For the city of Richmond, and uh we welcome all of you who have come.

Lots of really great things we're going to talk about tonight and opportunity to present some people and uh thank you.

The afternoon.

Nice and bright and sunshiny.

We'll take it.

I just told uh Commissioner Brewer.

Uh my mother, when we were kids, my brother, my sister, and I mother would remind us.

Yeah, but it's still winter.

Okay.

Yes, indeed.

So we don't want to get sick, but we'll certainly take this day.

I'm going to invite Jamie Jordan, who serves the city of Richmond in our housing efforts, uh, both with the city and its boards and also uh in the efforts of enrich and one stop and others uh to provide for people.

Jamie, we greatly appreciate all that you do.

Good to see you tonight, my friend.

Thank you.

You will thank you.

Let us pray.

God is tempting to stand up here and ask for more.

But as we pray, I just want to thank you for what you've already done.

I want to thank you for the prayers of your people that have been prayed within this building and all around for the people of this great community of ours.

So we thank you uh for what you've done in the past.

And Lord, we thank you for what you're doing now.

I pray you'll just give us the eyes to see the works that are going on all around us, to better lives all around us, to pick people up when they've fallen, Lord, and uh put people on the right path.

So, Lord, I thank you uh for this leadership before us.

I pray, Lord, that you would uh give them your wisdom as we deliberate and as we consider and as we vote and as we decide, Lord, um just have your way within this community, Lord.

I uh pray that you'd be with all those in attendance, Lord, and that your spirit would rest on us all, Lord, as we chart the course for this community that you know and love.

Lord, I pray all this in the name of Jesus, amen.

Amen.

Thank you, sir.

I often mention Commissioner Newby uh that at the last portion of our uh job descriptions.

Uh there's always that line that says other duties as may be assigned, right?

So other duties may be assigned at this moment.

Police Chief Richardson, will you come, please?

I'd be honored, Mayor.

And lead us in the pledge.

Uh would everyone please stand for the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief.

Call the meeting to order.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Commissioner Newby.

Here.

Commissioner Brewer.

President.

Commissioner Cole.

Here.

Commissioner Goble.

Here.

Mayor Blythe.

Here, thank you.

We have a couple of presentations tonight.

The first uh new business recognition, Carrie Hensey.

Kerry, if you'll come, please.

Didn't realize your middle name was Lee.

Good evening, uh Mayor and Commission.

We have two new businesses we want to recognize at the meeting.

And uh the first is Citizens National Bank, and we've got Sean Daughty here, and he's gonna come up and tell us a little bit uh about their services, and then we're gonna get a photo.

Thank you.

First, I would I'd like to thank uh the city of Richmond for welcoming us town.

Uh so many of us on our bank uh board and employees at our bank feel like Richmond's home because we've done a lot of education here.

I did both my undergraduate and my master's here, and so Richmond feels like home, and I'm very thankful for Richmond.

And um, you know, we were founded as a bank in 19 and 20, and then in about 2009, we started branching out for more of a regional presence.

And as we were looking for where we could make a difference, Richmond seemed to be a very good spot to do so.

And again, the support we've got from your city and even the county, everything has been great, and we're very appreciative.

Tonight, uh, I brought with me George Corter, who's our chief operating officer, um, Josh Edwards, who's our senior lender, and then uh we've assembled a really great team here locally uh to lead the charge and and be a great community bank here, and Scott Osborne's leading that charge, and Autumn Collier is on the team as well, and then Aaron Flatt, and we'll be looking for another employee here in the very near future as we flip the switch to turn our loan uh production office to a branch.

So we're real excited.

The last thing that I would say is it's not just transactions to us when we think about banking, it's about people.

And so we'll be doing everything we can to be a good steward to this community and help be a part of the economic growth as we go forward.

Thank you.

And thank you so much, Sean.

Good to meet you.

Oh, come on.

I'm sorry, Jim.

Excellent.

Good job.

Thank you.

Welcome again.

Sharing uh with this uh this group in their ribbon cutting.

And uh certainly in a wonderfully promising area.

Um so again, welcome.

Okay, and our next business is Parlour Pizza, and we have Marseille, if she will come up.

Thank you, Carrie, and thank you for commission and mayor for having us here.

Um so I am Marseille, and we are bringing parlor pizza and pints to your town to become our town, and this community has been so welcoming thus far, which is much appreciated, very, very kind.

Um, we're super excited.

Uh pizza, wings, grinders, salads.

Kind of what we we got, and similar to um Citizens National, we are also about the people.

It's in the name, so Parlor People, Pizza and Pints.

Um we are having our grand open and ribbon cutting on Thursday, March 26th, and prior to that to help us with our training.

Um, we will also have some soft opens.

There is a first responders and city workers um soft open on Tuesday from 1130 to 130.

That's the 24th, I believe.

Um, so please invite all of our all of our first responders and um city support out to enjoy that.

Um that will be complimentary.

You all are helping us out and train, and we want to show our appreciation.

Um Wednesday, we will have our VIP soft open.

Uh we invite all of the influential members of the community to come out and help support us in our training and our opening, but also even more so than that, support CASA, Wilderness Trail, and um Madison Animal Shelter.

Those are the two charities.

Anytime that we open a new uh restaurant, we find those charities in the within the community that we want to support, and those are the two that we've chosen for Richmond.

Richmond will be our seventh location.

Our sixth location is in Lexington off of Harrodsburg Road that we opened just under a year and a half ago.

Um originally started in uh Indiana, just over the river.

So um super excited to be here.

Thank you all for welcoming us again, and uh we're excited.

March twenty-sixth, come out and see us.

And thank you, Carrie.

All of us are trying our very best to keep you good and busy.

Thank you.

I have a proclamation to share.

I'm going to ask that all of those who have come tonight to represent uh uh Empty Bowls, the Empty Bowls Project as we read this proclamation, then we'll ask them to give us some words of encouragement.

In recognition of hunger awareness, a proclamation.

Whereas no person in Richmond, Kentucky should have to go hungry, whereas 13.5 million American households, including 2.3 million with children, are consistently unable to get enough food to eat, according to the USDA's report on household food insecurity.

And whereas hunger has adverse consequences for all Americans, in particular children and mothers.

And whereas hunger impedes growth and development, whereas hunger is a significant predictor of adverse health conditions, and whereas God's Outreach Community Food Bank, Richmond Food Bank at New Liberty Family Shelter, Home Meals Delivery, and Salvation Army of Madison County work daily to stamp out hunger in our community.

Whereas local businesses, area churches and schools, Eastern Kentucky University, faculty, staff, and students, and local potters unite each year to donate various talents and resources to raise hunger awareness through the Madison County Empty Bowls project.

Now therefore, I, Robert Blythe, mayor of City of Richmond, Kentucky, do hereby declare and proclaim the month of March twenty twenty-six as Richmond Hunger Awareness Month and urge all citizens to support efforts to end hunger in the city of Richmond, Madison County, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States of America, and the world.

Thank you.

It's been a year.

So these are a sample of a few of our uh well, these are my bowls, but they will be more bowls available.

And it is next Friday, March the twentieth at First Baptist Church uh at 425 Eastern Bypass.

Uh the hours are 11 a.m.

to 2 PM.

Uh we do have dine in or take out, so a lot of people will come and we have lids for our Wendy's chili bowls that you can take your soup and hoe cakes with you back to work if you have to go back to work.

Um it is a minimum donation of 20 dollars for the bowl, vegetable soup, hoe cake, and the uh Chick-fil-A sunny uh Chick-fil-A sweet tea, lemonade and unsweet tea.

We will also have available to go court and pint jars if you want to take some to a shut in or your neighbor or for yourself for the weekend.

It's some soup to go.

Um I just um and the Dulcimers will be here again this year for our entertainment.

We are always so glad to have the Dulcimers play during the I'm always in the kitchen, but I can try to run out and listen to a little bit of them.

Um I am just so excited to say that um there's not a dime spent on this event.

Everything is donated.

Um this community is just wonderful about donating all the supplies and the and the uh can the uh ingredients for the soup, the churches and a lot of organizations they just say what do you need?

I'm like 40 cans of peace, you know, 40 cans of this.

And they just it's just no questions asked.

Um a hundred percent of the proceeds will be divided between God's outreach, Madison County Food Bank, New Liberty Shelter, and Food Bank of Rich uh Richmond Home Meals Delivery and Salvation Army of Madison County.

And Karen is our Facebook manager, so please follow us on If the Bowls of Madison County, and she will have pictures that morning coming up of the bowls that come in and we have out and all the activities and all the wonderful people that come and support that day.

Yes, we'll have a photo of tonight, and then uh I think if you follow um Madison County Live, last night was the interview for empty bowls, so be sure to watch Madison County Live.

And I think everything's supposed to be 60 degrees that day, I think.

There you go.

And pretty so soup and hoe cake weather just come and enjoy the day.

It is such a wonderful event that I am so grateful to be part of.

And we have a lot of our representatives here.

We have Helen with South Army and Mayor Bry, part of the New Liberty Shelter.

You're with uh God's outreach, and I can say I'm probably part of home mills delivery.

Yes.

I've done a lot of that.

So we just thank you all for your support for this wonderful event.

Anybody will hold the bowls?

No.

Oh, you want me to hold the bowl?

You want it over here?

There you go.

Yeah.

Display.

That's right.

Okay, you guys.

Oh, okay.

I see what you're doing.

All right, look here.

Okay, and I've got hearing phone too.

Thank you.

That's probably one of the uh finest things that happens in our community every yeah.

How many years has it been?

Seven.

27.

Yeah, we made 28 years old.

So it's maybe years.

This is 27th event.

27th event.

Um again, one of the finest things that happens in our community.

In addition to having a good bowl of soup and the uh see Justin does the whole cakes, right?

Yes.

Um, but in addition to the food, he knows how to worth it for the whole cakes alone.

Absolutely.

But um there is a community fellowship, I like to call it that happens even even if you don't want to eat your soup there, just being there with some of the folks is is worth it.

So thank you all for what you do, and uh not being uh overly sentimental, but certainly uh we each uh each year now we'll miss uh our dear friend uh and uh uh Diane.

Okay, all righty in our packet.

We have the minutes from the regular meeting of February 10, 6P, and the workshop meeting February 19 at 12 noon.

If you've had a chance to look those over, maybe have a motion, please, that we will accept them as presented.

So moved.

All right, Commissioner Cole.

Second, and Commissioner Newby.

Is there any discussion, any question, comment?

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes, Commissioner Cole, yes, Commissioner Goble.

Yes, Commissioner Newby, yes, Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Ordinance 26-08, ordinance of the city of Richmond, Kentucky annexing property into the city boundaries and assigning zone classification for 1055 Barrera Road.

This is a first reading.

There will be no vote.

Um Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas IBS LLC, the owner of the property described below, has consented and requested to a voluntary annexation in the city limits of the said track below.

And whereas the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission on February 18th, 2026 conducted a public hearing as to be able to make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners as to the appropriate zoning classification to be assigned to the property should it so be annexed.

And at the clue at the conclusion of the public hearing, the planning and zoning commission voted to adopt the findings of facts attached to this order here and incorporated in full and to recommend that the property, if annexed, be assigned a zoning classification of B3 highway business.

And whereas the Board of Commissioners finds it to be in the public interest that the property in question be annexed into the city boundaries and given a B3 zoning classification.

Now therefore be it ordained by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that in accordance with the provision of Chapter 81A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the City of Richmond, Kentucky does hereby express its intentions to annex into the city limits the certain track of property, more particularly described below, 1055 Berea Road, D book 846, page 65.

All of that certain piece of parcel and track of land is in the City of Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, lying aside on east side of Berea Road, 300 feet south of Center Drive.

And then there is the deed information.

The property is hereby annexed into the city boundaries in accordance with the findings of facts and recommendation of the Richmond Planning and Zoning, which its findings of facts of the Board does hereby adopt the findings, and the property shall be annexed into as a B3 highway bid business.

The Department for Planning and Zoning and GIS shall make the appropriate changes to the city's official map, and the city clerk shall forward this ordinance together with other necessary information and documentation to the appropriate local and state authorities.

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's reading of ordinance 26-08.

Again, first reading.

A move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

And Commissioner Goble.

Anything, Mr.

City Manager, you want at this point anyone else comment, question?

All right.

Is it March 24?

Second reading and vote.

March 24th, I think.

March 24, thank you.

Ordinance 26-09, ordinance of the City of Richmond, Kentucky, amending the city's development ordinance regarding regulations of short-term rentals.

This again is a first reading.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Yes, sir.

Whereas the city adopted ordinances 24-2, 25-2, and 25-6 relating to regulations on short-term rentals, and whereas the planning and zoning board has made recommended amendments to the existing short-term rental ordinance to include allowed zones and locations permitted in a PUD zone, and now therefore be ordered by the Board of Commissioners for the City of Richmond, Kentucky, that Section 1 short-term rentals, allowed zones and location.

Short-term rentals are permitted in the R1A, R1B, and R1C zones.

They require a conditional use permit in B2 zones.

In addition, there shall be allowed for the PUD zone, and by the way, a PUD zone is planned unit development.

So you know those areas are indicated by underlining uses as R1A, R1B, and R1C upon review and approval by the director.

The minimum distance from one short-term rental to another as measured from the center of the existing structure utilized as a short-term rental to the center of the next structure shall be no less than 500 feet.

This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its enactment by the Board of Commissioners following second reading and publication in accordance with the required requirements of applicable Kentucky law.

Thank you, sir.

That's ordinance 26-09.

May we have a motion, please bring to the floor for discussion.

I move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

And Commissioner Cole, is there any discussion?

Mayor, the only thing this ordinance adds is allowing short-term rentals in the planned unit developments.

It was excluded prior to this, and we've just added it to the ordinance.

So just to clarify, so the ordinance that we worked on, I don't know, like a year and a half ago or something.

It's still in place.

We're just literally making that one change.

That's correct.

It's just an amendment to the existing ordinance.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yep, adding the PUD development to allow short-term rentals.

Okay.

There's some discussion, I think, going on in the legislature, isn't there right now about handling of short-term rentals.

Stand by.

Any further discussion?

There being none.

Second reading will come up in our 24th March meeting.

Ordinance 26-10.

An ordinance of the City of Richmond, Kentucky annexing properties owned by Ramsey Farms, Kentucky LLC into the city boundaries and assigning zone classification.

This is a first reading.

There will not be a vote.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Yes, sir.

Whereas Ramsey Farms, Kentucky, LLC, the owner of the properties described below, has consented in the writing pursuant of KRS 81A.412 to the voluntary consensual annexation into city limits of the said tracks herein the properties, and whereas the properties in question are required by KRS 81A.4110, contiguous to the city's boundaries and are urban in character and are suitable and are suitable for further further development for urban purposes, not in another core incorporated city, and the properties are currently served by municipal utilities.

And whereas the Board of Commissioners finds that it would be in the public interest that the properties in question be annexed into the city boundaries and maintained its current agricultural zoning classification.

Now therefore it be ordained as follows.

In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 81A of the Kentucky revised statutes, the City of Richmond, Kentucky does hereby annex into city limits those certain tracts of property, more particularly described as follows after receiving written consent from the Ramsey Farms, Kentucky LLC for this annexation as required by KRS 81A.412.53 acres.

172 Elliott Ford Road, Richmond, Kentucky, part of Track 1, again, 343.53 acres.

Duncan Lane, Richmond, Kentucky, part of Track 2, 18.2 acres.

The City of Richmond provided written notice of this consensual annexation to the Madison County Physical Court as required by KRS 81A.412, and 45 days have passed between the written notice and the second reading, passage and enactment of this consensual annexation ordinance.

The properties are hereby annexed into the city boundaries and zoned agriculture, and the Department of Planning and Zoning and GIS department shall make the appropriate changes in the city's official map, and the city clerk shall forward this ordinance together with other necessary information and documentation to the appropriate local and state authorities.

This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its adoption following second reading and publication in accordance with the provisions of applicable Kentucky law.

Thank you, sir.

That's the reading of ordinance 26-10.

It's a first reading.

May we have a motion, please to bring to the floor for discussion.

So move.

Mr.

Brewer.

Second.

Commissioner Newby.

Is there any discussion?

Mayor, I would just say that the second reading for this ordinance will not take place until uh last meeting in April, April 28th, because we have to give the 45-day grace period of notification to Massa County Fiscal Court.

Um Mr.

City Manager, is this is this the annexation proposal that that would add a tra a traffic situation?

You know, is that the one we're talking about?

Yeah, so the addition of this property into city limits, a couple things.

So the only utilities that can serve this property are city utilities, that being water and sewer.

Uh the other piece of this that will allow for traffic congestion to be relieved, I think, is there'll be a connectivity between Duncan Lane and Lancaster Road eventually.

So we feel like we'll require the developer if they have to move it from agriculture into a development.

We want that connectivity from Duncan Lane to Lancaster Road, Highway 52, and that will help alleviate the case.

I think any time we can alleviate any kind of traffic issue anywhere by a movement.

I think that's a good idea.

This property was in our comprehensive plan.

Yeah, the comprehensive plan you all just approved, it shows this property as future annexation property.

That is correct.

Yeah.

Any further discussion?

All right.

The second reading again for this ordinance will be the second regular meeting in April.

April.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Let me pause just a second.

Um I didn't mention it tonight, and I guess it's because I didn't see Chris.

If there are any any persons in the audience who would like to have a copy of the agenda, they're in that pocket right there, so that you can kind of follow what uh what we're doing.

All right, ordinance 26-11, ordinance of the city of Richmond relating to the fiscal year 2025 to 2026 annual budget and amendment thereof.

The community development block went, C D B G regarding Liberty Place.

Madam Clerk, please, is the first reading.

Whereas the City of Richmond has received unanticipated revenue from the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the CDBG program.

Now therefore be it ordered by the City Commission that the annual budget for the fiscal year 25 through 26 is amended to increase receipts of the CDBG funds by 200,000 to include these anticipated revenues from the Kentucky Department for Local Government Office of Federal Grants.

Increased budget expenditures by account, public services 190,000, administrative fees 10,000.

This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its enactment following second reading and publication in accordance with the requirements of applicable Kentucky law.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's first reading of ordinance 26 eleven.

May we have a motion, please to bring to the floor for discussion.

So moved.

Commissioner Brewer, Commissioner Goebel.

Is there any discussion?

All right.

The second reading for this ordinance will be the March 24th.

This yeah, this one, March 24th.

I have to count them down.

Two weeks.

Order, this is an order.

Order 26-39.

An order of the City of Richmond adopting job descriptions for the parks department, Mr.

City Manager, please.

Whereas the City of Richmond has adopted job descriptions for city employees, and whereas after review, it has been determined that these positions need to be added and or amended to provide more professional growth within the departments.

Now therefore be ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners.

The following job descriptions and pay grades for the City of Richmond is hereby adopted.

Parks and Recreation Administration Department.

The attached job description shall be made part of the city's job descriptions and incorporated into their departmental structure.

This order shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, sir.

That's order 26-39.

And let me see this as I asked for motion.

Appreciate that you put in there that it edit it's an edit because it always lets us go back to CEO.

Oh, that's what the changes are and which ones are new.

Thank you so much for that.

Maybe a motion, please.

Bring to the floor for discussion and approval.

So move second.

Commissioner Brewer, Commissioner Newby.

Is there any discussion?

Mayor, if I may.

Yes, sir, please.

I'd just like to point out that the assistant director position is a new position, but with our new part coming online here in the next four to six months, it's essential to have that leadership role in place in that department.

Any further discussion?

Order 26-39.

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goble.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-40.

Order of the City of Richmond reappointing a member to the Richmond Industrial Development Board.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas the terms for the board members have expired from the Richmond Industrial Development Corporation, and whereas these members would like to continue their commitment and service.

Now therefore be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the following be reappointed to the Richmond Industrial Development Corporation for a term of three years, effective February 12, 2026, and expiring 2029.

Amy Scarborough, Jeff Steele, Tim Ross, Bob Lilly, Roxanne Fry, Robbie Robertson, Tim Hauk, Kiki Creech, John McPherson, Jack Kelly.

This order shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's Order 20-40.

May we have a motion, please, to bring to the floor for discussion and approval.

So moved.

Second.

Commissioner Cole, Commissioner Goebel.

Is there any discussion?

There's a an excellent variety of backgrounds in this board.

And representing, in fact, I think the most recent represents utilities.

The electric utility, for example, around our industrial park or parks as KU and the Bluegrass Energy.

So working and having these folks here together kind of facilitates uh conversation.

Um industry.

Uh corporate level industry.

That's at finance, an excellent, uh, an excellent representation.

These folks uh that is a non-compensated board.

And they give significantly of themselves.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goble.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Coles.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-41, an order of the City of Richmond reappointing a member to the park board.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas the term for several members on the park board have expired, and whereas these board members would like to continue serving and has made a commitment to attend all meetings.

Now, therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the following are hereby reappointed to the Richmond Park Board for a term of four years.

John McT John McChesney, expiring 2030.

He's been a member since 2008.

Caitlin Scott, expiring 2030.

She's been a member since 2024.

Gary Ford, expiring also in 2030.

He's been a member since 2013.

Sondra Walker, expiring 2029, and she's been a member since 2021.

The City Commission would like to thank these board members for their continued dedication and service to the board.

This order shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, ma'am clerk.

That's order 26-41.

May we have a motion, please, and bring the floor for discussion and approval.

I move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

Commissioner Brewer, is there any discussion?

These folks uh all excellent folks.

I I go to these part board meetings, and they're great.

And Dr.

McChesney, well, John.

He's an excellent chairman.

He's an excellent man.

He was also the best man of my wedding.

My marriage lasted about as long as a ceremony.

But there you go.

So there's that.

Can't blame that on him.

Now you got me thinking about her.

Can't blame it.

Lord have mercy.

Oh, help me.

Help me.

We better take the role, Congress.

All hearts and minds.

Quickly.

Quickly.

But these are these are some wonderful people.

And again, a non-compensated board, but they give so much with what's coming down the pike with our new park and park and and all that.

Uh certainly do a great job.

They have to be committed to this community and love it to do what they do.

And we've seen the result of it, so we're grateful for that.

Madam Clerk, please call a roll.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-42.

Order of the City of Richmond, Kentucky promoting two employees in the fire department.

My clerk, please.

Whereas it's in intention of the Board of Commissioners to have file qualified personnel within the city departments, and whereas firefighters one, two, and three classifications, provide firefighter personnel with an opportunity for uh personal growth, education, while improving the workforce itself.

And whereas a notice and opportunity was given to all eligible and interested personnel within the fire department to test and qualify for firefighter two.

Now, therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the following promotions effective March 20th, 2026 payroll as a part of the approved fiscal year fire pay scale 25 through 26 budget.

Firefighter 2, pay grade 3.

Zachary Young, he was originally hired in 2024.

Robert Foster, Firefighter 1, was hired in 2025.

This order shall be in full force in effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-42.

May we have a motion, please, to bring to the floor for discussion and approval.

So move.

Second.

Commissioner Brewer.

Commissioner Newby.

Any discussion?

Well, I just want to say not necessarily these two promotions, but the fire department general.

I think you know we've came a long way.

Uh because you know, in the in the old days, there was no room for advancement.

You know, you were you were a fireman, and then you know, you were the assistant chief or captain, that was about it.

But now we have the one, two, and different levels for these men to achieve.

But you know, not that it was bad, but in the old days, he just kind of filtered out for a while.

But it gives, I think it gives enthusiasm for the fire department as a whole, you know, for everybody to keep uh keep one to achieve.

But yeah.

Because you know that you can move up, yes.

You can do what yeah.

Excellent.

Thank you, Commissioner Newby.

Anyone else?

There being no further comment, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-43, an order of the City of Richmond reappointing a member to the Madison County Ambulance Board, Madam Clerk, please.

Where is the term for Peggy Brooks Thompson on the Madison County Ambulance Board is set to expire on March 25th?

And where is the citizen would like to continue serving and has made a commitment to attend all meetings?

Now therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that Peggy Brooks Thompson be reappointed to the Madison County Ambulance Board as representing the City of Richmond for a full term of two years expiring 2028.

This order shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's Order 26-43.

May we have a motion, please bring the floor for discussion and approval.

So moved.

Commissioner Goebel.

Second.

Commissioner Brewer, is there any discussion?

Really happy that she was willing to come on board when she did.

And uh stay.

And to and to stay, yes.

How many members are on that board?

I'm not certain.

The city appointed.

I think there was five.

City appoints one.

Yep, Berea appoints one.

And then I thought the county did three.

That's correct.

Is that sound right?

Let's show.

There was two, but I think it's just one the city has.

I don't know.

We've talked about one of the other boards.

It's not the ambulance, it might be the 911 board that has.

And then we actually have two on the 911.

Uh have we done that, Madam Clerk?

Uh no.

Oh, and Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-44.

Uh deemed here a ceremonial order.

Order of the city city of Richmond accepting resignation by an employee in the battlefield department, Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas Philip Seifert in the Battlefield Department has submitted a resignation notice to the city.

Now, therefore, be it ordered by the City or Richmond Board of Commissioners accepts the resignation of Philip Seifert from the Battlefield Department as curator effective March 13th.

The Board of Commissioners would like to thank Mr.

Seifert for his service since March of 2023.

Furthermore, the city would like to recognize his previous long-standing passion for the Battle of Richmond reenactment where the dust never settles.

This order shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-44.

May we have a motion, please?

Bring the floor for discussion and approval.

A move.

Commissioner Newby Second.

Commissioner Brewer, is any discussion.

I'll say it here.

I was going to see it down in my comments, but certainly, as the order indicates, uh, the Board of Commissioners would like to thank Mr.

Seifert and certainly we want to thank him for his commitment and his passion, and I think that's in there.

But um for the work that goes on and has gone on there for some time now at the battlefield.

Any further discussion?

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-45.

An order of the City of Richmond awarding bids to purchase equipment for the Parks Grounds Department.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Yes, sir.

Whereas the City of Richmond has advertised and accepted bids for purchase of various equipment needed for parks departments at the Richmond Regional Sports Complex.

And whereas bids were received and after review, the below successful proposals met all specifications and are determined determined to be the best.

Now therefore it be ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners.

The purchase of vehicles and equipment is awarded to the following.

The purchase of two VIN track mowers at $27,530.80 and attachments as outlined in the bid specifications is awarded to Derby State Equipment of Richmond, Kentucky under the Source Well government pricing for a grand total of $90,604 and eighty cents.

The purchase of a ProGator 2020A is awarded to Beard Equipment Company of Nicholasville, Kentucky for a total of 41,440 and 81 cents.

The purchase of a Kubota SVL 75 track machine with a bucket and pallet forks is awarded to Hobdy Dye and Reed Incorporated of Bowling Green, Kentucky for a total of $69,975,000.

The purchase of one Polaris Ranger VP 1000 with full cab at $26,049 and two Polaris Ranger XP 1000s open cab with a top at $19,334 and 49 cents and two windshields at $508.79 is awarded to Lexington Motorsports of Lexington, Kentucky for a grand total of $66,183.56.

Funding for these is allocated from parks capital projects.

This order shall take effect upon reading and passage by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, sir.

That's order 26-45.

May we have a motion, please bring the floor for discussion and approval.

So moved.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Second.

Commissioner Newby, is there any discussion?

If I may, I just want to point out that again this is for our new regional sports complex, and all these items were budgeted for under Capital Projects, Parks, Capitals Projects.

Thank you, sir.

Any further discussion?

We're gearing up to open up.

We're getting the closer and closer.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbels.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-46, an order of the City of Richmond, Kentucky.

Awarding bids for ground maintenance services for designated areas within the city.

Madam Clerk, please.

Or is the city wishes to contract services for ground maintenance at the Richmond City Hall, Madison Hall of Justice, District Court, and Richmond Active Living Center, and whereas bid specs were advertised on February 24th and three bids were submitted by the deadline on March 6th.

The bids have been carefully reviewed and a recommendation has been made to accept the a bid.

Now therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the bid for the grounds maintenance contract is awarded to Rollett's Lawn Care of Berea, Kentucky.

The contract is effective for one year with a one-year renewal option from the date of this approval.

Richmond City Hall was 8,000.

Madison Hall of Justice, 2,000.

Richmond Active Living Center, 15,000 for a grand total of $26,502 and 18 cents per year.

The bid is hereby attached to the order.

The mayor is hereby authorized to sign the contract with said company.

This order shall be in full force and effect upon reading and adoption by the Richmond City Board of Commissioners.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

You've heard the reading of Order 26-46.

May we have a motion, please, to bring to the floor for discussion and approval.

I move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

And Commissioner Goebbel, is there any discussion?

Anything, Mr.

City Manager.

No, sir.

All right.

Close to that time.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

This is the public comments period.

Is anyone in the audience tonight who's come to make comments before the commission?

All right.

Thank you.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Just one item tonight.

I'm congested from spring in Kentucky, so my head feels like it's about to explode.

So I won't bore you too long.

We are getting ready to start our physical year 27 budget.

We'll start those meetings late March, early April.

So be thinking about anything in the current or in the upcoming budget that you want to uh put in there.

So it's a long process, but we'll get started and should have a first draft for you by the end of April sometime, hopefully.

And that's all I have.

Thank you, sir.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

You know, we talk often about how we get excited when young people are interested in government and especially when they're interested in local city government.

So David Runyan in the back of the room, you go by Lucas, right?

Um I've had the privilege to work with him this semester.

He's a student at Mono Laboratory School, and in order to graduate from model, you have to do a senior project.

You and I've worked on a couple of those together.

And um Lucas is working on uh his senior project on topics that involve local city government.

So I invited him to come tonight, and I've been um mentoring him this semester and really look forward to to that presentation that's coming up soon before you graduate.

So anyway, we're glad you're here tonight and um always pleased to have people interested in local government.

That's all.

Thank you.

Commissioner Brewer.

I don't have anything there.

All righty, Commissioner Goble.

Real quick, we had local government today and leadership Madison County.

It was a great day, and um we got to hear from all three governments and the class was dumbfounded by all that they learned about local government.

That just they said that as a normal citizen out there that just most people don't understand it, you know.

And so I said, Well, now that you know, you go out and share what you know with people.

So there's another group of people that understand it better, and you know, it's really good.

So thank you, Rob, for um presenting to the city.

Um I told the mayor he was at a funeral, but he's gonna come talk to him before the end of the year, he's gonna come back.

But I think a huge thanks to Jill and and Reagan and then Bruce Fraley for um hosting us over there.

So anyway, we got to go to a fiscal court meeting this morning.

It was really good.

So um great class, and it's just really um enjoyable.

All righty, thank you, Commissioner Gobel.

Commissioner Newby.

I have nothing, sir.

All righty.

Uh I think uh Commissioner Commissioner Cole wanted me to tell you we think you said enough earlier.

Well, we just had to move on.

I gotta I gotta keep you on your toes.

Uh that you do.

A couple quick things.

One, uh and I will and I mentioned to some others today, but I had an opportunity last week uh before the um farm bureau to further uh explain to the community uh of the whole county uh that uh the city of Richmond has made investment, significant investment uh in getting ready to um invite to recruit uh businesses, industries, and so on uh through our bill ready sites, and uh and I said what I said not to be uh in any way uh combative with uh our other two counterparts, but uh as an effort goes forward to uh provide uh for some um opportunities for industries in this county.

I wanted to folks be sure to to know that uh the city of Richmond has made that investment, one of those involved in that sitting in the very back of the room.

He had never admitted over Scott back there, but uh Richmond Utilities and uh because of the uh vision of that board and because of his leadership as general manager, yes, uh we're poised to uh uh to uh move forward in that way in the with the industry.

So just just tell the story, and um uh we'll try to make sure it stays out there when we have opportunity to do so.

There are those people who make things possible for us, and uh I just feel moved to every meeting now to say something.

But Pat Thank you, Pat.

Yeah, he uh he and and the others who uh cover this meeting um help what we do here for the atmosphere and then also to get it out to others in our community who wish to partake.

Any other matters?

Oh yeah, what's that state of the city will be oh forget it's a day exactly State of the City sponsored each year by the Chamber of Commerce will be next Wednesday the 18th, and that'll be is it 8 o'clock, 8 30, 8 30?

Okay, and uh that'll be at Perkins Building, uh, but the State of the City address, and uh really looking forward to it because as you all know, there's some wonderful things that are going on, and uh it'll give us opportunity again just to share what we're doing uh with uh with the rest of the world, so to speak.

Um yeah, anything else I've forgotten?

That's all that's on our plate right now.

Good show.

Yeah, that's that's yeah, that's enough to have on her plate.

All hearts and minds are clear.

Uh excuse me one second.

You really want me to erase that.

No, you erase that first bryson.

Good to see you back with the are you feeling better?

Oh that's not good.

Yeah, well, take care of yourself.

Yeah, try to at least.

Um, all hearts and minds clear.

We'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Second, cole, commissioner goeble.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes, Commissioner Gobel.

Yes, Commissioner Newby, Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.