CITY OF WINDY HILLS

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

May 9, 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:

Councilman Phillips moved to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2016 regular council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Davis and approved unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORTS, APPROVAL OF BILLS:

The financial reports for April, 2016 were moved for approval by Councilwoman Davis, seconded by Councilman Skelton and approved unanimously.

Councilwoman Davis moved to approve the April bills, totaling $139,861.34 and was seconded by Councilwoman Spencer.  It was noted that $100,000 of the total was to purchase a CD.  The motion passed unanimously.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS/CONCERNS:  Laura Trachtenberg, a resident on Rudy Lane, stated that a dead limb fell on their new van and will have to be repaired.  She asked if the Council could have someone look at the trees to see if any needed attention before they fell on a person.  She believes the limb that fell on their van was from the yard at 1615 Two Springs Place.  Attorney Ritsert would look into the City’s liability of falling limbs.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Ordinances:  Councilwoman Davis reported she had received a request for information about the City’s finances for the last 10 years and she had provided the resident with the open records ordinance and request form.  She also stated that residents had asked about the City providing recycling and adding it to the 2016-2017 budget.  She stated this will be deferred to the next fiscal year to give the Council time to research the issue and the fact that the Waste Management Contract is up for renewal in July 2017.

Code Enforcement:  Steve Teaford had distributed his report to the Council earlier and there were no questions or comments. 

Community Caring/Health & Fitness/Welcome to Windy Hills:   Councilwoman Spencer reported the Community Caring team will have a booklet ready for distribution at the 4th of July Picnic and Parade.  She is preparing an article on illegal drugs for the newsletter.  She also reported that 4 plaques are ready to be installed on the Green and that there were 4 new residents.

Community Events/Newsletter/Tree Board:  Councilwoman Greer reported that she has reserved the caterer and ice cream vendors for the 4th of July picnic and parade.  The committee will meet later in the week.  The deadline for the newsletter is May 20th.  She also presented the changes/amendments to the Tree Ordinance.  Councilwoman Davis made a motion to have the summary of Ordinance #3, Series 2016/2017 read into record.  Councilwoman Greer seconded the motion and was passed by unanimous vote.  Attorney Ritsert read the summary of Ordinance #3, Series 2016/2017 Amending the Tree Board Ordinance Item #3, Section C, and Item #5.

Public Works:  Councilman Phillips reported the City has received 4 Building Permits; 1 for the shopping center and 3 residential.  He also stated he is working on paving estimates (what roads need to be paved and estimating the cost) and he is also getting prices for sign post repairs/replacement.

Safety/Real Estate Signs:  Councilwoman Rademaker reported she had not received the Police Report from Graymoor-Devondale Police.  Clerk Moore stated she had received it that day in the mail and handed it over to her.  Councilwoman Rademaker stated she would prepare the report and distribute it to the Council once she has finished it.

Windy Hills Green/City Beautification:  Councilman Skelton reported that Brownsboro Landscaping had planted flowers at the Rudy Lane entrance.  He also stated a tree was lost on Rudy Lane and arborist, Mike Hayman, will suggest replacement trees.  Councilman Phillips made a motion to go forward with the Christmas in July banner that Councilman Skelton designed.  His motion was seconded by Councilman Skelton and passed with a 4 aye and 2 nay vote.  Councilwomen Greer and Davis asked the record to show that they were opposed to the wording of the banner. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Goal Setting for 2016:  The Mayor reported he had received 3 new project proposals; 2 from Councilwoman Greer and 1 from Councilman Phillips.

NEW BUSINESS:

Chief Grady Throneberry:  The Mayor reported that Chief Throneberry had an accident while on a mission trip, breaking his shoulder so he could not attend the meeting as scheduled.  It will be rescheduled.

First Reading Ordinance 1, Series 2016/2017 regarding Ad Valorem Taxes:  Councilwoman Greer made a motion to have the summary, first reading of Ordinance 1, Series 2016/2017 regarding the Ad Valorem Taxes.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Davis and passed unanimously.

First Reading Ordinance 2, Series 2016/2017 regarding the 2016/2017 Budget:  Councilwoman Greer made a motion to have the summary, first reading of Ordinance 2, Series 2016/2017 regarding the 2016/2017 Budget.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Skelton and passed unanimously.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:   Attorney Ritsert reported that she has filed 6 property tax liens

MAYOR’ REPORT:  Mayor Ising reported that the JCLC membership renewals are due and listed the benefits of being a member of the JCLC.  He also stated the Google Franchise Agreement Ordinance will be on the June agenda; Gave highlights from Metro Councilwoman Leet’s Mayor’s Advisory Council Meeting; Received sketches of the proposed St. Matthews Fire Dept. expansion and are available for review at City Hall.  The Mayor also announced that Attorney Ritsert and law partner John Singler have been retained as the attorneys for the City of St. Matthews.    

Comments/Questions to the Council as a Whole:   Martha Davis asked why the City was lighting the Christmas Tree in July.  The reason stated was to be able to observe the tree to see if any repairs needed to be done and if so, they would be able to get a head start on it instead of waiting until November.

Councilwoman Greer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Rademaker and the motion passed unanimously.

E. James Ising, Mayor                                            Sandy Moore, City Clerk