Welcome everyone to Elizabethtown City Council regular meeting for August 18th, 2025.

And if you would bow your head with me for a prayer.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with great excitement.

And when I say great excitement, all of the blessings that you've bestowed on not just this honorable body and city government, but this city in general and our community.

You see dirt turning everywhere.

You see opportunities arising for lots of our people.

And it's just a great place to live and be and raise your family and live and work.

And one of the main reasons for that, and you know this is because we have great people that work for our city.

And they're represented here today in this in this room, and we're very proud of the promotions that we're about to do.

We're very proud of the votes that we're about to make to continue to bless this city.

And we're just so grateful for the opportunities that we have, and they're all provided by you.

And please watch over our folks, keep them safe, watch over our citizens, and continue to bless this great city.

And we'll we'll do the best that we can to represent you and do it in your honor.

And it's in your son's name we pray.

Amen.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, we're gonna start off with approval of minutes for August 4th, 2025.

Got a motion and a second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed.

Seeing none, motion carries.

At this time, I would like to introduce the 2025 police chief of the year in the state of Kentucky voted on by the Kentucky Association Chief of Police.

He should have known that I was gonna get that in there.

And he's got some important work to do.

And Marty, you got a comment on that?

Yep, Chief, just because you are now chief of the year, you get an extra 10 minutes without any hassle from Don Hill.

Yes.

Well, Micah actually approved the Corvette after that.

Oh, okay.

What's great is we have an opportunity.

I guess it was last week we talked in just the other side of this room about the bittersweet uh ceremony that we celebrated with Chris Denham and him retiring.

Well tonight there's nothing bitter about why we're here.

We're here to celebrate the promotion of two great leaders.

The the title supervisor gets thrown quite a bit, and that's accurate.

Uh you see a lot of supervisors in this room right now, but we don't take that as the primary responsibility of what we do.

And what that is is leaders.

Leaders because we have a number of our personnel from EPD here today.

And whether they were rank or whether they're just within the rank and file and sworn a civilian, we challenge all of our people to be leaders.

But today's formal recognition of the first step into leadership for Dietrich.

Um I don't know why you said DJ for Coop.

We only have one coup.

We have two Coopers over there.

We only have one coup.

And for Sean, his next step into leadership for the police department.

And I can tell you that the time that I have been here, both of these individuals have excelled in everything that we've asked them to do.

And I'm excited just to be a small part of them being able to be here tonight to welcome their families.

And if you look around and you see the number of personnel you have from the department, I think that's a true reflection of the character of these two men and what they mean to this department because you can have a lot of ceremonies and some people can come and some can't, but at a time when we're starting to transition to do these recognitions at City Council.

Most of the people you see now don't charge us over time, please for anybody there.

Uh but they're here after their normal work hours.

And that's because they're gonna see not only two leaders, two supervisors, but two friends uh accept this this promotion that they've earned through hard work and dedication.

So without any further ado, I know the mayor's gonna get them sworn in uh in their new position.

So Sean, if you Dan will go ahead and get you all over first.

We're gonna do them both at the same time if you don't mind to come up, Cooper.

All right.

Come on, Cooper.

Hang on, after I swear a minute if you'll if you'll pin them, that'd be perfect.

But you're welcome to walk up here and stand with you, Mr.

Vice Premier.

So we're going to swear as Sean Kofer in is assistant chief.

And Dietrich Cooper is going to go from patrolman to sergeant.

Yeah, if you don't mind to stand over there.

And I want you all to know the only reason that or the only way that Coop was able to get promoted is he had to beat me in arm wrestling.

And it was that close.

Okay, if you would raise your right hand.

And when I get done reading, if you agree, you say I do.

I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue as citizen thereof and that I will faithfully execute to the best of my ability the office I foresaid according to law.

And I do further solemnly swear that since the adoption of the present constitution, I being a citizen of this state have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this state nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God.

I do congratulations.

Okay, call them up, whoever was going to put the pins on.

He robbed you, didn't he?

I think our council members know we used to do these private more privately than this open recognition that we have tonight.

And I thought the mayor had a great idea to start celebrating this with not only our council members but community members to come to this because it shouldn't be something that's just exclusive to the PD because of what it takes to get to the point for these two and for all of the supervisors and that we have from the PD.

So let's do this.

How about you all jump over here and let's stand in front of the council and get a picture?

Come on, Chief.

All right, Judge Howard, are you ready?

I am okay.

We're going to start with second reading by motion of ordinance number 18 2025, amending code of ordinances, title 15 land usage sign amendments.

If I can get a motion in a second to read, please.

All in favor?

Opposed?

Judge Howard.

This is a second reading by summary.

This is ordinance 18 of 2025.

This ordinance amends the code of ordinances, title 15 as it relates to land usage and in particular general signs standards.

The full text of this ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office.

This is a second reading by summary, and therefore is available for your consideration.

Any discussion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Councilmember Bishop.

Yes.

Councilmember Fulkerson.

Yes.

Councilmember Isaac.

Yes.

Councilmember Jones.

Yes.

Council Member Springsteen.

Yes.

And Council Member Tyler.

Yes.

Motion carries 6-0.

Thank you all.

Ordinance number 20 2025 amending the official zoning map for 202 North Main Street.

If I can get a second motion and a second to read, please.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed.

Judge Howard.

This is also a second 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 R4, to downtown mixed use C5 to allow for uses such as an office.

This change was approved by the Elizabeth County City Council as it was found to be in agreement with the city's comprehensive plan.

And again, the full text with the ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office.

Any discussion.

Second.

Roll call vote, Councilmember Tyler.

Yes.

Councilmember Springsteen.

Yes.

Councilmember Jones.

Yes.

Councilmember Isaacs.

Yes.

Councilmember Fulkerson.

Yes.

Councilmember Bishop.

Yes.

Motion carries 6-0.

You're paying attention.

I've been waiting.

Ordinance 212025 amending the official zoning map for 201 North Main Street.

If I can get a motion in a second to read, please.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Opposed.

Judge Howard.

This is also a second reading by summary.

This ordinance amends the official zoning classification for the property located at 201 North Main Street from neighborhood office, which is C1 to downtown mixed use or C5 to allow for uses such as an office.

The change is approved by the Liz Town 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.

Motion.

Second.

Councilmember Bishop.

Yes.

Councilmember Fulkerson.

Yes.

Councilmember Isaacs.

Yes.

Council Member Jones.

Yes.

Council Member Springsteen.

Yes.

Councilmember Tyler.

Yes.

Motion carries 60.

Ordinance 22 2025 annexation for 1331 Hayden School Road.

If I can get a motion on a second to read, please.

Motion.

Second.

All in favor.

Opposed.

That's how.

This is a second reading by summary.

This ordinance annexes property at 1331, Hayden School Road, as requested by Diane Matherly Trust, Jackie Addington, Terry and Sharon Bacon, Kevin and Lisa Addington, Glenn and Sandra Turner, Larry and Linda Phillips, L Farms LLC, and Harding 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.

Again, the full text of this ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office.

Any discussions?

Any motion and a second to adopt, please.

Motion.

Second.

Councilmember Tyler.

Yes.

Council Member Springs team.

Yes.

Councilmember Jones.

Yes.

Councilmember Isaac.

Yes.

Council Member Fulkerson.

Yes.

Councilmember Bishop.

Yes.

Thank you all.

Motion carries.

Municipal order number 492025 purchase property at 111 Pair Orchard Road Northwest.

If I can get a motion in the second to read, please.

Motion.

Second.

All in favor.

Opposed.

Judge Hoord.

At a regular meeting of the City Council held on the date set out below.

After first meeting read motion to adopt the following this order was duly made, seconded, and approved.

Whereas the city identified the need to upgrade the Par Orchard Road, Fair Orchard Road Northwest Corridor many years ago and has planned for phased improvements of the corridor, beginning with the ring road and pear orchard road intersection.

And whereas the city has developed engineering plans for the next phase of the street improvement along this corridor and has identified properties for purchase to assure the new street and sidewalk improvements are designed and constructed in a safe manner.

And whereas the city has offered to purchase property at 111 Pearl Orchard Road Northwest based on an appraisal of the property, and the owners of said property are willing to sell.

Now be it ordered by the city council that the city purchase the property located at 111 Terror Orchard Road Northwest from R and L Reynolds LLC in the amount of 125,000.

Be it further order, the mayor or his designee is authorized to sign all agreements, contracts, deeds, closing documents, and forms to perfect this order, including have a title report in phase one environmental review of the property to be purchased completed.

Red adopted and approved the 18th day of August.

Discussion.

Motion.

Second.

All in favor?

Opposed.

See none.

Motion carries.

Municipal order number 502025 accepting bid for the American Legion Park Improvements Project.

If I can get a motion in the second to read.

Motion.

Second.

All in favor?

Opposed.

So Taylor.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below.

After first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order is duly made, seconded and approved.

Whereas the city prepared bid documents and publicly advertised the project and received four bids that were publicly opened on August the 5th for the American Legion Park Improvements Project.

Now be it ordered by the City Council to accept the bid from BCD Incorporated for the American Legion Park Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed 1,149,898.

Be it for the order that the mayor and his designees hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, included but not limited to signing all contracts, documents, obtaining the necessary permits, and approving change orders with the aggregate amount not to exceed 172,485, read adopted and approved this 18th day of August.

Any discussion.

I had a question quick question.

Um as far as the I guess I know the time was kind of the essence as far as getting this done.

So I guess how do you balance the and I get it?

We want the lower bid, but then there's the 140 days.

So that's that's exactly one of the things that we looked at.

And Brad Boaz with CMW went back and spoke to the low bid to see if he could get their timeline a little bit more.

A little tighter for our purposes because we'd like to have this done by February, March the latest.

And uh so they came back and thought that they could get this done within 170 to 180 days.

So once they tightened it up that much and they were the low bid, then we were we're comfortable recommending it.

Okay, okay.

And they and they've done CMW's done extensive work with BCD and the fact that we're gonna say the uh theater out of the lake billions, and all the bidders were getting the pavilion bid construction package from the same supplier.

So that was as you point out, that was the real issue.

Uh the mayor's explaining we had Brad File on that time for the delivery of those materials.

Okay, okay.

We tighten them up a little bit, but just to quickly answer it.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Thank you.

Yep.

Any other discussion?

Need a motion and a second to adopt this.

So moved second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

See none motion carries.

Municipal order 52 2025 appointment to the planning commission.

If I can get a motion and a second to read, motion second all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below.

A motion to read and adopt the following municipal order was duly made, seconded, and approved.

Whereas the mayor, per KRS 100.141 wishes to appoint Alicia Jenkins to the Planning Commission for a term to expire on June 20th, 2028.

Now be it ordered by the City Council that Alicia Jenkins is approved for appointment to the planning commission for a term to expire on June 20th of 2028.

Be it further ordered, the mayor and or as designated is hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, read adopted and approved the 18th day of August.

Any discussion in a motion and a second to adopt these.

Motion.

All in favor, opposed.

Aye.

Councilmember Bishop.

Yes.

Councilmember Fulkerson.

No.

Council Member Isaacs.

Yes.

Councilmember Jones.

Yes.

Council Member Springsteen.

No.

Councilmember Tyler.

Yes.

Motion carries forward too.

Municipal Order 53 2025 approving an interlocal agreement with Elizabeth Town Tourism and Convention Bureau for an outdoor music venue.

If I can get a motion and a second to read.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below.

After first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made seconded and approved.

Whereas the city desire desires to work with community partners on projects that benefit the citizen.

And whereas the city wishes to partner with the Elizabeth Town Tourism and Convention Bureau to provide an outdoor music venue located along Commerce Drive.

Whereas the city and tourism entered into a memorandum of understanding in September of 2023 that initiated the planning for an outdoor music venue, and now the plans have been advanced that financing measures have been determined and a construction cost established.

Now be it ordered by the city council that the mayor is authorized to enter into an interlocal agreement with tourism for the establishment of financial responsibilities of the parties for bond payments of an outdoor music venue per the attachment A.

For the order that the mayor and or is designee is hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, including signing the agreement and submitting said agreement to the department for local government for approval, read adopted and approved the 18th day of August.

Any discussion in the motion and a second to adopt please all in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Seeing none motion carries.

Thank you.

It's because my daughters are moving into college at the exact same time that Lindsay Wilson.

So I will have to miss the parade, so I'm gonna have to ask you all to make sure you wave from the factory.

I'm missing for the same reason.

Word of advice to the newbies, stand up on the fire truck, you get less carbon monoxide that way.

She found it.

We had a surprise for the newbie.

We've had a couple where we didn't know if we were gonna make it to downtown.

Yeah.

Before combination, and Tony will tell you about having to have when the brakes went out, so don't worry, you'll get all the all the history.

Are you gonna be there?

Who?

Are you gonna are you in the middle of the room?

I don't know if Emma.

I think I got kicked out.

Oh, you've been reading state.

Okay.

I was gonna get worried if it were only new bees on there.

Well, we'll see.

Anyone else?

I'd like to think uh Seth came and spoke to the Harden County Am Rotary Club Friday morning, did a great job.

Um I think uh everybody there was surprised at some of the numbers he presented, some of those were uh part of his presentation he did for us, but uh we continue to lead the commonwealth in our parks and recreation partner under the leadership of Seth, so we appreciate that.

I'd like to also jump in, and I know I mentioned it earlier and he's tired of hearing about it, but I am very proud of T Thompson for his recognition.

We went up there to Florence to see him receive the 2025 Kentucky Chief of Police of the Year for the Chiefs Association, and it's a well-deserved honor personally for him, but it is a great reflection on not only our department but the city of Elizabethtown, and so I think uh attitude reflects leadership, and he's a perfect example of it, and we're blessed to have him.

But it's uh we got a whole lot of people right right there with him that are that are just as great when it comes to character integrity, and uh we're glad to have what we have, and so congratulations to him.

Just want to do it formally without making fun of him.

It was hard when it's and I won't I won't say any more about it for our day.

Anyone else?

Okay, with that we will go close meeting pursuant to carry 61.8106 wanted to conduct deliberation on future acquisition or sale of real property by the city and to discuss personnel which might lead to the appointment distance of an individual employee member or student if you all will give me a motion in a second.

All in favor, opposed, motion carries.

And we will not have anything coming out, Gene.