OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Richmond City Commission Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

City Commission Meetings — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyRichmond, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission Meetings
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:33

Transcript — Verbatim
2:04

Madam Clerk, I think it's six o'clock, isn't it?

2:08

And let's see, and uh tasty Tuesdays tonight.

2:12

Super, super.

2:17

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

2:19

It's time for our meeting to begin.

2:20

This is the second regular regular meeting for the month.

2:26

Outside of our workshop meeting, and um had a special call last night, uh, which uh I think the consensus is went well, so we're happy.

2:39

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

2:43

Commissioner Gobel.

2:46

Commissioner Newby.

2:47

Here.

2:47

Commissioner Brewer.

2:49

Commissioner Cole.

2:50

Here, Mayor Blythe.

2:52

Here, thank you.

2:59

Let's see.

3:01

I saw Patrick walk in.

3:03

Does that mean you're doing the invocation tonight?

3:05

Good evening, my friend.

3:06

If you'll come, please and get us started.

3:12

Let us pray.

3:16

God of all creation, we thank you for the gift of this day.

3:21

Thank you for the gift of community.

3:24

We thank you for the many ways in which we find your love and your mercy showing up in ways that we might expect and in ways that we do not expect.

3:34

We ask that your love, your mercy, your justice, all of this would accompany the session and each step as we go forth to our families, to our neighbors.

3:46

May all that we do increase our capacity to love you and one another.

3:54

All this we ask in your name.

3:55

Amen.

3:57

Thank you so much.

3:58

Um Patrick Messer, pastor of the First Christian Church, and uh appreciate your coming tonight.

4:10

We're honored to have a local U.S.

4:13

Armed Forces veteran with us to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:16

Pleased to welcome Mr.

4:17

Paul Mazurik, Staff Sergeant, retired.

4:20

Mr.

4:20

Missuric is the chairman of the Madison County Veterans Committee.

4:24

Served 21 years in the Kentucky National Guard and is a desert storm veteran.

4:29

He was a member of the 2123rd Heavy Equipment Transportation Unit here in Richmond, and is also a member of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.

4:39

Mr.

4:39

Bazurick, thank you for your service to our country and for leading our pledge this evening.

4:45

Please proceed.

4:47

Yes, sir.

4:48

Stand if you're able.

5:00

In the state of the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

5:11

What years were you with the 21-23rd?

5:17

I think around 1989 to uh retired in 2002.

5:24

I was before that we were uh 732 more.

5:30

I was with the 206 engineers.

5:35

You know uh three, yeah.

5:39

Yeah.

5:40

Yeah.

5:41

Yes, sir.

5:44

Thank you again, sir.

5:52

Let's see, we've already called the role, haven't we?

5:55

Yes, sir.

5:58

The minutes that are listed on our agenda, let's see, the one that is ready for us tonight is the minutes from the special call meetings, the right Madame Clerk.

6:08

Yes, sir.

6:09

Held on June 9, 5 p.m.

6:11

The other minutes, the workshop meeting, June 18, and the special call hearing and meeting June 22 will be submitted at the next meeting.

6:21

If you've had a chance to look at that special call, maybe have a motion, please, to approve the minutes as presented for the special call meeting June 9.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Personnel Matters████████████████████20%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Public Safety████4%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Richmond City Commission Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Richmond City Commission held its second regular meeting of June 2026 on June 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included the second reading and approval of several ordinances, including the FY 2027 budget, annexations, a code enforcement lien rebate program, and numerous personnel and administrative orders. One public comment was received regarding data centers. The meeting also featured reports on the upcoming Fourth of July celebration and the police chief's participation in the Special Olympics torch run.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A member of the public urged the commission to discuss a possible moratorium on data centers, citing local impacts and the General Assembly not being in session. He stated that failing to have a discussion is unacceptable.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 26-22 (Code Enforcement Lien Rebate Program): City Manager Rob Mayor explained that the program allows purchasers of properties with existing code enforcement liens to receive a rebate of the lien amount after completing negotiated redevelopment improvements within 18 months. The goal is to reduce blight and encourage private investment. Commissioner Newby discussed the rigorous inspection and approval process.
  • Ordinance 26-23 (FY 2027 Annual Budget): Finance Director Shay presented the budget ordinance. Total general fund resources are $71,072,543 with appropriations of $57,043,362, leaving an estimated fund balance of $14,029,181. Other funds detailed include capital projects, stormwater, police and fire pension, and tourism. The city manager thanked the finance department and department heads for the 90-120 day process.
  • Order 26-95 (Updating Job Descriptions): The city manager explained that title changes (e.g., from industrial development to economic development) better reflect current roles and help with marketing. The director of building and maintenance grounds was created to oversee a 30-employee department.
  • Order 26-101 (Richmond Regional Sports Complex Change Orders): Two change orders were approved: $189,152.65 for bid package two (additional flag poles, clearing disc golf and mountain bike trails, adjusting netting, sidewalks, etc.) and $36,146 for the mountain bike bid package (two modular steel bridges). The city manager noted the project is nearing completion with a planned November opening.
  • Police Chief's Report on Special Olympics: Chief Chuck Richardson reported on his participation in the Special Olympics torch run, which included traveling across Minnesota and escorting athletes into the stadium. He was presented with a torch and noted the city's 31-year involvement with Kentucky Special Olympics.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 26-20 (Annexation of 217 Pleasure Drive): Approved unanimously on second reading.
  • Ordinance 26-21 (Annexation of 223 Pleasure Drive and 611 Benjamin Drive): Approved unanimously on second reading.
  • Ordinance 26-22 (Code Enforcement Lien Rebate Program): Approved unanimously on second reading.
  • Ordinance 26-23 (FY 2027 Annual Budget): Approved unanimously on second reading. The budget is effective July 1, 2026.
  • Order 26-94 (Firefighter Promotions): Promoted Joshua Ebert and Jalen Lamb to Firefighter 2, effective June 26, 2026 payroll.
  • Order 26-95 (Job Description Updates): Approved unanimously.
  • Order 26-96 (Employee Status Change): Changed Lauren Richie from crime scene technician to senior crime scene technician, effective July 6, 2026.
  • Order 26-97 (Resignation Acceptance): Accepted resignation of Tyler Hendrickson from Parks Grounds, effective June 15, 2026.
  • Order 26-98 (Water Treatment Agreement): Approved agreement with NCH Corporation for White Hall Historic Site cooling tower.
  • Order 26-99 (Firefighter Hiring): Hired Ashton Short as Firefighter 1, contingent on background checks, effective July 20, 2026.
  • Order 26-100 (Pension Increase): Approved a 4% pension increase for one retired police/firefighter covered under ordinance 87-26, funded by property tax revenue and general fund transfers if needed.
  • Order 26-101 (Sports Complex Change Orders): Approved two change orders totaling $225,298.65.
  • Order 26-102 (Section 8 Budget): Approved the FY 2026-27 budget for the Section 8 department.
  • Minutes: Approved minutes from the special call meeting held June 9, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Madam Clerk, I think it's six o'clock, isn't it? And let's see, and uh tasty Tuesdays tonight. Super, super. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's time for our meeting to begin. This is the second regular regular meeting for the month. Outside of our workshop meeting, and um had a special call last night, uh, which uh I think the consensus is went well, so we're happy. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Commissioner Gobel. Commissioner Newby. Here. Commissioner Brewer. Commissioner Cole. Here, Mayor Blythe. Here, thank you. Let's see. I saw Patrick walk in. Does that mean you're doing the invocation tonight? Good evening, my friend. If you'll come, please and get us started. Let us pray. God of all creation, we thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you for the gift of community. We thank you for the many ways in which we find your love and your mercy showing up in ways that we might expect and in ways that we do not expect. We ask that your love, your mercy, your justice, all of this would accompany the session and each step as we go forth to our families, to our neighbors. May all that we do increase our capacity to love you and one another. All this we ask in your name. Amen. Thank you so much. Um Patrick Messer, pastor of the First Christian Church, and uh appreciate your coming tonight. We're honored to have a local U.S. Armed Forces veteran with us to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Pleased to welcome Mr. Paul Mazurik, Staff Sergeant, retired. Mr. Missuric is the chairman of the Madison County Veterans Committee. Served 21 years in the Kentucky National Guard and is a desert storm veteran. He was a member of the 2123rd Heavy Equipment Transportation Unit here in Richmond, and is also a member of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame. Mr. Bazurick, thank you for your service to our country and for leading our pledge this evening. Please proceed. Yes, sir. Stand if you're able. In the state of the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. What years were you with the 21-23rd? I think around 1989 to uh retired in 2002. I was before that we were uh 732 more. I was with the 206 engineers. You know uh three, yeah. Yeah.

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