Elizabethtown City Council Regular Meeting – August 11, 2025
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Elizabethtown City Council Regular Meeting – August 11, 2025
Note: The transcript identifies the meeting date as August 4, 2025, but the provided timestamp specifies August 11, 2025. This summary uses the timestamp date as instructed.
The meeting was called to order with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved minutes from July 21, 2025, conducted first and second readings of several ordinances, adopted two municipal orders, heard one public comment, and closed with an executive session.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from the July 21, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
First Readings (Ordinances)
- Ordinance 20/2025 (zoning map amendment for 202 North Main Street): Reclassifies property from Urban Residential General (R-4) to Downtown Mixed Use (C-5) to allow office use. Approved for first reading.
- Ordinance 21/2025 (zoning map amendment for 201 North Main Street): Reclassifies property from Neighborhood Office (C-1) to Downtown Mixed Use (C-5) to allow office use. Approved for first reading.
- Annexation Ordinance (1331 Hayden School Road): Annexes property requested by multiple owners (including Diane Matherley Trust, Hardin County government, and others). The property will be zoned Suburban Residential (R-2) upon annexation. Approved for first reading.
Second Readings and Final Adoption
- Ordinance 16/2025 (Code of Ethics): Repeals a 1994 ordinance and establishes a new code of ethics for city officials and employees as required by KRS 65.003. Passed 6–0 (Bishop, Fulkerson, Isaacs, Jones, Springsteen, Tyler all yes).
- Ordinance 17/2025 (Land Use Code Amendments): Amends Title 15 (Land Usage) of the city code, specifically sections 154.009 (definitions), 154.042 (zoning districts), and several subsections on zone descriptions and permitted uses. Passed 6–0.
- Ordinance 19/2025 (Rezoning for 1151 Pearl Orchard Road): Reclassifies property from Urban Residential (R-3) to Regional Commercial (C-3) to allow use as a medical clinic. Passed 6–0. (A subsequent public comment question clarified this is not yet a VA clinic.)
Municipal Orders
- Municipal Order 47/2025 (Outdoor Music Venue Contract Amendment): Authorizes a contract amendment with Congleton Hacker Company for construction of an outdoor music venue on Commerce Drive. The guaranteed maximum price is $41,082,281, shared between the city and tourism. Approved unanimously.
- Municipal Order 48/2025 (CDBG Consolidated Plan Submission): Authorizes submission of the 2025–2030 Consolidated Plan and 2025–2026 Annual Action Plan for public improvements in the East Downtown neighborhood to HUD. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Leanne Wiseman (667 Gray Road, Hodgenville, KY): Asked whether the planned medical clinic at 1151 Pearl Orchard Road would be a full hospital with pharmacy or just a clinic. The mayor responded that it is premature to answer, as no development plans are submitted and the project is not at that stage.
Council Information and Closing Remarks
- The next regular meeting was announced for August 11, 2025 (the date used in this summary). A lawn party is scheduled for August 13 at Freeman Lake Bandstand.
- The mayor addressed veterans present, explaining legal constraints on council members regarding planning and zoning matters: council can only consider information in the official record (planning commission minutes) and cannot act on communications received outside that context.
Executive Session
- The council voted to go into closed session under KRS 61.810(6)(1) to deliberate on the future acquisition or sale of real property and to discuss the general nature of existing and possible litigation. No action was anticipated after the session.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were unanimous (no opposition recorded). Six ordinances and two municipal orders were adopted.
- The rezoning of 1151 Pearl Orchard Road to C-3 (Regional Commercial) was approved, opening the possibility for a medical clinic but not yet specifically a VA clinic.
- A $41.08 million construction contract amendment for the outdoor music venue was authorized.
- The city will submit its HUD-required consolidated plan for 2025–2030.
- The next regular council meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Elizabeth City Council regular meeting for August 4th 2025 and I'd like to ask Council Ada Julius Prince Leeus in any case of please. Let us pray. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon this and hold office and employment in the city in the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. That was steadfast purpose. We may faithfully serve in our positions to promote the wealthy health people. Give us your strengths to live together with respect for our neighbors and protect those serving in the military, our first responders and health care professionals as they face daily challenges and their mission to protect us. Through Jesus Christ, our work and join me in the closed leaders. I pledge it to the flag of the United States of America. And for which it stands for the nation under individual with liberty and justice. Okay, good evening. The meeting with approval amended from July 21st, 2025. Second. All in favor? Aye opposed. Seeing nine motion carries. Judge Harrow, are you ready? I am. First reading of ordinance by motion number 2020 25. Amending the official zoning map for 202 North Main Street. If I can get a motion in the second to read, please. Well, in favor? Aye. Opposed. Judge Howard. This is a first reading by summary. This ordinance amends the official zoning classification for the property located at 202 North Main Street from Urban Residential General, which is R 4, to Downtown Mixed Use C5 to allow for uses such as an office. The change was approved by the Elizabethtown City Council as it was found to be in agreement with the city's comprehensive plan. Any discussion. All right, next is ordinance number 212025, amending the official zoning map for 201 North Main Street. If I can get a motion in the second to read, please. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? This is a first reading by summary. This ordinance amends the official zoning classification for the property located at 201 North Main Street from neighborhood office or C1 to downtown mixed use C5 to allow for such for uses such as an office. The change was approved by the city council as it was found to be in agreement with the city's comprehensive plan. And again, the full text of the ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office. Any discussion. Second. All in favor? Opposed. Judge Howard. This also is a first reading by summary. This ordinance annexes property at 1331 Hayden School Road as requested by Diane Matherley Trust, Jackie Addington, Terry and Sharon Bacon, Kevin and Lisa Addington, Glenn and Sandra Turner, Larry and Linda Phillips, L Farms LLC, and Harden County government. The property will be zoned suburban residential or R2 upon annexation based on the Planning Commission recommendation. The owners gave written consent to this annexation, and the city gave the required 45-day notice to Hardin County. Again, the full text of the ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office. Any discussion? Okay, then we will go to second reading by motion of ordinance number 16 2025, repealing ordinance number 281994, establishing a code of ethics for City of Elizabeth Town officials and employees. If I can get a motion in secondary, please.
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