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Record of Proceedings

Richmond City Commission Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026

City Commission Meetings — Tuesday, October 27, 2026
BodyRichmond, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission Meetings
DateTuesday, October 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:10

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

2:00

Good

Speaker 1

2:00

evening again.

2:01

It's time for us to begin our meeting.

2:03

Happy to see those who are here and uh certainly uh appreciate your uh interest in our meeting this evening.

Unassigned speaker

2:11

I'm

Speaker 1

2:11

gonna ask as we begin that Pastor Johnny King,

Unassigned speaker

2:15

I

Speaker 1

2:15

just saw it, yes,

Unassigned speaker

2:17

uh,

Speaker 1

2:18

would come and give our invocation.

2:19

Welcome, my friend.

2:22

Good to see you.

Unassigned speaker

2:23

All right.

Speaker 2

2:23

Father, today as I come before you, Lord, we thank you for this opportunity and privilege and time of prayer, Lord, and we just ask you today, Lord, you have Lord your way in this meeting today, Lord.

2:33

We just pray God you give these men and women today, Lord, direction

Unassigned speaker

2:37

uh

Speaker 2

2:37

for this community for this city, Lord.

2:39

We just pray God you give them more unity today, Lord,

Unassigned speaker

2:42

to

Speaker 2

2:42

make the decisions, Lord, for the better of this community, Lord, and we give you honor, we give you praise, and we give you glory.

2:47

We ask all this in your wonderful name, Jesus.

2:49

Uh pray.

2:50

Amen.

2:50

And amen.

Speaker 1

2:51

Pastor King, just before you step away from the podium,

Unassigned speaker

2:54

in

Speaker 1

2:54

case there's some folks here who don't know where you serve, where you pastor.

2:58

Would you mind just sharing that with us, please?

3:00

Yeah,

Speaker 2

3:00

pastor at the Grace Covenant Church of God.

3:02

We're over here on uh Aspen Avenue, 136 Aspen Avenue.

3:06

If you don't have a home church go to, we'd love to have you come with us.

3:08

We have uh

Unassigned speaker

3:09

we

Speaker 2

3:09

have a clothing ministry we do every third Saturday of the month.

3:12

We outreach and we do many other things throughout the community, and uh it's an honor and privilege to be here in the city.

Speaker 1

3:18

Thank you for sharing that.

Speaker 2

3:19

Thank you.

Speaker 1

3:25

For our pledge of allegiance this evening, we're asking the Richmond Police Department chief, Rodney Richardson, if he'll come and lead

Unassigned speaker

3:32

us.

Speaker 3

3:47

And to the republic for which it stands.

3:50

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3:57

Thank you.

3:57

Thank

Speaker 1

3:58

you, Chief.

4:00

We just have a regular cavalcade of stars this evening.

4:10

Madam Clerk, please call the role.

Speaker 4

4:12

Commissioner Brewer.

Speaker 1

4:13

Here.

Speaker 4

4:14

Commissioner Cole.

4:14

Here.

4:15

Commissioner Gobel.

4:16

Here.

4:16

Commissioner Newby.

4:17

Here.

4:18

Mayor Blythe.

Speaker 1

4:19

Here, thank you.

4:21

For our presentations this evening, and uh bear with me, please.

4:24

My allergies are acting up.

Unassigned speaker

4:26

Uh

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Historic Preservation█████████████████17%
Annexation█████████████13%
Zoning Regulations█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Homelessness█████5%
Economic Development███3%
Personnel Matters██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Richmond City Commission Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Richmond City Commission met on October 27, 2026, for a regular meeting. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Johnny King of Grace Covenant Church of God and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Police Chief Rodney Richardson. All commissioners were present. The agenda included new business recognitions, an update on the Battle of Richmond, several ordinance readings and votes, personnel actions, and public comments.

Presentations & Recognitions

  • Pure Wellness: Ashley Renton presented her new business at 330 Eastern Bypass, offering infrared saunas, cold plunge, contrast therapy, salt room, lymphatic body roller, and hot yoga. She described it as a wellness center for 30-minute sessions benefiting joints, sleep, and skin.
  • Made New Mercantile: Co-founders Stacy Jordan and Nancy Brown presented their upscale thrift store at 454 Big Hill Avenue, selling clothing, books, and housewares to generate funds for community giving. Since opening September 3, they have provided clothing or household items at no cost to nine individuals, including a Madison Central senior and a father shopping for his children. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for November 6 at noon.

Battle of Richmond Association Update

George Ridings, president of the Battle of Richmond Association, reported on the 23rd annual reenactment. Key statistics:

  • Over 100 volunteers; 174 living historians from multiple states; approximately 354 cars on Saturday (estimated 1,000–1,500 visitors) and 144 cars on Sunday (estimated 400–500 visitors).
  • Visitor origins: 18 states and Wales, UK signed the guest book at the visitor center in the last 26 days, with over 100 visitors.
  • The association celebrated the transition to city management, new roofs on buildings, and the upcoming 25th anniversary event on November 8 featuring historian Jack Davis.
  • Future events: Christmas open house at Pleasant View on November 29, 2–4 p.m.

Consent Calendar & Routine Approvals

  • Minutes: Approved minutes from the regular meeting on October 13 and workshop on October 15, 2026.
  • Ordinances (Second Readings and Votes):
    • Ordinance 26-28: Annex 0.35 acres at 217 Pleasure Drive (R1C zoning) – unanimous.
    • Ordinance 26-29: Annex properties at 223 Pleasure Drive and 611 Benjamin Drive (R1C zoning) – unanimous.
    • Ordinance 26-30: Zone change at 96 Punkin Road (88.36 acres) from R1A to R1C and R3 – unanimous.
    • Ordinance 26-31: Zone change for 49.53 acres on Berea Road (New Carriage Place Phase) from AG to R1C – unanimous.
    • Ordinance 26-32: Zone change for 18.09 acres on Berea Road (same development) from AG to R1C – unanimous.
  • Ordinance 26-33 (First Reading): Comprehensive sewer use ordinance (72 pages) summarizing wastewater regulations, discharge limits, permits, fees, and enforcement. Includes rate changes on page 52. Second reading scheduled for next meeting.
  • Ceremonial Orders (All Unanimous):
    • 26-168: Accept retirement of Jason Rollins (Codes Enforcement) effective Oct 31.
    • 26-169: Hire Kendall Jones as Mechanic 1 (Vehicle Maintenance) effective Oct 30.
    • 26-170: Promote Jonathan Lamb from Mechanic 1 to Senior Mechanic (Vehicle Maintenance) effective Oct 26.
    • 26-171: Transfer Jacob Cannon from Recycle (Equipment Operator 1) to Mechanic 1 (Vehicle Maintenance) effective Nov 13.
    • 26-173: Award sandblasting/painting bid for Paradise Cove Pool to True Colors LLC ($228,630) from Parks Aquatic Center fund.
    • 26-174: Appoint Robin Sayers to Architectural Review Board (three-year term expiring Oct 22, 2029), representing downtown businesses.
    • 26-175: Declare surplus property (list from police department) for electronic auction via GovDeals.
    • 26-176: Approve CDBG administration services contract with FAHE Consulting for $1,500 application fee and $10,000 administration, contingent on state fund release.
    • 26-177: Reclassify Austin Hall and Felix Clems from Labor 1 to Equipment Operator 1 (Public Works) effective Nov 13.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ed Brown (Richmond Downtown Neighborhood Association): Announced the annual “Mittens on Millstone” event on November 12, distributing new winter clothing (hats, gloves, sweatshirts, jackets, etc.) to homeless neighbors from 4:30–6 p.m. Collection boxes are at city hall, Signature Coffee, Jackson’s Restaurant, Fork Bank, and God’s Outreach. Encouraged donations, noting 100% of collected items go to those in need.

Discussion Items

  • Covington Woods Drainage Issue: Commissioner Brewer asked for an update. City Manager Rob replied that engineers and the contractor met on site, with a plan to add detention ponds to catch runoff and divert water to the stormwater system. Neighbors have been contacted. Progress is ongoing.
  • Halloween Hoedown: City Manager announced the event has moved back downtown on Thursday (October 29?) from 6–8 p.m., with Main Street closed and free candy.

Key Outcomes

  • All voted items (minutes, ordinances, orders) passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance 26-33 (sewer regulations) passed first reading; second reading at next meeting.
  • The city will continue to address Covington Woods drainage with engineered detention ponds.
  • Community encouraged to participate in Mittens on Millstone and Halloween Hoedown.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening again. It's time for us to begin our meeting. Happy to see those who are here and uh certainly uh appreciate your uh interest in our meeting this evening. I'm gonna ask as we begin that Pastor Johnny King, I just saw it, yes, uh, would come and give our invocation. Welcome, my friend. Good to see you. All right. Father, today as I come before you, Lord, we thank you for this opportunity and privilege and time of prayer, Lord, and we just ask you today, Lord, you have Lord your way in this meeting today, Lord. We just pray God you give these men and women today, Lord, direction uh for this community for this city, Lord. We just pray God you give them more unity today, Lord, to make the decisions, Lord, for the better of this community, Lord, and we give you honor, we give you praise, and we give you glory. We ask all this in your wonderful name, Jesus. Uh pray. Amen. And amen. Pastor King, just before you step away from the podium, in case there's some folks here who don't know where you serve, where you pastor. Would you mind just sharing that with us, please? Yeah, pastor at the Grace Covenant Church of God. We're over here on uh Aspen Avenue, 136 Aspen Avenue. If you don't have a home church go to, we'd love to have you come with us. We have uh we have a clothing ministry we do every third Saturday of the month. We outreach and we do many other things throughout the community, and uh it's an honor and privilege to be here in the city. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you. For our pledge of allegiance this evening, we're asking the Richmond Police Department chief, Rodney Richardson, if he'll come and lead us. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. We just have a regular cavalcade of stars this evening. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Commissioner Brewer. Here. Commissioner Cole.

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