KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT
M I N U T E S
APRIL 10, 9:00 A.M.
The regular meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court was called to order at the Independence Courthouse. Present at the meeting were Judge Executive Ralph A. Drees; Commissioners Dan Humpert, Kris Knochelmann and Sara Voelker; Deputy Judge Executive Scott Kimmich; County Attorney Garry Edmondson; County Treasurer Ivan Frye; Human Resources Director Joe Shriver; Public Safety Director Bill Dorsey; Police Chief Ed Butler; Public Works Director Joe Murphy; Jailer Terry Carl; Special Projects Manager Ralph Bailey; Assistant County Attorney Stacey Hege; Fleet Management Director Roger Wells; County Engineer Charles Meyers; Sheriff's Office Director of Administration Dick Searles; Court Reporter Cathy Johnston; and Guests.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The invocation was given and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Humpert.
Approval of Minutes
Judge Drees asked the court for approval of the minutes dated March 13, 2007. Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Humpert. The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.
Delegations
Presentation of people working cooperatively, Jock Pitts, Executive Director, presenting: Mr. Pitts did not come to court for this presentation; therefore, it was omitted from the agenda.
General Business
Request approval to go out for bid for roof replacement at the Independence Courthouse, Scott Kimmich reporting: The roof is in desperate need of repair and there are sufficient funds in the budget. The anticipated cost may exceed $20,000; therefore, we are requesting permission to go to bid for this project.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion was unanimously approved with the aye vote.
Resolutions
Resolution 07-01B
Approval of recommended budget adjustments between appropriation accounts to provide necessary funding, Ivan Frye reporting: This is for accounts that were under funded and it is required that we move money from one line item to another where funds are deficient.
Judge Drees asked about the line item for $140,000 for the justice center and Mr. Frye answered that is for the renovation and the county will be reimbursed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Commissioner Humpert asked if this was because of the new judges moving into the courthouse and Mr. Frye said yes. Commissioner Humpert also asked if this adjustment was for three months and there are still three months to go in the budget year and Mr. Frye answered yes and this is in anticipation of some of those needs that are projected for the end of the year.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval with a second from Commissioner Knochelmann. The motion unanimously passed as a result of the following roll call vote: Commissioner Humpert, yes; Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.
Mr. Kimmich said there is one item that will probably post a significant increase at year end and that is the election expense. As it now stands now, the county would be required to cover the total cost of the run off election that is likely to be held in this fiscal year and a major adjustment will have to be made to cover this regardless of whether the state sends any revenue for it or not. At this time, there are no funds appropriated by the state to cover this cost. Commissioner Humpert asked if there was an estimate of what this cost would be and Mr. Frye said it would be in the neighborhood of $150,000 for a regular election. This one may be a little less because of a simpler ballot.
Ordinances
Ordinance No. 532.00
Second reading of an ordinance amending the Kenton County Code of Ordinances regarding speed limits in Latonia Lakes: Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion to accept; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
Consent Agenda
Claims List-County Treasurer Ivan Frye: Mr. Frye said there are two claims lists. Mr. Knochelmann asked if the bills on the claims lists would be paid this week and Mr. Frye answered yes. Since there were no further questions, Judge Drees said warrants will be issued and all bills paid.
Administrative Actions
Handout No. 07-22
Approval for the Kenton County Sheriff's Office to give a surplus Ford Crown Victoria to the Crescent Springs Fire Department: Commissioner Humpert said the court does not usually give surplus vehicles to cities. Commissioner Voelker asked how it was determined that it be given to Crescent Springs and Mr. Kimmich said it was a request from the sheriff. Commissioner Humpert asked if this was because of a dire need and Mr. Kimmich said it was a perceived need. Commissioner Voelker said it was her concern that it would go to the fire department that needed it the most.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval contingent upon the understanding that in the future the county is consistent in assessing the needs of all agencies before turning a vehicle over. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and was unanimously approved with voice vote of aye.
Handout No. 07-23
Approval for fleet management to declare mobile units as salvage property: Commissioner Humpert asked if all of the mobile units were cars and Mr. Kimmich said they were cars and trucks. Mr. Wells said the vehicle with 80,000 miles is a 1993 Ford pickup truck that has been in service at the golf course and it was obtained by the fleet department through forfeiture by the drug strike task force several years ago. Judge Drees asked if one was needed to replace this and Mr. Wells said that two parks vehicles had been replaced and one that was taken out of service was sent to the golf course so it has been replaced.
Commissioner Knochelmann asked if the proceeds from the salvage come back to the department and Mr. Frye said the budget is prepared at the beginning of the year and it stands unless modified. Revenue from the auction is placed in the general fund budget and does not automatically increase a particular department's budget.
Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for passage; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote.
Handout No. 07-24
Grant authorization to employ Hub+Weber as the architects for the expansion of the Kenton County Animal Shelter: Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker. The motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
Mr. Kimmich said he had called Ms. Black to let her know that this was on the agenda and she asked him to thank everyone for their support over the last several years on this project.
Handout No. 07-25
Approval for renewal of third party administrator services for the Kenton County health plan: Commissioner Voelker made the motion for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert. Commissioner Humpert asked if this was a continuance of the third party administrator and the amount of the increase. Mr. Shriver said this was correct and the amount of the increase was approximately four percent.
Judge Drees asked for a voice vote upon which all of the Commissioners and the Judge voted aye.
Handout No. 07-26
Approval of renewal of basic life insurance benefits provided to all full time employees: Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann.
Judge Drees asked if this went up any and Mr. Shriver said it went up around 20 percent. This was based on our claims history, and the fact that we haven't had a rate increase, and it was thought this was the best way to go. Commissioner Voelker asked if other prices were looked at and Mr. Shriver said yes and this is comparable to the other prices. This is the first increase in about six years.
Judge Drees asked for a voice vote upon which all of the Commissioners and Judge voted yes.
Handout No. 07-27
Permission to sell property located at East 24th Street in Covington: Commissioner Humpert said he saw a note on this where the county had a certain amount of money invested in this property. Mr. Edmondson said it is principally for back taxes that are owed and fees doing the foreclosure which is the master commissioner's fee, the appraiser's fee, the advertising fee, etc. Commissioner Humpert confirmed that when the property is sold, a certain portion of the money goes back to other people. Mr. Edmondson said it would reimburse his office for fees that had been paid out and will also pay the entities for the back taxes. Mr. Bailey said there was $9,360.00 invested at this point. Commissioner Humpert asked for the specific address of the property and Mr. Bailey said it was at 204 East 24th Street.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion to sale the property with a second from Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote.
Handout No. 07-28
Requesting approval of employment contract change for Ivan Frye: Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion to accept; seconded by Commissioner Voelker. Commissioner Humpert asked if the only changes were in the dates and Judge Drees said yes. The Judge asked Mr. Shriver about advertising for the position and he answered that the deadline for submitting applications is April 20 and there have already been a number of inquiries. Internal and external applications are being considered. Judge Drees said Mr. Shriver would review the applications and do the first round of interviews and maybe get it down to three people. The Judge said the court has the final decision.
Commissioner Knochelmann asked to what extent the advertising had been done and Mr. Shriver said a number of local media had been used, and also career builders are used by the local media which advertises nationally. Mr. Shriver said this is a four-year appointment and there were certain statutory criteria that have to be met.
Judge Drees asked for a voice vote whereupon the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote.
Handout No. 07-29
Requesting permission to award the Administrative Office of the Courts project to Z-Con, LLC for a base price of $87,753.00: Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion to accept with a second from Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed with vote of aye.
Executive Orders
Executive Order No. 07-42
Approval of reorganization of the animal shelter: Mr. Kimmich said the reorganization for the shelter is because of the retirement of an individual who worked in the office and worked as an office manager, although not officially. She was responsible for the maintenance of the records, etc. The county feels it is appropriate to reclassify that position to the position of manager working directly under the supervisor for purposes, not so much as supervising the staff, but keeping the records, greeting visitors as they arrive, etc.
Commissioner Voelker made the motion; seconded by Commissioner Humpert, and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
Executive Order No. 07-43
Resignation of Harvey Koch, maintenance employee, from the golf courses: Commissioner Knochelmann moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Voelker and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Executive Order No. 07-44
Approval of hiring of the following employees for part-time maintenance duties for the golf courses: Thomas Krpata, George Koch, Mark Helmer, Joe Wesselman, Terry Thurmond, Derek Robinson, Mike Gutzeit, Eric Mauer, Roy Carroll, Libby Moses, and William Timmerding: Commissioner Voelker moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Executive Order No. 07-45
Approval of hiring of two employees, Cecil Richard and Christopher Shoemaker, as park trustees for the Department of Parks and Recreation: Commissioner Humpert moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Voelker and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Executive Order No. 07-46
Approval of hiring of Lauren Andrews as part-time employee at the animal shelter: Commissioner Voelker moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Executive Order No. 07-47
Approval of hiring of Jessica Work as a full-time employee at the animal shelter: Commissioner Knochelmann moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Voelker and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Executive Order No. 07-48
Approval of hiring of Ashley Blackburn and Julie White as dispatchers in the police department: Commissioner Humpert moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Voelker and the motion was passed unanimously with the aye vote.
Commissioner Knochelmann asked what the actual turnover rate in the dispatch center was and Chief Butler said it has been quite low for the past few years. We have lost three since this time last year but prior to that we did not have any turnover for a couple of years.
Citizens Address
Mr. Harold Bullock from Latonia Lakes came forward to talk about the roads situation. Judge Drees said there has been a lot of discussion regarding the former city and everything would be done that could be legally done.
Ms. Catherine Wilson came forward to talk about the detention center and thanked the court for putting up the tent for the citizens. She also said their committee had been working with the mayors regarding other sites. Judge Drees said a civil engineer had been hired to look at two sites. (Note: The Webster Road site is in Erlanger.)
Commissioner Humpert asked if the Independence site has been presented to the city of Independence and Ms. Wilson said yes. Commissioner Humpert asked if they were in favor of the Webster Road site and Ms. Wilson said there had been discussions but she had not been present at those discussions. It was her understanding that the mayor was in favor of this site.
Administrative Reporting
DEPUTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Scott Kimmich: There is a motion needed to cancel the meeting on May 22 because it is primary election day and this room will be used for polling purposes from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If enough items are presented that necessitates a meeting, a special call will be issued under the Judge's authority.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion to cancel the meeting; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
COUNTY TREASURER-Ivan Frye: Wanted to remind the court that the first reading of the budget will be the first meeting in May, and the second reading will be the first meeting in June. There will be a work session prior to this date scheduled by the Judge, probably at the next caucus meeting in April.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR-Joe Shriver: Nothing further to report.
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT-Garry Edmondson: In regard to Latonia Lakes, there is a new part called Saylor Woods that is a subdivision being developed and the fiscal court has also inherited this. Included in this development are three lots that the developer gave to the city and one of the lots is for a landscaped entrance area, another lot is for a detention basin for flood control issues, and the third one is a lot for a community park. The community park has in place an arbor, a swing set, children's play area and landscaping. The agreement provides that the fiscal court will have to maintain these areas and the county needs to take measures to keep this maintained or enter into an agreement with the developer or people who live there if the county does not want to maintain it. The roads will have to be put on the county road maintenance list because it was built according to subdivision specifications. The city owned this property upon its dissolution and it flowed over to the county and playgrounds are a liability.
Commissioner Humpert asked if the parks department could give an annual estimate for keeping up this property.
Mr. Edmondson said he had passed out a resolution to be considered for the purchase of the site for the detention center. There is a substantial legal argument which at this point and time is a distraction from the central issue which is that the fiscal court has established a guideline and schedule that it must meet relative to the construction of a detention facility. This litigation over semantics of what was said or not said at previous meetings when we were in the process of purchasing this property has gotten to the point where it is such a distraction that it is wasting time and money and is a hindrance to the whole process. A way to take this issue away is to adopt the resolution passed out to the court that simply ratifies once again the processes and the actual purchase of the land. This resolution simply says the fiscal court intended to purchase the land with the possibility of not only building a detention center but for other purposes deemed appropriate by the fiscal court. The court is in the process of exploring other potential sites and will be making a decision about where this location is going to be. The following resolution is being proposed as a way to get this distraction behind the fiscal court.
Resolution No. 07-08
A resolution further ratifying the execution of a purchase contract relative to 25.5+ acres of real estate located in unincorporated Kenton County for the price of $750,000.00 for the express purpose of the possible construction of a detention center/public safety complex in Kenton County or other public purpose as deemed appropriate by the fiscal court.
Commissioner Knochelmann said all the court is doing now is confirming the purchase of this property for a public use and it would now effectively end the county spending money on litigation. Commissioner Humpert said he was in favor of the original purchase regardless of the use and that he has not changed his mind.
Commissioner Humpert made the motion for passage of the resolution; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann. The motion was unanimously approved upon the following roll call vote: Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; Commissioner Humpert, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.
Commissioners' Reports
COMMISSIONER DAN HUMPERT-Nothing further to report.
COMMISSIONER SARA VOELKER-Nothing to report.
COMMISSIONER KRIS KNOCHELMANN-Nothing to report.
Judge-Executive's Report
Nothing else to report.
Executive Session
There was no call for an executive session.
Adjournment
Since there was no further business that needed to be discussed at this time, Commissioner Humpert made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Humpert, and the meeting adjourned with the unanimous vote of aye.
|
