Board of Commissioners Meetings

A Regular May 13, 2014 A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 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 Dylan Branson, Henderson General 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. William L. Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Ms. Carolyn Williams, City Clerk Ms. Pam Whitter, Mass Transit Director Mr. Danny Froehlich, Fire Chief Mr. Trace Stevens, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Todd Norman, Municipal Golf Course Manager Ms. Tammy Willett, Community Development Specialist Mr. Frank Cates, Deputy Police Chief Mr. Sam Lingerfelt, Safety & Training Coordinator Mr. Jerry Vanden-Brook, Assistant Fire Chief Ms. Cindy Phillips, Administrative Secretary Mr. Leason Neel, HWU Chief Financial Officer Mr. Bruce Farmer, Henderson County Coroner Mr. Nibby Priest Mr. Marcia Eblen Mr. Jeremy Ebelhar, Police Officer Mr. John Nevels, Police Lieutenant Mr. Eric Ramsey, Police Officer Mr. Russell Stoner, Police Sergeant Mr. Jeffrey Brown, Police Officer Mr. Frank Cates, Deputy Police Chief Mr. Charles “Chip” Stauffer, Police Chief Mrs. Dana Stauffer, wife Mr. Jacob Stauffer, son Ms. Bailey Stauffer, daughter Mr. Braxton Stauffer, son Ms. Lynn Stauffer, mother Mrs. Essie Day Mr. Carl Day Channel 14 News Mr. Mike Richardson, Police Reserve Officer Mr. Frank Boyett, The Gleaner  A Regular May 13, 2014 EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERSONNEL MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to go into Executive Session for discussion which might lead to the appointment, discipline, or dismissal of an individual employee or member pursuant to (KRS 61.810(1)(f). The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: _______________________________ MEETING RECONVENE: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Davis, the Board of Commissioners reconvened in regular session. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: ______________________________ PROCLAMATION: “BIKE MONTH” MAYOR AUSTIN proclaimed the month of May 2014 as “Bike Month” in the City of Henderson, and command its observance to all citizens. Mrs. Marcia Eblen Bike Committee Chairman, accepts the proclamation. _____________________________ PRESENTATION: 20-YEAR SERVICE AWARD MAYOR AUSTIN introduced Charles (Chip) Stauffer and thanked him for his hard work and dedication to the City with the presentation of his 20-year service pin. ______________________________ MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, stated that it was his pleasure tonight to recommend the next Chief of Police for the City of Henderson, Kentucky. The candidate being recommended tonight has served with the Henderson Police Department for 20 years. He started in Traffic Control and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and later promoted to Lieutenant and currently serves one of the Majors in the department. Our recommended candidate graduated from Shelby County High in 1989, and graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan in 1993. In 2012, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University. He has strong credentials and it is my pleasure to recommend to the Board of Commissioners, that Major Charles (Chip) Stauffer be named Chief of Police.  A Regular May 13, 2014 RESOLUTION NO. 39-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF CHARLES “CHIP” STAUFFER AS POLICE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded Commissioner Davis, to adopt the resolution approving the appointment of Charles (Chip) Stauffer as Police Chief for the City of Henderson to be effective May 14, 2014, subject to his successful completion of a drug screen. MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, thanked the committee formed to evaluate the candidates that applied for the position of Police Chief. This committee included himself; Mayor Steve Austin; William L. Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager;  A Regular May 13, 2014 Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director; Police Lieutenant John Nevels, and Police Sergeant Jermaine Poynter. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the same thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor May 13, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _________________________ CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR AUSTIN asked the City Clerk to read the items on the Consent Agenda. Minutes: April 22, 2014, Regular Meeting Resolutions: Resolution No. 36-14 Approving and Adopting the Policy Regarding the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI Program Resolution No. 37-14 Authorizing the Submission of the 2014-2015 CDBG Action Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Resolution No. 38-14 Authorizing the Submittal and Acceptance of Grant to Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) in the Amount o $17,708 to Purchase a Logging Recorder for the 911 Communication Center MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: __________________________________ COMMISSIONER DAVIS praised the work that Pam Whitter and Tammy Willett did on managing grants for the City’s Mass Transit System and the Community Development Block Grant Action Plan. ___________________________  A Regular May 13, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Hite, that the Board of Commissioners requests the City-County Planning Commission to conduct a Public Hearing concerning the new proposed Zoning Ordinance for clarification. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: __________________________________ CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, asked Trace Stevens, Parks and Recreation Director to come forward and introduce our new Golf Course Manager, Todd Norman. Mr. Norman said that he was looking forward to doing some big things and welcoming previous golfers back as well as new members. MR. TRACE STEVENS explained his recommendation regarding moving the existing skate park equipment to a new location. His recommendation would be to not move the skate park equipment because there would be a large cost in moving used equipment to a distant park that is not accessible by non-driving youth. Commissioner Pruitt confirmed that the skate park equipment in Atkinson Park would be expanded. Commissioner Hite agreed with not moving the equipment but asked that the Board approve appropriating funds to purchase new equipment to place in Community Park. Commissioner Mills stated that he would be in favor of investigating other locations. Commissioner Hite agreed. Mr. Sights agreed to put funds in the 2014-2015 fiscal year’s budget to buy additional skateboard equipment if the Board approves. Community Park as well as other locations would be considered. MR. WILLIAM L. NEWMAN, JR., reported that today they opened bids for the North Green River Road project and would be returning with a recommendation to award the contract for this project as well as the bid recommendation to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) at the next Board of Commissioner’s meeting. We have spoken with KTC today and they agreed to expedite the approval process. _______________________________ COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS: COMMISSIONER PRUITT said that, in our upcoming work session, to take a look at giving the tax payers a break on their taxes next year and come up with a number during that work session. This would not be tied to setting a precedent (Second and Water Street deal) that one administration does something that does not come up just right, that we have to recoup and refund money. Since our government is in good shape on the budget, take a look at giving the tax payers a break on their property taxes. Mayor Austin said that the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and the Finance Director could take a look at that and give us a recommendation. COMMISSIONER DAVIS relayed that they are starting work on putting the crosses up in Central Park and 142 crosses have been added this year bringing the total to over 4,000 crosses. COMMISSIONER MILLS said that he had an opportunity to travel overseas and saw several communities in Europe that enjoyed biking. Some other communities have bike rental stations and asked city staff to look into cost and locations for us to introduce a bike rental station, maybe in downtown Henderson of somewhere along the Bike Path.  A Regular May 13, 2014 Commissioner Pruitt asked Commissioner Mills if we could look into having an annual bike race downtown? COMMISSIONER HITE announced that her family loved biking and was excited with the City’s plans. Secondly, she reiterated her happiness with our appointment of Charles (Chip) Stauffer. MAYOR AUSTIN reminded the audience about the River Run was coming up this Saturday starting near Red Banks Park and going into downtown Evansville and back. _______________________________ MAYOR AUSTIN recognized Bruce Farmer, Materials Coordinator for Henderson Ambulance Service, brought drinking glasses with the Henderson City- County Ambulance logo for the Board. They are celebrating their 37th year in service and wanted to thank the City for their support. ___________________________ COMMISSIONER PRUITT reminded the audience about the fatal accident at Green and Powell Streets the other night. He noticed that the visibility was very low in that area. Coroner Bruce Farmer added that the area from Martin Luther King Blvd. to Washington Street is a high pedestrian area. He suggested that the area is something to look into. More lighting and marking of the entire area would be beneficial to the whole community. _______________________________ REAPPOINTMENT: CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MAC ARNOLD – TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 1, 2018 MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, upon recommendation of Mayor Steve Austin, to reappoint Mac Arnold to a 4-year term on the City-County Planning Commission. Said term to expire June 1, 2018. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: ____________________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular May 13, 2014 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:21 p.m. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor May 27, 2014 ATTEST: __________________________________ Carolyn Williams, City Clerk