The Warsaw City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the city building 303 East Main Street at 7:30pm.
Council members present: Randy Jones, Brandon Terrell, Jamie Gould, Charlie French, Jackie Giles & Keith Jones.
Attorney Mike Duncan was present.
Visitors present: Clay Warnick, Winslow Baker, Kenny Locke Jr. , Keven Hardwick from Ferrara Fire, Barry Alexander, Scott Brian with MeadowCreek Townhomes, Stephanie Sweeney & Henry Olynger with Fredericksburg Apartments, Linda and Mike Clark, Barbara Beagle, Greg Seitz, Miranda Webb, Tabitha and Christina Brewer, Shaughn Williamson, Tyler Boaz, Andrea and Mark Chisenhall, Tony Gambrel, Johnny Masters, Drew and Shawn Wilson, Brandon Roberts, Nelson Brown, Brent Caldwell, Joey Dickerson.
Mayor Simpson called the December meeting to order and welcomed several students from Mr. Stigall’s government class to the meeting.
#1 Approval of the Agenda
Additions; Mayor Simpson added Morton Avenue paving
project, Sewer project, grant resolution, Jamie Gould added police department,
Jackie Giles added Closed Session for real estate acquisition. A motion by
Randy Jones seconded by Charlie French to approve the agenda with the
additions. Motion carried unanimously.
#2 Approval of the Minutes from previous meetings
A motion by Jackie
Giles seconded by Charlie French to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
#3 Approval of
financial statements & bills for the month
A motion by Charlie French seconded by Brandon
Terrell approving the financial
statements and bills for the month. Motion carried unanimously.
#4 Recognition of Audience
NONE
#5 MEADOW CREEK
TOWNHOMES
Scott Brian with Meadow Creek Townhomes was present to advise Council and the Mayor that once again they were applying for a tax credit through Kentucky Housing in order to build Phase II of their project. Phase I was built in 2003 and every year since then an application has been made to Kentucky Housing but has not been approved for financing. Phase II has been down scaled to 36 units. Mr. Brian is requesting a letter from the city declaring their support to send with his application. The deadline for the application is February 19th. Councilman Giles expressed his displeasure with the project from the beginning. It was noted that several items such as better lighting, sidewalks and garbage enclosures are needed and would be part of the Phase II financing. The property is income restricted but plans are that the income level would increase for Phase II to $42,000 for a family of 4 instead of the current guideline of $34,000. A motion was made by Jamie Gould seconded by Keith Jones in favor of proving a letter of support to Mr. Brian on his Phase II project. Voice vote: Brandon Terrell no, Charlie French no, Jackie Giles no, Randy Jones no, Keith Jones yes, Jamie Gould yes. 4 no votes 2 yes votes. Motion failed.
Mr. Brian asked council what the exact problems are with the project so that he could work on them, but did not get an answer. Mayor Simpson asked Mr. Brian to compile some income and data on the project and invited him to return for the January 11th meeting.
#6 FREDERICKSBURG APARTMENTS
Stephanie Sweeney and Henry Olynger owner of Fredericksburg Apartments were present to ask Council for a letter of support for their rehab project. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $2,505,876. A letter of endorsement is needed from the City in order to apply for tax credits from Kentucky Housing. The apartment complex was initially built in 1993 and is in need of some major improvements both inside and outside. Councilman Randy Jones inquired whether the retention pond would be altered. It was discussed how the pond does not drain well. Mr. Olynger advised he was aware of the problem and would like the City to give him some direction on how to best correct the issue.
A motion by Jamie Gould seconded by Jackie Giles endorsement the rehab project for Fredericksburg and approving the Mayor to send a letter of support. Voice vote: Brandon Terrell yes, Charlie French yes, Keith Jones yes, Randy Jones yes, Jackie Giles yes, Jamie Gould yes. Motion carried unanimously.
#7 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE 2009-03
A motion by Jackie Giles seconded by Brandon Terrell approving Ordinance 2009-03 of the City of Warsaw incorporating into the City Code of Ordinances the 15 conditions found in the deed from the United States of America to the City of Warsaw pertaining to the use and operation of the Craig’s Creek Boat Ramp Property. Voice vote: Charlie French yes, Keith Jones yes, Randy Jones yes, Jamie Gould yes, Brandon Terrell yes and Jackie Giles yes. Motion carried unanimously.
#8 FIRE TRUCK
Mayor Simpson reported that last month bids were opened for a new firetruck. The low bid was Ferrara Fire Apparatus with a bid of $558,415.00. After reviewing the bids for accuracy, Fire Chief Barry Alexander is recommending the City council accept the bid and purchase the firetruck from Ferrara. Mayor Simpson advised Council that the fire department budget would not need to change drastically in order to purchase the truck. The approximate cost to repay the loan of $400,000 from Kentucky League of Cities would be $28,000 annually for the next 28 years. The remainder of the purchase would be a money market the city had set up for this purchase many years ago. The remaining amount due would be from a loan the fire department would get from the Fire Commission for $75,000. This loan would go towards the necessary loose equipment needed for the truck, the maintenance necessary to fix & replace the doors on the fire department and the balance of the truck cost.
It was explained that the current doors on the truck on not big enough for the new truck. New doors would need to be purchased. The truck this purchase would replace is a 1976 truck that cannot pass certification. If the city loses the certification rating then insurance rates in the city are likely to increase.
Councilman Randy Jones and Councilman Jamie Gould expressed concerns that the city could not afford this large purchase at this time with revenues being down. Mayor Simpson understood those concerns and assured council that he would not support this project if he did not think the city could afford it.
A motion by Charlie French seconded by Jackie Giles to table this decision until the January 11th council meeting. Voice vote : Jamie Gould yes, Randy Jones yes, Keith Jones yes, Brandon Terrell yes, Jackie Giles yes, Charlie French yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Simpson advised that the current bid is only good for 30 days and that it may need to be rebid.
#9 SNOW CONTRACT
A motion by Jackie Giles seconded by Jamie Gould approving the snow contract for the new year with Larry Lewis only if the same rates as last year apply ( $60 per hour and $100 per ton for salt). Motion carried unanimously.
#10 RENAISSANCE ON MAIN
Last months council meeting included a decision to form a board to look into the hiring of a combined Renaissance / Tourism manager. Councilman Jackie Giles and Renaissance chair Jacquelene Mylor will sit on this board.
#11 WATER IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT
A motion by Jackie Giles seconded by Brandon Terrell approving Resolution 2009-19 authorizing payments be made regarding the Water Improvement Project. Voice vote: Charlie French yes, Keith Jones yes, Jamie Gould yes, Randy Jones no, Jackie Giles yes, Brandon Terrell yes. 5 yes votes and 1 no vote. Motion carried.
#12 WINSLOW BAKER
A motion by Jackie Giles seconded by Randy Jones to approve Resolutio 2009-0020 authorizing the Mayor to apply for the energy efficiency and conservation block grant. Voice vote: Jamie Gould yes, Brandon Terrell yes, Charlie French yes, Keith Jones yes, Randy Jones yes, Jackie Giles yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Duncan questioned what Mr. Locke’s term of office would be but Mr. Baker did not know off hand.
Councilman Giles questioned if anything had been done regarding a new access road from the old meat packing plant on Riverview Drive to US 42. Mr. Baker advised that until ATS is sold that would probably not be possible.
ADDITIONS:
Morton Avenue paving project – Mike and Linda Clark were present as residents of Morton Avenue to complain about the recent paving job done on the street by Eaton Aspalt. Mr. Clark expressed his displeasure with the city’s contractor. Mayor Simpson agreed with Mr. Clark that the job could have been done much better. He explained in detail that the recent water improvement project included a section of sewer line on Morton that was long overdue in being replaced. While doing these water and sewer repairs the street was torn up, rather than wait until spring a decision was made to replace the road. Because of the cold temperatures, there will be no way to repair the street this calendar year but will have to wait until spring.
Police Department – Councilman Gould questioned Mayor Simpson about the 2 new police cruisers and when they would be put on the road. The Mayor advised that the cars were parked for now because they are not fully equipped and ready. Sheriff Nelson Brown was present and advised he had offered 2 free cages for the cruisers. The Mayor thanked him.
Sewer Project – Mayor Simpson advised council that an ad would be in this weeks paper as well as the Kentucky Enquirer regarding bids for the Sewer Project. A deadline exists of February 10, 2010 for securing grant money.
A motion by Jackie Giles seconded by Randy Jones to exit regular session and enter closed session for the purpose of discussion acquisition of real estate pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b). Motion carried unanimously
A motion by Randy Jones seconded by Brandon Terrell exit Closed/Executive Session and enter regular session.
A motion by Randy Jones seconded by Brandon Terrell to Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45pm.
Mayor, Travis Simpson
City Clerk, Carolyn Marksberry