CITY OF WINDY HILLS
Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
December 9, 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:
Councilwoman Greer moved to approve the minutes of the November 11, 2019 Council meeting; seconded by Councilman Bruce and approved unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:
The financial reports for November, 2019 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Rademaker, seconded by Councilman Blue, and approved unanimously.
Councilwoman Myers moved to approve the November bills, totaling $52,984.10 and was seconded by Councilwoman Trachtenberg. The motion passed unanimously.
RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS: Resident Jim Ising thanked the officials, staff and volunteers for a great year.
Andy and Jane Sontag of 4417 Westport Rd. addressed the Council with concern about cars that miss the curve driving on Westport Road and coming onto their property and some ending up in their pond. They fear there could be a fatality due to a car going into their pond. They asked if a fence could be built to keep cars from ending up in their pond. The Mayor pointed out that Westport Road is a state road and any changes done along the road would have to be approved through the state.
MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor reported that the City is still collecting taxes. She sent notices to six residents who paid the discounted rate after the deadline, stating their balance due and the deadline of January 1, 2020. Progressive Insurance sent the City a check to cover the trees and damage from the accident at Foeburn and Westport Rd.
Police Report: Chief Throneberry was out of town so she will give the November report in January. This is the October report – 118 hours of Windy Hills police support, of which 3 hours were spent on house watch (a significant reduction from previous months). 98 hours of radar and parking monitoring resulted in 2 parking citations, 3 speeding citations, and 6 speeding warnings. There was an increased overnight patrol on Two Springs – based on residents’ complaints. A suspicious man reported on Indian Ridge was actually an older gentleman wearing an allergy mask. Also a missing cat was reported. Suzanne Spencer contacted the police twice about IRT activity – there was a car stolen on Two Springs (Metro police filed a report and Graymoor-Devondale is assisting). The Mayor sent out follow up notices to individuals who have not paid their parking fines. The Council needs to decide on what to do about delinquent fines. The unpaid parking fines will be referred to our inter-local appeals board.
She also reported that she has completed the City Official update form and asked the Council to verify their information so that she can submit it. She also completed the 2019 UFIR form and will file it with the state.
She stated that we received a notice from the Federal Reserve with the updated First Financial account balance. We listened to a presentation from the KLC Investment Pool Advisers at our Friday caucus meeting. We will review the proposal in January 2020 for action at that time.
She ended her report with thanking everyone for their help with Glow on the Green. Everybody had a great time. She appreciated everyone on the council’s help.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Code Enforcement: Steve Teaford asked if there were any questions/comments pertaining to his report for November. There were no comments. He also reported that there are 49 rental and 8 vacant homes.
City Maintenance/Windy Hills Green/Tree Board – Councilwoman Greer: Councilwoman Greer reported on the following items:
Green:
- Kentucky Tree advises that the Christmas tree lights be removed as the tree is growing over the wires and the tree could die. She will consult with Mike Hayman and Caroline Westfall to see if this is a problem. It would be a tremendous expense.
Tree Board:
- The winner of the 2018 Arbor Day tree got his tree. Caroline Westfall is going to send two corrected letters to the homeowners with the dangerous trees.
Glow on the Green:
- Mike O’Brian said that he can get us a Bluegrass-type band for the Ice Cream Social and Metro would pay for it.
Westport Road Trees:
- The insurance company is sending a check to cover the damaged trees and replacement. She will talk to Mike Hayman about obtaining the new trees.
Newsletter – Councilwoman Myers: Councilwoman Myers reported that The Breeze was delivered to 703 people in November; 51% opened (our average being 46% and national average is 37%). The December newsletter will be a print edition – a year-end wrap up edition. Deadline is Wednesday, December 11th with “in-home” delivery target date of December 20th. The next print edition will be March 2020. She reported on the Community Impact – Mailings reach 1200 homes, Digital communication reaching 700 homes – actual impact is 350 who open. Alerts – equally small number, likely the same digital-comfortable residents. Currently no way to effectively reach all residents quickly. She asked the Council to think about: Opportunities to increase the number of e-mail addresses, use of contact, digital access – don’t overuse, and consider ways to communicate with non-digital residents.
Community Caring/Welcome to Windy Hills – Councilwoman Spencer: Councilwoman Spencer reported that there are 3 new residents. She also reported that an Apple Watch has been donated and will be given away to a resident who is 55 years old or older. The drawing will be at the January Council meeting. She has prepared a newsletter story with instructions on how to register for the drawing. She thanked Mr. Dan Schusterman, his son, Richard, and Best Buy for donating the Apple Watch. She reported that a plaque to honor Adam Volgelsang’s father has been installed on the Green and the Ellerkamp plaque has been moved out from under the tree. She thanked Kim Robarts, Lesley Ferrish and Ro Van Vorren for their help with the Christmas Decorations. The decorations were installed the day before and morning of Thanksgiving. She reported she is well under budget for decoration supplies and will purchase more while they are on sale.
Finance – Councilwoman Rademaker: Councilwoman Rademaker reported that a CD came due and the money was placed in First Financial Bank, since their rates are higher.
Public Works – Councilman Blue: Councilman Blue reported:
- Repair has been made on pavement on the bridge on Rudy Lane.
- A light pole on Two Springs Place was damaged and he has notified LG&E.
- A light pole on the Green has been damaged and he has notified LG&E.
- He purchased caution tape and has extra if anyone has a need for some.
- He is working on a review of the sidewalks to see where they need to be repaired.
- He received notice that a light pole at Victoria Place and Brownsboro Rd. has been knocked down and he will look into it for repair.
- He also reported that some residents on Two Springs have inquired about a Neighborhood Watch. Councilwoman Rademaker stated that she had tried to head up a similar program with little interest.
- He reminded everyone that Yard Waste is now every other week through February.
Ordinances/Community Standards – Councilwoman Trachtenberg: Councilwoman Trachtenberg reported that she is working with Steve to identify the vacant houses.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Attorney Hodge reported that he will be working with Steve Teaford on vacant properties.
Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole: None.
Mayor Davis thanked everyone for their support during her first year in office.
Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:34M., seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and the motion passed unanimously.
_______ __________________ _______________________
| Helen M Davis, Mayor | Sandy Moore, City Clerk |