City of Mount Washington
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting
July 14, 2008
Mayor Joetta Calhoun called the meeting to order at 6:30P.M. with the following council members present: Barry Armstrong, Shot Dooley, Greg Gentry, Gary Lawson, Emily Rucker and Brent Wheeler.
Also present were: Treasurer Peggy Brinkman, City Clerk Kenneth Stovall, Police Chief Rodney Hockenbury and ABC Administrator and EMA Coordinator Melvin Davis.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Greg Gentry
Mayor Calhoun asked those present to take a moment to reflect according to their beliefs.
Minutes
Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the June 23, 2008 regular council meeting. Gary Lawson noted that Chief Mike Dooley of the Mt. Washington Fire Department was referred to as Captain Dooley in the minutes. The correction was noted. Gary Lawson made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Greg Gentry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Police Report
Chief Hockenbury gave the police report for the month of June 2008.
State Representative Larry Belcher
Representative Belcher presented a check for $1,000,000 from the Kentucky General Assembly to the city to be used for the sewer treatment plant expansion. Mayor Calhoun said that these funds were received as result of the efforts of Representative Belcher and Senator Gary Tapp and thanked them for their hard work.
Ordinances
First Reading
The first reading of an ordinance to accept or reject the recommendation of the Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission to rezone 15.788 acres, more or less, located at the northwest intersection on N 31E Bypass and High Point Court in the city of Mt. Washington from R-1 Residential to B-2 Central Business was held. Discussion followed.
Attorney Eric Farris spoke on behalf of Lynn and Kelly Martin who are adjacent property owners to the parcel to be rezoned. Mr. Farris requested that the Council send the matter back to the Bullitt County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission for a rehearing due to improprieties at the public hearing on June 12th. He said that the Martins were not allowed due process because they were not allowed to present documents at the hearing.
Kenny Stout, representing Oakbrooke Properties, LLC, said that although the Martins were not allowed to present documents at the hearing, they were given fifteen minutes, and took only ten minutes, to speak and present their objections to the commission. He said that there are contracts pending and that time is of the essence.
Jennifer Porter, who represented the sellers, said the Martins were given adequate time to present their objections at the hearing and that a contract is pending.
Discussion followed.
Brent Wheeler said that it has always been the job of the council to vote up or down the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission regarding zoning changes. He said that it is not the duty of the council to determine if there is a flaw in the recommendation. He said that is an issue between the Martins and planning and zoning. Brent Wheeler made a motion to consider the first reading of the ordinance official. Emily Rucker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote.
Mayor Calhoun said that comments will be allowed during the second reading of this ordinance.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Calhoun said that she was approached by one of the owners of a property in the business park asking that he be allowed to rent part of his building to a business that engages in the instruction of tumbling, cheerleading, dancing, etc. She said that she consulted with attorney Bill Wilson concerning this matter. Mr. Wilson said that this activity does not constitute “retail sales” and is not in conflict with the business park covenants. Discussion followed. Brent Wheeler made a motion in favor of Mr. Wilson’s recommendation to allow this business activity in the business park. Barry Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote.
Mayor Calhoun announced the formation of an Economic Development and Business Park Committee.
Mayor Calhoun said that she is in the process of forming a Sign Ordinance committee. The purpose of this committee will be to review and improve the existing sign ordinance.
Mayor Calhoun thanked Melvin Davis and the Mt. Washington Fire Department for preparing picture identification cards for city employees. She said that these will assist in the movement of critical city personnel in the event of an emergency in Mt. Washington.
Mayor Calhoun said that the city’s independent auditor, Bob Ryan, has begun the annual audit of the city. She said that he is doing his preliminary work and will be working at city hall for about three days. He will come back in about three months to complete the audit.
Adjourn
There being no further business before the council, Barry Armstrong made a motion to adjourn at 7:03P.M. Gary Lawson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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Kenneth J. Stovall, Jr.
City Clerk
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Joetta Calhoun
Mayor