Elizabethtown City Council Special Meeting Summary – April 13, 2026

The Elizabethtown City Council held a special meeting on April 13, 2026, to conduct routine business, discuss the Downtown Master Plan, hear public comments, and enter closed session. Key actions included approval of a $981,700 roundabout construction contract, a $12,000 inspection contract for a park project, and a mutual aid agreement for emergency management. The meeting also featured a detailed presentation on the downtown vision and a resident request for a tree buffer.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April 3, 2026, meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote.
• Fair Housing Month Proclamation: The mayor announced he signed a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month.

Municipal Orders

• Municipal Order 25‑2026 – Veterans Way Town Drive Roundabout Project: Accepted a bid from Summit Civil LLC in an amount not to exceed $981,700 (Contract #14‑2026). The order also authorized change orders up to $147,255 total. Councilmember Falkerson questioned the bid award because Summit Civil is a new company (established less than a month), but staff explained that the owner, Aaron Gatlin, has prior experience on city projects, and the city requires performance and payment bonds. Additional safety measures will be implemented due to high speeds on Veterans Way. Vote: Unanimous approval.
• Municipal Order 26‑2026 – Freeman Lake Park North End Parking Lot Project Special Inspections: Approved a $12,000 contract with Thoroughbred Engineering for special inspection services (soils testing and inspection) for the parking lot project. Vote: Unanimous approval.

Resolution

• Resolution 1‑2026 – Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement: Authorized the city to enter into a statewide mutual aid agreement for emergency response, allowing the exchange of supplies, equipment, personnel, and services during disasters. The mayor will serve as primary representative; the emergency management coordinator as alternate. Vote: Unanimous approval.

Finance Director Update

• Cash Balances: The general fund is down $2 million due to large purchases (Woodland Dry property, Hayden Farms, and a $600,000 loan to the airport board). Sewer and gas fund balances are up following rate increases.
• Key Revenues: Occupational tax and property tax are strong. Restaurant and hotel taxes are below an “aggressive” budget. Net profits tax is significantly down, partly due to late filers (April 15 deadline); receipts expected to improve by May.
• Spending: Admin and fire departments are over budget—admin due to unplanned large projects, fire due to a ~$1.3 million fire truck purchase (to be reimbursed from bond funds). Other departments are under budget.
• Personnel & Succession: Three retirements (David Evans, Kim Compton, Tim Reynolds) represent over 100 years of combined experience. Internal promotions are planned; a succession plan is being developed. The finance department is also working with Magnolia Bank (new banking services), online forms (paused due to potential state legislation), and addressing dead gas meters.

Downtown Master Plan Presentation

• Planning Process: The city worked with consultant TSW for about a year. Public involvement included a survey and a public meeting, with strong consensus on key ideas.
• Defined Downtown Boundaries: Roughly from Miles Street to Poplar Street, across to Central Avenue, over the railroad tracks, and down South Main Street to Valley Creek. The cemetery property was excluded based on public feedback.
• Two Main Components: (1) A Development Toolkit (14 tools providing design and redevelopment guidance) and (2) an Action Plan (10 projects and 3 programs).
• Highlighted Focus Projects:
  • Square Redesign: Convert the square to a one‑lane roundabout, remove 27 on‑street parking spaces (increasing pedestrian space by 47%), add raised crosswalks, and create pull‑off lanes for ADA access and quick stops.
  • Flex Street (South Main Street): Connect City Hall to the square with a street that has no curbs, trench drains, and flush sidewalks—allowing closures for festivals and events without affecting Dixie Highway traffic.
  • Valley Creek Boardwalk: Create a two‑tier boardwalk along the creek for pedestrians, with access points for kids to play. Must be designed to avoid impeding stormwater flow (requires Division of Water approval).
  • City Hall Redevelopment: Conceptual multi‑building design with parking hidden in the center and a public plaza that could accommodate a Christmas tree.
• Phasing & Funding: A phasing strategy outlines which projects can be done quickly (some under $50,000) and which are longer‑term (into 2035+). The plan suggests funding mechanisms but notes cost estimates are preliminary.

Public Comments

• Karen Macy (1028 Pawnee Drive) and neighbors: Formally requested a comprehensive tree buffer (native evergreens) and/or soundproof wall along the property line of Pawnee Drive and 3027 Ring Road (Owens property). They cited noise pollution, lack of privacy, erosion, and aesthetic concerns from a cleared commercial development zone. The residents offered to allow trees on their own property but argued the buffer should be on the developer’s side. They noted the developer (Dirt Works) is only putting down topsoil and grass seed and plans to plant vines, which they oppose. Council Response: Staff noted that buffer requirements only apply when a formal development plan is submitted. Council expressed frustration with similar situations and committed to reviewing the site. The city’s stormwater department will also investigate erosion from recent fire hydrant flushing.
• Judy Elmore (Rock Church): Asked the council to consider a preventive ordinance so property owners know ahead of time about buffer requirements, avoiding the need for costly remedial action. Council responded that buffer requirements are already known to developers through the planning commission process, but clearing trees before a plan is filed is currently allowed.

Council Information Items

• Next Meeting: April 20, 2026.
• Birthday Wishes: The council wished Councilman Tim Isaacs (39th birthday – April 14) and Councilman Lamar Jones (38th birthday – April 15) a happy birthday.
• Councilmember Falkerson’s Appreciation: Falkerson publicly thanked Jeff Henderson of Tennis Technologies for apologizing and correcting issues with the Winchester Park tennis court resurfacing project, noting the company “made it right.”

Closed Session

• The council unanimously voted to enter closed session under KRS 61.810(1) to discuss pending litigation, real property acquisition/sale, and economic development proposals. No action was anticipated after closed session.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• Approved roundabout construction contract ($981,700) and inspection contract ($12,000).
• Approved mutual aid agreement for emergency management.
• Staff will investigate the Pawnee Drive buffer/erosion concerns; potential ordinance review may follow.
• The Downtown Master Plan will be used to guide future budget requests and project phasing.
• Finance director will continue budget preparations, with council budget meetings starting in about one month.
• New banking services with Magnolia Bank are in transition; online form development may resume after state legislative session ends.