Board of Commissioners

MINUTES of REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD of COMMISSIONERS of the CITY of BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY held DECEMBER 18, 2007 The Board of Commissioners of the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky met in regular session in the Commission Chamber of City Hall, Bowling Green, Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. on December 18, 2007. Mayor Elaine N. Walker called the meeting to order. An invocation was given by City Manager Kevin D. DeFebbo, and all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller called the roll, and the following members were present: Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash, Commissioner Bruce Wilkerson, Commissioner Joe W. Denning and Mayor Elaine N. Walker. Absent: Commissioner Brian K. Strow. There was a quorum of the Board of Commissioners. CITY MANAGER City Manager Kevin D. DeFebbo recognized Police Officer Brad Fulks, who was the officer in attendance for security purposes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of Regular Meeting December 4, 2007 and Special Meeting December 11, 2007 Minutes of the above-referenced meetings were distributed to the Board of Commissioners with the Agenda for their review. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash to approve said minutes as written. Mayor Walker asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 4, 2007 and special meeting of December 11, 2007 was approved by unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Walker opened the floor for any public comments and there were none. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Walker requested if there were any items to be removed from the Consent Agenda prior to its consideration. With none, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller read the summaries of each of the following items: MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 363 MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE APPALACHIA HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA (HIDTA) THROUGH THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,000 *Note: Minutes are a summary of the discussions; a video recording of this entire meeting is maintained by the Office of City Clerk. (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 18, 2007) MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 364 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF BARBARA K. JOHNSTON TO THE OPERATION P.R.I.D.E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 365 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF JOHN PARKER, RETTA POE AND SANDY RILEY TO THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN BOARD OF ETHICS MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 366 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OUT-OF- TOWN TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR MAYOR ELAINE N. WALKER FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES TO NAGOYA, OSAKA AND KAWANISHI, JAPAN MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 367 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OUT-OF- TOWN TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR MAYOR ELAINE N. WALKER TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 15TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 368 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OUT-OF- TOWN TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR MAYOR ELAINE N. WALKER FOR ATTENDING THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES FALL CONFERENCE IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 369 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OUT-OF- TOWN TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR CITY MANAGER KEVIN D. DEFEBBO FOR ATTENDING THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES FALL CONFERENCE IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY 2 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 18, 2007) MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 370 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OUT-OF- TOWN TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR MAYOR ELAINE N. WALKER TO ATTEND THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SYMPOSIUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Denning for acceptance of the Consent Agenda as presented. With no discussion, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented was approved by unanimous vote. Comm. Nash thanked staff for providing attendance records for the recommended board reappointments. REGULAR AGENDA MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 371 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL JUSTIN CAULLEY TO THE POSITION OF IRRIGATION / SPRAY TECHNICIAN IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, GOLF DIVISION Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 371 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the qualifications for the recommended appointment. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 371 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 372 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE PROMOTION OF JOSHUA DAVID MILLER TO THE POSITION OF OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN III IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, OPERATIONS DIVISION Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 372 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the qualifications for the recommended promotion. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 372 was approved by unanimous vote. 3 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 18, 2007) MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 373 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 373 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Denning for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the recommended changes to the Benefit Plan which were discussed with the Employee Healthcare Committee. Mayor Walker commented about the ability to negotiate the annual maximum benefit on a case by case basis if needed. Comm. Nash commented about the change to treat mental conditions at the same level as medical conditions. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 373 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 374 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BOWLING GREEN AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU TO DISTRIBUTE $17,812 OF TRANSIENT ROOM TAXES TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 374 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Denning for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the recommendation by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Vicki Fitch responded to questions about the project. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 374 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 375 MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL GUIDE SIGN PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET FOR JACKSON’S ORCHARD AND NURSERIES AND DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUTURE SUBMISSIONS TO THE BOWLING GREEN AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 375 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the application process which required local approval for the location of 4 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 18, 2007) tourism signage. He explained that future applications would be approved through the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 375 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 376 MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2007 AS PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND AUDITED BY MOUNTJOY & BRESSLER, LLP Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 376 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo explained that the Audit Committee had recently reviewed the City’s audit report. Bowling Green Audit Committee Chairman Charles Hays outlined the responsibilities of the Committee, which included meeting with the City’s external auditors and its approval of the report. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 376 was approved by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. BG2007 – 55 (First Reading) ORDINANCE RELATING TO GAS FRANCHISE ORDINANCE EXTENDING EXISTING GAS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED MAY 3, 2008 Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2007 - 55 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for first reading of said Ordinance. DeFebbo indicated that he was still obtaining information about potential alternatives to the franchise fee and requested the extension of the current agreement. He stated that he would present his findings at the next Board meeting. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None First reading of Ordinance No. BG2007 - 55 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2007 – 377 MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CITY’S GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $328,000 TO 5 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 18, 2007) THE BOWLING GREEN POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 Summary of Municipal Order No. 2007 - 377 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Wilkerson and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the closed Pension Fund and the need for a contribution by the City to assist with providing an annual cost of living increase to the annuitants. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Meisel indicated that he was seeking a second opinion regarding the Fund’s actuary study to confirm the amount of the unfunded liability which the City will need to address in the near future. Mayor Walker asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Wilkerson, Denning and Walker Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2007 - 377 was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Walker announced that the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners in the new year would be held as a special meeting on Monday, January 7, 2008. There being no further business to come before the Board of Commissioners, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Mayor Walker declared this meeting adjourned. WORK SESSION Prior to the regular meeting and with no action taken, the Board of Commissioners, excluding Commissioner Strow, convened at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chamber of City Hall for a regular work session to discuss the Information Technology 3-Year Plan. ADOPTED: ______________________________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________________________ Mayor, Chairman of Board of Commissioners ATTEST: ______________________________________________ City Clerk Minutes prepared by Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller 6