Board of Commissioners Meetings

A Regular March 26, 2013 A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, in the third floor Assembly Room located in the Municipal Center Building at 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky. INVOCATION was given by Reverend Charles Johnson, Norris Chapel Baptist Church, and then Mayor Austin led the assemblage in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. ________________________ There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Jan Hite Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt Commissioner Tom Davis Commissioner Robert M. (Robby) Mills _______________________ ALSO IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDED: Mr. Russell R. Sights, City Manager Mr. Buzzy Newman, Assistant City Manager Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Mrs. Carolyn Williams, City Clerk Mr. Danny Froehlich, Fire Chief Mr. John Reed, Police Chief Mrs. Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director Mr. Brad Mills, Public Works Director Mrs. Emily Gilliam, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Mark Simmons, Recreation Program Manager Mr. Brandon Potts, Municipal Golf Course Manager Mr. Brian Williams, Sanitation Supervisor Mr. Robert Chambers, Sanitation Worker Mr. Jesse Stone, Equipment Operator Mrs. Kathy Ferrell, Executive Director, Henderson City-County Planning Commission Mr. Curt Freeze, Assistant Executive Director, Henderson City-County Planning Commission Mr. Bruce Shipley, HWU General Manager Mr. Leason Neel, HWU Chief Financial Officer Mr. Tom Williams, HWU Director of Engineering Mr. Chip Southerland representing J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC Mr. Mark Franklin, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC. Mr. Chris Foster, J. H. Rudolph and Company Mr. Mark Cunningham Mr. Randy Pippin Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sweeney Mr. Darren Whitesides Mr. Harlin Scott Ms. Nancy Garrard Mr. Bruce Cowling Mr. Dave McGan Mr. Mark Moats Mr. Mike Richardson, Police Reserve Officer Mr. Frank Boyett, The Gleaner  A Regular March 26, 2013 PRESENTATION: NATIONAL ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION QUALITY IN CONSTRUCTION AWARD – J. H. RUDOLPH & COMPANY MR. CHRIS FOSTER of J. H. Rudolph and Company announced that the City had received an award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association for Quality in Construction Award for Excellence in construction of the pavement for the Henderson Water Utilities Project. It was also noted that J. H. Rudolph and Company often completed milling and overlaying streets at night to avoid traffic disruption in downtown Henderson in conjunction with water and sewer work undertaken by HWU. _____________________________ PRESENTATION: 30-YEAR SERVICE AWARD MAYOR AUSTIN expressed appreciation to Robert M. Chambers, Sanitation Worker, for his years of service and dedication to the City. PRESENTATION: 30-YEAR SERVICE AWARD MAYOR AUSTIN thanked Jesse A. Stone, Equipment Operator, for his years of service and dedication to the City. ____________________________ APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS MR. MARK WAYNE CUNNINGHAM, N. ADAMS STREET explained that he was here tonight to ask some questions of the Board of Commissioners. He stated that he had made some discoveries and showed a picture of Moses depicted on the Supreme Court Building. He asked the Board to research why is Moses over the entrance of the Supreme Court Building and why does Moses show up again on the right side of the front entrance of the Supreme Court building? Why was Moses chosen to be on the right front wall beside the front entrance of the Supreme Court? Why is this not taught in public schools and why don’t County officials across the state of Kentucky know this and why don’t the elected officials know this and which of you would be opposed to Moses being presented here in City Hall and which of you would support it? He left some pictures on the table. MAYOR AUSTIN reminded Mr. Cunningham that he was here a couple of weeks ago and made statements regarding the Municipal Golf Course. Since then, we told you that there would be an investigation. That investigation is complete and turned the floor over to Commissioner Mills. Mr. Cunningham made it clear that he was not here tonight to talk about the golf course. Commissioner Mills gave Mr. Cunningham the letter from Mrs. Emily Gilliam, Parks and Recreation Director, explaining that there were no violations found and no problems there. MR. RANDY PIPPIN explained that he was here to speak for Mark Matt Shriver who sent a letter supporting Mr. Brandon Potts, Municipal Golf Course Manager, stating that he was making some nice upgrades to the golf course. Mr. Pippin continued by saying that he and his dad have played golf in Henderson for many years and some of the improvements that Brandon is making have been needed for many years and he thinks that Brandon is doing an excellent job. COMMISSIONER TOM DAVIS added that Brandon has held up his side of the bargain with the City and has made needed improvements. ____________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR AUSTIN noted that the only item on the Consent Agenda was the Minutes of the February 26, 2013, meeting.  A Regular March 26, 2013 MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to approve the item on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: _____________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 08-2013: SECOND READING ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2012, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2013, FOR THE CITY OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, that the Ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin March 26, 2013 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ____________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 11-13: FIRST READING ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WARM CENTER FACILITY LOCATED AT 50 MCKINLEY STREET, CONSISTING OF WATER AND SEWER On first reading of the Ordinance, it was moved by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Ordinance be adopted. COMMISSIONER DAVIS asked if this would complete all of the improvements that go along with the WARM Center additions? Mrs. Kathy Ferrell, City-County Planning Commission Executive Director, answered in the affirmative. Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular March 26, 2013 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. ______________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 10-13: FIRST READING ORDINANCE AMENDING JOB CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLAN SUMMARY: ORDINANCE AMENDING JOB CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLAN BY RECLASSIFYING ONE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY POSITION TO DEVELOPMENT LIAISON POSITION AND ONE PART-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT TO ONE FULL TIME SECRETARY, IN THE CODES DIVISION BUDGETED POSITIONS, AND TO AMEND THE AMENDED BUDGET TO CHANGE THE NUMBER AND CLASSIFICATION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AS RECITED IN THE ANNUAL AMENDED BUDGET On first reading of the Ordinance, it was moved by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Davis, that the Ordinance be adopted. MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, said that this original recommendation came out of the Local Government Incentives Committee and it has taken some time to get to this point because several alternatives were looked at and several of us talked a lot and looked at some alternatives in other cities and Mr. Buzzy Newman, Assistant City Manager, ended up feeling that this was the best recommendation to make and he concurred with that. This fulfills a goal that this Board set last year to enact this position. This position is more than just a position to work through the Codes Department but a position to deal with whatever obstacles exist in the development process for developers and people that are willing to invest their money in Henderson, Kentucky. It will be a position where we will not simply send a person to the right place but we will go with them. That is the intent of the position. MR. BUZZY NEWMAN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, explained that through a course of time, the Community Business Initiative Committee identified some of the concerns that local developers as well as developers from outside of Henderson were having as they entered into Henderson and tried to set up or expand their current businesses. We looked at those concerns and decided to develop a job description of what we thought would be necessary to meet those needs. Because it does not warrant a full time position, we looked internally on how could we make this work and we looked at the Codes Department because the staff there is more knowledgeable of the activities that go on within the development community and to be able to address these issues. We looked at the duties of existing staff and chose to modify existing duties for an existing position. When the position is wearing their “development liaison” hat, they have to remove themselves from their duties from within that department and focus on the task at hand. This position will work closely with Russell and myself as well as the Board. This person will be our eyes and ears in our leadership to help our existing developers in the community and anyone coming into town. We believe it will take about 30 days to get it up and running, and once this has been approved, then we would like to sit down with all the parties that have interest in this position and introduce her and start the process of getting this project up and going. COMMISSIONER PRUITT asked “if this lady was the only one in that division that is most qualified or is there anybody else that might be more qualified to put in this position?” Mr. Newman said that because of the unique nature of the requirements for the position, I believe she is the most qualified. We do have other staff members within the department with different capacities that possibly could do the job but trying to add additional duties to them would be impossible at this time because at this time we are only running the department with two codes inspectors and the administrator who also serves double duty as the electrical inspector. We are at the bare minimum on job related  A Regular March 26, 2013 duties for Codes. There may be times when she is rooting for the developer and may be pitted against the Codes Department. We hope we can educate our developers as to why things are done the way that they are done and it’s going to be this position’s responsibility to make that transition through the process as smooth as possible. COMMISSIONER DAVIS added that we are feeling our way through this process by creating this job. With Planning and Zoning’s help and guidance with all the others that have a vested interest in this position, they will have to give us the time to work our way through this and make sure that she is working in the right direction. MAYOR AUSTIN noted that the Development Liaison position is just part of the initiatives involved in this plan. COMMISSIONER MILLS described this as innovative and thinking outside the box and not just city government as usual. We have been working on this for a few years trying to do new things and trying to educate and get information out and from what we see, we are bending over backwards to help people and this is another attempt because the economy is not the best for, especially, for small business. I thank the city staff for hearing what our committee suggested. In the past two years, this is probably the third or fourth time that we have spread and delegated duties across other people in divisions and we haven’t added people to the payroll. We have spread it across and that’s what industry is doing right now. COMMISSIONER DAVIS stated that “he wanted to correct Commissioner Mills because we are adding....and do we get a full budgetary impact on this because we are converting a part time position to full time and bumping the grade of an administrative secretary.” Mr. Newman stated that the information was in their packet. We are managing with what we have, in reassigning duties. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. _____________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 09-13: FIRST READING SUMMARY OF BOND ORDINANCE – CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY’S GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2013A, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS TO PAY A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF MAJOR MUNICIPAL SANITARY SEWER ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS; SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UPON WHICH THE SERIES 2013A BONDS ARE TO BE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING; ORDERING AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF AN ANNUAL TAX, TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY, SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE INTEREST ON AND PRINCIPAL OF THE SERIES 2013A BONDS AND THE APPLICATION OF THE PROCEEDS THEREOF  A Regular March 26, 2013 On first reading of the Ordinance, it was moved by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Ordinance be adopted. Mr. Sights introduced Mr. Chip Southerland representing J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC, and Mr. Mark Franklin, Stoll, Keenon Ogden PLLC. Mayor Austin asked Mr. Leason Neel, HWU Chief Financial Officer, to step forward and join Mr. Southland and Mr. Franklin as well as to answer questions or comments. COMMISSIONER HITE stated that this Bond is to pay a portion of the cost of the project. How much is the project total? Mr. Neel explained that HWU has a long- term control plan to separate the sewer system from the storm water system and there were various projects that were part of that. This is the third time we have come to the City with regard to that incremental borrowing to pay for those projects. This is the third of the $10 million installments to pay for these projects. The estimated total is approximately $43.2 million. Mayor Austin explained that this was sewer separation that was mandated to all the cities along the Ohio River to keep the sewage from overflowing into the river. Mr. Neel explained that this borrowing is primarily being used to complete what is known as the Canoe Creek Project and also to primarily complete the building of the new head works project at the North Wastewater Treatment Plant. COMMISSIONER PRUITT asked “when that first came up, wasn’t that estimated at $33 million, how did we get to $42 million?” Mr. Neel explained that Mr. Bruce Shipley, HWU General Manager, put together an analysis that showed what the differences were and presented it to our Water & Sewer Commission and that was part of a packet that he presented to this Board about a year ago that showed what those differences were. He could not tell the audience by memory what made up all the differences but it had to do with the fact that the original projects were estimated to be $33 million and it cost roughly $10 million more. Mayor Austin asked Mr. Neel to provide the Board with a copy of that document explaining the difference. Commissioner Pruitt said “I’d like to take a better look at the work order changes because I thought we were, I knew we were running over but I didn’t know it would run over $10 million. Mr. Sights asked Leason to get the document to him and he would distribute it to the Board of Commissioners. MR. NEEL added that with regard to the payment of this, here is how it works, the Water Utility reimburses the City for the payments on this debt. No cash flow ultimately goes from the City to pay towards this. He explained that it was like HWU was borrowing money from the City. Mayor Austin pointed out that no borrowing over the $33 million threshold would take place. Anything over that would be financed by HWU reserves and future income. Mr. Neel agreed that it would be funded by the reserves for sure and an estimate of future incomes but it is also probably going to entail maybe a third or a fourth smaller borrowing between now and the beginning of the year but the current revenues put in place along with the reserves that were on hand initially together should still cover that additional borrowing as of this time. COMMISSIONER PRUITT asked Mr. Neel if he could tell him the amount of reserves held at HWU at this time? Mr. Neel stated that currently in investments, are a little over $2 million and our operating account probably has $3 or $3.5 million. When this is all said and done, HWU should have in operating cash between $2 and $3 million left. Mayor Austin added that “so, HWU will be spending in the neighborhood of $9 million out of their reserves.” Mr. Neel agreed that was correct, along with the borrowing. Commissioner Pruitt said “we cosigned for this but HMP&L is not part of this on the collateral part, right.” Mr. Neel agreed that “No, HMP&L was not part of this.”  A Regular March 26, 2013 COMMISSIONER HITE asked Mr. Bruce Shipley, HWU General Manager, why one of the Water & Sewer Commission members abstained in the vote on Resolution No. 2013-04 of the Water and Sewer Commission. Mr. Shipley explained that Mr. John Henderson works for J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC. Mr. Chip Southerland representing J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC, thanked the Board for inviting them to this meeting and reminded everyone that the competitive bond sale will be on April 23, 2013. Mr. Mark Franklin, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden PLLC, stated that he appreciated doing business with the City again. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. _____________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 37-13 RESOLUTION APPROVING ENGAGEMENT OF MARK FRANKLIN OF THE LAW FIRM OF STOLL KEENON OGDEN PLLC AS BOND COUNSEL; AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS THE PAYING AGENT, AND J.J.B. HILLIARD, W.L. LYONS, LLC, AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR, IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY’S GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2013A IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,995,000, FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS, AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS FOR BOND COUNSEL SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES ON BEHALF OF CITY MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adopt resolution authorizing the approval of an agreement with the Law Firm of Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC for bond counsel services and J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L Lyons, LLC, as financial advisors and the Bank of New York Mellon as paying agent in connection with the issuance on bonds for the purpose of financing major municipal water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer system additions and improvements and construction of certain municipal water and sewer projects of the City at a more favorable interest rate. Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: March 26, 2013 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk  A Regular March 26, 2013 RESOLUTION NO. 38-13 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF SEWER SERVICE OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS TO PROPERTY KNOWN AS 5741 AIRLINE ROAD (KY 812), AND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 15.7 ACRES OWNED BY BECK’S HYBRIDS MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adopt resolution authorizing the provision of sewer service outside the corporate limits to Beck’s Hybrids, 5741 Airline Road. MR. SIGHTS stated that, as the Board knows, anytime there is a request for sewer service outside the city, it requires the permission and approval of the Board of Commissioners. However, in this instance, we have an agenda item a little later where Beck’s is requesting annexation into the city. That process will take probably 60 days by the time we send it to the Planning Commission and get the recommendation back. Out of an abundance of caution, we are going to ask the Board to approve the extension because it will start probably before the annexation process is ended and once the annexation has occurred, in effect, this goes away because they will come into the city and be under city rates. COMMISSIONER HITE asked if there was any way of backing out before the annexation is approved. Mrs. Dawn Kelsey said that we have received their signed consent to annexation today. Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: March 26, 2013 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 39-13 RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES REGARDING CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWALS WITH THE LAW FIRM OF LINDA K. AIN OF LEXINGTON, KY MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to adopt resolution authorizing the approval of an agreement with the Law Firm of Linda K. Ain of Lexington, Kentucky, for legal services in connection with cable franchise renewals. MRS. DAWN KELSEY, CITY ATTORNEY, explained that the City’s franchise agreement with Time Warner expires on October 15, 2013, and our franchise with Media Com expires in the spring of 2014. Ninety Five percent of Ms. Ain’s business is cable franchise work in Kentucky. She has met with Ms. Ain and thinks she will do a good job for us. She is well versed in Kentucky cable law and her hourly rate is $250.00. Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular March 26, 2013 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: March 26, 2013 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 40-13 RESOLUTION AWARDING BID FOR PURCHASE OF CONCRETE LABOR TO HAZEX CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to adopt resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Hazex Construction Company of Henderson, for furnishing labor services for various repairs to concrete streets and sidewalks. MR. BRAD MILLS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, stated that Thompkins Hauling & Excavating was awarded the contract earlier this year. Mr. Thompkins subsequently requested to be allowed to withdraw from this contract and we elected to award this contract to the second lowest bidder, Hazex Construction Company. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: March 26, 2013 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _______________________________ CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, stated that the City has been contacted by two property owners seeking annexation of property into the corporate limits of the City. The first request was received from Todd Marschard, Beck’s Hybrids, owner of a parcel of land located at 5741 Airline Road. This request is in conjunction with their request for Extension of Sewer Service outside of city limits under Resolution No. 38-13 of this agenda. The second request was received from the Henderson County School system, owner of a parcel of land located at the intersection of KY Hwy. 812 and Garden Mile Road. This parcel was inadvertently left out of a previous annexation. Mr. Sights requested the Board to submit these requests to the Planning Commission for appropriate zoning classifications to be assigned for each property. MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to refer the named properties to the Planning Commission for appropriate zoning classifications.  A Regular March 26, 2013 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: _____________________________ COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS: COMMISSIONER PRUITT said “Our Commission went to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the taxpayers here in Henderson. We took a lot of issues to our Congressmen and got a chance to meet with Congressman Ed Whitfield and brought up a lot of issues to him. One would be that we do not want government to tax our bond issues.” He felt that this trip was an opportunity for the Board to get to know each other better and hoped this Board worked together better than the past ones. COMMISSIONER HITE agreed that she enjoyed the trip and networking with other local municipalities close to our size. It also allowed us to get to know each other better. She was invited to the “Engage Project” two Saturdays ago. We went out to work in parks as well as painting, etc. She enjoyed the “hands on” approach and is grateful that we have an opportunity to build the East End even more. COMMISSIONER DAVIS asked Mark Simmons to stand and commended him and his volunteers publicly for their efforts this past Saturday morning by planning and executing the Easter Egg hunt where the youth gathered up 9,000 Easter eggs in 17 minutes. The adults looked for 1,000 eggs with the hope of winning a $25 gift certificate. He continued by saying that Dr. Bill Smith retired last night from the City Utility Commission and thanked him for his service. Earlier tonight Board members looked at the new garbage truck and he said that it was the cleanest garbage truck he has seen in a long time. He referenced a letter in the paper recently that addressed the lack of things for our youth to do in the community. Another citizen wrote a letter responding with a list of things available in the our community. There were about 20 different youth organizations for anyone from the age of six to eighteen that are available to schools, other youth organizations, athletics, availability to all of our city parks with well run programs. Mr. Chuck Stinnett, The Gleaner, wrote an article regarding Ms. Kimberly Nyberg who spoke to us at the Downtown Henderson Breakfast. She was the Main Street Director from Tennessee and said that you can’t help but love Henderson, Kentucky, and said that Henderson has hit a home run with our downtown area. COMMISSIONER MILLS asked Mrs. Kathy Ferrell, Planning Commissioner Executive Director, if sidewalks would be required for the Beck’s annexation? She replied that the sidewalk requirement was in the subdivision regulations. As far as just development, we don’t have requirements for sidewalks unless it is in a subdivision but we like for the developers to go along with sidewalks if they will. They agreed that if the remainder of that farm is developed, then they would agree between Beck’s and the City when that area is developed, the City will dedicate an easement and Beck’s will install sidewalks at that time. Commissioner Mills added that there were a lot of good things going on in the Bike Path Committee. He requested that staff look at Van Wyk Avenue to be considered for some type of covering, maybe a cinder path, conducive to bike riding. Mayor Austin added that Mr. Newman was looking into that suggestion. Robby thanked the Mayor and Commissioner Hite for their East End Park work as well as the parks employees who made sure that all supplies were there. Mayor Austin added that there were about 250 volunteers helping to clean the East End Park and South Heights/Jefferson School project. Mr. Newman stated that he had received notice of a third donation for the East End Park as well as in kind labor service to pour concrete and an in kind donation of a landscape architect. Mayor Austin noted that there were 46 people who attended the public hearing on the East End Park.  A Regular March 26, 2013 MAYOR AUSTIN added his thanks to Dr. Bill Smith for his work on the Utility Commission. ___________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, for the meeting to adjourn. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON: Mayor Austin declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:58 p.m. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor April 9, 2013 ATTEST: _______________________________ Carolyn Williams, City Clerk