CITY OF CRESTVIEW HILLS

MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 13, 2001

 

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 Terri Jameson, David Kramer, Joe Maloney, Ralph Laird, & Frank Sommerkamp.  Harold Ries was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA  -    Mayor Meier wished to add the reading of a letter by Mrs. Jameson directly after the City Administrator’s report.  Approved as amended.  Ayes carried.

Motion: Mr. Kramer                                 Second: Mr. Laird

APPROVAL OF MINUTES -  from the regular meeting of August 9, 2001.    Mayor Meier wished to clarify that on page 4 under “NEW BUSINESS”, Emergency Management, that the City has merely failed to pass an ordinance naming the Kenton County Disaster Preparedness Director, Ed Burke, as Crestview Hills, “Director of Emergency Management.”  The last sentence of the second paragraph under that heading should read, “This is the first reading of this ordinance.” 

Mr. Kramer noted that on page two, last paragraph should replace the word position with petition to read:  “Mr. Kramer asked Mr. Mando if he could give us a short executive summary on the reasons why Cinergy believes the petition should be dismissed.”

The same type of change, Mr. Kramer noted, should be made on page 3, 3rd paragraph from the top to read:  “Mr. Mando stated that basically they are saying that our petition fails to state a claim………”

Motion made to accept as amended.  Ayes carried.

Motion: Mr. Kramer                                 Second: Mrs. Jameson

CITIZENS AND GUESTS

Colonel Paul Herbst, Chief of Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Authority and Mrs. Kathleen Corniel, Board Member, Lookout Farm Homeowners Association were in attendance.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Celarek reported on the following:

1.      The Municipal Govt. League of N. Ky. will hold a meeting at the new NKADD offices at 20 Spiral Drive in Florence on September 20th at 6 PM.

2.      The N. Ky. Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues meeting will be held September 18th at 7:15AM at Turfway Park and will be on the topic “Health Care Costs and Productivity”

3.      The Chamber’s Government Forum will be held at 4 Seasons Sports Club on September 21st at 12 Noon.  Dr. Lee Todd, President of University of Kentucky, will be the featured speaker.

4.      People’s Bank will host an open house on September 27th from 4PM to 7PM.

5.      The Board of Adjustments will have a meeting in the first week in October.

6.      Mr. Ries was in the hospital but was released today and is doing fine.

 

Mrs. Jameson read a letter from Representative Jon Draud commending Mr. Celarek for his work on the Cinergy project. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.     Public Utilities

Mr. Jeff Mando reported on the hearing held in Frankfort, KY today on the Cinergy project.  Since the last council meeting, a hearing and decision was rendered today on Cinergy’s motion to dismiss the petition filed on behalf of Crestview Hills and others.  After 2.5 hours of oral argument, covering every aspect of arguments Cinergy was raising, the motion to dismiss was denied on all but one minor count.  The petition moves forward and a full hearing will be held.  The hearing officer was changed, which is common, but they were prepared for today’s arguments. 

Mr. Kramer suggested mentioning that the effect of the denial should not be misconstrued as a finding by the decision maker since these petitions are rarely granted.  Mr. Celarek noted that Cinergy brought 3 lawyers and 4 technical experts in their efforts.

Ø                Emergency Management – Ordinance 2001-8-1

Mayor Meier read the heading of the Ordinance which states that 2001-8-1 is an ordinance of the City of Crestview Hills, Kentucky designating Edward Burk to serve as director of emergency management for the City of Crestview Hills and providing for the availability of said director to perform certain requirements of the position of director.  As Mr. Burk serves in said capacity for other Kenton County cities, this is a matter of formality.

Mr. Sommerkamp made the motion to approve Ordinance 2001-8-1, seconded by Mr. Kramer.  Ayes carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    Economic Development

Mr. Celarek introduced Jack Parker, Vice President of Administration at Thomas More College, and Brady Mick, architect, to discuss plans for a new residence hall on Chelsea Drive and construction of 263 new parking spaces on Renaissance Drive.  Letters from NKAPC, Walter Blair, Crestview Hills Zoning consultant, Mr. Celarek, and Ft. Mitchell Fire Department stating various concerns were placed at council’s chairs.  Thomas More College and Mr. Mick addressed these concerns through a meeting with the aforementioned to the satisfaction of those involved and the Economic Development Committee. 

Mr. Parker explained that through the last several years, undergraduate enrollment has increased such that a need has been created for more residence space.  It has been estimated that Thomas More College needs to accommodate at least 300 more students on campus and even then, according to a feasibility study, the college will still face a shortage of on campus housing.  So Thomas More College has a three-phase plan to assist with this shortage.  In the first phase, 160 beds will be built, mostly for freshmen.  In the second phase, 110 beds will be built, mostly accommodating sophomores, and in the third phase, 80 beds will be built, mostly accommodating juniors and seniors, in a “stepping-stone to independent living.”  In relation to expected enrollment for the 2002 fall session, the first phase needs to be completed by August 2002.

Mr. Brady Mick explained the interior of the buildings.  First phase building will house 4 students in a room with a common bathing area and living space but each with their own sleeping chambers.  Second phase building will house 2 students with a common bathing area and living space, each also with their own sleeping chambers.  A junior or senior could apply for an apartment-like setting when the third phase is completed.  The buildings would be 300 feet from the nearest property line, buffered by a heavily wooded area and would be located behind the convocation center.

Mr. Celarek noted that the storm water calculations do not change since a hard surface currently exists on the proposed building site.

Parking along Renaissance Drive will be on the back end of the current resident hall and approximately 450 yards from the proposed buildings, with pathway and overhead lighting.  Mr. Maloney expressed safety concerns with the lighting and parking lot especially since many students would be traversing this lot in the late evening. 

Mr. Mick stated that plans incorporate all current aesthetics of the surrounding buildings and mentioned that each building will have, living on site, a residence and assistant residence director. 

Mr. Laird inquired about whether the new width of the drives would accommodate emergency vehicles and Mrs. Jameson was concerned about trees that would shed their leaves in the fall and expose nearby neighbors to more noise.  Mr. Mick assured council that safety and noise barriers were important issues and that these issues have already been addressed.  There is room in the budget for extra landscaping, possibly with evergreen trees.

Other issues were discussed:  sidewalks, curbs and gutters on the road and storm water retention ponds.  There will be walkways leading to existing sidewalks, curbs and bumpers will be placed on the down slope of the new parking lot to alleviate erosion problems and release storm water down slope.

After these issues were addressed, Mr. Kramer noted that the Economic Development Committee approved the plans contingent upon recommendations from NKAPC, Mr. Blair and staff.

Mr. Sommerkamp moved passage of the project contingent upon recommendations from NKAPC, Mr. Blair, and staff, seconded by Mr. Maloney.

VOTE CALL:

Mr. Laird – abstain, Mr. Sommerkamp – yes, Mrs. Jameson – yes, Mr. Maloney – yes, Mr. Kramer – recuse.

B.     Recreation

Mrs. Jameson reported on the 50th anniversary dinner/dance to be held at Summit Hills Country Club on Saturday, November 10, 2001 with cocktails beginning at 6PM and dinner at 7PM.  Attire is “business formal” which was interpreted as a coat and tie for men and a dress (not an evening dress or cocktail dress) for women.  Nominations were received and have been discussed for various awards that evening.  “Save the date” cards were sent to all residents as well as other Mayors and councils.

 

C.     Finance – Ordinance 2001-9-1

Mr. Laird informed council that although this is first reading of Ordinance 2001-9-1, it is anticipated that the property tax rate will remain constant.  A Finance Committee meeting will be held before next month’s council meeting and the rate will be discussed in more detail. 

Mr. Sommerkamp noted that it should be put in the newsletter the services all residents receive for the payment of their property taxes.  Ms. Wirthlin informed council that is done annually and will be done again this year.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Works –  Mr. Sommerkamp reported on the following:

Ø      Construction of the widening of Thomas More Parkway at Turkeyfoot Rd. is completed and open to traffic.  The division line between the two right turn lanes has been extended 180 feet east and two additional turn arrows have been added.

Ø      Darby Dan Court has been resurfaced with asphalt paving.  Construction is complete with the exception of some asphalt sealing along the edge.

Ø      Lookout Farm Drive reconstruction is now 100% complete.  The road is open to traffic in all directions.

Ø      The City, in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Transportation, is working to construct a left turn lane on Horsebranch Road at its intersection with Orphanage Road.

Ø      Calumet Court has been resurfaced with asphalt paving.  Construction is complete with the exception of some asphalt sealing along the edge.

Ø      Paul Michels and Sons will be sealing cracks and repairing joints on Thomas More Parkway within the next 60 days.  Most of this work will be done at night to avoid traffic congestion.

Finance – Mr Laird and Mr. Celarek reported that the implementation of GASB 34 requirements in financial reporting is almost complete.  It is anticipated that the audit report will be given by Rankin, Rankin and Company at next month’s council meeting.  The treasurer and auditor is in the process of booking infrastructure and fixed assets.  The new report will have introductory, financial, and statistical sections with more information than in previous years.

Economic Development –Mr. Kramer reported that the Committee had met on September 12.  The following items were discussed:

Ø      Update on the Gallenstein project.  Mr. Gallenstein will not be constructing the second building at this time, however, the storm water system is incomplete.  Mr. Celarek notified Mr. Gallenstein that this must be completed whether or not the second building will be constructed.  There was concern about the condition of the lot.  Currently existing on the unbuilt portion of the lot are construction materials and high weeds among other things.  Thirdly, landscaping on the first building has not yet been completed.  These items were noted to Mr. Gallenstein in a letter from the City on August 8, 2001, stating these items must be addressed by November 1, 2001. 

Ø      Mr. Maloney wished to discuss the allowed height of fences in the City.  He has received complaints from various residents stating unfairness that one must have a pool in order to build a 6-foot fence.  Without a pool, only a four-foot fence may be constructed.  Motion was made by Mr. Maloney to apply to NKAPC for a hearing on the issue, seconded by Mr. Laird.  Mr. Sommerkamp and Mrs. Jameson were opposed to the request with Mr. Kramer voting aye. 

Ø      The mailboxes on Centreview Blvd. are under study as to the best location.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS – Mr. Meier reported that more information would be sent about the universal ordinance, which various cable companies are seeking.  As that information comes in Council will be notified but no information has been received as of yet.

 

After general discussion, motion to adjourn made by Mr. Laird, seconded by Mr. Sommerkamp at 8:46PM.

 

 

 

 

____________________________                     ______________________________

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