Lynne Hood. Motion to accept made by Mr. Moser, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp. Ayes carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Works – Mr. Sommerkamp reported on the following:
Ø A listing of the “top five” public works projects, as determined by the City Engineer was distributed.
Ø Complaints from Summit Drive residents regarding High School children parking on the street have lessened significantly since signs have been posted and the curbs painted.
Ø Legends Way curbing and sealing are almost complete.
Ø The northwest corner of Centreview Blvd. by the traffic signal has softened since tractor trailer trucks continuously run over it and the curbing has become broken and the walk/don’t walk signal was torn apart. The committee is researching the feasibility of moving the service.
Ø Bench placements at both Dixie Highway entrances to the Town Center are being investigated with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet so those using public transportation to and from the Town Center will have a place to rest while waiting.
Police Authority – Mr. Kramer articulated that the Authority Board met November 20 and discussed:
Ø A new charcoal colored cruiser has been received and is being driven.
Ø A candidate has received a provisional offer of employment and will start the academy within the month.
Economic Development – Mr. Kramer conveyed the following:
Recreation – Mayor Meier and Mr. Groth gave information on the tree lighting event which was held Friday December 1, 2006 from 4PM to 7PM. Hoggy’s catered a small buffet for residents to enjoy while they watched Jason the Great perform his magic and took pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Attendance was estimated at about 175.
Communications – Mayor Meier desires the committee to look into forming a focus group in 2007.
Building –. The HVAC system is under review and the “punch list” is still being investigated.
Motion made by Mr. Laird to enter into executive session at 8:40 PM to discuss the purchase of land as listed in KRS 61.810(b), seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp.
Motion to return to the regular council meeting from executive session made by Mr. Thiel at 8:50PM, seconded by Mr. Moser.
Motion to adjourn the council meeting made at 8:51PM by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Kramer.
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Mayor Paul W. Meier City Clerk C.R. Wirthlin