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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Richmond City Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

City Commission Meetings — Tuesday, November 25, 2025

BodyRichmond, Kentucky

SessionCity Commission Meetings

DateTuesday, November 25, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:01:29

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:00

Thank you, Pat.

2:01

Good evening again.

2:03

We'll uh begin with our invocation.

2:06

We'll ask Jamie Jordan to come, please.

2:09

Lead us in that invocation.

2:16

All right, let us pray.

2:18

God, we thank you for this beautiful day that you've given us.

2:22

We just pause right now.

2:24

Appreciate all the blessings that you've given us this day.

2:26

I know many of which I probably just blew by and took for granted, Lord, in this uh week where we're just prompted to be thankful.

2:34

Um thank you for the blessings.

2:36

Thank you for these leaders that sit before us.

2:38

I pray, Lord, your presence and your anointing would be upon them.

2:41

I pray for those who uh sit in this room.

2:44

I pray for all of our city employees, Lord, that you have called to such positions to lead and look out for this great city that we call Richmond, Lord.

2:52

So I pray that your presence would be here.

2:54

And I pray that you would just pour out your grace and your mercy and your wisdom.

2:59

And Lord, I pray for courage, for uh truths to be spoken that need to be spoken and love to be spoken with.

3:08

Lord, we pray for all these things to pray that uh the decisions and uh everything that takes place here uh in the minutes ahead, Lord, uh, would be for the wonderful welfare of the residents that we call Richmond, Kentucky.

3:22

And we pray this all in the name of Jesus.

3:24

Amen.

3:25

Amen.

3:26

Thank you, and Jamie, thank you again as always for all the wet wonderful ways that you serve this community and so many of our uh groups and volunteer opportunities.

3:37

Thank you.

3:50

Tim Vinegar, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and graduate of Lafayette High School, currently lives in Richmond.

3:56

He entered the Army in 1979 and served for eleven years.

4:00

Also worked for the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and also the RS prior to retirement in 2013.

4:09

He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia for basic training and AIT, MOS O5C radio teletype operator for Jackson, South Carolina.

4:21

MOS 63B Power Generator Light Vehicle Mechanic.

4:25

And at Fort Lee, Virginia, he was a 77F Petroleum Supply Specialist.

4:49

The American Legion and the Madison County Honor Guard also.

4:53

He works as one of the cooks for the weekly Veterans Friday morning breakfast, which I've been trying to get to at the Veterans Center.

5:00

At the Veterans Center.

5:02

He spends time working with the AARP as a tax aide at the Madison County Library.

5:08

He is active member of the NACP and works sponsored events.

5:13

He also spends time working with the Richmond Police Department, Appreciation Day and Veterans Day, obtaining coupons for families to eat for low cost or free.

5:24

Thank you, Tim, for leading tonight our pledge of allegiance.

5:28

Please proceed.

5:36

Update of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

5:42

To the Republic before we get to the United States.

6:02

Thank you, Tim.

6:11

We'll officially call the meeting to order.

6:13

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

6:15

Commissioner Brewer.

6:16

Here.

6:16

Commissioner Cole.

6:17

Here.

6:18

Commissioner Goebbel.

6:19

Here.

6:19

Commissioner Naby.

6:20

Here.

6:21

Mayor Blythe.

6:22

Here.

6:22

Thank you.

6:25

We have two presentations tonight.

6:27

The first of which is the Battle of Richmond events, and Philip Seifert is here.

6:31

And he's going to give us an update on the wonderful things that are happening there at the Battlefield Park.

6:38

Welcome again, sir.

6:40

Welcome, people.

6:44

Before we get started, I want to be the very first one to wish all of you and all of you, wherever the camera is, all of you, a very merry Christmas.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Personnel Matters█████████████████████████25%

Pending Litigation██████████████████████22%

Procedural███████████████████19%

Parks and Recreation█████████9%

Public Safety█████5%

Zoning Regulations█████5%

Historic Preservation████4%

Community Engagement███3%

Public Engagement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Richmond City Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

The Richmond City Board of Commissioners convened on November 25, 2025, for a meeting featuring presentations on community events and nonprofit services, the approval of multiple city orders regarding personnel and infrastructure, a zoning matter, and public testimony concerning industrial rezoning and neighborhood impacts.

Consent Calendar

The Board unanimously accepted the minutes from four prior meetings: the special call meeting on October 24, the regular meeting on October 28, the special call meeting on November 3, and the workshop meeting on November 20.
Orders approving the resignation of Tyler Stone (Planning/Zoning) and Jamie Cates (Police Records) were accepted.
The reappointment of Wilma Walker and Adrian Millett to the Madison County Airport Board for a term ending January 1, 2030, was approved.
The acceptance of the resignation of Matthew Adams (Parks Laborer) was approved.
The adoption of the revised personnel policy manual for the city was approved following clarification on supervisor goal-setting and vehicle usage policies.
The approval of change orders for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex, including a significant cost adjustment for gas line boring and office building modifications, was approved.
The adoption of the Bluegrass Recovery Initiative agreements to utilize opioid settlement funds was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jean Marie Hibbard (Resident) addressed the first reading of Ordinance 25-17 (rezoning 495 Duncan Lane to I-2 Heavy Industry). She expressed concern regarding traffic safety due to the single right-turn exit from the adjacent Goldenleaf subdivision, opposed the interface of heavy industry with nearby residential properties and cattle farms, and urged the city to enforce significant setbacks to protect the viewshed and home values. She also expressed worry regarding potential heavy usage of utilities (electricity/water) if a data center were to be sited on the property and noted the presence of Early and Middle Fort Ancient Period archaeological sites on the land.

Discussion Items

Battle of Richmond Update (Philip Seifert): Presented upcoming events including "Father Christmas" visiting the Battlefield Park on November 30 for a sock donation drive and "Christmas with the Clays" living history event at Whitehall on December 12. He stressed the community importance of collecting new socks for the disadvantaged and highlighted the park's year-round activities.
Hospice Care Plus Presentation (Jenny Neese, Stephanie Maynis, Mariah): Provided an overview of services across six counties, emphasizing that while reimbursed by insurance, the organization relies on donations for non-billable "above and beyond" care, including social work, chaplaincy, and special experiences for patients. They stated their goal is to ensure a "good life right up to the very end" and requested community support to maintain care for underinsured individuals.
Fire Department Promotions (Commissioners): Commissioner Brewer expressed support for the promotion of Brian Richmond to Battalion Chief, noting his 18 years of service. He stated the new four-person selection panel (two city hall reps, two fire department reps) is designed to remove "good old boy" influence. He expressed high regard for the interviewees. Commissioner Cole stated confidence in new hires despite not knowing them personally, noting they are serving well.
Zoning Ordinance 25-17 (Duncan Lane): City Manager Rob Ryerson explained the purchase of 189 acres using state and city funds for economic development. He stated the rezoning to I-2 aligns with the comprehensive plan and the "golden corridor" utility infrastructure. He confirmed the city matched the difference to purchase the property for a total of $4,744,000.
Wayfinding Signs (City Council): Commissioner Cole expressed assurance regarding the EKU Maroon color accuracy after the Board of Regents changed the PMS color. The Mayor noted the project includes hundreds of signs for the new sports complex.
Fire Rescue Truck Purchase (New Order): The board discussed the purchase of a new rescue truck from Victory Fire Equipment. Chief Richardson stated the truck will be an addition to existing fleet, used for smaller accidents, and is easily maneuverable.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance 25-17 (First Reading): Adopted the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation to change zoning at 495 Duncan Lane from AG to I-2. No final vote was taken; a vote will occur at the next regular meeting.
Order 25-175: Approved the promotion of Brian Richmond to Battalion Chief of the Fire Department, effective December 26, 2025.
Order 25-184: Approved the promotion of Stephen Moyer to Fire Captain of the Fire Department, effective December 26, 2025.
Order 25-176: Approved the promotions of Clayton Cornet, Travis Newman, and Cordell Markham to Firefighter Classifications, effective November 26, 2025.
Order 25-172: Approved the hiring of Janet Townsend as Human Resources Director, effective December 15, 2025.
Order 25-173: Declared surplus property (police and administration departments) to be sold via electronic auction at govedeals.com.
Order 25-174: Approved the hiring of a new Labor One for the Recycled Department, effective November 26, 2025.
Order 25-177: Approved the hiring of Stephen Snowden and Charles Burns as Labor Ones for the Parks Grounds Department, effective December 1, 2025.
Order 25-178: Awarded the contract for all wayfinding signage at the Richmond Regional Sports Complex to Sign Magic for $346,738.71.
Order 25-181: Reappointed Wilma Walker and Adrian Millett to the Madison County Airport Board.
Order 25-182: Adopted the revised Personnel Policy Manual for all city employees.
Order 25-183: Authorized change orders for the Regional Sports Complex totaling approximately $422,357.50 (including corrected amounts).
Order 25-186: Authorized the city to enter into agreements for the Bluegrass Recovery Initiative to manage opioid settlement funds.
New Order 25-187: Authorized the purchase of a new Rescue Apparatus from Victory Fire Equipment for $339,999.00 from the fire department capital outlay account.
Executive Session: The Board adjourned to executive session to discuss possible litigation regarding property at 405 Moberly Avenue and subsequently voted to authorize the City Attorney to pursue litigation. No action was taken during the session, but the authorization was granted.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following public comments and commissioner remarks.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you, Pat. Good evening again. We'll uh begin with our invocation. We'll ask Jamie Jordan to come, please. Lead us in that invocation. All right, let us pray. God, we thank you for this beautiful day that you've given us. We just pause right now. Appreciate all the blessings that you've given us this day. I know many of which I probably just blew by and took for granted, Lord, in this uh week where we're just prompted to be thankful. Um thank you for the blessings. Thank you for these leaders that sit before us. I pray, Lord, your presence and your anointing would be upon them. I pray for those who uh sit in this room. I pray for all of our city employees, Lord, that you have called to such positions to lead and look out for this great city that we call Richmond, Lord. So I pray that your presence would be here. And I pray that you would just pour out your grace and your mercy and your wisdom. And Lord, I pray for courage, for uh truths to be spoken that need to be spoken and love to be spoken with. Lord, we pray for all these things to pray that uh the decisions and uh everything that takes place here uh in the minutes ahead, Lord, uh, would be for the wonderful welfare of the residents that we call Richmond, Kentucky. And we pray this all in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you, and Jamie, thank you again as always for all the wet wonderful ways that you serve this community and so many of our uh groups and volunteer opportunities. Thank you. Tim Vinegar, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and graduate of Lafayette High School, currently lives in Richmond. He entered the Army in 1979 and served for eleven years. Also worked for the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and also the RS prior to retirement in 2013. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia for basic training and AIT, MOS O5C radio teletype operator for Jackson, South Carolina. MOS 63B Power Generator Light Vehicle Mechanic. And at Fort Lee, Virginia, he was a 77F Petroleum Supply Specialist. The American Legion and the Madison County Honor Guard also. He works as one of the cooks for the weekly Veterans Friday morning breakfast, which I've been trying to get to at the Veterans Center. At the Veterans Center. He spends time working with the AARP as a tax aide at the Madison County Library. He is active member of the NACP and works sponsored events. He also spends time working with the Richmond Police Department, Appreciation Day and Veterans Day, obtaining coupons for families to eat for low cost or free. Thank you, Tim, for leading tonight our pledge of allegiance. Please proceed. Update of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic before we get to the United States. Thank you, Tim. We'll officially call the meeting to order. Madam Clerk, please call roll. Commissioner Brewer. Here. Commissioner Cole. Here. Commissioner Goebbel. Here. Commissioner Naby.

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