CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

April 11, 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 March 14, 2016 regular council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Davis and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

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

Councilman Skelton moved to approve the March bills, totaling $32,495.13 and was seconded by Councilwoman Davis.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Greg Fleischaker, a resident on Bentwood Place, asked the Council if the City would consider doing the maintenance of their entrance, cutting grass, mulching, etc.  The Council said they would have our contractor add it to his list of entrances to take care of.

Laura Trachtenberg, a resident, reported there was a sign in a tree along Rudy Lane, that states “Hillary for Prison”.  It was determined that since it is on the right of way, it could be taken down.  The Code Enforcement Officer will have the police department assist him.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Davis stated she is currently checking rates for CD’s.

Code Enforcement:  Steve Teaford reported the expense to take care of the cleanup at 4320 Rudy Lane is $650 and asked the City Attorney to file a lien on the property. 

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills:   Councilwoman Spencer reported there are 3 new residents and 3 new plaques plus a replacement for trees on the Green.    Councilwoman Spencer made a motion to spend up to $100 to cover expenses of printing Emergency Preparedness booklets.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Skelton and passed unanimously.

Community Events/Newsletter/Tree Board:  Councilwoman Greer reported that there are two properties with dangerous trees and the Tree Board intends to write letters to the owners.  She also stated that Arbor Day is Sunday and the give-away trees will not be there in time but the drawing will still be held with the trees available in the fall.  There will also be a pruning demonstration.  The 4th of July Picnic and Parade will be held at Sojourn with the food being served from the inside and the people in attendance sitting outside.  She is going to reserve a tent(s) which have a 36 hour cancellation policy.  She also stated the next newsletter deadline is May 20.

Public Works:  Councilman Phillips reported the Windy Hills quadrant landscape at Westport R. and I-264, as well as the others at the Watterson Expressway has been updated by Brightside.  He also reported that the free stack wall at Old Stone has been repaired.  He reiterated that letters will be sent to the homeowners where there are damaged/dangerous  trees.

Safety/Real Estate Signs:  Councilwoman Rademaker read the report she had prepared and handed out to the Council.  She stated that Graymoor-Devondale Police patrolled for 101 hours.  12.21 hours of this time was radar enforcement (12.0 on Ambridge and 21 minutes on Rudy) resulting in 19 warnings and 2 citations on Ambridge; 2 warnings and 2 citations were issued on Rudy Lane.  No parking tickets were issued.  An additional citation was issued on Ambridge for an expired tag and a traffic warning on Foeburn.  Police dealt with an unfounded burglar alarm on Indian Ridge and assisted Metro police with an injury accident on Brownsboro Rd.  Police dealt with a possible intoxicated person walking on Rudy Lane, who had had an accident and parked his car in the church lot.  EMS transported him to Suburban Hospital, since he was having medical issues.  There was a report of an unknown vehicle on Regency parked in the driveway of a vacant house, but police found no problems.  Councilwoman Rademaker stated she would contact the chief concerning the fact that there is still very little radar enforcement on Rudy Lane, as well as total radar hours being far short of the requested amount of 20 hours.  She would also address why there have been no parking violations issued.  Councilwoman Spencer suggested having the Chief attend the next Council meeting or working session to address their concerns.

Windy Hills Green/City Beautification:  Councilman Skelton reported that Brownsboro Landscaping had mulched and trimmed bushes.  He also stated there was a tree down on the Green which Brownsboro Landscaping took care of and the sunken area on the Green was filled in by Diago Home Maintenance.  He also reported there are now 239 Reach Alert members.  Councilman Phillips asked if Arborist, Mike Hayman should be consulted for replacing the tree on the Green that had fallen down.  Councilwoman Davis had printed off a LOGIC map of the Green stating that the map showed all the trees on the Green and the map could be used to show where the new trees are planted as well as labeled to show what type of tree was planted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Goal Setting for 2016:  The Mayor stated that the Council had good conversations regarding the City’s 2016 Goals and would have monthly updates.

Fourth of July Celebration:  Councilwoman Greer reported that the Picnic committee would have a meeting in the next month.

NEW BUSINESS:

Other:  Councilwoman Spencer asked if the Senior Care Experts donation request would be put on the July agenda and be included in the budget.  The money would be put in the budget and discussed at the next working session.

Councilman Skelton would like the Council to consider holding a Christmas in July to check the lights on the tree and get a head start on any repairs that might be needed.  He would like to put up a banner announcing the Christmas in July.  There will be no formal celebration.  Councilwoman Rademaker made a motion to finance Christmas in July.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Greer and passed unanimously.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:   Attorney Ritsert reported that she received notice that the foreclosure on the Lapp house has been dismissed.  She also stated she has filed 6 liens for the remaining unpaid tax parcels.  She will send a letter to each of the six regarding payment. 

MAYOR’ REPORT:  Mayor Ising thanked Martha Davis for her efforts for the City receiving the Tree City award for the second year.  He also announced that Brightside Cleanup would be held on Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 am, meeting at Stock Yards Bank parking lot.  He also reported that Sojourn Church continues to work on their parking issues. 

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   Martha Davis stated that it was very hard to hear the Council during the meeting due to the Music lessons that were going on at the same time as the meeting.  Mayor Ising will inquire to see if the set up could be altered during the future meetings.

Councilman Phillips moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and the motion passed unanimously.

E. James Ising, Mayor                                           Sandy Moore, City Clerk