Louisa City Council Meeting
January 8, 2019
The City Council met in regular business session January 8, 2019 with Mayor Harold Slone presiding. In attendance were Council Members John Nolan, Tom Parsons, Lisa Schaeffer, Mitch Castle, Gary Robertson, and Matt Brown.
- Call to order, 7:05pm
- Mayor advised council that the city was approved for a recreational trails grant that would build new restrooms at LockView Park along with some benches on the Riverwalk. The Restrooms will be handicap accessible. (No amount of grant specified)
- Motion was made by Lisa Schaeffer Second by John Nolan to approve minutes from Dec. 11, 2018. All approve.
- Motion was made by Lisa Schaeffer Second by Mitch Castle to approve minutes from Dec. 17, 2018. All approve.
- Mayor Slone provided council with details of a proposed downtown pavilion, to be located at the Corner of Vinson and Pike St., the Pavilion would be dual purpose, the front being a Farmers/Vendors Market, with the back facing the river to be enclosed to house lighting and sound for the Future Amphitheater to be built as a second phase of the Re-Discover Louisa Riverwalk project. Utilities Board member Steven Lycans, presented the Mayor with the proposal for this project in which Lycans and Mayor Slone met with Representative from the KY Agriculture Development fund, with intentions to apply for a Grant which would pay up to $250,000 for Construction of the facility. Motion by Mitch Castle, Second by Gary Robertson, to approve a resolution to apply for the grant for the Pavilion
- Attorney Bud Adams addressed council concerning an amendment to the animal ordinance after residents had attended previous meetings complaining of odors and various other sanitation problems with animals. Attorney Adams drafted an amendment to the animal ordinance addressing the odor and sanitation issues, but would not limit the number of animals residents could own, as long as the area in which they were contained was free of odors and in a sanitary condition. Louisa PD officers would be in charge of enforcement and issuing citations. Council heard from Residents on Conley St. who had attended previous meetings with complaints of multiple dogs in a Kennel on the street causing odor and rodent problems. The Motion by Mitch Castle to amend animal ordinance, Second by Gary Robertson. All approve with exception of Lisa Schaeffer voting no, on the grounds to have additional time to potentially suggest additional amendments.
- Council appointed Matt Brown as the replacement for Mitch Castle on the Utilities Board, after Castle has served a 2 year term on the board. Motion to appoint made my John Nolan, Second by Tom Parsons. All approve.
- Mayor Presented council with a contract with KY Dept of Transportation for the TAP Grant to be used for construction of the Riverwalk. The previous contract signed by council was requested to be changed by the State due to a reduction needed to be made in Engineering Fee’s. The new contract reflects a lower negotiated price from Summit Engineering. Motion by Lisa Schaeffer, Second by John Nolan, to accept the new contract. All approve.
- Council reviewed new proposed personnel policy for city employees. Mayor Slone drafted a new policy due to the fact that the current personnel policy is so old that many parts are no longer relevant in modern times. Mayor sent the new draft to KY League of Cities legal division for review. After suggestions were made and implemented, Attorney Bud Adams reviewed, with a few suggestions as well. Council will review and discuss at February 2019 Meeting.
- Council member John Nolan inquired of applications being accepted by the Police Department. Chief Greg Fugitt advised that there was no current opening, but is expected at least one opening in the next 6 months and he was gathering a pool of applicants to shorten the process when the opening becomes available.
- Mayor Slone commended the Police Department for the good work on the recent high profile drug busts.
- Council Matt Brown advised that he was approached by Mutt Webb, Property Manager at Louisa Plaza who had attended a previous meeting with complaints of vandalism and loitering at the plaza. Mr. Webb advised that there had been no current problems during the last several months.
- Motion by John Nolan, Second by Tom Parsons to enter Executive Session to discuss potential litigation.
- Motion by Tom Parsons, Second by Gary Robertson, to return from executive session. All Approve. No actions were taken.
- Motion by John Nolan, Second by Matt Brown to adjourn at 8:33pm. All approve.
