CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

June 13, 2016

The Council and Officers of the City of Windy Hills met at the Sojourn Community Church, 2501 Rudy Lane, at 7:00 P.M.  Mayor Ising called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:  The following were present:

MAYOR                                   COUNCIL MEMBERS               OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

E. James Ising                          Helen Davis                             Sandy Moore

                                                 Kate Greer                             Carrie Ritsert 

                                                Lou Phillips                              Steve Teaford

                                                Marianne Rademaker           

                                                Mike Skelton

            Suzanne Spencer

MINUTES:

Councilwoman Greer moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2016 regular council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Davis and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for May, 2016 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Davis, seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and approved unanimously.

Councilwoman Rademaker moved to approve the May bills, totaling $39,415.54 and was seconded by Councilwoman Spencer.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Lynn Renau, a resident on Waterford, stated she is concerned about a rental house in her subdivision that is being used as a half-way house.  Mayor Ising reminded her that she was at the Working Session and heard what the City Attorney had stated/advised the City to do regarding this rental property.  He stated it is out of the City’s hands and our attorney is looking into how to best and legally handle it.  Councilwoman Davis suggested that she would look into an Ordinance that would deal with rental homes.  Allan Atherton also addressed the Council regarding the same rental property.  He stated that some of the neighbors were creating unnecessary neighborhood trauma and spreading false rumors.  He also stated the people living there were just trying to better themselves and should not be unnecessarily judged.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Davis stated she will bring a proposed Ordinance relating to rental properties at a future meeting.  She also reported that she has appointments with two accounting firms to discuss recommendations for our audit.  She will take our latest audit with her for them to review. 

Code Enforcement:  Steve Teaford had distributed his report to the Council earlier and there were no questions or comments.  He added that there was a lot of tree damage due to the recent storm, but had been cleaned up.

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills:   Councilwoman Spencer reported the Community Caring team will have a booklet relating to Emergency Preparedness ready for distribution at the 4th of July Picnic and Parade.  She prepared an article on illegal drugs and treatment options for the newsletter.  She also reported that 4 plaques were installed on the Green and one ordered.  She proposed that she contact Mike Hayman to let him know of the tree being planted in his honor.  She also will contact him to discuss mapping/labeling the trees on the Green.  There were 9 new residents to Windy Hills in May.

Community Events/Newsletter/Tree Board:  Councilwoman Greer reported that the plans for the 4th of July picnic and parade is progressing.  The newsletter is at the printers and should be mailed shortly.  She also reported that the Ice Cream Social and Shredding event will be either Sept. 18 or Sept. 25 (probably the 25th).  The next newsletter deadline is August 4, 2016.  She also reported that Caroline Westfall with be assessing the Right-of-Way Trees.

Public Works:  Councilman Phillips reported he has finished the specs for this year’s paving project.  He also reported he had some sidewalk repair work done on Tottenham. 

Safety/Real Estate Signs:  Councilwoman Rademaker reviewed the report she had previously handed out for the months of April and May.  She reported Graymoor-Devondale Police patrolled for 108 hours in April and 102.25 hours in May.  In April, almost 28 hours were spent on radar; 3.5 hours on Rudy Lane resulting in two warnings and four citations and the balance on Ambridge resulting in 13 warnings and six citations on Ambridge.  Ten warnings and one citation were issued for parking violations.  In addition, in April, the officers dealt with various issues; car break-ins, loud party, open garage door, alarms, loose dog, suspicious person, theft on Windy Way, suspicious vehicle and assisted with the removal of an illegal sign on Rudy Lane – also one house on house watch.

In May, 23 hours spent on radar – 21.5 hrs on Ambridge and 2.5 hours on Rudy, resulting in 9 traffic warnings and 3 citations on Ambridge and 3 warnings and no citations on Rudy Lane.  In addition, there were citations on Westport Rd. near I-264 and Brownsboro Rd at Antrim and an citation for an expired tag.  There were 11 parking warnings and one citation.  The officers checked Falgate, Greenbriar, and Two Springs at the request of zoning enforcement, but found no violations in most cases.  One house on house watch.  The officers also dealt with a scooter rider with a toddler as a passenger without a helmet, items left in front yard and garage door open.  Checks were done on a mentally challenged juvenile.  Suspicious person and vehicle on Rudy, burglar alarm, accident on Westport Rd at Ambridge.  The officers also moved a basketball goal off roadway and returned a lost dog.

Windy Hills Green/City Beautification:  Councilman Skelton reported that Adam Vogelsang did work on the bridge at Kinglan – Adam Vogelsang trimmed.  This issue has been reported to MSD, but they have not responded yet.  Councilman Skelton made a motion to have Brownsboro Landscaping trim the weeds in this area and was seconded by Councilwoman Davis.  After some discussion the motion and second were withdrawn.  No further action.  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Second Reading Ordinance 1, Series 2016/2017 regarding Ad Valorem Taxes:  Councilwoman Davis made a motion to have the summary, second reading of Ordinance 1, Series 2016/2017 regarding the Ad Valorem Taxes.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Skelton and passed unanimously.  Attorney Ritsert read the summary, second reading of Ordinance 1, Series 2016/2017 into record.  The Ordinance was approved by a voice vote as follows:

Councilwoman Davis              Aye      Councilwoman Greer  Aye      Councilman Phillips        Aye

Councilwoman Rademaker    Aye      Councilman Skelton    Aye      Councilwoman Spencer  Aye

Second Reading Ordinance 2, Series 2016/2017 regarding2016/2017 Budget:  Councilwoman Greer made a motion to have the summary, second reading of Ordinance 2, Series 2016/2017 regarding the 2016/2017 Budget.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Davis and passed unanimously.  Attorney Ritsert read the summary, second reading of Ordinance 2, Series 2016/2017 into record.  The Ordinance was approved by a voice vote as follows:

Councilwoman Davis              Aye      Councilwoman Greer  Aye      Councilman Phillips        Aye

Councilwoman Rademaker    Aye      Councilman Skelton    Aye      Councilwoman Spencer  Aye

Second Reading Ordinance 3, Series 2016/2017 regarding Amended Tree Board Ordinance:  Councilwoman Greer made a motion to have the summary, second reading of Ordinance 3, Series 2016/2017 regarding the Amended Tree Board Ordinance.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Phillips and passed unanimously.  Attorney Ritsert read the summary, second reading of Ordinance 3, Series 2016/2017 into record.  The Ordinance was approved by a voice vote as follows:

Councilwoman Davis              Aye      Councilwoman Greer  Aye      Councilman Phillips        Aye

Councilwoman Rademaker    Aye      Councilman Skelton    Aye      Councilwoman Spencer  Aye

Second Reading Ordinance 4, Series 2016/2017 regarding Uniform Franchise Agreement (Google):  Councilwoman Davis made a motion to have the summary, second reading of Ordinance 4, Series 2016/2017 regarding the Uniform Franchise Agreement (Google).  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Greer and passed unanimously.  Attorney Ritsert read the summary, second reading of Ordinance 4, Series 2016/2017 into record.  The Ordinance was approved by a voice vote as follows:

Councilwoman Davis              Aye      Councilwoman Greer  Aye      Councilman Phillips        Aye

Councilwoman Rademaker    Aye      Councilman Skelton    Aye      Councilwoman Spencer  Aye

Goal Setting for 2016:  No report – will discuss in July.

NEW BUSINESS:

Trees Update:  Councilwoman Greer reported that some of the trees on Ambridge are in need of attention and the City’s Arborist, Caroline Westfall has evaluated them.  She also stated four arborists have been contacted to get bids to have the work done.  This is a one-time only circumstance. 

Councilman Phillips made a motion that the City Council vote only on projects/proposals for which we have a plan, firm cost estimates, bids, or a dollar cap on the job.  Councilwoman Rademaker seconded the motion and was approved unanimously. 

Councilwoman Greer also reported that the Tree Board sent letters to two residents that have dangerous trees on their right of way and need attention.  She stated she has heard from one of the residents, but has not had a chance to return their call.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:   Attorney Ritsert reported that she has filed 6 property tax liens and has only heard from one.  The Clerk told her the City will be filing a weed lien.

MAYOR’ REPORT:  Mayor Ising reported he has received a request from the Healing Place and expect to receive a formal request soon.       

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   Ralph Williams addressed the Council stating that Ambridge is a major cut though and set up as a Blvd.  and people will tend to speed on it.  He suggested the City put in a Round-a-about to slow traffic. 

Councilwoman Rademaker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Greer and the motion passed unanimously.

E. James Ising, Mayor                                                   Sandy Moore, City Clerk