Board of Commissioners

MINUTES of REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD of COMMISSIONERS of the CITY of BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY held JANUARY 17, 2012 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 January 17, 2012. Mayor Bruce Wilkerson called the meeting to order. An invocation was given by Mayor Wilkerson, 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 Bill Waltrip, Commissioner Melinda M. Hill and Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. Absent: Commissioner Joe W. Denning. There was a quorum of the Board of Commissioners. Mayor Wilkerson expressed regrets from Comm. Denning for his absence. PUBLIC HEARING Neighborhood and Community Services Director Brent Childers conducted a public hearing to receive comments about the Annual Action Plan for the Year 9 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Funding Program. In accordance with the Consolidated 5 Year Strategic Plan approved in 2009, Mr. Childers indicated that the Neighborhood and Community Services Department was in the process of developing the Annual Action Plan for Year 9 CDBG funding, which was estimated to be $496,000 for Fiscal Year 2013. He further identified that the Consolidated Plan included priority needs for addressing affordable housing, economic opportunities, and education and counseling. Mr. Childers announced that public comments would be received through January 26th and he provided an overview of the planning process. Mr. Childers outlined the eligible activities and those activities specifically prohibited from receiving funding. In addition, he identified previously funded activities and their past allocations, as well as the outcomes and objectives to be achieved. Mr. Childers responded to questions from the Board of Commissioners regarding the anticipated funding amount which was a 3% reduction from the previous year and the amount of funds sufficient to cover administrative costs. Hotel, Inc. Executive Director Karen Myers said that the use of these funds could really aid the 17.1% impoverished in Bowling Green. She outlined the need to fill holes in services to provide more transitional housing opportunities that could give people without special needs adequate time to get back on their feet. She also encouraged the Board to look at expanding the bus lines (Go BG Transit services) to go out to the industrial parks where jobs are located and to have the buses continue to run in the evening. She commented that people with low incomes cannot afford a vehicle and count on the transit services. Ms. Myers urged the Board to continue to work on bringing more good jobs to the area that provide a living wage with benefits. Without those jobs available, she remarked that people have to make choices about which bills to pay and may place their housing situation in jeopardy. Comm. Waltrip commended Ms. Myers for summarizing the issues so well and for the work that she and Hotel, Inc. accomplish. He agreed that this was a problem, especially considering the number of children involved. He mentioned that there was a group trying to work on some things, but there was so much that needed to be done in this area. With 17% poverty, Comm. Waltrip remarked that to him this was a real problem that needed to be a priority. He also remarked that he *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-January 17, 2012) hoped that some of this money could be directed toward addressing these issues. Mayor Wilkerson recommended that Ms. Myers be prepared to make the same comments to the Citizen Review Committee during the CDBG application process for its consideration as well. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS Mayor Wilkerson congratulated Miss Kentucky Ann-Blair Thornton of Bowling Green who received the Quality of Life Award during the Miss America Pageant for her platform of Alzheimer’s awareness and research. Operation P.R.I.D.E. Executive Director Ray Lackey announced that a sign would be added to Championship Triangle, located at the corner of Kentucky Street and 6th and 7th Avenues, to recognize Miss Kentucky’s achievements. Mr. Lackey presented P.R.I.D.E.’s monthly commercial award to GO bg Transit for improvements made to 304 East 11th Avenue. Transportation Manager Donna Tooley, Public Transit Coordinator Ken Meredith and Community Action of Southern Kentucky Executive Director Cheryl Allen accepted the award and Ms. Allen expressed appreciation for the recognition. She indicated that more improvements were coming as the project moved into phase two. Ms. Allen also thanked the City for partnering with GO bg Transit. Mr. Lackey mentioned that Operation P.R.I.D.E. was partnering with Mike Murphy and Mac Yowell to help the Frcka family with a sinkhole issue on their property located out Porter Pike. He commented that Mr. Frcka previously served three tours of duty in Iraq and was now deployed to Korea, which left his family here alone. He announced that with the help of Independence Bank, the Frcka Sink Hole account was set up to accept donations. Mr. Lackey urged those with any extra money to help out this soldier and his family. CITY MANAGER City Manager Kevin D. DeFebbo had no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of Regular Meeting January 3, 2012 Minutes of the above-referenced meeting were distributed to the Board of Commissioners with the Agenda for their review. Motion was made by Nash and seconded by Waltrip to approve said minutes as written. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 3, 2012 was approved by unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS Kentucky State Pageant Director Connie Clark Harrison introduced herself to the Board of Commissioners. She expressed her excitement that the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky Teen USA pageants would be held in Bowling Green this coming weekend (January 20-22, 2012) at Western Kentucky University’s Van Meter Auditorium. She indicated that the families and friends of 60 2 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-January 17, 2012) participants would be coming to the city and that Bowling Green would be linked to the Miss USA Pageant. In addition, Ms. Harrison mentioned that she was very interested in the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center as a possible location to hold future events. Mayor Wilkerson welcomed Ms. Harrison and said he looked forward to having everyone here in Bowling Green. REGULAR AGENDA ORDINANCE NO. BG2012 – 1 (Second Reading) ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLES 2.7, 3.18, 4.9.2 AND APPENDIX A-EXHIBIT C OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2012 - 1 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Nash for second reading of said Ordinance. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Ordinance No. BG2012 - 1 was adopted by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2012 – 10 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT OF LAURA B. CORNELIUS TO THE POSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Summary of Municipal Order No. 2012 - 10 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Nash and seconded by Hill for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo indicated there were three vacant positions and he reviewed the open application process to continually seek certified dispatchers. He recommended this appointment. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2012 - 10 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2012 – 11 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE AUDUBON DRIVE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY LAW DEPARTMENT TO NEGOTIATE THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES NECESSARY FOR THIS PROJECT, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE DEEDS, 3 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-January 17, 2012) EASEMENTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS NECESSARY FOR THIS PROJECT Summary of Municipal Order No. 2012 - 11 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Hill for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo noted that at a work session in August 2011, a list of priority projects was presented to the Board of Commissioners. With this project at the top of the list, he recommended approval to proceed with property acquisition at an approximate cost of $18,000. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2012 - 11 was approved by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. BG2012 – 2 (First Reading) ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9 (GENERAL OFFENSES) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MAKE CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY THE BOWLING GREEN POLICE DEPARTMENT RELATED TO THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2012 - 2 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Nash for first reading of said Ordinance. DeFebbo explained that Police Chief Doug Hawkins was recently approached about the possibility of having a BB gun demonstration in the City. In review of the existing restrictions for the discharge of firearms and other equipment, such as BB guns, he noted that Chief Hawkins recommended making revisions that would permit certain activities to occur and to make certain exceptions for the discharge of firearms if in the best interest of the City. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None First reading of Ordinance No. BG2012 - 2 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2012 – 12 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN AND BARREN RIVER AREA SAFE SPACE (BRASS) FOR YEAR 7 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS Summary of Municipal Order No. 2012 - 12 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Waltrip for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo indicated that this item was mentioned during the public hearing and provided for an 4 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-January 17, 2012) extension of the agreement to complete the project. Comm. Nash commented about the importance of the work the Economic Justice Institute (facility being constructed by BRASS) will do once operational to aid those wanting to escape a domestic violence situation. Once the discussion ended, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2012 - 12 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2012 – 13 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPOINTING THE MAYOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CITY CLERK AS DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF THE BOWLING GREEN PUBLIC PROPERTIES CORPORATION AND TO THE BOARD OF THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN MUNICIPAL PROJECTS CORPORATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE APPROPRIATE CHANGES WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE Summary of Municipal Order No. 2012 - 13 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Nash for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo asked City Attorney Gene Harmon to explain the nuances as to why this action was necessary. Mr. Harmon indicated that these two organizations should be able to be done away with before long. He explained that until local governments had the ability to issue general obligation bonds, holding companies were created to issue revenue bonds. Mr. Harmon further explained that by law, individuals had to be named as directors to the Corporations and that traditionally the individuals that held the positions of Mayor, Chief Financial Officer and City Clerk were appointed. Mr. Harmon specified this was a housekeeping item to allow the City Clerk the ability to make any necessary changes that may occur with those positions throughout the year and with the annual report filing. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Nash, Waltrip, Hill and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2012 - 13 was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board of Commissioners, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Mayor Wilkerson declared this meeting adjourned. ADOPTED: ______________________________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________________________ Mayor, Chairman of Board of Commissioners ATTEST: ______________________________________________ City Clerk Minutes prepared by Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller 5