CITY OF WINDY HILLS
Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
February 13, 2017

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	Jim Hodge
	Lou Phillips	Steve Teaford
	Marianne Rademaker
	Mike Skelton
	Suzanne Spencer

MINUTES:

Councilman Phillips moved to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2017 council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for January, 2017 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Greer, seconded by Councilwoman Davis and approved unanimously.

Councilman Skelton moved to approve the January bills, totaling $33,966.79 and was seconded by Councilwoman Davis.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Davis had no report.  However, she reported on the VA Steering Committee meeting.  She had extra minutes for that meeting available.  She reported that the Steering Committee will be reaching out to other areas of town to broaden their base for support.  councilman Skelton and Councilwoman Davis stated that an injunction had been filed and if the courts do not grant it the Steering Committee would dissolve because there would be no chance of preventing the construction.

Code Enforcement:  Code Enforcement Officer, Steve Teaford, stated he had delivered the January report and asked if there were any questions/comments.  He reported that he had given out some misinformation regarding the request for the sign on the Summit Building.  It will not be placed on top of the building (the roof), but rather on the outside of the top floor of the building and would be backlit with subtle lighting.

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills:   Councilwoman Spencer stated there were 8 new residents.  She reported she has two new plaques in progress for the Green.  She also reported she has received interest in the Healthy Cooking program at Noosh Nosh and will follow up with emails.  She stated she has met with some Sojourn Community Church members who are wanting to assist the elderly within the City of Windy Hills.

Community Events/Newsletter/Tree Board:  Councilwoman Greer made a motion to accept Matt Shrewsberry as a board member of the Tree Board, filing an expired seat.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and passed unanimously.  Councilwoman Greer also reported that the Arbor Day celebration will be held on April 23.

Public Works:  Councilman Phillips reported that all the new street signs are up, but the sign posts have not been painted due to the weather.  He also reported that the Tree City Sign at the Brownsboro Center will be repaired.

Safety/Real Estate Signs:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported that the Graymoor/Devondale Police department patrolled 104.42 hours with 15.44 hours spent on radar (11.11 on Ambridge and 4.3 on Rudy), resulting in 3 warnings and 3 citations on Ambridge and 1 warning and 1 citation on Rudy.  There was also a warning at Foeburn and Westport Road and a citation for an expired tag on Antrim and Brownsboro Rd.  Motorists were warned about parking in the wrong direction on Indian Ridge and Wicklow.  Officers helped a stranded motorist at Ambridge and Westport.  House watches were done on Highfield and Ambridge. Runners had reported aggressive dogs on Rudy and a house alarm went off on Merrifield.  there were three reported incidences of car alarms going off on Two Springs Lane due to attempted car break-ins.  A FedEx delivery box was stolen off a porch on Rudy Lane.  A mentally challenged teenage was reported sitting on someone’s porch.  It was reported that his father had kicked him out of their residence and he is now living in a car.  He refused to go to a homeless shelter, but the officers took him to a friend’s place of work.  There was also a domestic dispute reported on Windhurst.

Windy Hills Green/City Beautification:  Councilman Skelton reported there are two new trees on the Green along Rudy Lane.  He also reported that the Ambridge Signature Entrance Sign lighting has been repaired.  The lights at the Foeburn lane entrance is still being investigated.  He also reported that the Bear Carver is looking for a log and when he finds one, will carve the bear at his place and transport to Windy Hills.  He thanked the City’s Landscaper for putting in pavers at Two Springs and Rudy lane.  Mayor Ising expressed his concern over safety and liability issues.  His concern is about the safety of pedestrians crossing Rudy at this location.  He said a paved path encourages people to cross Rudy at a location where it is difficult to see traffic due to a bend in the road, large vegetation and speeding along Rudy.  Although safety is a major concern, he asked about legality as Rudy is a Metro road.  Mayor Ising asked to put construction on hold until Attorney Hodge could be consulted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Update on Plaques and Trees on Green –  There was no discussion or action taken.

Rental Property Ordinance and Administration – Councilwoman Davis reported that the letters regarding the Rental Ordinance and Registration forms were mailed out to all residents.  A grace period was given and enforcement will begin on March 14.  She thanked Clerk (Sandy Moore, Attorney Hodge, Mayor Ising and Code Enforcement Officer for their assistance and insight.

NEW BUSINESS

Waste Management Contract Expires June, 2017:  Councilman Phillips had distributed the proposed specs to the Council.  Councilman Skelton made a motion to approve 1-6 on the proposed specs drawn up by Councilman Phillips.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Phillips and passed unanimously.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:   No Report

MAYOR’S REPORT:  Mayor Ising reported that Metro Councilwoman Angela Leet, and representatives from Sojourn Community Church would meet to discuss paying 1/3 each to have the trees trimmed at Sojourn along Rudy lane.  (Councilman Phillips asked if some information could be forwarded regarding the Rudy Lane tree trimming project that the City worked with Metro and Bob Ray Company.  He stated he thinks more extensive work should have been done and it doesn’t look finished.)  He also reported that the Head Master of Walden School had contacted him regarding speeding on Westport Road and said they would like to work with the surrounding Cities and Neighborhoods.  Mayor Ising stated that the JCLC meeting will be on Thursday, February 16 and MSD representatives will be present.

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE:  None

Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M., seconded by Councilman Phillips and the motion passed unanimously.