CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

April 8, 2019

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 Davis called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:  The following were present:

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

MINUTES:

Councilman Blue moved to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2019 Council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg and approved unanimously.

Councilwoman Trachtenberg moved to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2019 Special Council meeting; seconded by Councilman Blue and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for March, 2019 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Greer,  seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg, and approved unanimously.

Councilwoman  Rademaker moved to approve the February bills, totaling $44,463.84 plus $400,000 transferred to open new checking account that was seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Resident Jim Ising addressed the Council, complimenting them on their work since taking office.  He also thanked the Council for the bench placed on Rudy Lane.  He stated the trees along Ambridge are budding out and very pretty.  He mentioned that Brightside Cleanup will be on Saturday, April 13 and he asked for any volunteers to help out.

Resident Carl Schultz also addressed the Council stating that there are seven pot holes on Old Stone Lane that need to be addressed.

MAYOR’S REPORT:  Mayor Davis reported that she and Metro Councilwoman McCraney had lunch on March 19.  They discussed Metro’s budget situation and how to maintain close cooperation between Metro and the City.  She stated the there is little financial help available from Metro due to the current budget situation.

Update on “Corn” property – no records could be found regarding this parcel.  She has been placed on the email list for Metro Planning and zoning and is receiving notifications and agenda for all their meetings.

Property at 623 Rudy Ln. – requested a building limit line variance to complete an addition.
She will attend public hearing on May 6.  She thanked Steve Teaford for the additional info regarding this property.

Police Report:  Total of 99 hours. Radar was 18.5 hours evenly divided between Ambridge and Rudy resulting in 2 citations, 6 warnings, and the fastest speed was only 1 – 3 miles over the posted limit.  Beginning on July 2019, the fee will increase by $2/hr ($200 monthly or $2,400 annually).  The police also issued several parking citations and she will send out follow up letters to those still unpaid.

She also reported that she and Steve Teaford worked on the debris situation at 726 Indian Ridge.  2 letters were sent with no response.  After approval from attorney Hodge, she had the debris removed which the resident will be charged for the removal and a fine.  They actual violated 3 ordinances, regarding refuse (2 charge $50/day and one $500/day).  We will be fining them $50/day for 45 days for a total fine of $2,250.  If it is not paid within 10 days, we will file a lien.

She also reported that she signed the Verizon contract which was returned to Verizon with all the pertinent documents.  The $2,500 check was cashed which covered the legal expenses.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported that the City has opened a new CD at First Financial Bank.

Code Enforcement:  Steve Teaford reported that he is beginning the rental inspections.

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills:   There were 3 new residents.  Councilwoman Spencer reported that Tai Chi will be on Saturdays at 9:30 with a charge of $4/session paying for 10 sessions in advance.  She also stated she is working on a map of the Green to determine which trees are available to be purchased as memorial gifts.

Windy Hills Green/City Maintenance/Newsletter/Tree Board – Councilwoman Greer: Councilwoman Greer reported that three trees were purchased through the resident tree program.  She also reported that she and Councilwoman Myers have been working on the digital newsletter which will be sent out the following week.  She stated that they are also looking into possibly changing printers/mailers to reduce the cost of printing and mailing the quarterly newsletter.  She also reported that Arbor Day will be on Sunday, April 14 but rain is forecast and will be moved to a different date if they have to cancel due to the weather.

Public Works: Councilman Blue reported that he called Safe-T-Co to repair the flexible guard that is down at Ambridge and Rudy entrance.  He also stated he has called Libs paving to repair pot holes.  He introduced a representative from Best Equipment who addressed the Council with information regarding trash cans/totter equipment.  He can provide the City with 96 or 60 gallon cans that have a 12 year warranty.  They can also add our City’s logo on the cans.  They would take approximately 5 to 6 weeks for delivery.

Ordinances/Community Standards – Councilwoman Trachtenberg:  Councilwoman Trachtenberg reported that the Community Standards committee will be meeting again on April 17  at 4:30 to discuss the Vacant Home Ordinance.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 Waste Services Update – Councilwoman Myers:  Councilwoman Myers reported on the results of the Waste Services survey, stating that they had a 56% return on the survey.  In summary, 71.3% prefer weekly recycling and 56% prefer twice weekly trash pickup with a strong expression of the need for rear door service and more adequate recycling bins.

NEW BUSINESS:

Budget:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported that she and Mayor Davis have been working on the budget, which is finished with the exception of the Sanitation area and property tax area (still waiting on the preliminary taxes to be received and the Waste Services bids to be received).

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:  Attorney Hodge reported that he verified that the City’s Uniform Financial Information Report (UFIR) had been prepared by the City’s CPA.  Councilman Blue reported that he will not be voting on the Waste Services contract due to the nature of his business being so closely related to the same industry.

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   Resident, Adam Vogelsang stated that he thought that back door waste pickup is important to the City and hopes it continues.  Resident Mike Skelton stated that he could hardly hear any of the information during the meeting due to the loud music in the adjoining room.  He also asked what the specifications were for the Waste Services bid.

Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and the motion passed unanimously.

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Helen M Davis, Mayor

Sandy Moore, City Clerk