KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT

M I N U T E S

SPECIAL CALL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, 4:00 P.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 Jerry Knochelmann; Fleet Management and Solid Waste Director Roger Wells; Animal Shelter Director Dan Evans; Police Chief Ed Butler; Public Works Director Joe Murphy; County Engineer Charlie Meyers; Jailer Terry Carl; Court Reporter Cathy Johnston; and Guests.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The invocation was given and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Kris Knochelmann­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Approval of Minutes

Judge Drees asked the court for approval of the minutes dated September 11, 2007.  Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker.  The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.

Delegations

There were not any delegations present to appear before the court.

General Business

No general business items were brought to the court's attention.

Resolutions

Resolution 07- 21

A resolution adopting the Northern Kentucky solid waste management plan 2008-2012 update, Roger Wells reporting:  This is the final draft and is in compliance with the state.  Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Humpert.  The motion was unanimously approved upon a roll call vote of Commissioner Humpert, yes; Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.

Resolution 07-22

A resolution to authorize Judge Executive Ralph A. Drees to proceed in bidding for the renovation/addition to the Kenton County Animal Shelter as provided for in the 2007-08 Fiscal Year budget:  Former Commissioner Barbara Black came forward to say she was there on behalf of the employees at the animal shelter and the citizens of Kenton County to thank the fiscal court for their support of the funds that have been appropriated for the last two years in the budget toward the adoption center at the animal shelter.  It is a real need and anytime you can provide a facility that will ultimately provide better service to the community and operate more efficiently, it is a good thing.  There are also a group of ladies here that have actively for over a year, through the Humanitarian League, been supporting and raising funds for this center.  Former Commissioner Black introduced Jan Malley to the fiscal court who has been working with the Humanitarian League to raise funds and asked her to come forward.  This group of individuals has been very successful in the community of Northern Kentucky to raise funds for the adoption center.  The estate of Mr. Eulie Penn got this started years ago, so I want to publicly acknowledge that contribution as well as other citizens who have left money for the shelter.  Funds are still needed and we are still raising funds for the shelter and citizens are encouraged to donate.  They can call 392-1900 and get or give the information and that can be recognized at a future meeting.

Commissioner Humpert said Eulie Penn was an average concerned Kenton County resident who cared about the animal shelter and animals.  He saved his whole life and gave a significant portion of his estate to the animal shelter.  This one person made a huge difference and this was fantastic.

Former Commissioner Black said the fiscal court had also made a huge difference because this would not have gone forward without their support.

Ms. Malley came forward to say that without Commissioner Black this could not have come this far in such a short time and wished to thank her from the bottom of her heart.  She said she wished to present a check for $45,000 to the fiscal court of which former Commissioner Black had made a donation of $5,000 and the rest came through fundraisers and efforts of the committee that was with her.  Northern Kentucky has been awakened that there is a problem in that the animal shelter is killing 400 animals a month because it has been overlooked for so many years and now we are going to have a shelter to be proud of instead of being embarrassed about it.

Judge Drees thanked Commissioner Black and her colleagues for their time and effort in bringing this about.  We are now on our way and will get the contractors out there and get this started.  Judge Drees said any new funds coming in would help defray expenses.  Ms. Malley said she would like to thank Dan Evans for being such a wonderful representative for the Kenton County Animal Shelter and his heart is as big as ours and he has a tough job.  Mr. Evans received the thanks of the court by applause.

Commissioner Humpert made the motion to proceed with the bidding; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; Commissioner Humpert, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.

Resolution 07-23

A resolution to authorize Judge Executive Ralph A. Drees to execute a contract with Brandstetter Carroll Architects for the purpose of designing and developing plans for the relocation and construction of a new county detention center, Judge Drees reporting:  This was brought up at the last meeting and everyone has had a chance to look at the contract and everyone is satisfied with it.  Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion to accept with a second from Commissioner Humpert and the motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; Commissioner Humpert, yes; Commissioner Voelker, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.

Ordinances

There were not any ordinances brought before the court.

Consent Agenda

Claims List-County Treasurer Jerry Knochelmann:  Judge Drees asked if there were questions and there being none, said warrants will be issued and checks mailed.

Administrative Actions

Handout No. 07-77

The 2007 Fiscal Year Report of CorrectCare at the Kenton County Detention Center, Terry Carl reporting:  On the second page of the report, it shows how much money the county saved.  Judge Drees has been given a new contract to sign for this year.  The county was paying $11.00 per inmate and now we are paying $5.25 which is lowering the cost and will show a greater savings in the future.  The last two pages are for inmates who were hospitalized and these are the only hospital stays.  This does not include the emergency room, specialist runs, dental runs, etc.

Commissioner Voelker made the motion to accept the report into the record; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Humpert, yes; Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.

Handout No. 07-78

Authorize Judge Executive Ralph A. Drees to execute an employee contract with Mike McKinney as a contractual employee for the Department of Fleet Management:  Judge Drees said Mr. McKinney is a former employee of the county and would like to come back to work full time on a contractual basis.  Mr. Kimmich said that after Mike retired he came back to work on a part-time basis.  This will be filling a vacancy that currently exists and the part-time position that he had been in will not be filled.  The savings to the county is approximately $30,000 per year.  Mr. Wells has reviewed the contract and is an advocate for moving forward in this manner.

Commissioner Humpert said he noticed a position description for shop foreman and asked if this was for that position and Mr. Kimmich answered yes.  Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval with a second from Commissioner Knochelmann.  The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Voelker, yes; Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; Commissioner Humpert, yes; and Judge Drees, yes.

Executive Orders

Executive Order No. 07-99

Hiring of Shawnetto Pangallo and Diane Holloway as part-time employees at the animal shelter, effective September 12, 2007:  Commissioner Voelker made the motion to pass; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote.

Executive Order No. 07-100

Hiring of Elizabeth Cochran as a full-time employee at the animal shelter, effective September 12, 2007:  Commissioner Humpert made the motion to approve followed by a second from Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.

Executive Order No. 07-101

Hiring of Joseph Niehues as a park trustee for the parks and recreation department, effective September 13, 2007:  Commissioner Voelker made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.

Executive Order No. 07-102

Hiring of Jason Steffen as a part-time employee at the animal shelter, effective September 12, 2007, and acceptance of his resignation, effective September ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­20, 2007:  Commissioner Humpert asked why this was being done this way and Mr. Kimmich said you could not put an employee on the payroll without an executive order and he resigned eight days later having only worked two days of the eight.  Another executive order has to be done to remove him from the payroll so the hiring and firing is on the same order.

Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval with a second from Commissioner Humpert and the motion unanimously passed with the aye vote. 

Executive Order No. 07-103

Acceptance of resignation of Lisa Sipple as part-time from the animal shelter, effective September 11, 2007:  Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with a vote of aye.

Citizens Address

Mr. Randall Wagner came forward to address the court and to ask them to write letters in support of the Merchant Marines for having served their country who delivered over 70 percent of the food, gas, oil, tanks, jeep, shells, and other equipment the government needed in support of World War II.  He said he took the test to join the U. S. Navy and failed so he went across the street and joined the Merchant Marines to serve his country.  They were told they would receive the G.I. bill but have never received any benefits.  He said he had written to the newspapers twice asking them to write an article about their plight and he was asking the fiscal court to write letters promoting the bill.  Mr. Wagner said he has written to the Kentucky Congressional Representatives and Senators asking for support of the Merchant Marine bill but had never received any acknowledgement.  He said he would certainly appreciate it if the fiscal court and others would write letters to support this bill.

Judge Drees said the fiscal court would individually look at the copy Mr. Wagner had given to Commissioner Humpert regarding the bill and would act on an individual basis.  Judge Drees and the court thanked Mr. Wagner for the service to his country during World War II.

Administrative Reporting

DEPUTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Scott Kimmich:  Nothing to report.

COUNTY TREASURER-Jerry Knochelmann:  Nothing to report.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR-Joe Shriver:  Absent.

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT-Garry Edmondson:  Nothing to report.

Commissioners' Reports

COMMISSIONER DAN HUMPERT-Nothing to report.

COMMISSIONER SARA VOELKER-Said she wanted to thank the ladies once again for the work that was done for the animal shelter.  She said she knew there was a lot more work to be done and that animals were also very close to her heart.  The staff at the animal shelter is wonderful, and one staff member there, Sandy, said something that made her feel better about going to the shelter in that this is the last place where the animals will be and they won't have any more hardship or pain.  Hopefully, they will get adopted and the more animals we can safe, the better.  Most cities have rigid laws and please get your animal spayed or neutered and we will not have as many of these problems.  A lot of people talk about how much they love their pets, and yet they let them outside where they get hit by a car and have to fend for themselves.  We do not live in a rural area anymore and it is not safe for many reasons for animals to be out and running loose.  Please take care of them.

COMMISSIONER KRIS KNOCHELMANN-Nothing to report.

Judge-Executive's Report

Nothing else to report.  Commissioner Humpert asked about the executive order regarding the ban on burning and Judge Drees said Mr. Kimmich would address it.  Mr. Kimmich said the county was asked by the Division of Forestry and in consultation with the other two counties, all three counties issued a ban on open burning.  Generally, the Division of Forestry is allowed to make this decision and they have determined it is appropriate to issue this ban.  Currently, there is a ban on open burning unless it is in an individual's grill or there is a water containment system within 50 feet of the actual fire.  The county did have calls from people asking if they could rake their leaves into a pile and we would encourage people not to do this because there are opportunities for the piles of leaves to catch fire even if they don't set them on fire.  We are asking people not to do this, but this cannot really be regulated.  If a fire is started, the county will have to police the situation.  All police and fire departments have the authority to write citations to those who violate the countywide ban on burning.  It is in effect in all three counties and will remain in effect until it has been released by the three judges.

Commissioner Humpert said he was told that this does not cover campfires, so if you have one, notify the fire department in your area.  Mr. Kimmich said to notify the fire department in advance because if you start the fire and then get caught, you are subject to penalty.

Executive Session

There was no executive session called.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the court, Judge Drees asked for a motion for dismissal.  Commissioner Humpert made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion carried with the unanimous voice vote of aye.