Board of Commissioners Meetings

A Regular May 27, 2014 A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, May 27, 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 Mary Wrye, Methodist Hospital Chaplain, 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 Mr. Danny Froehlich, Fire Chief Mr. Charles H. (Chip) Stauffer, Police Chief Mr. Robert Gunter, Finance Director Mrs. Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director Mrs. Frances Malony, Benefits Coordinator Mr. Tom Williams, HWU General Manager Mrs. Essie Day Mr. Bill Latta Mr. Billy Bridwell Mrs. Essie Day Mr. Carl Day Channel 14 News Mr. Mike Richardson, Police Reserve Officer Mr. Frank Boyett, The Gleaner _______________________________ PUBLIC HEARING: MUNICIPAL AID FUNDS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE ( LGEA) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2014 MAYOR STEVE AUSTIN declared the public hearing open at 5:33 p.m. for discussion of the proposed use of LGEA funds for the fiscal year commencing at July 1, 2014. No citizen came forward to speak on this issue and Mayor Austin closed the public hearing at 5:34 p.m. __________________________________ CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR AUSTIN asked the City Clerk to read the items on the Consent Agenda. Minutes: May 13, 2014, Regular Meeting May 20, 2014, Called Work Session  A Regular May 27, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, 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: __________________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 40-14 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $195,650 FROM THE KENTUCKY DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (FEMA), UNDER THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (HMGP) FOR THE HENDERSON/COOPER PARK SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adopt the resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant award as a result of an application in 2011 under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program through the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management for drainage improvement project in the Cooper Park Subdivision. MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, said that before Mr. William (Buzzy) Newman made his presentation, he wanted to say that he has worked hard to get us to this point. It is not easy to get this kind of grant and because of his diligence we have that before us tonight. I want to recognize that and thank him for it and he will review all of the details. MR. WILLIAM (BUZZY) NEWMAN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, explained that about three years ago, we applied for two grants through FEMA, one was for a drainage project in Lakeland Subdivision and the other was a Cooper Park drainage project. The Lakeland project did not meet the cost benefit ratio that FEMA typically looks for. The Cooper Park project did meet the warrants and we went through additional auditing and investigation and we even had to do some more engineering work that was requested. Basically, this is a street drainage project and we will be installing curb inlets and drainage pipe along Bluegrass and Evergreen to help drain the streets in those areas in order to get that drainage back to Clay Street and into Canoe Creek. Henderson Water Utility has agreed to assist with in-kind contributions of the design work and make some of the equipment work that is necessary to meet our obligation as part of the grant request. 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 date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: May 27, 2014 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk  A Regular May 27, 2014 MAYOR AUSTIN added that this agenda had a resolution approving amendments to the City Employee Health Plan so it would comply with the Affordable Care Act and there is still research taking place on that and we are postponing this resolution until our next meeting. _______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 42-14 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR RENEWAL OF CITY OF HENDERSON’S STOP/LOSS COVERAGE (REINSURANCE) AND ORGAN TRANSPLANT POLICY MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to adopt the resolution authorizing the renewal of stop/loss insurance coverage and organ transplant coverage for the upcoming program year for the City’s Health Benefits Plan. MRS. CONNIE GALLOWAY, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, introduced Mr. Bill Latta and Mr. Billy Bridwell. Mr. Bridwell reviewed the data compiled on the sheet handed out at the meeting. The proposed renewal coverage and recommendations from the City’s insurance broker. The Keystone/Latta Insurance Group and UMR worked in concert to conduct a search for the most cost effective rate from a stop-loss carrier. The recommendation was to award stop loss coverage through Zurich; with the organ transplant policy through Optum. 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 date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor May 27, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 43-14 RESOLUTION AWARDING BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE EMERGENCY WARNING SIREN TO FEDERAL FIELD SERVICES, LLC, WAUSEON, OHIO, IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,200.00 MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to adopt the resolution authorizing the purchase of an emergency warning siren from Federal Field Services, LLC, in the amount of $25,200.00 including installation. MR. DANNY FROEHLICH, FIRE CHIEF, said that this is an older siren that we have spent a lot of money on and has not been operating correctly for some time. This siren is located at Woodspoint Drive and Green River Road. MR. SIGHTS asked Chief Froehlich to explain about no funds in the budget this year but what we are doing next year so we don’t have this situation again. Chief Froehlich explained that this year we didn’t have a replacement siren budgeted. Next  A Regular May 27, 2014 year, we will put money in the budget to replace a siren because all of our sirens are getting some age on them now. Discussions were held on how would be the best way to keep another siren that could be installed quicker than going through the bid process. 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 date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor May 27, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 44-14 RESOLUTION AWARDING BID OF CONTRACT FOR THE NORTH GREEN RIVER ROAD WIDENING PROJECT TO BLANKENBERGER BROTHERS, INC., OF CYNTHIANA, INDIANA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,365,700.00 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution authorizing the award of a contract for the North Green River Road Widening Project to Blankenberger Brothers, Inc., in the amount of $1,365,700.00. 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 date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor May 27, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _____________________________ CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, said that he was asking to be authorized to proceed with filling the vacant seat in the Public Works Director’s position. He proposed that a committee be formed similar to other committees that were formed to evaluate director positions. This committee would include a member of the Board of  A Regular May 27, 2014 Commissioners; City Manager; Assistant City Manager; Human Resources Director; Finance Director, along with the option of an employee from Public Works Department. MOTION by Mayor Austin to bring forward Commissioner Robert Pruitt to serve on this committee, seconded by Commissioner Mills. 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’S REPORTS: COMMISSIONER PRUITT said that he had attended a great Memorial Day service this past weekend. He also asked the Board of Commissioners to put $300,000 in a special fund and have the city have a public hearing to gain citizen input. He stated that the city had $200,000 in a special fund. He thought of the land deals that were sold and would like to take a look at that. His recommendation was to add $100,000 to it and have the public decide what projects they want to do and have it on our website and let people vote and by narrowing it down to maybe three projects, let them vote in a couple of weeks and let the people decide what to do with the $300,000. COMMISSIONER DAVIS was proud of our Memorial Day service and thanked the estimated 1,200 citizens that took their time to come downtown and set up 4,600 crosses. It was a beautiful program. He had an article written for the New York Times about Henderson and recommended that someone contact him. COMMISSIONER HITE added that she echoed the praise for the Memorial Day Event. ________________________ APPOINTMENT: TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD MITCH HAZELWOOD – TERM TO EXPIRE MAY 21, 2017 MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, upon recommendation of Mayor Austin, to appoint Mitch Hazelwood to a three-year term on the Tax Assessment Appeals Board. Term to expire May 21, 2017. 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: __________________________________ REAPPOINTMENTS: HENDERSON-HENDERSON COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BAYARDO SOLOZA AND MIKE TURNER – TERMS TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2017 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, upon recommendation of Mayor Austin, to reappoint Bayardo Soloza and Mike Turner to  A Regular May 27, 2014 three-year terms on the Henderson-Henderson County Human Rights Commission 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: __________________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERSONNEL AND LITIGATION MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, pursuant to provisions of KRS 61.810(1)(f) for discussions or hearings which might lead to the appointment, discipline, or dismissal of an individual or member as well as pursuant to provisions of KRS 61.810(1)(c) for discussions of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the public agency. 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: __________________________________ MAYOR AUSTIN announced that the City Manager’s salary be increased by 1.25% and the City Attorney’s salary be increased by 1.5%. MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Mills to vote on the resolutions. COMMISSIONER PRUITT asked if that vote was for both at the same time? MAYOR AUSTIN stated that was the motion if that was alright with Commissioner Pruitt. Commissioner Pruitt said “Not really.” Mayor Austin agreed to vote individually on the resolutions. COMMISSIONER HITE withdrew her motion and Commissioner Mills withdrew his second.  A Regular May 27, 2014 RESOLUTION NO. 46-14 RESOLUTION INCREASING SALARY OF CITY MANAGER BY ONE AND ONE QUARTER PERCENT (1.25%) EFFECTIVE AS OF MAY 28, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution increasing salary of the City Manager, Russell R. Sights, by 1.25% effective May 28, 2014 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Nay: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- 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 May 27, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 45-14 RESOLUTION INCREASING SALARY OF CITY ATTORNEY BY ONE AND ONE HALF PERCENT (1.5%) EFFECTIVE AS OF JUNE 1, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adopt the resolution increasing salary of the City Attorney, Dawn Kelsey, by 1.5% effective as of June 1, 2014 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 date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor May 27, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _____________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to adjourn the meeting.  A Regular May 27, 2014 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 meeting adjourned at approximately 7:21 p.m. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor June 10, 2014 ATTEST: __________________________________ Carolyn Williams, City Clerk