CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS

MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 14, 2002

 

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 was, and Messrs. David Kramer, Joe Maloney, Ralph Laird, and Harold Ries.  Mrs. Terri Jameson & Frank Sommerkamp was in absentia.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA  -    Approved as submitted.  Ayes carried.

Motion: Mr. Ries                                       Second: Mr. Maloney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES -  from the regular meeting of January 10, 2002.

Mr. Kramer noted that on page 4 the word “proposed” was misspelled.

Motion made to accept as corrected.  Ayes carried.

Motion: Mr. Ries                                      Second: Mr. Maloney

CITIZENS AND GUESTS

Colonel Paul Herbst, Chief of Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Authority and Kathleen Corneil, representing the Lookout Farm Homeowners Association were present.  Jeff Jackson, new Life Squad Chief, and John Hehman, Life Squad Captain, were introduced by Mayor Meier to present to Council the year end run report.  Overall the number of runs stayed about the same, however, the type of runs changed slightly.  Runs were slightly increased in the Thomas More Research Park area due mostly to doctors in that area calling for transport rather than having a patient drive.  The doctors didn’t want to wait 45 minutes for a transport service, so they would call the life squad, thus taking availability away from a real emergency.  The billing system was discussed as was the criteria for Transcare EMS versus the life squad.

Mr. Jackson introduced a public service project called “Vial of Life,” which would allow life squad and other emergency personnel to quickly determine someone’s medical history and proper course of action in an urgent situation.  The patient would fill out information, put it in a vial that is then placed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator.  A sticker on the front door would alert emergency personnel of its existence.  As soon as these become available, Mr. Jackson will notify the City Building and some will be kept at Crestview Hills for the convenience of residents who might desire them.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Groth reported on the following:

1.      The Kentucky City and County Administrators held a winter conference in which health services, wage and hour, financial issues, community surveys, and purchasing via the Internet were but a few of the topics discussed.

2.      C.R. Wirthlin will be attending a legislative conference through the Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association toward the end of February.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Meier reported on the following:

Northern Kentucky will host a caucus in Covington on Saturday, February 16 from 10AM to Noon.  Legislators from the Northern Kentucky area will be present. 

Ø      Crestview Hills precincts were split as a result of the Kentucky Senate’s redistricting.  Senator Roeding maintains precincts one and two and precinct three is now represented by Senator Westwood

Ø      On Saturday, February 23, Crestview Hills will host the Kenton County Mayor’s meeting.  Topics for discussion include:  the skate park and grants for mobile data terminals in police cruisers.

Ø      On February 25, the NKAPC will hold it’s quarterly meeting at Twin Oaks in Latonia.  Topics for discussion will be the Kenton County five- year comprehensive plan and transportation issues.  Mayor Meier requested Turkeyfoot Rd. be included in the study.

Ø      Judge Murgatroyd has asked the cities for representatives to serve on a county recreation parks and recreation committee.  Mayor Meier asked Mrs. Jameson to serve, with Mr. Groth as the alternate.

Ø      On February 28, a seminar on working with the land will be held to satisfy the yearly requirement for Board of Adjustment and Zoning personnel.

Ø      SB139, allowing a meeting to progress into executive session when dealing with matters of security was passed by the Senate and sent to the House for review by committee.

Ø      Rep. Jon Draud sponsored HB540, which would require the establishment of an oversight board for power plants generating more than 10MW.  The bill is currently in House committee.  Governor Patton will arrive at the Erlanger Baptist Home on Monday, February 18 at 10AM to encourage support of this bill.  All who can are encouraged to attend.

Ø      Dr. Joseph Lee becomes the 12th President of Thomas More College.  Governor Patton, US Senator Jim Bunning and US Representative Ken Lucas  attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Ø      Chief Herbst noted that the Kenton Regional Citizen’s Police Academy has current enrollment of 19 that should graduate April 2.

OLD BUSINESS

A.     Economic Development

Mr. Groth introduced Jack Parker and Jeff Kordenbrock, representing Thomas More College, and Matt Schottlekotte and Jamie Hagendorfen representing GBBN Architects, to discuss stage 2 approval for the construction of an on-campus observatory.

Mr. Parker noted that the observatory would not require fund raising; the National Foundation Service awarded a grant with the condition that the facility be constructed within a 3-year frame.  It will be built on the highest part of the campus, near the Children’s Campus Center.  Plans are being considered to work with high school students to allow exposure to astronomy before college and plans for an agreement with Northern Kentucky University are also being reviewed.

Mr. Kordenbrock stated the construction details were as follows: 

The building will be 850 square feet with a retractable metal roof, an observatory room, a unisex bathroom, and a multi-use room.  Several concerns noting lighting, location of the fire hydrant, and parking have been addressed and resolved.  Lighting will be light sensitive and will shine downward.  The drive leading to the facility will be 22’ wide accommodating two-way traffic with a 45 degree turning radius at the end.  Emergency vehicles should have no problem making the turn by driving on the sidewalk.

            Discussion took place on the specifics of the parking spaces and roof retraction.

Mr. Kramer stated that the Economic Development Committee met with only three people present and the vote was tied on the project as Mr. Kramer abstained, Mrs. Sensel voted yes and Mr. Lonergan voted no.  Mr. Lonergan’s concerns were road standards and handicap accessibility. 

Mr. Maloney made the motion to accept based upon compliance with the Edgewood Fire Department’s recommendations regarding placement of the fire hydrant and any other concerns.  Seconded by Mr. Ries.

VOTE CALL

Mr. Laird – yes, Mr. Maloney – yes, Mr. Kramer – abstain, Mr. Ries – yes.

Ayes – 3,           Nays – 0,         absent – 2,          abstain –1

Mr. Maloney inquired as to the time frame expected for completion.  Mr. Parker replied that it would be next November.

NEW BUSINESS

A.   none to report

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Works   Mr. Groth reported on the following:

Ø      24 trees (sunset maples and oaks) have been planted along Winding Way, Thomas More Parkway and I-275.  This is part of the ongoing “beautification of Crestview Hills” per the request of members of the Public Works committee. 

Ø      Plans are underway to install three more New York City style park benches at Legends Way/Thomas More Parkway, Turkeyfoot Rd./College Park, and Dixie Hwy./Winding Way.  Mr. Maloney suggested one be placed on the “island” on Dixie Hwy. in front of the Mall, since people stand there daily and wait for the bus. 

Ø      The installation of the ornate “Welcome to Crestview Hills” signs has begun and should be completed within the next month, weather permitting.  The continuance of the replacement of street signs and poles shall, at the contractor’s discretion, re-start in March or April.  These signs will be similar to ones already in place in Lakeside Park, Ft. Mitchell, and Edgewood.  The signs will be erected along Turkeyfoot Rd. and Dixie Hwy.

Ø      24 trees will be planted in the spring 2002 in areas along Dixie Highway at I-275 and on Turkeyfoot Rd. in front of Thomas More College.

Ø      Bids for the resurfacing of Lookout Farm Drive, past the entryway, should be received by the end of February and a recommendation forthcoming next month.

Ø      The committee is considering the possibility of building an earthen berm along I-275 in the rear of homes on Woodspoint Drive.  Mayor Meier stated that letters had been sent to residents on Woodspoint explaining the exploration and surveying in the rear yards of their homes.  Mr. Berling stated that the earthen berm would be more aesthetically pleasing and construction costs would be minimal since contractors often have excess dirt on their sites of which they are looking to unload.  The project is still being explored.

CHEER -  Mayor Meier mentioned that the City would go out for bids on solid waste collection very soon.

Police Authority -  Mr. Kramer noted that it was believed the Police Authority had to send a certified letter to a recipient of a ticket of violation in order to collect.  However, this is not necessary and a letter will be sent to Kenton County asking them to continue to collect delinquent fines.  Mr. Mando confirmed that the draft letter from Chief Herbst was fine.

RecreationMayor Meier said that reservations had been made for three trips to watch the Reds in their final year at Cinergy Field.  The dates are Thursday, June 20 against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, July 20 against the New York Mets, and August 15 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The City will have tickets to Kings Island for June 16, Father’s Day.  The tree lighting ceremony will be December 6.

 

Mayor Meier noticed that an update had not been given on the Cinergy project.  Mr. Mando stated that depositions have been taken from the staff of the Kentucky Cabinet of Environmental Air Quality and Natural Resources with Cinergy staff depositions scheduled for February 27.  The process is on schedule.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________                     ______________________________

Mayor Paul W. Meier                                     City Clerk C.R. Wirthlin