KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT
M I N U T E S
JUNE 7, 2005, 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 and Adam Koenig; Deputy Judge Executive Scott Kimmich; County Attorney Garry Edmondson; County Treasurer Ivan Frye; Human Resources Director Joe Shriver; Assistant County Attorney Brandon Voelker; Emergency Management Director Ed Burk; Special Projects Manager Ralph Bailey; Jailer Terry Carl; County Engineer Charlie Meyers; Police Chief Bill Dorsey; Public Works Director Joe Murphy; Detention Center Nurse Pam Sams; Assistant County Attorney Stacey Kege; Court Reporter Cathy Johnston; and Guests.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The invocation was given and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Dan Humpert.
Judge Drees and members of the court welcomed Deputy Judge Kimmich back to work and to the court.
Approval of Minutes
Judge Dress asked for approval of the minutes for the last meeting. Commissioner Humpert moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Koenig. The minutes were unanimously approved with the vote of aye.
Delegations
Medical services for the detention center, Nurse Pam Sams and Jailer Terry Carl reporting: Ms. Sams said that CorrectCare had saved the detention center higher discounts than had been experienced in the past with other medical providers. CorrectCare has a nurse that is in continual contact with the hospitals and able to get records and they also do the billing. The savings have been tremendous and there seems nothing negative to report after going over the account.
Judge Drees asked how long they had been providing services to the jail and Mr. Carl answered that it will be nine months as of June 30. Mr. Carl said that CorrectCare now insures all of the state inmates and the detention center is now asking that the court insure all of the county inmates at the cost $13.00 per inmate through the state program. In the last nine months, the jail has saved $46,000 using this service.
Mr. Kimmich said the calculation was based on actual medical bills incurred in the past and overtime was not included for deputies standing guard from Friday until Monday when some inmate is in the hospital and no testing is being done. Mr. Kimmich said the jailer and he would work with the treasurer's office and find out if there is another program like this and, if we cannot find another service we will ask the state to let the county join their bid, or at the next meeting the county will ask the court for permission to go out to bid for insurance for inmates.
Commissioner Humpert asked if this insurance would be for all inmates and Mr. Kimmich answered yes it would be when they move into the general population of the jail.
Mr. Carl said that Ms. Sams had been a very good employee in the detention center for 21 years and as of Friday, it is her last day of work. It will be very hard to replace her and her work was really appreciated. The court also applauded and praised her for her work.
Approval for Fidelity Investments agreements, Dan Tobergte, Tri-Ed Director, reporting: A map was given to the court showing a schematic plan of the Fidelity Investments campus. The Fidelity offices in Blue Ash are going to be closed at the end of 2007 and a 350,000 square foot facility will be built to accommodate at least 1,500 new jobs and may be over 2,000 jobs. Approximately 770 of these jobs are currently in Blue Ash and the balance of the 1,500 jobs will be new for the region. Fidelity is an investment company that provides advice to retirees which is a growing market. Northern Kentucky is one of nine centers of excellence that are across the country and we beat out one of the other centers to get this project. This is a $115,000,000 investment that will ultimately have over 4,000 employees in Northern Kentucky and will be the second largest private industry. The impact will be approximately $248,000,000 on an annual basis on direct and indirect taxes. Basically, all Kenton County has to pay out for this project is $200,000 over a five-year period to get a net gain of $4.8 million.
Judge Drees said this is obviously a good deal and as soon as construction is started, the county will get some tax money. Mr. Tobergte said that one of the items in the agreement is that there has to be local maintenance and the state is going to build the road.
Commissioner Humpert said that he had heard that this project would open up a lot of land for industrial development, and in looking at the map of restricted areas, it seems that are not that many acres open for development. Mr. Tobergte answered that there will be 440 acres affected by the project to be served in a way they have not been able to be served before by a road. The amount of approximately 180-190 goes to Fidelity, about 190 acres will be developmental land, and the balance is restricted.
Judge Drees asked for a motion to allow for the signing of the contract for the development agreement. Commissioner Humpert made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Koenig. The motion unanimously passed upon roll call.
The court congratulated Mr. Tobertge for his work on the project and completing the signing for Kenton County.
General Business
There was not any general business to come before the court.
Resolutions
There were not any resolutions brought before the court.
Ordinances
ORDINANCE NO. 225.40-Second reading for adoption of the Kenton County Fiscal Court budget for fiscal year 2006, Ivan Frye reporting: The budget is unchanged from the first reading with the exception of two administrative corrections that the state local finance officer asked to be made.
A public hearing that has been publicized must be held prior to the actual adoption. Commissioner Humpert made the motion for opening the hearing; seconded by Commissioner Koenig. The motion unanimously passed with the aye vote. Mr. Kimmich said there were no comments received in the judge's office in writing or by telephone, and there was not anyone present who wished to make comments so Judge Drees announced the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Koenig moved for approval of the budget with a second from Commissioner Humpert. Commissioner Koenig said that he hoped that in this budget year phase three of Amsterdam Road could be completed. The motion unanimously carried with a roll call vote.
Consent Agenda
CLAIMS LIST-There were no questions regarding the claims list so warrants will be issued and the bills paid.
Administrative Actions
HANDOUT NO. 05-33-Surplus computer monitors in the sheriff's office: Deputy Judge Kimmich said there is someone who is willing to pay a nominal fee to take the monitors and properly dispose of them. Commissioner Humpert made the motion; seconded by Commissioner Koenig. The motion unanimously passed upon roll call.
HANDOUT NO. 05-34-Request permission of the fiscal court to extend agreements for the general fund emergency assistance and the senior fund emergency assistance between Kenton County and the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission, Inc. for one year, Ivan Frye reporting: An agreement that has been in place for a number of years. The community action commission takes applications from persons of need and evaluates them and makes minor support amounts to each person. All of the administration is taken care of and maintenance of records for a nominal fee to the county.
Judge Drees asked how the actual payments work and Mr. Frye said they make a disbursement of funds to the individuals and the county reimburses them each month. Commissioner Koenig moved for passage; seconded by Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote.
HANDOUT NO. 05-35-Request to reject all bids for food and chemical products for the detention center, Ivan Frye reporting: Bids have been taken two times and the price of food in those bids plus the labor and other materials that go into providing for the inmates is greater than what can be contracted from the outside.
Judge Drees asked if Mr. Carl had any comments and he said this would constitute a savings of about $100,000. Mr. Frye said this was a significant savings and what was not now counted in was how many personnel will have to be maintained from Mr. Carl's staff to supervise the food operation. After this is counted in, the exact amount of savings will be known.
Commissioner Humpert moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Koenig. The motion unanimously passed upon roll call.
HANDOUT NO. 05-36-Recommending the fiscal court award the food service program for the detention center to Aramark who will also maintain the equipment: Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed upon roll call vote.
HANDOUT NO. 05-37-Request permission of the fiscal court to extend the following contracts for a period of one year, June 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006: Concrete with Moraine Materials; paving with Eaton Asphalt Paving Co., Inc.; sand with Bray Trucking, Inc.; and stone with Hilltop Stone LLC, Ivan Frye reporting: These are four contracts for the provision and hauling of road materials and are the best ones available to us. Deputy Judge Kimmich asked if Eaton Asphalt cannot meet our timelines does the county have the option to fall back to someone else. Mr. Frye said that if they cannot respond within a reasonable time, we have the option of using another company.
Commissioner Humpert asked if the county buys a lot of sand and Mr. Frye said yes and that most of it is used in the winter. Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Koenig. The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.
Executive Orders
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-45-Appointment of Jean Miller to the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2005: Judge Drees gave the court a thumbnail sketch of Ms. Miller's performance on previous boards and said she has an excellent record of serving and gave her an exemplary recommendation. Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-40-Termination of various seasonal and part-time employees of the golf courses, effective June 7, 2005: Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert who said that this is a lengthy list. Mr. Shriver said this was personnel who had found other employment or were no-shows. The motion unanimously passed with vote of aye.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-41-Resignation of Susan Rae Wyatt as dispatcher for the police department, effective May 31, 2005: Commissioner Humpert moved for acceptance with a second from Commissioner Koenig and the motion unanimously passed with an aye vote.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-42-Appointment of Douglas Cooper as Dispatcher II for the communications center in the police department, effective June 1, 2005: Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-43-Termination of Dave Winterman and Mike Skeen as part-time employees for the golf courses, effective May 27, 2005: Commissioner Humpert moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Koenig, and the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-44-Appointment of Vicki Schulte, James Rider, Andy Goetz and Joe Niehues as park trustees for the Department of Parks and Recreation, effective June 7, 2005: Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert. The motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.
Citizens Address
Mr. Louis Richards came before the court to talk about road funds, specifically for Hogreffee Road to be blacktopped. Mr. Murphy said this was on the list of roads to be repaired.
Commissioner Humpert asked if there were any year-end surplus funds for the repair of this road and Mr. Frye said there was $200,000 projected, but this money has been considered in the preparation of the current year's road budget.
Deputy Judge Kimmich said the budget was approved on second reading today and would become law as soon as it is published. Over the next two weeks, the county road supervisor will meet with the Judge and the Deputy Judge to prioritize where paving can be done without having to do preparation work and put together a schedule to give to Eaton Asphalt. It is estimated that within the next 60 days Hogreffee Road will be blacktopped because it is programmed into this budget.
Administrative Reporting
DEPUTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Scott Kimmich: It has to be shown in the record that in the county sheriff's tax settlement last year he owed the state 62 cents. This year they will owe him $27.82 and this has to go through his surplus fee account, which in effect means that at the end of his term, the fiscal court gets the $27.82. It needs to be acknowledged on the record that he did overpay the state the sum of $27.82 and they will be sending him a check.
Also, upon adjournment today that we have a moment of silence and prayer for Captain Bob Newton, a former county police officer of 32 years who will be buried today.
COUNTY TREASURER-Ivan Frye: Apologized for failing to mention the road fund consideration when the public hearing was conducted.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR-Joe Shriver: No comments.
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT-Garry Edmondson: Mentioned the joint senate and house committee meetings that are going on this week and there are several of them that impact the county.
Commissioner Humpert asked if the transportation committee was going to meet and that he would like to make sure they know of our urgent need for a lateral highway in Kenton County either at Hands Pike or KY 536. Judge Drees said he would make sure he is present at this meeting on Thursday.
Deputy Judge Kimmich said the engineering dollars needed to be asked for for the continuation of 536 from the Boone line to KY 17. Getting engineering dollars in this next round of funding would be an accomplishment.
Commissioners' Reports
COMMISSIONER BARBARA BLACK-Absent.
COMMISSIONER DAN HUMPERT-Nothing additional to report.
COMMISSIONER ADAM KOENIG-Nothing to report.
Judge-Executive's Report: Reported that appointments had been made to the airport board to become effective on June 20, 2005, of Stephen Hatfield to be a voting member and Richard Robinson, who was serving as an advisory member, has been moved up to be a voting member. The current voting member is Mike Gibbons, who is on the national board, and he has been put on the board as a non-voting member. Gary Bockelman is off the board and Stephen Hatfield is replacing him.
The highway department was asked about Turkeyfoot Road and the contract will be awarded in August to go ahead and extend it. The Judge also asked about KY 17 and in June this will be broken down into two contracts. Both of these are for the second phase, one following the other.
Commissioner Humpert asked about the entrance to Pioneer Park and Judge Drees said it would be nice and easy to enter into the park and get out of it. He also asked if there would be a stop light and Mr. Kimmich said the state had assured the county there would be a traffic light.
Executive Session
There was no executive session called.
Adjournment
Following a silent moment of prayer and remembrance for Bob Newton, Commissioner Humpert made the motion for adjournment with a second from Commissioner Koenig. The meeting adjourned with the unanimous vote of aye.
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Ralph A. Drees
Kenton County Judge Executive
ATTEST: ____________________________________
Fiscal Court Clerk
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