OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Richmond Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

City Commission Meetings — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyRichmond, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission Meetings
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:15:42

Transcript — Verbatim
2:04

Gentleman who gets very little credit for what he does and we couldn't do what we're doing tonight without his help.

2:10

Pat back there in in the little room has given us the thumbs up, which means we're on the air.

2:16

Good evening again, ladies and gentlemen.

2:18

Welcome to this meeting of the uh Board of Commissioners for the City of Richmond.

2:22

Going to ask at this time that our friend Bill Wright, who is a retired senior adult minister, first Baptist Church on the bypass, would come and lead us in the invocation.

2:31

Good evening, sir.

2:32

Thank you.

2:33

I would ask you to join me in prayer.

2:39

A Father in heaven, hello it be your name.

2:43

We pause for a moment and thank you for this privilege to recognize your presence because you are always with us.

2:50

We're never somewhere where you are not.

2:59

So we recognize that, but we also recognize our need, our need of your grace, of your guidance, of wisdom in all that we do in all decisions that are made.

3:10

And we ask for that.

3:12

But we certainly want to express our appreciation, our thanksgivings for your abundant mercies and goodness.

3:20

And they are many.

3:31

Look around the room here and I just say thank you for those who are willing to do things that we not might not be able to do or willing to do.

3:39

And bless them, give safety and guidance.

3:42

But Father, for all of us, give us wisdom for the living of the days that we might present to your hearts of purity and of righteousness.

3:51

And I pray this in the name of Christ, my Lord and Savior.

3:55

Amen.

3:57

Thank you, man.

4:12

Grayson Eves is going to come and lead us in the pledge tonight.

4:16

Grayson has been working with the city for the past many weeks and uh in the administration department.

4:24

He is an intern and does a tremendous job for the city of Richmond.

4:30

It's yours, sir.

4:32

Thank you, Mayor.

4:32

Well, everyone please rise and face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:47

One nation under God.

4:49

Individual liberty and justice for all.

5:04

We'll call the meeting to order.

5:05

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

5:07

Commissioner Gobel here.

5:08

Commissioner Newby.

5:10

Here.

5:10

Commissioner Brewer.

5:11

Here.

5:12

Commissioner Cole.

5:13

Here.

5:13

Mayor Blythe.

5:14

Here, thank you.

5:16

We have two presentations tonight.

5:17

The first is the new business recognition.

5:20

Carrie, if you'll come, please.

5:26

Good evening, Mayor and City Commission.

5:28

Good afternoon.

5:28

We have one new business to recognize this evening.

5:31

It's a business in the Richmond Mall, and it's called Betty's Beauty Supply.

5:36

And I'm gonna ask Betty Johnson to come up and tell us a little bit about her new business.

5:46

Betty's beauty supply.

5:48

Good afternoon, and thank you for me.

5:51

Um, one thing before I get started, I want to say um I was excited to know that you started off with the prayer.

5:59

That moved me.

6:00

Um, and I'm glad to be here.

6:02

Like I love prayer.

6:04

My name is Betty Johnson.

6:06

Um, I'm the owner of Betty's Beauty Supply.

6:09

It's located at 830 Eastern Bypass, suite E.

6:13

Um, I specialize in um wigs, hair extension, hair growth products, a lot of things that women need, so they don't have to make that long drive.

6:25

A lot of the college students here, they said that they don't have a car and they can't get to Lexington.

6:30

So I brought I thought of a business that I that we needed, and it's not just for blacks, it's for everyone.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Transportation Safety███████████████████19%
Personnel Matters███████████████15%
Public Safety███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Affordable Housing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Richmond Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Richmond Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, presentations, approval of minutes, multiple ordinances and orders, public comments, and commissioner remarks. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Presentations

  • New Business Recognition: Betty Johnson, owner of Betty's Beauty Supply (830 Eastern Bypass, Suite E), was recognized for opening a beauty supply store specializing in wigs, hair extensions, and hair growth products, serving local college students who previously had to travel to Lexington.
  • Proclamation: Mayor Blythe proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in Richmond. Susan, Executive Director of the Section 8 Housing Authority, accepted the proclamation and encouraged residents to contact her office at 118 North Second Street, third floor, for housing assistance.

Consent Calendar

The following routine items were approved unanimously without discussion:

  • Minutes: Approval of the March 24, 2026 regular meeting minutes. (Motion by Commissioner Cole, second by Commissioner Newby; vote: 5-0)
  • Order 26-60: Promotion of firefighter Christopher Austin Willoughby to captain, effective May 15, 2026, at Pay Grade 5. (Motion by Commissioner Newby, second by Commissioner Brewer; vote: 5-0)
  • Order 26-57: Reclassification of Matthew Riddle from laborer to equipment operator in the recycle department, effective April 2, 2026. (Motion by Commissioner Brewer, second by Commissioner Gobel; vote: 5-0)
  • Order 26-58: Appointment of Gary Ford as the Richmond representative to the Madison Multi-Use Trails Alliance. (Motion by Commissioner Gobel, second by Commissioners Brewer and Newby; vote: 5-0)
  • Order 26-59: Hiring of firefighters Eli Lakes and Gary Kearns as Firefighter I, effective May 11, 2026, contingent on background checks. (Motion by Commissioner Brewer, second by Commissioner Newby; vote: 5-0)
  • Order 26-62: Acceptance of resignation of police patrol officer James Beasley, effective April 17, 2026. (Motion by Commissioner Luby [likely a misspeaking; roll shows Commissioner Cole], second by Commissioner Cole; vote: 5-0)

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 26-12 (Second Reading) – Budget Amendment: Finance Director Sharon Kane presented the amended fiscal year 2026 budget. Key adjustments included funds for daycare emergency renovations, public safety overtime, and overtime from the winter ice storm. Total appropriations: $54,060,893; estimated ending balance: $19,271,111. Motion by Commissioner Brewer, second by Commissioner Gobel; voted 5-0.
  • Ordinance 26-14 (First Reading) – Meeting Schedule Amendment: City Attorney summarized an amendment to the regular meeting order of business, specifying meeting times (second Tuesday and fourth Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., third Thursday workshop at 12:00 p.m.) and location (City Hall, 239 West Main Street). Motion by Commissioner Newby, second by Commissioner Cole; second reading scheduled for April 28.
  • Ordinance 26-13 (First Reading) – Code of Ordinances Supplement: City Clerk noted all 2025 ordinances have been codified and are available on the city website. Motion by Commissioner Gobel, second by Commissioner Brewer; second reading on April 28.
  • Ordinance 26-15 (First Reading) – Transportation Improvement District (TID): City Attorney explained the TID is a new tool that positions Richmond to score higher for state and federal transportation funding; the board will be advisory and created only when a project arises. City Manager noted it is a request from grant administrator Stephanie Nelson to access special federal funds. Motion by Commissioner Cole, second by Commissioner Newby; second reading on April 28.
  • Order 26-49 – Payroll Software Bid Award: City Manager presented that PayCom of Oklahoma City was selected among five bids for implementation ($10,000) and annual fee ($89,684). The system will handle hiring, training, timesheets, and retirement. Motion by Commissioner Newby, second by Commissioner Brewer; voted 5-0.
  • Order 26-61 – White Hall Historic Site MOU: City Attorney presented the MOU for transfer of White Hall from EKU to the state and then to Richmond. City Manager reported a curator (Matthew Parrish) started work; utilities and IT installations are underway; tentative opening May 13, 2026. Motion by Commissioner Cole, second by Commissioner Gobel; voted 5-0.
  • Order 26-63 – Ground Maintenance Bid Award (White Hall): Bid awarded to Webb Outdoor Solutions of Richmond for one-year contract with one-year renewal option. City Manager noted three bids; the selected contractor can deploy four three-man crews across the 14-acre property. Commissioner Cole recused herself due to a business relationship (landscaping services) with the contractor. Motion by Commissioner Newby, second by Commissioner Gobel; voted 4-0 (Commissioner Cole abstained and left chambers).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Speaker 1 (Post Office employee): Expressed concerns about the dangerous intersection of Red House Road and Union City Road, citing frequent accidents and confusion with the railroad crossing. Also raised speeding on Dunbar Lane near a school and residential areas, calling for traffic signals, stop signs, or a roundabout. City Manager responded that the state has been contacted for a traffic study and a traffic signal may be needed.
  • Glenda Dryden (Baker Court resident): Complained about a fraternity house operating next door on a street zoned for single-family dwellings. Issues included illegal parking (wrong direction, on her property), speeding, and noise. Asked the city to enforce parking ordinances and investigate the property's use. City Manager noted they are considering a residential parking ordinance for that street.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 26-12 (Budget Amendment) – Adopted on second reading (5-0).
  • Ordinance 26-14 (Meeting Schedule) – First reading passed; second reading set for April 28, 2026.
  • Ordinance 26-13 (Code Supplement) – First reading passed; second reading set for April 28, 2026.
  • Ordinance 26-15 (TID) – First reading passed; second reading set for April 28, 2026.
  • All orders (26-49, 26-57, 26-58, 26-59, 26-60, 26-61, 26-62, 26-63) – Approved.
  • Order 26-63 was approved 4-0 with Commissioner Cole recused.
  • Commissioner Comments: Mayor Blythe announced the Kentucky Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (KLC constituent group) will meet in Richmond next Thursday and Friday at the Active Living Center. Work session for April 16 (third Thursday) was canceled. City Manager noted budget meetings are wrapping up.
  • Adjournment: Motion and unanimous vote.

Meeting Transcript

Gentleman who gets very little credit for what he does and we couldn't do what we're doing tonight without his help. Pat back there in in the little room has given us the thumbs up, which means we're on the air. Good evening again, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this meeting of the uh Board of Commissioners for the City of Richmond. Going to ask at this time that our friend Bill Wright, who is a retired senior adult minister, first Baptist Church on the bypass, would come and lead us in the invocation. Good evening, sir. Thank you. I would ask you to join me in prayer. A Father in heaven, hello it be your name. We pause for a moment and thank you for this privilege to recognize your presence because you are always with us. We're never somewhere where you are not. So we recognize that, but we also recognize our need, our need of your grace, of your guidance, of wisdom in all that we do in all decisions that are made. And we ask for that. But we certainly want to express our appreciation, our thanksgivings for your abundant mercies and goodness. And they are many. Look around the room here and I just say thank you for those who are willing to do things that we not might not be able to do or willing to do. And bless them, give safety and guidance. But Father, for all of us, give us wisdom for the living of the days that we might present to your hearts of purity and of righteousness. And I pray this in the name of Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen. Thank you, man. Grayson Eves is going to come and lead us in the pledge tonight. Grayson has been working with the city for the past many weeks and uh in the administration department. He is an intern and does a tremendous job for the city of Richmond. It's yours, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Well, everyone please rise and face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God. Individual liberty and justice for all. We'll call the meeting to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Commissioner Gobel here. Commissioner Newby. Here. Commissioner Brewer. Here. Commissioner Cole. Here. Mayor Blythe. Here, thank you. We have two presentations tonight. The first is the new business recognition. Carrie, if you'll come, please. Good evening, Mayor and City Commission. Good afternoon. We have one new business to recognize this evening. It's a business in the Richmond Mall, and it's called Betty's Beauty Supply. And I'm gonna ask Betty Johnson to come up and tell us a little bit about her new business. Betty's beauty supply. Good afternoon, and thank you for me.

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