Board of Commissioners

MINUTES of REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD of COMMISSIONERS of the CITY of BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY held DECEMBER 16, 2014 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 16, 2014. Mayor Bruce Wilkerson called the meeting to order. An invocation was given by Commissioner Rick Williams, 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 Melinda M. Hill, Commissioner Bill Waltrip, Commissioner Rick Williams, Commissioner Joe W. Denning and Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. Absent: none. There was a full quorum of the Board of Commissioners. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS City Manager Kevin D. DeFebbo announced the City received its third consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Operating Budget from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). He recognized the work of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Meisel and the Finance Department staff as well as Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller for achieving this accomplishment. Mayor Wilkerson stated the City’s annual employee service awards program took place on Friday, December 12th and he wanted to recognize and thanked Cemetery Administrative Manager Beverly Fleenor and School Crossing Guard Shirley Patterson each with 30 years of service, and Treasury Associate Sharon Garmon and School Crossing Guard Berenda Martin each with 35 years of service to the community. CITY MANAGER Mr. DeFebbo requested a closed session for the purpose of discussion of proposed litigation against and on behalf of the City, and for discussion between the City and a representative of a business entity and discussions concerning a specific proposal, as open discussions would jeopardize the retention, expansion or upgrading of the business. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Hill to convene in closed session following the regular meeting pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) (c) and (g). Mayor Wilkerson called for roll call vote. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Motion to convene in closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) (c) and (g) was approved by unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of Regular Meeting December 2, 2014 Minutes of the above-referenced meeting were distributed to the Board of Commissioners with the Agenda for their review. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Williams to approve said minutes as written. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. *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 16, 2014) ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 2, 2014 was approved by unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS Janice Miller spoke in opposition to the proposed water and sewer rate adjustments (Ordinance No. BG2014 - 41). She expressed concern about how the increases would impact the poorest residents and those on fixed incomes. She remarked how could it not adversely affected people when you keep adding these year after year after year. Although the amount may not be a lot to somebody, she went on to say that it does mean a lot to those who cannot make ends meet. Ms. Miller also had several questions about how the rate increases were determined and why the additional money was necessary. As this item was included on the agenda, there was no further discussion at this time. REGULAR AGENDA ORDINANCE NO. BG2014 – 37 (Second Reading) ORDINANCE RELATING TO CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCHEDULE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCHEDULE “G” FOR GENERAL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015 Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 37 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Williams for second reading of said Ordinance. DeFebbo reiterated this related to a temporary restructuring of the Chief Building Inspector position with the creation of a new position titled Building Services Manager. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Ordinance No. BG2014 - 37 was adopted by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. BG2014 – 38 (Second Reading) ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 (REFUSE COLLECTION) OF THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MAKE CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY WARREN COUNTY AND RENAME THE CHAPTER SOLID WASTE COLLECTION Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 38 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Waltrip for second reading of said Ordinance. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. 2 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 16, 2014) ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Ordinance No. BG2014 - 38 was adopted by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2014 – 236 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE PROMOTION OF GEOFFREY P. GLEITZ TO THE POSITION OF POLICE SERGEANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Summary of Municipal Order No. 2014 - 236 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Denning and seconded by Waltrip for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo mentioned that an upcoming retirement prompted a promotional opportunity. Police Chief Doug Hawkins reviewed Mr. Gleitz’s qualifications and work history, and he recommended him for promotion. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2014 - 236 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2014 – 237 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING THE PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT OF AMELIA L. BOWEN TO THE POSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER SUPERVISOR IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Summary of Municipal Order No. 2014 - 237 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Williams for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo reviewed the application process and recommended the appointment. He also mentioned that Ms. Bowen had previously held the same position; however, at that time, she had family obligations that had caused her to leave the City. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2014 - 237 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2014 – 238 MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING AND ACCEPTING BID #2014-12 FOR HENNESSY WAY REALIGNMENT PROJECT FROM SCOTTY’S CONTRACTING & STONE, LLC OF BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY IN THE AMOUNT OF $408,334.27 Summary of Municipal Order No. 2014 - 238 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Denning and seconded by Hill for consideration of said Municipal Order. DeFebbo indicated this has been the City’s top priority road project for the past couple of 3 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 16, 2014) years. He reported the City had previously partnered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet who brought up to $280,000 to the table for the project. He also noted that the next item on the agenda included a partnership with Fruit of the Loom for a portion of the project to realign a parking entrance. Mayor Wilkerson recounted the project scope which included the addition of a new traffic signal on KY 446 to help relieve a traffic bottleneck at Hennessy Way and Corvette Drive during peak hours of the day. Once the discussion ended, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2014 - 238 was approved by unanimous vote. MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2014 – 239 MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN AND UNION UNDERWEAR COMPANY, INC., D/B/A FRUIT OF THE LOOM RELATED TO ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ON HENNESSY WAY AND INTERSTATE DRIVE Summary of Municipal Order No. 2014 - 239 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Hill and seconded by Denning for consideration of said Municipal Order. As mentioned with the previous item, DeFebbo reiterated that Fruit of the Loom would provide the money for the realignment of its parking entrance as part of the Hennessy Way realignment project. He recommended approval of the agreement. Mayor Wilkerson asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None Municipal Order No. 2014 - 239 was approved by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. BG2014 – 39 (First Reading) ORDINANCE REZONING REAL ESTATE ORDINANCE REZONING TRACTS OF LAND CONTAINING 0.36 ACRE FROM RM-4 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO CB (CENTRAL BUSINESS) LOCATED AT 701 AND 707 CHESTNUT STREET AND 523 E 7TH AVENUE, PRESENTLY OWNED BY FLORA TEMPLETON STUART Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 39 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Hill for first reading of said Ordinance. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None First reading of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 39 was approved by unanimous vote. 4 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 16, 2014) ORDINANCE NO. BG2014 – 40 (First Reading) ORDINANCE REZONING REAL ESTATE ORDINANCE REZONING A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 0.15 ACRE FROM RM-2 (TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO NB (NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS) LOCATED AT 935 E 11TH AVENUE, PRESENTLY OWNED BY DWIGHT BURTON Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 40 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Waltrip and seconded by Hill for first reading of said Ordinance. Mayor Wilkerson asked for discussion, and with none, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None First reading of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 40 was approved by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. BG2014 – 41 (First Reading) ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23 (WATER AND SEWER) OF THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO WATER AND SEWER RATE ADJUSTMENTS AS PROPOSED BY BOWLING GREEN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES (BGMU) Title and summary of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 41 was read by the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk. Motion was made by Williams and seconded by Hill for first reading of said Ordinance. BGMU General Manager Mark Iverson provided an overview of the proposed rate adjustments which would now be spread-out over seven years instead of four as initially proposed. He explained BGMU had received lower revenues than anticipated, since the last Financial Plan was completed in 2008-2009, due in part to the recession and to an increase in conservation of water and reduced usage. With an aging infrastructure and a fixed cost operation, he reported additional revenues were needed to plan ahead for obsolescence, expanding capacity and just normal wear and tear on the water and sewer systems. Mr. Iverson commented that in the past few years, BGMU has had to defer capital projects, which could only be delayed for so long, and make other spending adjustments to reduce costs and do more with less. The rate adjustments are an effort to get back on track with the asset management plan. He also mentioned BGMU offered a 10% discount for qualifying low income households and they were seeking to expand participation in that program. Commissioner Hill thanked Ms. Miller for her earlier comments. She admitted to also having sticker shock when she first saw the proposal implementing the rate adjustments over a four-year period. She remarked that unfortunately they have to look at both sides of the issue and there needed to be a way to address the requirements for maintaining the water and sewer system without harming residents. She expressed appreciation for BGMU’s willingness to work with the Board of Commissioners by spreading out the rate increase over a longer period of time to lessen the immediate impact to residents. 5 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 16, 2014) Commissioner Williams also appreciated BGMU’s willingness to expand the increase out over a seven-year period. He stated he did not like seeing rate increases any more than anyone else. However, he said it would be better to make smaller incremental changes now than to have to make one big one since the infrastructure, pipes and facilities were wearing out. Commissioner Waltrip stated he wanted to live in a community with an excellent water source. He advised that for him to vote in favor of a rate increase, he had to believe BGMU was doing all it could to control costs, be more efficient and do everything it could to have an excellent product for all of our community. He also commented he did not like rate increases but sometimes it was necessary for the betterment of the community. Once the discussion ended, a roll call vote was taken. ROLL CALL: Voting Yea: Hill, Waltrip, Williams, Denning and Wilkerson Voting Nay: None First reading of Ordinance No. BG2014 - 41 was approved by unanimous vote. As she cast her vote, Commissioner Hill acknowledged she would vote yes since the rates would be spread-out over more years. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioners Hill and Denning presented a departing gift to Commissioner Waltrip recognizing this was his last regular meeting on the Board. Commissioner Waltrip expressed appreciation to several people including City staff and the City Manager for their professionalism and support. He remarked this job was an emotional roller coaster and he never took any vote lightly, and tried not to take criticism to heart. He closed by expressing his gratitude to his family and the citizens for their support as it was an honor to sit in this seat. He also stated he was proud to live in Bowling Green, Kentucky and did not want to live anywhere else. Following other comments about Commissioner Waltrip’s service and wishing him the very best, Mayor Wilkerson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. CLOSED SESSION Following a brief recess to clear the Commission Chamber, the Board of Commissioners met at approximately 8:15 p.m. in closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) (c) and (g) as previously approved. Mr. DeFebbo stated that no action was expected to follow the discussion. ADJOURNMENT Once all discussion concluded in closed session and there being no further business to come before the Board of Commissioners, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Mayor Wilkerson declared this meeting adjourned. WORK SESSION Prior to the regular meeting and with no action taken, the Board of Commissioners convened at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chamber of City Hall for a regular work session to discuss the following subjects: 1) the results of the bi-annual Citizen Survey for the City of Bowling Green; 2) a 6 (Minutes-Board of Commissioners-December 16, 2014) quarterly (and annual) report regarding the African American Museum; 3) the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 Sidewalk Projects; and 4) changes in the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) quota allowance for the City of Bowling Green. During the discussion about ABC quota reductions, the Board of Commissioners provided consensus to pursue a request for additional retail drink and package store licenses. In addition, the Mayor said he would continue to pursue possible regulation changes with the help of State Legislators. Additionally, there was discussion about the expanded use of available social media or other means to provide more notification to specific residents when impacted by actions of the Board of Commissioners regarding City properties near their homes. As a result of the discussion, Mr. DeFebbo agreed to automatically notify neighbors when a project at a nearby City-owned property appears as an agenda item at a Board meeting. ADOPTED: ______________________________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________________________ Mayor, Chairman of Board of Commissioners ATTEST: ______________________________________________ City Clerk Minutes prepared by Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Katie Schaller 7