And it's six o'clock.

Thank you, Pat.

Good evening again.

We'll begin our uh prep for the meeting.

We'll ask uh for the invocation this evening.

Uh you know, I've made comments about uh working with a police department where the chief just smiles and uh is having fun and what he's doing, but uh he's also uh PK, right Chief?

Oh yeah.

He's the PK for those who don't know what that means.

It's preacher's kid.

Grandfather also, right?

I had plenty of informants around him my entire life.

And Chief is going to lead us in our invocation tonight.

What what a blessing it is to have a chief that you can call on to do that.

Thank you, Mayor.

If you bow your heads, dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to gather once again.

Thank you for everything that you've done for us and that you plan to do for us, God.

We ask that you bless everybody here, our city officials and all of our first responders, our family and our friends, and all of those that we don't know.

Bless those that have been affected the past few weeks and whatever destruction they may have suffered, the Lord uh help them find a way to uh get back what they lost.

And Father, we ask all of this in your name.

Jesus' name.

Amen.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

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

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

We welcome Mr.

Charlie Hamilton.

Serving from 1990 to 1994 as an airman aboard the USS John F.

Kennedy.

He is the father of two children, JC and Kennedy Hamilton, and the owner of Dreaming Creek Brewery.

Charlie received his bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University, currently serves as vice president of the board of directors of the newly formed Mill District Association.

Yay.

He is also a board member at large for the Richmond Pride Association.

Mr.

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

Please proceed, sir.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Which is a one nation under God individual with liberty in justice for all.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Commissioner Newby.

Here.

Commissioner Brewer.

Here.

Commissioner Cole.

Here.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Here.

Mayor Blythe.

Here.

Thank you.

We have one presentation of business recognition tonight.

From economic development.

And Carrie Hensley.

Good evening, Carrie.

Good evening.

I'm excited to announce that we have a new business, just literally around the corner.

Well, I'm going to invite Kelsey Golden up to tell us about her new business called the Golden Collections.

Okay.

I didn't put it on paper because I was afraid I would forget something.

Um, but good evening, everyone.

My name is Kelsey Golden, and I'm the owner of the Golden Collections.

This August we will be celebrating two years in business, and I am truly so blessed with this journey, and it's led me to opening our storefront here in the heart of downtown Richmond.

We are located at 142 North Second Street in Richmond, Kentucky, and we're open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

and Saturdays from 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m.

I've always loved collecting beautiful things and beautiful pieces that tell a story and make a house feel like a home.

Two years ago, I started a Facebook group where I shared some of these pieces that I loved.

One day I decided to post a single teacup and saucer for sale.

It sold within seconds, and I remember thinking, wow, really people love my style.

So I posted another piece and then another, and before I knew it, this little Facebook group had grown into a wonderful community and eventually became the Golden Collections.

Over the last two years, I've had the privilege of helping people find pieces they love and helping them create beautiful spaces in their homes.

Watching customers get excited about finding that perfect treasure has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Looking back, I'm incredibly thankful for that little teacup and saucer.

What seemed like such a small moment ended up changing my life.

It gave me the confidence to chase a dream, and today that dream has become a storefront in downtown Richmond.

Thank you to the city of Richmond for this recognition, and thank you to my family, my customers, my vendors, and this incredible community for believing in and supporting me every step of the way.

I truly couldn't have done it without you all.

I hope you'll stop by and visit us at the Golden Collections.

We'd love to welcome you into our store.

If you can't make it in person, we also host multiple lives where you can have multiple shopping events each week and are on our Instagram page where you can shop wherever you are.

We offer local pickup or shipping so we are able to share our treasures with customers both here in Richmond and across the country.

Thank you.

And thank you and welcome.

Sure.

All right.

I think so.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Yes, indeed.

Did the register get a good shot?

Register was still working.

Oh Lord.

Let's see.

Okay.

Let's see, Madam Clerk.

All the minutes were emailed to everybody today.

Okay.

Good, good, good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We've had a chance to look over those.

We've got minutes from the workshop meeting of June 18 at noon.

Special call hearing and meeting held June 22 at 6 p.m.

And the regular meeting held June 23 at 6 P.

Had a chance to look at those.

May we have a motion, please, and we'll accept those as presented.

A move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

Commissioner Brewer.

Is there any discussion of any of those?

There being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

At this time, um, I'm going to ask for motion, please, that we will go into executive session according to KRS 61.810, subsection one B regarding acquisition or sale of property.

And also, according to KRS 61810, subsection one F regarding personnel.

May we have that motion, please?

So moved.

Commissioner Cole.

Second.

And Commissioner Gobel.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes, thank you.

We're going to ask you, please, to be patient.

We'll step across the conference room.

I didn't know they got caught up.

I was just kind of pulling stuff out.

Oh gosh.

Okay, I'll write down corrections later.

Okay.

All right, everybody's back.

Maybe have a motion, please, that we'll return from executive session, close session to regular session.

No action having been taken.

Second.

Motion, Commissioner Cole.

Second, Commissioner Newby.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Now, Madam Clerk, do we is that order added on later?

What's the number of that order that will be added, please?

The land contract.

That's already within.

Order 26106, Mayor, and it's in our uh it's on the second page of our okay.

All righty.

All righty.

And then the other order that we will be adding is twenty order twenty-six dash one fourteen.

We can do that at the very end of the meeting.

Okay.

We'll do that that time then.

Okay.

All right.

The next item on the agenda is order twenty-six-103 in order of the city of Richmond adjusting an employee status within the police department.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas the police department is in need of an additional safety officer, and where's the notice with an opportunity were given to all eligible personnel within the department and the interview committee has recommended a transfer for this position, and the police department has budgeted for this adjustment.

Now therefore be it ordered by the Board of Commissioners that the following employee in the police department has hereby changed their employment status from part-time to full-time safety officer, effective July sixth, pay grade three.

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

So moved.

Commissioner Goble.

Second.

And Commissioner Brewer is any discussion.

There being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbels.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Ceremonial order 26-104.

In order of the city of Richmond accepting resignation by an employee in the finance department, Madam Clerk.

Whereas Shea Hearst in the Finance Department has submitted a resignation notice to the city.

Now therefore be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners accepts the resignation of Shay Hurst from the Finance Department as the assistant finance director to effective July 8th.

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Order 26-104.

Maybe a motion, please bring the floor for discussion and approval.

So move.

Commissioner Brewer.

Second.

Commissioner Newby, is there any discussion?

This was the Assistant Director.

The one that was doing so well.

Yes.

She's found other employment in a different uh field.

So that budget didn't wear out, did it?

No, I don't think so.

I kind of thought Sharon was passing the torch there a little bit.

Yes, indeed.

Well, she's she's done well.

We appreciate it.

Absolutely.

Um we have already had the motion, right?

Yes.

Uh huh.

Alrighty.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-105.

An order of the City of Richmond awarding a SALT bid and authorizing the mayor to sign all documents relating to said agreement.

Madam Clerk, please.

Where is the City of Richmond advertised for bids for the provision of SALT for the City of Richmond physical year 2627?

And whereas the bids were submitted and reviewed by the use of eBridge Business Solutions, LLC.

Now therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the bid for the provision of road salt is awarded to Morton Salt.

Morton Salt will provide a level of support and pricing outlined in the submitted proposal.

The cost per ton will be 138 dollars and ninety-four cents.

These purchases will be made through the municipal aid funds.

This was determined to be the best per proposal submitted to the city, and the mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all documents relating to awarding the bid, including any agreements.

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 26-105.

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

So moved.

Commissioner Cole.

Second.

And Commissioner Goebbel.

Is there any discussion?

Mayor, if I may.

Yes, sir, please.

I just want to point out that this increase in the the per tonnage is up quite a bit, 38 cents and some change.

$38.

$38,000, $38.

We are upping our our tonnage from $2,000 to 3,000 tons with our next order, just because of all we depleted over this past winter.

That's probably why the prices have gone up, everybody.

Use so much salt as fast.

Any further discussion.

They're being done, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-106 in order of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Richmond, Kentucky, entering into a land contract between Richmond Industrial Development Corporation and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Yes, sir.

Whereas the Board of Commissioners desires to donate a track of property off Duncan Lane to the Commonwealth of Kentucky by and through the finance and administration cabinet on behalf of the Kentucky State Police.

And whereas the city manager has identified a track of land which will be ideal for such purposes, and whereas the environmental narrative has been completed to evaluate the benefits of the facility at the proposed location, has shown the project to be overwhelming benefit to the city and its citizens, and whereas the board finds it to be in the public interest that the city donate the property in question, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the real estate properties division contract attached to this order and incorporated herein as though here set forth in full.

Now therefore it be ordered that the city shall execute the following.

This says here six plus or minus acres.

I think it's a little closer to 8.3, so I will make that correction.

Located in Madison County, Kentucky, recorded indeed book 873, page 457 in the Madison County Clerk's office.

Purchaser agrees to pay $0 Pephill upon delivery of the deed conveying a marketable title to the premises to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the benefit of the Kentucky State Police.

The terms of this contract are attached here too and shall be permanent part of this order.

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

Thank you, sir.

And Mr.

Mayor, if I might just for the purposes of the record, just get on the record that this was the real estate sale that was at issue when we were in closed session.

Just record.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Attorney.

Further reading of Order 26-106.

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

So moved.

Commissioner Cole.

Second.

And Commissioner Goble.

Any further discussion, Mr.

City Manager, anything else?

I would just mention that Kentucky State Police has been looking for a new post location for many years.

They're located on the corner of EKU bypass right now in a very small portion of EKU.

And with our new purchase of the 189 acres on Duncan, this is a great location for them.

And it also helps our industrial development, new industry and existing industry.

Love the fact that a new KSP post is going at that location, so it's a win for both of us.

Such a strategic opportunity for for all of us.

And uh I remember Jim.

I remember as a kid when the state uh police uh barracks, it's called the barracks, before it even went there.

It was out on West Main in a house.

And uh then when they moved uh, of course, uh there on the campus.

And and and it's such a busy operation, and you've got all that student activity.

The campus has grown across the road, and it's just a different situation.

And I think strategically, this is wonderful for all involved.

Any further discussion.

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goebel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-107 and order of the City of Richmond declaring property surplus and providing for its disposition, Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas pursuant to ordinance chapter 34.02, disposition of surplus and city personal property, declares a list of property which is submitted monthly to the city manager and then submitted to the city commission for classification as to surplus property.

Now, therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the July 2026 property described by the list as submitted by the police, recycle, and vehicle maintenance departments, which is attached here to is declared surplus and no longer needed by the city and is not suitable for the purpose for which it was intended.

The attached items list per KRS 82.083 contains a description of the property, its intended use at the time of acquisition, and the reasons why it is in the public interest to dispose of it, and that it is sold by electronic auction at the website govedeals.com following a legal publication as required to KRS 424.130 section 1B.

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 26-107.

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

I move.

Commissioner Newby.

Second.

Commissioner Brewer, is there any discussion?

Mayor, I'd just say one of the items listed here is uh our an old vertical recycling bailer that still works, so I I would hope that a smaller community that needs something like this would pick it up, might be worth some good money as well.

And then some of the other vehicles I'm looking at.

Wow, we've come a long way.

These are rough, rough shape.

Good for a farm, though, maybe, Rob.

Yeah, absolutely.

That's what they'd be used for.

Somebody could fix that.

There's a trailer on there, too.

Little little bondo.

Yeah.

Now, Chief, I'm looking for my lights and sirens in here.

I mean, you don't have lights and sirens yet for me.

Please don't as a city attorney.

Uh okay.

We won't.

Any further discussion?

Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Ceremonial order 26-108 and order of the City of Richmond accepting resignation by an employee in the police department.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas Justin Rader in the police department has submitted a resignation to the city.

Yeah, therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners, accepts the resignation of Justin Rader from the police department effective July 14th.

The Board of Commissioners would like to thank the officer for his service since 2021.

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-108.

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

Second.

Commissioner Brewer, Commissioner Newby.

Any discussion.

There being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Gold.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-109.

Order of the City of Richmond adjusting an employee status within the planning and zoning department.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Yes, sir.

Whereas the planning and zoning department needs a full-time director, and whereas there's an employee within the department that currently meets those requirements and would be better suited in another position.

And whereas the planning and zoning department has budgeted for this adjustment, now therefore it be ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners that the following employee in the planning and zoning department hereby has changed their employment status from full-time planner back to director effective payroll date, August 7th, 2026, pay grade 7.

Kevin Cosy, Mr.

Cosy has successfully completed a plan of improvement and implemented by the Board of Commissioners, implemented by the Board of Commissioners.

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

Thank you.

So that's Order 26-109.

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

So move.

Commissioner Cole.

Second.

Commissioner Goebbel, is there any discussion?

Well, I have a couple of thoughts on this.

First of all, I I'm for bringing Mr.

Cosy back in that position.

But you know, on more of a personal level, I do feel like, you know, maybe an apology to the uh commission would be appropriate.

Um just for a character thing.

Um not an apology like where you know you have to stand before the commission.

It's a hey apartist.

Just see one of us in the parking lot.

Hey.

Sorry about what went down.

Let's move forward with the city of Richmond.

This is something like that.

Just uh, you know.

It's just a character-based comment.

Thank you, sir.

Any other uh discussion?

I just wanted to add that um Richmond is a growing city, um, growing by leaps and bounds, actually, and our population growth has increased.

And so a city of our size needs to have a an established permanent um director for planning and zoning.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any recommendation for his return?

Uh uh I know he's completed.

Well, we've asked that, but I just want to make sure that what happened doesn't happen again.

Uh I'm open to any recommendations.

Any kind of um help me here also, Commissioner, the proper terminology, something in the way of a monitoring.

That's that's not really what I'm gonna say, but it is.

Typically, you know, when there is any employee at any level with a performance issue, you have a performance improvement plan.

Yeah.

And I think as a commission months ago, I think we talked about that and had that expectation.

So now we're kind of coming back to close the circle, if you will.

That's right.

Well, I don't think it's uh as far as doing the job.

I think it's just uh, you know, respect for everybody around you, whether it's on the commission or whether it's somebody you're providing a service for.

I think our HR director Janet could give us some good direction on some further training, professional training for Kevin, if that's the uh will of the board.

I think that would be it, Mr.

City Manager.

I think some kind just uh um because there will be those that will be working under him or in his department, and uh just because there was the need uh for a plan that might suggest some things that we want to continue to monitor.

But otherwise, uh I I've been in some of the meetings, this room when uh he was called upon by the planning and zoning commission and and uh knows the community, knows the work well, and uh all of those references that he has to uh I think Tom will tell.

Yes, indeed.

Now let now what then there is there is no um what's the period probationary period in this case?

Is that correct?

That's correct.

Okay.

And let's see.

Does that mean he starts all over again period and if something happened?

Well, he's completed the performance progress, you know, uh evaluation that we did during this interim period.

It sounds like you all want to start another one with his new position, and we're fine with doing that.

I can have Janet and H.R.

come up with some kind of performance evaluation process that has checks and balances over the next year.

Is this is this at will?

Mr.

Attorney.

Uh Mr.

Mayor, from a practical standpoint, as with any other city uh employment position, it is at will, with some exceptions for non-elected city officers, clearly.

But I uh my my personal thoughts from having been a personnel attorney with the league.

Uh the probationary period really doesn't give any additional powers to the city.

I mean, if somebody needs to be disciplined up to and including termination, be it day one or day one thousand, uh the process would be the same.

So I understand that you know a lot of times an introductory or probationary period may on paper appear to have a lot of uh uh benefits to the city from a practical standpoint from an at-will employment standpoint.

The city has the same rights to take whatever action you would deem, be it at any point during the employment.

And candidly, probationary periods have been argued in court that once you complete that probationary period, then you can only be fired for cause.

Not saying courts are very good about picking up on that argument, but I have seen some creative plaintiffs' attorneys make that argument.

Thank you, sir.

I think right now it's telling a lot, but we can't see.

He's either looking at the television screen in which he's watching, and he's nodding saying, you know, you guys are right, or he's throwing stuff at the screen.

All right.

I'll have discussion.

I'll have Janet come up with a performance plan.

And um, we we did away with the probationary periods when we updated our personnel policy.

Chris removed it rightfully so because we are in that will.

So it is actually still in there.

Thank you.

Yeah, it is.

So I'll call for the question then.

Madam Clerk, please.

Okay.

If it is fine, but I'll move it.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Ceremonial order 26-10.

Order of the City of Richmond accepting retirement by an employee in the finance department.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas Marilyn Ballinger in the Finance Department is senior clerk, has submitted her retirement notice to the city.

Now, therefore, it be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners, accepts the following retirement from the finance department.

Marilyn Ballinger, effective July 31st.

The city would like to thank her for her service and dedication to the department since 2012.

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-10.

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

So moved.

Seconder Newby.

Is there any discussion?

Mayor, I just want to thank Marilyn for her service.

She's been with the city a very long time and uh been a big part of the finance team.

I know that Sharon has leaned on her time and time again to do a lot of different things.

She she figured out how to do just a little bit of everything in that department.

And I wish her the best, and she'll get to spend a lot of time with her grandkids now.

I know she's excited.

Thank you, sir.

Any further discussion?

That being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer?

Yes.

Commissioner Cole?

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-11.

This is a ceremonial order also, in order of the City of Richmond, accepting retirement by an employee in the administration department.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas Bonnie Eckler in the administration department is payroll specialist too, has submitted her retirement notice to the city.

Yeah, therefore, be it ordered by the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners, accepts the following retirement in the administration department.

Bonnie Eckler, effective August 31st.

The City would like to thank Ms.

Eckler for her service and dedication to the department since 2006.

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-11.

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

So move.

Commissioner Brewer.

Second.

Anybody that doesn't care.

Commissioner.

Any minute.

Well, that's a good one.

Pick whoever you want.

Make it Jim.

Okay, it's going to be gold.

Yeah.

Any discussion?

I just want to say, Mayor.

Bonnie, again, long time employee of the city, took care of our payroll.

Just a treat to be around.

Gets along with everybody.

And Bonnie and I are about the same age, so I envy where she is at this stage of her career, but she will be duly missed to all departments within the city.

We wish you best.

Yes, she's served.

I guess I could say this.

Bonnie and I have been friends for many, many years, and her husband and I have been very close friends.

I hate to see this, but I know she's going to enjoy it.

So discussion.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer?

Yes.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Gobel.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-11, in order of the City of Richmond, Kentucky, authorizing the city to provide local match funding and serve as the grantee with the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, the KPDI grant.

Mr.

City Manager, please.

Whereas the Kentucky Product Development Administrator is a program to help communities to be better positioned to attract jobs and business investment, whereas the City of Richmond Project site to qualify for eligible through the KPDI program local match funding was required to be identified at the time of the application submission.

The money awarded to Richmond for the KPDI fund application is $2 million.

It requires a 20% local match due with the funds will be allocated from the KPDI fund to participate in the KPDI program.

Certain particulars are set forth below.

Whereas the Board of Commissioners for the City of Richmond deems it to be in the public interest that the city cooperate in the KPDI program as an inducement to local industries in the Richmond Industrial Park and create jobs within the Richmond community, and now therefore it be ordered by the Board of Commissioners for the City of Richmond, Kentucky, and the City of Richmond will provide 20 percent in local matching funding for the project.

The city will serve as the beneficiary, and the economic development department will serve as the grantee during the administration of the grant funds at the local level.

The administration of the local KPDI project shall give the government governed by shall be governed by the compliance requirements applicable to the KPDI program as established by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Department for Business Development, the Kentucky Department of Local Government, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, whichever event shall first occur.

This participation agreement on behalf of the City of Richmond is pending the RIDC and the City intention to complete all necessary administrative steps to participate in the KPDI program.

The city's obligation to provide local match funding shall be conditioned upon the approval for funding consideration of the EDF Economic Development Fund application by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority.

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

Thank you, sir.

That's the reading of Order 26-112.

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

So moved.

Commissioner Cole.

Second.

And Commissioner Goebbell.

Is there any discussion?

Anything further, Mr.

City Manager, you want to add?

If there's any question, Brad is with us to answer any questions.

But we've done these in the past.

A lot of times it's been a hundred percent match.

This is for two million dollars, so it'll just be 20 percent of that.

Um it would probably be for the new park, the new 189 acres, I think is what we're planning for, Brad.

So uh we would earmark this 20 percent match out of our capital projects fund is what we would do if so approved.

And we've been very successful with these.

I think this would be our fourth one, and it's helped us get two build-ready sites available, purchase property.

So wonderful program.

Thank you, sir.

Any further discussion there being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Brewer.

Yes, Commissioner Cole, yes, Commissioner Goebel, yes, Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

Order 26-11 in order of the city of Richmond.

No.

Oh, excuse me.

That's the one I think we were not taking.

Yeah, we don't.

We're not gonna take action on that.

Take action on that one.

That's the one that no action is taken on.

Yes.

Now do we want to take action though here now or okay?

So at this point, the the I believe the action that was under Section 1F that 260.

We when we adjourn to go into executive session pursuant to 61.8101F for personnel, which could leave to disponer termination.

I believe the one that would be ripe for uh to be brought to the floor would be what is order number 26-11 in order for a final vote on disposition.

The very next one.

Okay.

Okay.

We will not act on 2613.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Yes, sir.

All righty.

Yes.

All right, order 26-114.

Forgive me, please.

Or of the city of Richmond terminating the employee of a excuse me, the employment of a city employee.

Let's see here.

Madam Clerk, please.

Whereas the city manager has recommended to the board that the employment of Mr.

Stephen Snowden in the Department for Buildings and Grounds be ended because of his inability to perform the duties of his position, and whereas the board has considered the recommendation and finds that Mr.

Snowden is unable to perform those duties.

Now, therefore, be it ordered by the City Richmond Ward Commissioners that the employment of Mr.

Snowden hereby is terminated effective the 14th of July 2026.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

That's order 26-11.

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

So move.

Commissioner Brewer.

Second.

Commissioner Newby, is there any discussion?

There being none, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Cole.

Yes.

Commissioner Goebel.

Yes.

Commissioner Newby.

Yes.

Commissioner Brewer?

Yes.

Mayor Blythe.

Yes, thank you.

And I looked at the name in the other.

All right.

Is there anyone who has come tonight in the audience who wishes to make comments?

It's not public comments, period.

We ask you please to come to the podium, identify yourself for the clerk, and uh state the matter of uh for which you've come.

Anyone alright?

Bethany Fringer.

Jason Freeman.

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

We are Bethany and Jason.

Jason Freeman, owner of ProSigns, a small business in Richmond, Kentucky.

Since 2012, we have proudly served the City of Richmond and Central Kentucky by providing affordable quality signage.

Tonight we are here to ask for your help.

During the storm on June 27th, our business experienced the worst flooding we had ever seen.

We understand this was an extraordinary weather event, and we appreciate the tremendous efforts of our first responders, city employees, during such a difficult day and throughout the recovery.

We also recognize that the city declared a state of emergency because of the severity of the rainfall.

First and foremost, we are grateful that all of our employees were safe.

We were also incredibly fortunate that the floodwater stopped just below our large format critters and other major equipment.

Even so, we lost tens of thousands of dollars in inventory materials, uh losses that will take our small business years to recover from.

It is also worth noting that nearby other properties, including some at lower elevations than ours did not experience flood damage.

Our property sits at the bottom of two hills where a significant amount of stormwater converges near our building along with runoff from Heath Street.

The roadway also slopes toward our property to direct directing additional runoff in our direction.

In recent months, several previously undeveloped properties have also started being developed, including one immediately adjacent to ours.

Over the years, we have worked with the city administration regarding the drainage concerns in this area.

We have videos spanning several years showing standing water covering portions of the roadway and vehicles driving through at full speed.

We documented these conditions because we were concerned about the safety of traveling public and the patrons of nearby businesses.

A driver who hydroplanes in that area could easily lose control.

And because our building sits so close to the roadway, an out of control vehicle could strike our business or neighboring properties, placing employees, customers, and anyone in the area at risk.

In 2019, we invested more than $10,000 of our own money in drainage improvements on the boundary line of our neighboring property to help protect our property from water intrusion.

Those improvements significantly reduced floodwater flooding for years.

This event, however, was unlike anything we have experienced since purchasing this building.

After the floodwaters receded, we inspected the drainage system and found the drain completely covered with debris, including vegetation and construction related material.

During heavy rains, we have also regularly observed sediment and gravel washing down Heath Street from a nearby property.

We cannot say whether any of these conditions alone cause the flooding to our building, but we do believe that they warrant further evaluation as part of a comprehensive review.

We were encouraged to see that improvements made on Water Street, an area that had experienced repeated flooding, appeared to have been protected during the same storm.

That gives us hope that practical solutions may exist for our area to help prevent future property damage and improve public safety.

Our request tonight is simple.

We respectfully ask that the city direct public works or a city engineer to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the stormwater system serving our area, not only to reduce the risk of future flooding, but also address the recurring roadway conditions that may create a hazard for the traveling public.

We ask that they review roadway drainage, storm search capsid, runoff from the surrounding hills, and the impact of the recent development and any other factors affecting how stormwater is managed.

If improvements are needed, we hope that our area can be considered for future infrastructure projects to better protect businesses, property owners, and the traveling public.

We understand this roadway is a state highway, and that addressing these concerns will likely require cooperate cooperation between the city and the Kentucky Department Transportation Cabinet and other agencies.

We are simply asking that the appropriate agencies work together to determine the existing storm if the existing stormwater system is adequate for the amount of runoff this area now receives.

As more land in our area is developed and green spaces replaced with buildings and parking lots, it is important that our stormwater infrastructure keeps pace with that growth.

We are not here to place blame.

We are here because we want to be part of finding a solution.

We love our community.

We have invested in it for more than a decade, and we simply want to do everything possible to ensure that no business property owner or member of the public has to experience this kind of devastation again.

We cannot undo what happened on June 27th, but together we can take steps to reduce the risk of it happening again.

Our goal is to not only protect businesses and property, but also make this roadway safer for everyone who uses it.

We respectfully ask for your help before the next major storm becomes not only a flooding emergency but also a preventable public safety emergency.

Thank you for your time, your service to our community, and your consideration for our request.

We brought some documents for you.

Also on here, there's videos of y'all absolutely.

We've got a video flowing back for several years like I have reached out a few times, but people vote.

I don't know that I'm getting the correct people that you can tell me if there's anything I can do to assist in it.

Also on here there's videos and stuff I've got on jump drive so that we've got we've got I've got a video going back for several years like I said um I have reached out uh a few times but people but I don't know that I'm getting touched with the correct people so anybody can help me if there's anything I can do to assist in it I'd be glad to obviously put it uh the floodwater standard down there and cars want to go to 35 miles an hour or if it's just it is a problem so anything you can do to assist I think you can you want to leave those you can give those to the clerk there please if you would and let me say this we the public comments period is for the public to make comments but I want to say this because we don't usually respond we want you to say whatever you want to say but I I wrote a note to myself uh uh first of all so sorry for your damage and uh and we certainly have been receiving uh you know the reports of things that really but I'm so sorry for your damage and and uh your distress uh the disruption I'm sure to your business and uh and we are we are we're on what we're we're looking at uh you know there are agencies that uh um address such things but but we're looking at the whole situation and we appreciate that you would come and I have to say this appreciate I often say that it's not what you say it's how you say it thank you for coming here and simply addressing your concerns and we will certainly take a look at what you have given to us tonight thank you thanks guys is anyone else yes sir please state your name for the clerk for the record and uh uh I'm James Hyatt I've been here a couple of times um my first of all my mother and father moved here uh that's my father back there um new residents eh whole family's coming so oh wonderful whole clan um anyway I've brought up Dunbar Lane before about people speeding through there that's not about this this time this is a different issue on Dunbar so uh the road I I'm guessing maintenance or um Madison County Roads Department is working on that right now where they're trying to extend it out um it's all like broken apart on the side of just cones going down it but the this in particular there is a cutout in the middle of the road uh just the whole thing's cut out in the middle so it's like a small kind of like pothole issue and it progressively got worse over time uh so when I'm sitting in my house because it's not too far away from my house you can hear people hit that thing and it sounds like people wrecking anyway I hit it the other day um so it basically destroyed my tire I mean it's I'm still still driving on it because I'm a fool uh and it's got a pump knot in it uh but um I tried to call the the road department see if there was some kind of like selection excuse me just a second you said give me the name of the road again you said Dunbar Road yeah Dunbar Lane Dunbar Lane okay you said you'd call the county yeah they're the ones been working on it my okay all right now proceed excuse me dunbar branch there's uh there's a place that's cut out in one part and another place that's cut out on the other side too anyway uh it's got progressively worse so when I hit that it made a pump knot in my tire so I have to get a new one but I thought there would be like some solution where you know it's I pay the taxes for the road you know uh there or for the privilege to drive on the road I figured there'd be a way to have some kind of uh solution for getting like half my money or like money for a tire or something like that where it's not really my fault uh it's there's no warnings for the cutout in the road or anything it's just it's just there and it progressively just got worse and now it's like it's about this thick uh that you can drop down in and hit the asphalt so I just want some kind of maybe some discussion about that of some sort maybe having like some remediation of like uh getting your money back for a problem that wasn't really your fault in the first place road roadway being destroyed you know where it is I know where it's have you contacted the county if you don't mind me like way out Dunbar it's way out Dunbar way out the county yes yeah I don't you could contact Reagan I mean have you been to the fiscal court the county meeting I mean I'm not we're I'm brushing you off but oh it's cool you know we have you know we have a mayor and four city commissioners and we have a county judge and for magistrates have you contacted uh the county judge uh about that work honestly I I'm just I'd be happy to just get answers of who I need to contact so that's who you need to contact yeah I feel like they could help you yeah there if you contacted them on dump for Dunbar.

That's who you need to contact.

I feel like they could help you there if you contacted them on dump for Dunbar.

So okay.

So we don't have a jurisdiction on it either.

Okay.

All right.

You see what he's saying?

So there's city roads and then there's county.

This is just off Union City Road, is that correct?

Yeah, yeah.

Okay, yeah, that's in the county, and I'm not pushing it to the county either.

One question you need to ask the county to make sure they've adopted this road as a county road.

Is it a new subdivision?

Uh they built two new subdivisions on it.

Okay.

Yeah.

This is an issue you would need to address with the the county.

Okay.

Yeah.

I was just I didn't know that's okay.

This is all I grew up southeast content.

Yeah, that's you're fine.

No, you're all you learn.

You wouldn't know.

It's confusing.

Gotta start somewhere.

I agree.

Yeah, yeah.

And if you go on our website and go to maps, you can actually see the boundaries of the city.

Okay.

Thanks.

If you go to our website and and you can pull up maps, and it'll give you the actually boundaries of the city.

That'll help you get your bearings down a little bit.

I use it every day.

Cool, cool, cool.

I'll do that.

Um, one more thing.

It's not about the city or anything.

Um, the uh American Pulsar Workers Union are gonna have a day of uh like just force and whatnot uh down in Lexington off Liberty Road on July 28th uh from 11 to 1 p.m.

I know it's terrible time.

I don't know why they pick it, but it'd be awesome if people showed up, uh support your local union, we're all family backbone of America Lou Collie workers and whatnot.

So July 28th, 11th through one.

American Pulse Workers.

Yeah.

All right.

That's all I got.

Thank you very much.

I think your magistrate is Billy Ray Hughes.

I might be mistaken with that, but that that's where I would start.

Call your local magistrate.

That's what the best way to go.

Let them know about it, and then he can surely get something done about it.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Yeah, I've got one thing.

Uh I'm not here.

Anything to do with them, but uh on Tate's Creek Road turning on to Goggins Lane with all of the new development going on over there with the new school with publics going in over in that area.

There needs to be a left-hand turn arrow at that red light there on Tate's Creek in the morning.

Sometimes you can't even make it through a single car cannot make it through that intersection because there's just so much traffic on Tate's Creek coming down.

Uh it's very frustrating.

Uh sometimes you can sit through three or four lights before you can make it through.

Also on South Keeneland, turning on to Tate's Creek.

If one car is turning left onto Tate's Creek, they can let traffic back up onto South Keenland all the way up past the intersection to where the church is over there.

It can back up way up that hill.

Just one small little turn lane there turning right, can mitigate a lot of that.

I know that it would be an undertaking.

I don't know exactly what it would take to add that turn lane there, but I think that it's worth the consideration of uh having that to uh mitigate some of that traffic there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's see, when he mentioned Tate's Creek, that's is that 1690s when you turn the left going up Goggest.

Yeah.

Taking under advisement.

Thank you, sir.

What else?

All right, Mr.

City Manager, please.

Just a couple items tonight.

The first is I just want to thank all our first responders, road department, everybody involved in the cleanup during the flooding.

Um I was out in it driving around, and there's many roads that were impassable.

Um, I live on high ground in my basement flooded, so it's tough times for everybody, and and we certainly are doing the best we can.

I want to I want to thank our EMA director Tim Gray, who's done a wonderful job through this whole thing.

Uh the communication's been good, the organization's been good.

Um, and and he deserves kudos for the job he's been doing.

Certainly.

Second thing I have is again I just want to thank everybody for the Fourth of July event.

Once again, it went off well.

Uh we felt like the fireworks could have been a little more consistent.

We're working with the company about that, but again, another celebration and a special one being at our 250th.

That's all I have, Mayor.

All righty.

About to lose my voice tonight, I think.

All right, let's see here.

Commissioner Newby.

Um, I do have one thing.

Um I spoke with Georgia Parks, and as you all know, she's in charge of the uh the backpacks for the kids for to go back to school, and they rely on you know mostly on on donations.

Anyway, they have enough for all the supplies, but they were short 200 actual backpacks, and I'm sure they're very cheap backpacks.

And I was wondering do we have any fundage where the city could possibly help out with the kids?

Uh yeah, you all approved uh the charitable contributions fund.

It certainly could be taken out of that.

Um I would get her to uh could reach out to her and have her fill out an application, and then you all would approve it.

We could do that.

I mean, would everybody be okay?

That would give them the 200 backpacks easily.

Yes, and they're like I'm sure they're an on three.

Yeah, isn't there someone who gives those each year?

Uh has been over the years because they usually about 700 of them or something.

There's several different programs.

I know the Baptist Church does one, um, the Teen Center does one.

Yes.

And Georgia, I guess, is doing one as well.

So there's probably four or five of them in our community.

So I don't know who's giving them the backpacks, but um if it's the consensus of the board, I'd be more than happy to reach out to Georgia.

Yeah, just to see if this is one of the other groups.

Sure.

I mean, not nothing negative, just to make sure we're not giving three or four different groups.

This I mean, this no three or four different gifts of the same group or yeah, I mean different numbers to reach out to her and ask her.

I do have her number I guess that I'd appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Commissioner Goble.

Well, now I can't talk.

Um, one of my other hats is Leadership Madison County, and the deadline for accepting applications is this Friday.

So just throwing that out if anybody's interested in you know um applying for that program.

It's a 10-month program.

It's an in-depth look at Madison County.

It's it's a fantastic program.

So anyway, just letting you know it's the deadline for that.

Just a reminder, please.

Is that is it one day a month?

Is it one day a month?

One two or whatever a month.

There's a retreat in the beginning that's mandatory and it's two days, but then after that, it's just a monthly meeting from say 8 30 to 4 30, usually.

And uh each day has a different subject matter.

It could be education or local government, or you know, every day has a different um subject matter.

But we meet with the people who make the changes who you know, we talk with the mayors, the judges, the we go through the court system, we go on a tour of the jail, we go, you know, the police department in Richmond does a great job.

So that's it's a lot.

It's hard too hard to explain, and just a short amount of time.

But it is a fantastic program.

Thank you.

All right.

I'm good, Mayor.

Thank you.

All righty.

And Commissioner Brewer.

Um you threw the baseball out on Saturday, didn't you?

And I was out there on Sunday for the future Hall of Famers is what I call those little.

Yeah, I was asking somebody if they want to give me a contract.

Yeah.

Did you throw anything?

Well, they were they were like ants everywhere.

It was a good time.

So that was a good day.

Like the park was full of them.

Full.

So I wanted to give them a little recognition for the the people that put that together and usually throwing the baseball out.

It was a lot of fun.

And that's all I got there.

Alrighty, thank you, sir.

Let me that's the one thing I did want to mention.

We're right now hosting here in the city of Richmond, the state little league tournament.

Yeah.

Right now.

And I think it ends on Wednesday.

I believe it's on Wednesday.

But uh, yeah, I had the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

These kids and parents and coaches and well wishers and grandparents who are here to see their kids play in this tournament.

But um from uh Hopkins as far as Hopkinsville, um, and uh North and South Laurel, North and South Oldham, uh Russell.

I mean, these kids are here for me, man.

They're just excited.

And uh here's the thing we need to understand in Richmond.

If I know you do, but let me say it.

The one comment I get from, and I was out, I sat out there for a while on Saturday after throwing the pitch.

Um, you know, I thought, well, they now there's a star in town, so maybe they'll want my autograph.

You're right.

But these people just raved about the fact that Richmond has such a facility.

Yes.

There's about seven fields, six or seven fields, so we operate all these games simultaneously.

And folks from elsewhere, this is why I always say about Richmond, we must never take for granted what we have.

How blessed we are, and uh others sometimes have to remind us of the good things that we've got here in our community.

So uh it but but it was a great day, and the rain uh sort of held back a little.

We got a few drops, uh, but uh but we were able uh to uh get through, I think all of the games that day.

What what a wonderful thing it is for our community.

Folks who won, the teams that won stayed over.

Yep.

So there were hotels, there were restaurants, there are all those things that benefited directly from this state tournament.

So just happy though that uh Phyllis uh Phyllis Adams, we've got to got to commend her for the job she does.

Uh her son and I talked for a long time, sir, and he said he didn't want it.

So who whoever's gonna take over when Phyllis decides she's gonna give it up that because it's been there for many, many, many years, and it's gone well.

All hearts and minds clear.

Kelly, thank you.

Kelly tried to get me on the right road today, and then that road just uh lots of things coming up, lots of things coming up.

Jim said he was making a motion.

Who you want to make a motion, Jim?

Well, I mean, if anybody's hard and minds clear, it's mine.

The motion by Commissioner Newby, second Commissioner Brewer, Madam Clerk, please.

Commissioner Goebbel.

Yes, Commissioner Newby, yes, Commissioner Brewer, yes, Commissioner Cole, yes, Mayor Blyth.

Yes, thank you, and thanks to all of you.