CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

November 9, 2020

The Council and Officers of the City of Windy Hills met virtually by Zoom, at 7:00 P.M.  Mayor Davis called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:  The following were present:

MINUTES:

Councilwoman Greer moved to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2020, Council meeting; seconded by Councilman Blue. The motion passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for October 2020 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Rademaker, seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilman Blue moved to approve the October bills, totaling $41,992.54, and was seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Cheri Baird asked if there was any resolution on the paving issue. The Mayor answered that she was getting a proposal from the City Engineer and had left several messages. to the City Engineer and needed to contact him again.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Still working on Indian Ridge. Over the weekend there was a break-in resulting in a theft over $500 on Indian Ridge. The car was moved from 726 Indian Ridge, so we did get the action needed. The Graymoor-Devondale Police report was 108 hours. They have been giving parking tickets for overnight parking, problem areas are Ambridge and Copperfield.

Attorney Jim Hodge resigned and we will be looking for another attorney. We have collected more back taxes, one that dates back to 2015.

EcoTech had their biggest day on Monday, picking up yard waste, in Windy Hills.

The Auditors will be in the office Thursday and Friday.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported all property taxes received before 10/31 have been recorded.

Code Enforcement – Steve Teaford:  Mr. Teaford reported he had seven cases and now there are only two pending:  4205 Hill Top Road and 4301 Kirkhill Road. He has established contact with the resident at 9 Pin Oak.

Windy Hills Green/City Maintenance/Newsletter/Tree Board – Councilwoman Greer:

Councilwoman Greer reported on the following items:

• Dead tree removed from Clerkenwell island.

TREE BOARD

• People who were getting a free tree received letters from Cheri to go order tree for yard.
• Caroline Westfall examined four trees on Ambridge I suspected having a problem. They are full of bores. Cheri has asked Cornerstone to remove them. They, and the other 4 previously removed trees, will be replaced after we have paid for the free trees going to residents.

GREEN

• I signed the contract with Save a Tree to remove old lights off Holiday tree and install their lights. They will install them the week prior to or the week of Thanksgiving. The lights will be turned on Sunday, November 29 and they will be turned off Wednesday, January 6.
• Mike Hayman has ordered two new Appalachian Redbud trees to replace the dead ones. They will cost $144 each. He will have the Whitehall gardener remove the dead ones and plant the new ones. If it does not rain a lot, I will install water bags.
• A resident called me to find out how he can memorialize his deceased wife with a tree on the Green. I explained our new program about donating $350 to the City, plus the cost of the plaque. He was pleased.
• Adam finally put mulch down in the areas I asked him to.

Newsletter – Councilwoman Myers:  Councilwoman Myers reported she sent out the October  Breeze and had a good open rate. Found a problem with Mail Chimp. Rudy the Bear disappeared from the headers of our old issues. She has fixed the problem for now. Working on the November Breeze. The print issue of the Windy Hills Breeze will be sent out in January instead of December.

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills – Councilwoman Spencer:

Councilwoman Spencer reported the following items:

• There were four entries in our Virtual Halloween Costume Contest and they were all awarded ice cream certificates from Comfy Cow.
• Working on a plaque revision.
• There were 4 real estate transfers in September.

Public Works – Councilman Blue:

Councilman Blue reported:

• Three street signs to be installed tomorrow.
• Ecotech has reported there is too much debris being left behind.
• There is damage to the newly paved area on Rudy. It appears to be sinking. Maybe an MSD issue.

 Ordinances/Community Standards – Councilwoman Trachtenberg:  Councilwoman Trachtenberg reported she submitted a cycling article for the Breeze and did a cleanup of Westport road.

City Clerk – Lisa Kraft:  Ms. Kraft reported the property tax bills are caught up for residents paying before the deadline.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  None

NEW BUSINESS:

• Councilwoman Spencer made a motion to Honor Foster Haunz with a plaque to be placed on the Black Gum tree at the Green. Councilman Blue seconded the motion. A councilmember continued the discussion.

Councilwoman Spencer requested a roll call vote, the vote was as follows:

Roll Call Vote:

Blue – Yes

Greer – No

Myers – Yes

Rademaker – No

Spencer – Yes

Trachtenberg – No

Tie Breaker:

Mayor – No – not without changes.

Councilwoman Myers made a slightly different motion to Honor Foster Haunz. Let the family decide if they would like a plaque to be placed on the Black Gum tree at the Green or a donation made to a charity in his name. Councilman Blue seconded the motion.

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   Cheri Baird asked if there was a timeline for the Engineer to have results.

Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg and the motion passed unanimously.

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CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

October 12, 2020

The Council and Officers of the City of Windy Hills met virtually by Zoom, at 7:00 P.M.  Mayor Davis called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:  The following were present:

MINUTES:

Councilwoman Greer moved to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2020, Council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Myers. The motion passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for September 2020 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Trachtenberg, seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilwoman Trachtenberg moved to approve the September bills, totaling $61,097.54, and was seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Martha Davis wanted to thank “the powers that be” for the removal of the poles on the Green.  There was some discussion about a hedge on Rudy. The Mayor will do some research into our ordinances on shrubbery.

MAYOR’S REPORT:  Report attached in full. Mayor’s October 2020 report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported we have one CD that is getting ready to mature or has matured. It was temporarily put into our money market account because it has a higher rate than most CD’s. Helen is going to do some research to find CD’s at higher rates.

Code Enforcement – Steve Teaford:  Mr. Teaford reported there are several cases being handled by Attorney Hodge that are carryovers and have a deadline to respond tonight. Steve Teaford will leave it up to Mr. Hodge to report on them.  Helen Davis took the complaint about 744 Wicklow Rd where the trees were interfering with the line of sight at the intersection. The resident addressed the complaint and trimmed the trees.

Windy Hills Green/City Maintenance/Newsletter/Tree Board – Councilwoman Greer:

Councilwoman Greer reported on the following items:

• “Cornerstone is cutting down the dying coffee tree in the island on Clerkenwell.
• Adam has mulched the areas that I listed last month. Because of the drought, he is still watering the trees. I told him to slow down on grass cuttings.
• Helen and I met with the LG&E people regarding replanting Westport Road. There will be a variety of specimens and sizes of trees and shrubs, depending on the sites. Some areas will have small shrubs, while some will have large trees. This is being done to discourage graffiti artists from painting the exposed fences. The planting will not begin until weather conditions are good for the success of the planting and the health of the trees. LG&E is spending a great deal of money on this. When completed, and the trees grow, it should be quite an improvement to what existed before.
• Cheri Silvey-Slusher is notifying the people who were granted free trees last year, to contact the nurseries and make certain they can get the tree of their choice.
• Several people have inquired about our tree subsidy program. Two have taken advantage of it.”

Newsletter – Councilwoman Myers:  Councilwoman Myers reported the September issue of the Windy Hills newsletter was a print edition prepared and sent to all residents the week of September 21. As usual, the issue included information about candidates for Council office in the upcoming election as well as news, announcements, and reminders. She apologized for 2 errors in the published edition. Marianne Rademaker’s name was omitted from the caption beneath the group photo and one of the butterfly photos was printed sideways. The omission of Marianne’s name will be corrected in the upcoming Breeze.

The October Breeze deadline is Wednesday, October 14th and it will probably be sent out on Thursday or Friday. This issue will include a reminder about the Halloween Costume Contest. Please let her know what other announcements or other articles that need to be included.

The deadline for the November Breeze will be November 11th. Council members will recall that there was a discussion about postponing the December print issue until January when there will be more availability of our printing company, less mail and activity with which to compete for residents’ attention, and the opportunity to use it to kick off the new year, new Council, etc. If we continue with that plan, we can send a Holiday edition of The Breeze in December.

 Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills – Councilwoman Spencer:

Councilwoman Spencer reported the following items:

• “Working on a price for replacing damaged plaques.
• There were 9 real estate transfers in September.
• We have 6 judges and 1 possible judge for the Halloween Costume Contest.”

Public Works – Councilman Blue:

Councilman Blue’s report read by City Clerk Lisa Kraft:

• All ordered signs are in place, except for the ones on Regency and Rudy Lane.  The two signs will be placed the week of October 12th.  The two signs will be made with reflective tape for us to view and see if it helps see the signs better
• MSD has been contacted about the cutting of the brush covering the walkway path across the bridge over the creek
• The poles have been removed from the north-west corner of the Green
• Several political signs from one party have been vandalized.  Also, support of police signs have been vandalized
• Next election cycle we need to make sure all signs are off the encroachment path.  Many signs were too close to the street
• We had several issues with two customers of ECO TECH about recycling.  These issues were solved by the employees of ECO TECH.  All ECO TECH trucks have cameras and can show the issue problems

 City Clerk – Lisa Kraft:  Ms. Kraft reported the property taxes were coming in steadily.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  None

NEW BUSINESS:  None

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:  “Have been working on 7 cases, 5 are now resolved and 2 have a deadline of today.”

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   None

Councilwoman Myers moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg and the motion passed unanimously.

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CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
September 14, 2020

The Council and Officers of the City of Windy Hills met virtually by Zoom, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Davis called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL: The following were present:

MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
Helen M. Davis Bruce Blue Lisa Kraft
Kate Greer Jim Hodge
Marcia Myers Steve Teaford
Marianne Rademaker
Suzanne Spencer
Laura Trachtenberg

MINUTES:

Councilwoman Myers moved to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2020 Council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Greer. The motion passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for August 2020 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Greer, seconded by Councilwoman Myers. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilwoman Myers moved to approve the August bills, totaling $70,815.63 and was seconded by Councilwoman Greer. The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS: None

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Police Report: There were 96.6 hours of Police support. Radar monitoring of 18.37 hours on Ambridge and Rudy resulted in 4 warnings. The police followed up on the car thefts within Windy Hills and the homeowner was able to get back the stolen property. There were several suspicious individuals and cars reported but the police never found anyone.
The Mayor signed the auditors’ contract, but they have not called to schedule the audit. She spent a considerable amount of time on 726 Indian Ridge and hand delivered a letter regarding the non-compliance with the WH grass ordinance. The grass was mowed by the due date.
She met with the LG&E supervisor and arborist to discuss Westport Road and the impact of removing the trees and vegetation on our City. LG&E has graciously offered to plant back natural grasses and small trees to lessen the damage to the homeowners. The problem is that the vegetation would be on the state right-of-way. We will have to work with the DOT to see if we can accept the offer. She was able to track down the state’s contact person, sent her an email, and is waiting for a response.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances: Councilwoman Rademaker reported we are waiting for the Auditors. Two CD’s are getting ready to mature and Helen Davis is investigating the best rates for them.

Code Enforcement – Steve Teaford: Mr. Teaford reported there are seven cases being followed up on with residents on one matter or another. Attorney Hodge is spearheading five of those and he has taken care of two.

Windy Hills Green/City Maintenance/Newsletter/Tree Board – Councilwoman Greer:
Councilwoman Greer reported on the following items:
• A new resident has taken advantage of the subsidy tree program.
• The residents who received free trees will need to check with the three nurseries to find out if they have the tree or whether it can be ordered.
• Caroline Westfall is going to Jonlynn Court to check a hazardous tree.
• She received a phone call from a resident on Clerkenwell about the unsightly island. She went over and took care of it, and called Adam to remind him about taking care of it in the future.
• Met with Caroline Westfall about the tree on the Green. Expensive to decorate.
• Called Tim Graven at Indian Hills about their tree. While talking to him he gave her some names to call. If we decide to have the common areas bid out next year, the City won’t have to bid out if it is under $30,000.
• She is seeking bids for the lights on the tree on the Green.
• Trees on the Green need to be pruned.

Newsletter – Councilwoman Myers: Councilwoman Myers reported in mid- August we sent out the Windy Hills Breeze to 729 residents and just over 60%were opened. She is In the process of putting together the September print newsletter. This is an opportunity for us to reach out to all of our residents and not just a part of them. She appreciates all of the councilmembers who have sent in articles. Hopefully, we will have it in homes by a week from Friday. Discussion followed about Haywood Ice Cream and whether we could host an Ice Cream Social.

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills – Councilwoman Spencer:
Councilwoman Spencer reported the following items:
• “The interchange at Westport Road and I-264 is completely weeded. It was finished by Brightside without Dismas House, but altogether 9 Windy Hills and St. Matthews volunteers helped. The signs for Windy Hills and St. Matthews at that interchange were switched to correctly represent the right city. Walt Ostertag did the work.
• Working on a plaque revision.
• Two commemorative signs have been ordered.
• There were 7 real estate transfers in August.”

Public Works – Councilman Blue:
Councilman Blue reported:
• “Paving project is complete
• In January or February, I would like to hire contractor to inspect all of Windy Hills roads for spidering damage and any roads needing full repaving or partial repaving. I can do the potholes, large gaps, etc., but need a qualified person to check for the above areas. This is one reason I did not do more this year knowing we might have a bigger expense next spring.
• Need to do some painting and repair to yellow painted areas from one end of Ambridge (Rudy) to Westport.
• Will fix hole on 42 entrance to Coach Gate
• All signs have been ordered.
• Checking pokes, signs, and street lights needing repair
• Need 2-3 estimates for painting on Ambridge.
• Mayor informed me the trimming around the walkway on bridge is St. Matthews responsibility.
• Cable provider had an explosion”

Ordinances/Community Standards – Councilwoman Trachtenberg: Councilwoman Trachtenberg reported that she didn’t have anything this month.

City Clerk – Lisa Kraft: Ms. Kraft reported the property tax bills were delivered late Thursday. Work began on separating the bills into three stacks: one to keep, one to mail, and one as a duplicate copy. The Mayor and Councilwoman Rademaker are helping and today we began stuffing envelopes. The plan is to mail out the tax bills tomorrow or Wednesday.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

• Pohl property, the Mayor sent a letter, but they have not responded. Per MSD, the gravel driveway was a temporary solution and should be removed by November 1st, this would allow the area to go back into a natural state. Steve will monitor the situation.
• 1116 Windsong Way –Back in 2010, the paving company instead of paving the road end to end, edge to edge, paved over the curbs possibly causing drainage problems on Windsong. Councilman Blue made a motion to have our City engineer, Mark Madison, investigate the significance of the problem on those streets, Councilwoman Greer seconded the motion. Discussion followed about the road problem. The motion carried.
• The matter of Staci Farris’ request to be reimbursed for work done on a retaining wall at her residence – 1116 Windsong Way, in the amount of $8,000 was discussed. The Council decided not to reimburse Ms. Farris for work completed in 2015.
• Councilwoman Rademaker made a motion to repeal the Municipal Order 6 Series from 2014/2015, Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion carried.
• Councilwoman Rademaker made a motion to create a new Municipal Order. The Municipal Order 1 Series 2020-2021. Trees to be memorialized on the Green will be $300 donation + the cost of the plaque. Councilwoman Myers seconded the motion. Discussion – two Council members spoke against the proposal. Councilwoman Rademaker made a motion to suspend discussion. Councilwoman Greer seconded the motion. A councilmember continued discussion. Councilwoman Myers called point of order. The motion to end debate was split 4-2.

Councilwoman Spencer requested a roll call vote. The motion to create a new Municipal Order, the vote was as follows:

Roll Call Vote
Blue – No
Greer – Yes
Myers – Yes
Rademaker – Yes
Spencer – No
Trachtenberg – Yes

NEW BUSINESS: None

ATTORNEY’S REPORT: None

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE: None

Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Myers and the motion passed unanimously.

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Helen M Davis, Mayor Lisa Kraft, City Clerk