City of Lakeside Park
Amended Minutes of Regular Meeting on 2/10/2025
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Markgraf called to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Lakeside Park City Council at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, February 10, 2025, in the Lakeside Park City Building located at 9 Buttermilk Pike. Those in attendance were Mayor Markgraf, City Clerk Teresa Bruck and City Attorney Greg Voss. The council members present were Dennis Landwehr, Cassi Schabell, Mary Ann Thaman, and Brian Waite. Council members that were not in attendance included Tom Bernheimer and Dave Wolfer.
AGENDA – There were no changes to the agenda; Mr. Waite made the motion to adopt the agenda, and Mr. Landwehr seconded the motion. Voice vote was taken. 4 Ayes, 0 Nays; motion carried.
MEETING MINUTES – Ms. Schabell requested multiple corrections to the January 13, 2025 minutes. The mayor asked if there was a second to Ms. Schabell’s motion to amend January 13, 2025, minutes. The mayor advised there was no second motion made; the minutes will remain as they are and requested if there is any additional discussion. With no additional discussion the mayor asked for a voice vote. Mr. Waite said Aye, and Mr. Landwehr Aye, but then requested clarification. The mayor advised the motion to amend the minutes died for lack of a second and he asked for a vote to approve the minutes of January 13, 2025, as submitted. Ms. Thaman advised she did not know how to remember all the changes Ms. Schabell summitted.
Ms. Schabell inquired about what the process is to call the procedure back. The mayor advised Ms. Schabell she was out of order to do that. She then appealed the decision of the chair. The mayor said he already asked if there was any other debate in the amendment and there was not. They were now in the process of voting to approve the minutes or not as submitted.
Mr. Thaman stated she was in favor to adopt, and Ms. Schabell did not.
The mayor advised the January 13, 2025, minutes have been approved by vote of 3 Ayes, 1 Nay; motion carried.
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – The mayor said he realizes the special meeting minutes for January 30, 2025, just came out and asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes. Ms. Schabell advised she had a correction to January 30, 2025, minutes. The mayor advised we need a motion to adopt and a second before discussion to amend. Ms. Thaman made the motion to adopt January 30, 2025, minutes, and Mr. Landwehr seconded the motion. The mayor then advised Ms. Schabell that she could now request her amendment. Ms. Schabell said that there was an incorrect dishonest manipulation of her statements and offered the recording of the meeting. The mayor advised that is was not proper to play the recording and advised that the purpose of the minutes is to show only the formal actions taken and the votes by council members. It is not to record what members say. She then asked why there are five pages of discussion and not the formal actions of the body. The mayor advised there was no formal action taken, and they can dispense with all minutes from that meeting if Ms. Schabell would like. Ms. Schabell made a motion to amend January 30, 2025, minutes. The mayor asked Ms. Schabell if she was asking not to approve of the minutes of the January 30, 2025, meeting, and her response was yes. The mayor advised we have a motion not to adopt the minutes and asked if there was a second motion. There was no second motion and no discussion. The mayor asked for a vote on January 30, 2025, minutes. Voice vote was taken. 3 Ayes, 1 Nays; motion carried.
CITIZENS ADDRESSING COUNCIL: Jim Wilson, 2542 Dixie Hwy, talked about a chicken issue, and requested council to consider allowing them. The mayor advised as he understands there will be an ordinance proposal at the next council meeting.
AUDIT PRESENTED: Jim Sparrow with Rankin & Rankin presented the city’s 2023-2024 Audit and advised they are offering an unqualified opinion and concluded the city had a good financial year. There were no changes, corrections or discussion, Mr. Waite made a motion to adopt the 2023-2024 Audit. Mr. Landwehr seconded the motion. Voice vote was taken. 4 Ayes, 0 Nays; motion carried.
MAYORS REPORT: The mayor thanked everyone that attended the Special Meeting; he talked about a proposed Ordinance amendment for the sidewalk; he said the city received thank you notes and cookies from students at Blessed Sacrament School and administration; he advised to be aware of email scams, what to look for, and used an example of one from Duke Energy; and read a thank you from Adopt-A-Unit service individual.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Mr. Voss read the first reading of Ordinance No. 1-2025 Amending Section 41 of the Lakeside Park Code of Ordinances, pertaining to sidewalks. Ms. Schabell asked the city attorney who authored this Ordinance from the legislative body. Mr. Voss advised he did not know who authored it. Mr. Waite advised he did not author it, but he will sponsor it.
Mr. Voss then read Resolution No. 01-2025 Opposing any action by the Kentucky General Assembly, in full or in part, that provides for the centralized collection of local occupational business fees/taxes by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. There were no changes, corrections or discussion, Mr. Landwehr made a motion to adopt Resolution 01-2025. Ms. Thaman seconded the motion. Voice vote was taken. 4 Ayes, 0 Nays; motion carried.
CITY CLERK/TREASURER’S REPORT: Mrs. Bruck advised 2024 Ordinances were sent to American Legal for codification; since audit was accepted now the necessary reports for DLG can be submitted; record retention in process; a royalty check was received from Service Line Warranty; and the microphone system issue has been resolved.
FIRE/EMS: Chief Slusser reported on their public education programs and significant events provided in his full report submitted to the council.
PUBLIC WORKS: Ms. Thaman advised sidewalk bids are going out; spot repairs project complete but there is pending billing; the shared Crestview Hills sidewalk project is progressing; the grant for the Bellemont project has been submitted; the Shaker and Marlo Way project will have the bid process starting soon; the striping piano key sidewalk project is still in discussion with Department of Transportation; and bench project is still a work in progress.
Ms. Schabell advised she was contacted by Mr. Hellings on Arcadia about white bands on his trees. The mayor advised that a certified arborist looked at the different trees that are impacting the sidewalks and will be providing the city with a report of their findings.
Ms. Schabell mentioned that at the special sidewalk meeting there was a discussion about payment plans and extensions for residents to make payments, and she suggested a policy be drafted to address this.
Ms. Schabell brought up the issue of sidewalks along State roads The mayor advised that this was an issue for the Transportation Cabinet. She also inquired about a recent repair done by the public works director on Dixie Hwy. The mayor advised there were two repairs on Dixie Highway that he approved the public works director to handle to avoid severe trip hazards.
Ms. Schabell requested the council to consider a new budget line-item for sidewalk repairs, and a special meeting with the city attorney to discuss. She was advised to provide an ordinance to the mayor for him to review, but there would not be a special meeting.
Ms. Thaman added that the residents who had Duke flags will be getting letters soon about the work.
POLICE AUTHORITY: Mr. Waite advised the police board met January 27th and the reports were provided in the council packets. He mentioned that 170 calls were for Lakeside Park; the police clerk, Melissa Sies retired in December; the new police clerk is Heather Marcus; Patrolman Steward resigned for a position at Thomas More; New patrolman Boyers began field training; the department received a grant for rifles.
PDS: Mr. Waite said PDS did not meet last month, but reports were in the council packet.
FINANCE: Mr. Waite stated he reviewed the financials for the month, and they appear in order. The city had a financial loss for the month due to the end of property tax collection as well as the quarterly payments for fire and police came out in January. He advised there are 5 tax bills outstanding, and Mrs. Bruck has sent second delinquent notices.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT LEAGUE OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY (MGLNK): Mr. Landwehr said there was no meeting this month and he has not been advised of when the next meeting is scheduled.
RECREATION: Ms. Thaman advised snow tubing was well attended. The next Bingo is at Fort Mitchell on March 11th from 2 to 3:30 PM. They cancelled the tickets for the Seussical Play because they were too expensive. Ms. Schabell said that it is a lie that she wants to get rid of the recreation director and the recreation department, but she has suggestions for the recreation committee. She said she asked at the January meeting for the list of recreation participants and the list of volunteers to assess moving forward with events. Ms. Schabell said she and Ms. Thaman feel like a volunteer coordinator may be an option. She would also like to propose an ordinance that would allow residents to reserve the city building for public use under certain guidelines, so that it is accessible to everyone in the city. She said, as a council member, she is a legislator and not a volunteer event planner, but she would assist with the people that do want recreation by making sure they have somebody to help them with it. Ms. Schabell stated that the library offers events using our tax dollars and they should be utilized instead of city events. She advised that we still have an open position of recreation director that is currently budgeted. Ms. Schabell then commented on the Light Up Lakeside event, but it is her understanding that Barleycorns took over that event and they staff it, and we no longer organize it. She expressed concerns about reservations made by nonresidents of Lakeside Park and she thinks we should consider our role in that event in the future. Last, she reviewed the expenses from recreation last year and she feels public safety is the priority and that we should look at using budgeted recreation funds for public right-of-way existing sidewalks.
The mayor advised that the city did coordinate Light Up Lakeside, but Barleycorns pays for and helps with the carriage rides and staff. He advised if Ms. Schabell had spoken to Ms. Bruck about this instead of bringing it up at the meeting, she could have answered those questions. He explained that the senior luncheon was a traditional event. He talked about the variables of the events she questioned. He said he believes they can look at certain events on whether they should continue, but communication has to be continued, and it is best not to put it out in a forum until you have all the facts and nuances of what and why things have been held. Ms. Schabell made a motion to review the data of the participants and the volunteers for sign-ups so the recreation committee can accurately move forward. The mayor advised that some of this information is readily available but there is no way of knowing how many residents attended events like trunk-or-treat.
Ms. Thaman inquired if we bring back the recreation director and get events going again or do, we first need to assess the need. She reminded people what recreation is about creating a sense of community and that is why we have Lakeside Park events. The mayor said that is why we need the information and recommendations from the recreation committee. Ms. Schabell recommends a policy for our residents to use the city building and establish a volunteer position to coordinate the volunteer people. The mayor advised that when the building was planned and built it was determined not to allow the building to be used by other organizations due to liability and maintenance of the facility. For those reasons, it was determined by the council at that time to only allow official Lakeside Park events. If the council now wants to change that policy, they can.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: No public relations business reported.
OLD BUSINESS: Ms. Schabell asked when and where the agenda for this meeting was posted. The mayor advised it was posted on the bulletin board right outside the door.
NEW BUSINESS: Ms. Schabell sent in a draft ordinance to address a chicken issue. She passed out copies of the ordinance and wished to do a first reading of this ordinance tonight. The mayor advised Ms. Schabell she can make a motion on this issue tonight, but it will be on the next agenda. However, we are missing 2 members of the council that will not have the opportunity to look at this ordinance. Ms. Schabell did make a motion to introduce an ordinance involving a chicken issue. The motion failed due to a lack of a second.
Ms. Schabell asked if the city attorney would meet with her, so the ordinance is proper and is prepared for the March meeting. The mayor advised this is an administrative request and he would submit the request to the city attorney. He advised that council members do not have the right to submit things to the city attorney, city engineer, expend money or to perform duties that are not authorized by the mayor. Ms. Schabell advised that she understood and then stated she would send the revised ordinance to all the council members, mayor and city attorney. The mayor advised it to be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting.
The mayor last made a comment that this Friday is Valentine’s Day.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL: Mr. Waite said the word, “Nefarious” was used earlier, and in the past two months there has been an adversarial tone that has entered these meetings. It’s okay to have questions, disagreements and debates during the meetings because that’s democracy. But he does take issue with the insinuation with nefarious or sinister happenings by the administration or council. He said he spoke for himself, but that he is here out of love for the city and to do his best for the residents and to serve the city with no personal agenda, and he presumes the same for everybody else. But the tone that there are bad intensions or nefarious happenings that is growing tiresome. Ms. Schabell commented that she agreed. She said when her statements are manipulated into untruth lies, she is going to make sure those are pointed out. She advised she received an email from a resident prior to the meeting pointing out what Mr. Waite had just pointed out.
ADJOURNMENT: At 8:38 PM Mr. Landwehr made the motion to adjourn the meeting, and Ms. Schabell seconded the motion. Voice vote taken – 4 Ayes, 0 Nays; motion carried.