Winchester City Commission Work Session on Strategic Plan Update - November 12, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
I got my little notebook here.
Hey Sarah, did Joey ask you about reading us in the pledge tonight?
And then I just read tool.
You know the words.
Alright, he's saying hello, sir.
Good evening.
Well, sorry.
We've had seven seven or nine.
And it's three days.
How do you do that?
Yeah.
I mean, as an hour cash to the day for doing absolutely nothing.
Okay.
Okay.
She said you sound like fast.
I think we're all in silly mood tonight.
So Rob says that the planning commission is shown on the fiscal court YouTube page.
Right.
Okay.
No.
Oh Matthew.
How are you just there?
Good article.
Oh.
Very well, Stacy.
We're having stance.
Hey, when why don't you sit with Bruce because Bill and see how they actually say?
Oh come on.
That was a question.
I can be my own.
Trying to make that back.
But I think it's okay.
That's why we want to start.
I don't think you're making well no.
I don't think Covenant's just going to be here.
He has training in Richmond.
Oh, calling your own.
Okay.
Okay.
Shannon's sister students.
Yeah, she's having some hearing excuse me.
Oh, but we won't go there.
Okay.
If everyone would please stand.
I think Pledge of Allegiance.
We've led this evening by Miss Sarah Stall from Kentucky League of Cities.
Sarah?
Pledge of allegiance to the United States of America.
And to the Republic for which one nation under God.
Please remain standing.
We'll ask Mr.
Brees Mainly, lead us in our invocation.
Let's pray.
We thank you for our city.
As we guide and make the right decisions.
Just pray for Shannon, Commissioner Cox's family, dear father tonight.
And uh we just thank you for our first responders.
We pray for safety.
Um Jesus thing would be everyone, please be seated.
We'll call the meeting officially to order.
And uh we'll excuse Commissioner Cox this evening.
He has uh something he needs to do with his sister for uh family matter, and so he is excused for the 430 meeting.
Okay, item number two minutes.
I hope you've had time to review those October 21st, 2025 regular 530, and October 27, 2025 special 930 a.m.
meetings.
Is there a motion?
Motion motion by Commissioner Chennault.
Is there a second?
Second, second by Commissioner Tool.
Any additions or corrections?
All in favor, aye.
Any opposed by like sign?
Motion carries item three, departmental agency reports.
Is there a motion to accept those motion by commissioner strode?
Is there a second?
Second second by commissioner tool.
Anything anyone would like to highlight?
If not, all in favor, aye.
Any opposed by like sign?
Motion carries.
Okay, we'll move to item four, our work session.
We want to welcome our two friends from Kentucky League of Cities this evening.
Ms.
Sarah Stoll and John Buchanan who are here to help us update our strategic plan and uh talk about your future a little bit.
So John looks like you're up first.
Thank you very much, Mary.
Uh again in wonderful winchester.
Um presenting this uh first draft of the work based wall.
Sarah will be taking notes for me.
And I apologize on behalf of Tad Longy had other things so I'll share these drafts with the commission.
Thank you.
So I'll try to be uh not quite as intensive as our first meeting going over some of the changes we're gonna do for this update.
Uh but starting just on this first page.
I've updated the introduction and these executive summary to reflect uh currently state of Winchester and what that will mean for this uh work plan update.
The purpose of the strategic work plan to summarize slightly for grammatical reasons.
I think the one major change we made to the vision for 2025 and those top four goals is we move quality life up to number one.
It was stressed in the first meeting that that needed to be number one, and then also within this page, we added two sections for completed projects and current and ongoing projects.
If you all see any items within either two of those sections that need to be changed, updated items taken off or anything like that.
Please let us know.
Those are the items we identified in the first meeting that have been completed or are currently ongoing.
Okay, you're gonna take a good look at that to see for this uh section right here.
I've just got four cities flash pack, yes.
If we can name it the gene gay splash parking with that, all right.
Um Jackson Street bridge renewable that's been completed.
Um completed uh the construction of the salt farm farm.
And then the last one I had was um hiring a full-time grant right now.
Wonderful news any other items from the commission to be changed in that section.
Any items within the current projects, anybody see anything that needs to be added, deleted John knows we go here.
I've got a few commands too.
I want to give you all the chance to make sure you're getting um in the current and ongoing projects project, it's not really a roadway project, log rank okay.
Um it probably is probably uh affordable housing related than it is for all right and under public works it says increase personnel.
I would also add into that office office building.
Wonderful hasn't fallen down yet, has it Brian?
Might be close, but how old does that have?
So that might be a need, then I hear all right.
Okay, any other items within that under current and ongoing under current ongoing.
Um I've got uh stormwater asset inventory that's current and ongoing our fifth street project is current and ongoing is that drainage project is that a drainage project?
Is that drainage project?
Is that a drainage project?
The fifth street project.
Yes.
Anything else?
All right.
Areas identified.
Uh we kept it at seven, I believe, but we did uh change things around a little bit.
That we kept infrastructure at number five.
Uh just to say consistent.
And then I believe that we removed development and broke that up into community events and parks and recreation.
And then I believe those last three items remained the same, but we just updated the recommendations underneath those.
So look at this changes.
I've got a question for the commission on this one.
Should those be combined.
I feel there's a lot of instances similar to what you're saying through this packet.
So it could go either which way essentially what do you recommend?
Well, I believe that was part of the conversation last time as well, uh including parks recreation, if that's also a quality of life element, and it's really up to you all how you want to distinguish those items.
I believe we did try to make sure that each of those subsections had different strategic uh plan items within them instead of having kind of overlap, uh, but it really is up to you all how you see fit.
I I do see in some places where community events and parks and recreation do fall under quality of life, but then you can also make the argument that safe city also falls underneath that, housing falls underneath that.
Uh so it is really up to all how you want to distinguish how different one or the other is if I may say I I definitely think we leave parks and recreation as its own line.
That does not need to be bulked into anything else, and I would say whatever everyone else feels quality of life and community events.
You said that we had taken this from downtown development and downtown in the community are two different things.
So I don't know if that's something we're trying to.
I mean, I know Whitney's got goals for downtown, but like I don't know.
You know what I mean?
Yeah, so should we not really answer your question?
Community and downtown events or community wide, community wide, so that it's what you think guys community quality of life, just make it one word community.
Well take out both and just make one big long work.
Community quality of life events, I I think these are strategic plans are wonderful, but this is where you can get into such nitty-gritty of like are there gonna be 20 things and they're gonna be super individual, or are they gonna be five things and they're gonna be one?
I think it's really what the mayor and commission feels just want to leave it as it is.
I definitely don't want to lose parks and recreation as a line.
So just leave it like it is, you think you all leave it like it is, Joe?
Yeah, that's mine.
Okay, so and I would say that was advocated with leaving it as it is.
Uh it is somewhat easier to believe the strategic plans kind of broad in terms of the project.
Projects and timelines and tutorial priorities later and to be a little bit more specific within these areas, um, as far as infrastructure went uh within strategic areas.
Um there were really only three items that remain from the previous plan.
We've kind of ongoing uh every year kind of items for the city to consider uh uh did you all have any items come up that you want to include this section feel like this section uh as good as it is where you see it now, or if there's any kind of edits you wanted to make whatsoever mission chance well you're just talking about breaking down one three seven right now, correct?
to make whatsoever mission this is your chance well you're just talking about breaking down one three seven right now correct correct i don't see nothing on the infrastructure to be anyone else under number one number one thoughts about one or are we good with infrastructure you think it's okay not under infrastructure infrastructure you okay yes ma'am all right okay uh looking at quality of life I know there was a bit of a focus about things for families and opportunities for them to enjoy uh the beauty and fun things to do in Winchester uh namely the second bullet item taking conducting a feasibility study to expand the trail system from walnut grove to downtown west chest winchester connecting county part and city part to the county line that was something that came up in the first meeting uh and then a lot of these other items were a continuation uh from the previous plan uh partnering and recruiting at downtown grocery store was an item from the former downtown uh section strategic area that we've included in the quality of life piece is there any changes or updates to that section you would like to make i would be interested to just again you know it's all just phrasing um continue the shuttle service citywide because it is city wide yes it already is good perhaps any other items within that particular section um i had bullet point number three i thought that that's um that fit up in the workforce area a little bit more than quality of life i get that what is it right and kind of what commissioner tool was saying um taking out the word downtown i think probably that last bullet continue and strengthen enforcement of ordinances protect businesses and residents i think downtown needs to come out because that is city wide so if you want to use that terminology again or how you want to do consistent two i kind of thought because it could go both ways but i thought maybe that could be under uh safe city you think that fits better under safe city you said a quality of life instead of quality blind getting the enforcement it doesn't help your quality of life so I do see the argument because I was probably always under safe cities about the span personal services for planning zoning which could include question what do y'all want to do on that well then you're gonna do is change the wording right or put it under safe city or leave it where it is or put it in both places so at least we have some of the boards actually basically have the same on items again it's totally up to the choice of the city how they want to go speak up guys I mean I think it could be even one I think we're getting too new big well let's appraise like a six or half a dozen what if that whatever that phrase is um kind of go that way yeah because you could you could break this apart every which way would be the white gate be wrong why not just leave it like it is an agreeable commissioner tool you were saying something about the opioid abatement I didn't know that was the line item we were on that Dr.
Manley brought up I I don't I agree I don't know that that falls into quality of life whether it's safe city or I mean what would actually probably be more appropriate is workforce training as you were suggesting I agree with that do you all commissioners agree with moving opioid abatement my group okay John sounds like that's a yeah so I'll see that right here okay all right uh we look at moving events next was agenda created section we got a little creative trying to come up with me that's in terms of things that festivals graze and that's pretty five different places around the city things like gray festival partnering with local businesses utilizing new city properties for pop-up shops for gathering events uh patients for events uh evaluating what it's currently here in terms of city festivals and that's seeing where that might be areas for improvement then also supporting efforts for creation of the massive festivals right well
Things like exactly the grade, LA Hall Festival, partnering with local businesses, Google has any new city properties for pop-up shops for gathering that's the other locations for that's uh evaluating what it's currently here in terms of city festivals and that's seeing where that might be areas for improvement then also supporting efforts for creation of the festivals right now section if we need anybody want to add or add or subtract there we go at an LA festival not that I'm aware of next year might be the air and it's their hundredth anniversary is right and so we may be doing something next year with it.
I'm okay with everything on there unless anybody else wants to make a comment.
Um I have a comment you could tell I went through this pretty good.
Um I think the first bullet point was the last bullet point very similar.
I think that they're kind of duplicates in one um so which should say create and support and then take the last bullet out.
Uh-huh.
I think what we wanted to stress there are the conversation the first meeting was ensuring that local businesses and organizations have an opportunity to be the front version facing face on those events as a competition.
So I think we just I think uh got to write this down and watch that more than once and just say create and support and take the bottom bullet out.
But everybody chime in now.
Let's just yeah, that sounds good.
Anybody else?
Okay.
Uh parcel reparation had quite a few of the same sort of things, feasibility study for increasing art funding, remember different items requirements.
They have the property as a home purpose facility.
There's some discussion about and that comes off completely because the school system is going to maintain that property and utilize it as a community center.
So there are those other three items on the previous page and I change updates on the additions parking rates.
Eva, Joe, you and Hannah both have served on the parks board.
Anything you want to add?
That's personal.
So it's not safe and that not at the moment.
Not at the moment, okay.
Okay.
Uh we did add to support the only separate focus question.
We don't think we have what do they call it?
It's called home, and they call it home meals.
Yeah, home, yeah.
Home delight.
That's what's on our ad district stuff.
No, it's a little bit generation.
I don't know why the word transportation is there on that board.
Maybe transportation generation center.
Maybe transportation needs to come out that work.
Well, transportation that's uh Kentucky River is the one that provides the bus for the science.
Correct.
And it's generations with an S on it, generations center.
Any other items in there?
I thought that would be about the bullet point.
Yeah.
So I was just I just made a note that maybe the last bullet point could be uh combine delete.
So it's already stated.
The generation center does not have an S.
It does not.
No.
The generation center.
Generation Center.
Okay, we'll take the S off.
You know what that is?
It's good old fashioned Kentucky for that.
That's a generation center.
Yep.
You're exactly right.
And Diana, maybe you could send Sarah or John what the actual name is for the meals on the wheels based on the bluegrass A and how they show that each month.
Yeah.
Okay.
Any other items under housing.
Um safe city, I think the only two things we added here were the summer bike patrols, whether that's four by subject secure city.
I'm looking for increased staffing for those bike controls.
Just because my only thought on the bike patrol was I don't know if that's a city objective or if that should be a police department objective.
Maybe something phrased to the effect of review patrol opportunities and grow proximity or grow mediums for how the patrol is done.
Because I had marked that in the breakdown by the uh graph, uh whatever.
Just I've I feel like you know, supporting the police is our job, but I think it's the police department's job to increase their bike patrol and review their control and think about what opportunities they want to grow on.
I think you're right, Commissioner.
I think that it's definitely a police department objective, but I think it sounds good to for the city to say supporting the police department.
Um we're also correct, and we have everything we need to do except additional personnel.
So is it still four bikes?
Yes, we actually have six, but two of them are you know good old fashioned.
I mean you gotta look at it.
So I don't know, we like to kind of reduce that just to say that it's for the police departments expansor.
Well, and I I would even try lately on.
I mean, we kind of said that increase police and fire staffing, you know.
Of course, our police department is incredibly important, but I want to make sure we're not just honing in on one department and what we're writing.
Um you like the way it says police and fire?
I think we need to increase all essential services staffing because I'd imagine public works would fall under that as well.
Something broader you need it.
I like the word essential, Chief.
Do you see anything else on Chief?
You don't have a copy of this, do you?
Again, I'm an English major, right?
So you can just beat this up and make it longer or shorter any which way.
I think all of the information here is exactly what we're trying to say.
But I mean you could say ensure planning and zoning is supported with personnel, equipment, and resources.
I mean, we we do have a lot of exciting projects going on, and if that wants to be noted, then that can be listed.
But again, you know, we could just probably not time for me to keep speaking because it's just one of those things you could just change words around Chief.
Anybody else we chief, if you'll look at that number six safe city and see if you and John, the embrace new technologies, such as what Chief or Chief or Brian.
What kind of new technologies are we looking at?
I can see that being like the flock the flock cameras.
One thing we just got their website up and running.
Yeah, we're gonna fix it.
Yeah, that's a good one.
What about even just saying become technologically advanced?
Are you all okay if we maybe put in parentheses example flock cameras fix it?
Winchester just so when somebody looks at it, they know what we're talking about.
All right.
Yes.
Okay.
Okay, anything else on the six?
Chief Chief or Brian.
Good chief.
Um, just to piggyback on what Chief Thompson was uh articulating there, the uh increase in police and fire staffing as well as um uh personnel equipment and resources.
I think a lot of these things are subcategories to operations of each department that he and I will manage and pre-plan and plan for get the city manager and the commission, but in general, just an overall understanding from the mayor, the city manager, the commission that increasing staffing addressing infrastructure, all these are things that we have for your support, and we hope that that's the intent.
You know, and up there increased police fire, and probably we could unless you've already added it, public works, because they do help keep our city safe with the crosswalks and uh you know snow removals and all those kind of things.
What do y'all think about adding police fire and public works?
Yes, good EMS and the MS, good, yes.
Just to keep it clean there.
I like what Mr.
Fool said.
I think if the intent is understood by all that essential services, what that encompasses that's correct.
I think that one word articulates well enough that public work certainly fire EMS is evolved individual have a book for okay.
Thank you.
Okay, we're good.
Um where did we leave 4.3?
The bike patrols, yes, if that's uh removal's clear on where item chief submitted to the thing.
I think just what we said, but I mean I think it's been a little bit redundant there because it says increased tweets and stuff and the bikes and says looks to the stuff for bike controls, it's kind of duplicated, so I think that Mr.
Tool is right if you want it to be part of my strategic plan, that's easily done within my department, and you can remove the third bullet point completely.
Yeah, does it that makes sense?
We're gonna eliminate it for now.
So Chief, you better have more bikes and more people right there.
We're gonna be looking at that point or items.
I don't know if under one, two, three, four, the fifth bull expanding personnel services.
If we need to have a second bullet many large and exciting projects ongoing or planned, I mean we kind of know that's gonna happen.
What do you all think there?
That's the truth.
If we want to our horn in it, we can leave it there.
Yep.
Okay, let's leave it.
And really the first bullet point under that for planning, which is personnel and the last is personal to do it.
I think the main concept there is doing more however we can for planning and zone.
You know, at one point we've also talked about it maybe down here in a minute, but strengthening code enforcement.
Is increasing code enforcement and how we're going about it and what it should look like.
I believe that might have an element of conversation.
Well, in a sense, so this isn't necessarily redundant of what comes on these pages.
I mean it somewhat is, but on the next page it does say exactly that.
So I guess we shouldn't know.
So should it go in this part as well?
Y'all the expert.
I'm good.
Go ahead and add that on eye as quality life for this section.
And I think a big part of our conversation with this area's previous meeting is about supporting entrepreneurship with MSB.
Partnering with the University of Kentucky and the Small Business Development Center, partnering with other local business members, for exposure, different opportunities for city and centers.
And John, I'm thinking I had X that one out with University Kentucky because BCTC is going to be um putting a new training center, workforce training center in at their new building.
Yeah, I think we want to partner with BCT at that point.
Right.
So we're X and out University of Kentucky.
You know, they've already put the nursing program in, full-time RN and those kinds of things in the campus here.
Right.
And you all, what are we specifically talking about when we're saying entrepreneurial events?
What does that make you all think when you read that?
Does it have to do with our grants with our DDIF?
Does it have to do with meaning like having a hospital?
I mean, I know they they do these kind of things, but do more events in the hospital because it's entrepreneurial.
I don't really have that's a good question.
John, do you have any can you enlighten us on that?
Uh I believe this would be the intention of the thing like to meet with local business leaders without apprenticeship membership programs or either of BCTC programs, certification.
I mean, I'd say that somewhat touches the last bullet point with uh joint planning with county and schools.
I mean, as much as the city should support those types of things, I think job fairs should be on the school's agenda to be created.
Chamber does a little bit of that chambers have lunch and learn seminars are already doing that for that's a just a question on the third bullet, not the black board, but the the white bullet there storefront renovation funds.
Would we want to take that out and say in what DDI?
Do we want to mention DDIF?
So I don't want to just keep talking.
But that was a work session.
That's how you want to.
That was what I support entrepreneurship in the city by providing incentives to start for startup businesses.
Um through DDIF through whatever kickstarter grants.
Right.
Right, right.
Um but we could strengthen that fund.
Sure, yes, right, and expand it to other opportunities.
All right, so maybe it's not even explore, maybe it's expand opportunities because we definitely excuse me.
What are we gonna do as a city on bullet two?
Work with the private sector, explore and implement second chance employment programs.
What are we gonna do as a city?
excuse me and and what are we gonna do as a city on bullet two work with the private sector explore and implement second chance employment programs what are we gonna do as a city that's right I think that goes back to uh we always find some how we can help support businesses like you know I always think of DVA tension and that's a great example of how um people at recovery in a stable job to help continue so I think partner with a private business while they employ second chance um another huge one is stable recovery too and like think your tailor may farm maybe make some wonderful I'd like to have some there sorry I just don't wouldn't want the focus to solely be second chance employment based upon opioid abatement second choice employment for a variety of people felons but there's definitely more than just opioid abatement so do you know I mean right but the funds are there for the opium there's not a lot of the funds for well I guess that's why I wonder like if if that bullet point work with the private sector to explore an agreement second chance employment programming if it's worth having its own line in some way because it is an opioid what what would how would you react to that well I'm thinking about so we're gonna move from two point of life that we're going to find the open program section seven we're supposed to go such as I'm thinking about not focusing it solely on opioids maybe what point our head about exporting opportunities programs for all second change of I mean that's gonna be so far each of you think of then you think of parents who have been home for the last 20 years raising their kids and have no idea how to enter into the workforce again I mean it can be a pretty wide spectrum I don't know if that would fall in that type of classification but either being empty nest and then we can go back and you all think it'd be better to have that as two separate items or as one for the other present over the other things.
What are you thinking on that you're gonna have to manage this well I think um we would make the funds I think maybe start that up quickly but I can see anything why you couldn't follow that success up if that's successful with the patent because if I were to prioritize it I would prioritize people at the code first because the funds are there it'd be easy to implement we can do it um that just would be my problem not say the other part important but I think that's something you take off the ground we can get a win low hanging having this first work with bigger program so I think that's that yeah that's good on that's uh that last role with the page says successful restarted the joint um that's ongoing and that's been successful I think it was lapsed for about three years so I don't know if you want to continue to put that there or put it in something that's completed well I mean we did restart it but it's ongoing too that was under the subsection of the county commission do you guys repeat the question sorry so let's not ask about successfully restarting uh the joint US committee and joint school is that more of an ongoing item or more of a speed change continue joint EMS group many and
put that there or put it in something that it's completed well I mean we did restart it but it's ongoing too that was under the subsection of the county what do you want to do guys repeat the question sorry so let's not just about successfully restarting uh the joint US committee and joint school is that more of an ongoing item or more of a state of it change continue joint EMS committee and joint school planning it's already ongoing so continue I don't know on going what's the joint school planning I do not know I feel like we delete it yeah that's just another that's something deleted the joint school and maybe we ought to say there what do you all think if we get too detailed but continue joint city county EMS so we know that we're partnering there okay or not okay unmute yeah all right no other no other items I would have understood that the direct budget impacts I believe we want to have sure exactly we added or changed that list of items significantly we may have added in marching if it was not items down I it's down bullet one yes bullet four yes from you two yeah that doesn't really impact the budget's not gonna right yeah as much as I wish the family entertainment center would impact our budget I don't know that that would either it you know if it's okay there but I'd like to leave that one there for this round just in case we have somebody come to us privately and say can you help us kickstart it or we have to do what's legal now looking at the budget the timeline tables there were not many additions we didn't remove the items I've already been confused sorry correct budget are we crossing out the family we're gonna keep it for now keep it for now okay first one in four thank you a lot of these items we're taking consideration so then first like that the timeline these tables was uh duplicate and I'm sure it is and that was probably the uh intent here it's probably just add little note to each role outside that and not have each of these tables just something I thought read through that certainly I was sitting last night kind of adding up how many of these we had uh because clearly a broad view is good but also honing in to actually not these out is important and so in the critical initiatives and priorities the last three competitive salaries responders needs and prepare for the future I think similar to what we were saying earlier could be summarized in one line of an annual review of essential service departments needs whether it's compensation whether it's the building whatever it might be like that could all be bumped and again essential services so we're not leaving out that brings public works back into their future building and else consideration that's a suggestion for doing one of the tables just putting that back I'm fine with that but I would like annual review for the essential services one that we're lumping three into one so update the budget year
essential service departments needs whether it's compensation whether it's the building whatever it might be like that could all be lumped and again essential services so we're not leaving out that brings public works back into their future building and anything else consideration suggestions for doing one of the tables just putting that i'm fine with that but i would like annual review for the essential services one that we're lumping three into one so update the budget years more after it reflects times this week 21 next table if I think we only it we added to that one was the online possible five and we don't want budget year but again to be three that's what oh what do y'all think about budget year on that one police and fire this is staffing yeah we're talking about a first responder campus an actual physical combined police and fire on the same campus still keeping our other satellite stations but yeah you want to keep it 23 or you want to update it to which item are you looking at the three are you important oh sorry important increased police and fire staffing I didn't get that far yet sorry yeah I'm gonna be critical for I could have the system there is what I thought on that one was the last item explore possibilities for new fire and police I thought that's what you were talking about was a feasibility of merge that's on uh under critical important yes um yeah fourth item under critical again I think we need to take out downtown and make it winchester and an unpopular one um I'm not sure how I feel about it being critical and important for the city to develop and continue programming to enable independent living where do our committees and where does our infrastructure fall in line for that where does the housing authority fall in line where where do other entities step up to that I'm not saying it's not important.
It's a good question um but I certainly when I look at the rest of the list and I think about how we're providing essential services is our top priority I would not put that before some other items I don't know what I would do with it but it kind of stood out to me you did I mean again important we all agree on that but where where is a city line and and where is a committee out of government entities stepping up and I'm not sure commission that it's just for senior citizens either sure yeah I don't want to take the word senior out because it's I mean we could say something to the like less words develop and continue to enable living opportunities for people independent homes I mean I don't know how Shannon would phrase it it's huge on independent home ownership and maybe it's some type of consideration like that or so it would redevelop and continue programming to enable independent living for citizens for all to live in their home uh looking at the important conditions add the code for we could convince that again on the central workers um edited the hand for the property other ways we're gonna take that take it in yeah and then the other only other item we added was addressing the need for some uh renovations last item i almost feel as if you could take the first two items and they're already said under critical when we're talking about reviewing of essential services needs brian can speak up to that because it's public works specific that seems redundant you say an eliminate them or um well i mean I just feel like it's already listed under critical kind of conversation similar to
I almost feel as if you could take the first two items and they're already said under critical when we're talking about reviewing of essential services needs.
Brian can speak up to that because it's public work specific.
That seems redundant.
You see an eliminate item or um well maybe I just feel like it's already listed under critical kind of conversation.
Similar to the second to last item with increased police and fire staffing.
Agreed, critical, important, but is it all good?
Ready to leave.
That's all that's table on the next page.
We have the we hire a full-time grant item.
We have to say that you bet it the last item on that table for this point potential development of the general time.
Mayor would kick me, but I think that should be a wish.
I agree.
I mean, I would love it.
But I agree.
Yeah, I think that's a lofty goal.
Yes, it is.
I mean, kind of again, important ability to embrace new technologies.
I don't know where every said something about right technology, but kind of address.
So that may impact the decision on the garage or not.
So that's definitely on the last table.
Uh we had ended because we'll be studying for regulation earlier mentioning the possibility of not resurrecting.
This one says Brighton Trail, and another place we called it walnut grove, so we need to be consistent in that.
Whichever it's the proper terminology here.
It's the Brighton Trail off of Walnut Grove.
Uh Walnut Grove is the uh name of the program.
Okay, anything else anybody wants to add to the wish list?
I wish somebody would leave us a lot of money and we could do it live stuff.
Well, there's no questions there at the last page, so it's I think we're just having three similar to all of the screen roll first time so happy to change the post.
Good okay, all right.
And the plan is to bring this back in December.
Is that what we can do that or uh take this edit back and do a set or the send it to the study?
I asked the city to help us with getting is new updated pictures with this version of the plan, particularly uh the completely incurring ongoing projects that you all have with the previous one.
See the progress that we all have.
She's got it.
Whitney's making it out, she's got it.
Well, there's nothing else again.
Thank you all for having this.
Thank you all.
Thank you all.
Thank you very much.
Appreciate it.
This helps.
We'll just leave the we've all all of us have always said if we don't know where we are, we don't know what the adjoining.
So thank you.
Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you.
Okay, let's go ahead and adjourn this meeting.
Is there a motion to adjourn the 430 meeting?
Motion motion by Commissioner Chenault.
Is there a second?
Second, second by commissioner stroke.
Any discussion?
All in favor aye.
Aye.
We will adjourn for three minutes.
Winchester City Commission Work Session on Strategic Plan Update
On November 12, 2025, the Winchester City Commission held a work session focused on updating the city’s strategic plan, facilitated by representatives John Buchanan and Sarah Stoll from the Kentucky League of Cities. The commission reviewed draft sections, discussed adjustments to goals and priorities, and made several revisions to the plan’s structure and wording. The meeting began with routine approvals and closed with a motion to adjourn.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the October 21, 2025 regular meeting and the October 27, 2025 special meeting (motion by Commissioner Chennault, second by Commissioner Tool).
- Departmental/Agency Reports: Accepted by unanimous vote (motion by Commissioner Stroud, second by Commissioner Tool).
Discussion Items
- Strategic Plan Update Work Session:
- John Buchanan presented the first draft of the updated strategic work plan, noting changes to the introduction, vision statement (moving "Quality of Life" to the top goal), and the addition of sections for completed and ongoing projects.
- Commissioners discussed and adjusted the seven identified strategic areas. Key changes included:
- Infrastructure (Area 5): Retained as is; no additions requested.
- Quality of Life (Area 1): Added a feasibility study for expanding the trail system from Walnut Grove to downtown. Moved the bullet on opioid abatement to the workforce section. Removed "downtown" from the enforcement bullet to make it citywide.
- Community Events: Consolidated duplicate bullets into one: "Create and support community festivals and events." Mentioned the upcoming 100th anniversary of the LA Hall Festival.
- Parks and Recreation: Left as a separate line item after discussion. Discussed renaming the splash park after Gene Gay. Corrected the name of the senior center to "Generation Center" and noted the meal program is called "Home Delight."
- Safe City: Replaced the bullet on increasing bike patrols with a broader statement supporting the police department’s operational decisions. Added language on embracing new technologies (e.g., Flock cameras, Fixit Winchester). Expanded "Increase police and fire staffing" to "Increase essential services staffing" to include public works and EMS.
- Workforce Development: Moved second-chance employment programming to a new opioid abatement subsection, with initial focus on using opioid settlement funds. Removed references to University of Kentucky; replaced with BCTC for workforce training. Discussed expanding storefront renovation funds through DDIF.
- Joint EMS Committee: Decided to delete the bullet on restarting joint school planning and keep the joint city-county EMS committee as ongoing.
- Budget and Timeline Tables: Significant changes were made. The commission agreed to consolidate three items (competitive salaries, responder needs, preparing for the future) into a single annual review of essential services departments. The timeline for the first responder campus was kept for 2023. Removed the bullet on independent living programming from the critical priorities, as it was seen as outside the city’s primary role. The family entertainment center was kept on the wishlist. Renamed the trail system consistently as "Brighton Trail off of Walnut Grove."
- The plan is to have the updated draft brought back for approval in December 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Strategic Plan Revisions Adopted in Principle: The commission approved the discussed changes to the strategic plan draft, with final edits to be incorporated by KLC and the city manager.
- Next Steps: The updated strategic plan will be presented at the December 2025 meeting for final approval.
- Adjournment: The work session was adjourned at approximately 4:45 PM (motion by Commissioner Chennault, second by Commissioner Stroud).
Meeting Transcript
I got my little notebook here. Hey Sarah, did Joey ask you about reading us in the pledge tonight? And then I just read tool. You know the words. Alright, he's saying hello, sir. Good evening. Well, sorry. We've had seven seven or nine. And it's three days. How do you do that? Yeah. I mean, as an hour cash to the day for doing absolutely nothing. Okay. Okay. She said you sound like fast. I think we're all in silly mood tonight. So Rob says that the planning commission is shown on the fiscal court YouTube page. Right. Okay. No. Oh Matthew. How are you just there? Good article. Oh. Very well, Stacy. We're having stance. Hey, when why don't you sit with Bruce because Bill and see how they actually say? Oh come on. That was a question. I can be my own. Trying to make that back. But I think it's okay. That's why we want to start. I don't think you're making well no. I don't think Covenant's just going to be here. He has training in Richmond. Oh, calling your own. Okay. Okay. Shannon's sister students. Yeah, she's having some hearing excuse me. Oh, but we won't go there. Okay. If everyone would please stand. I think Pledge of Allegiance. We've led this evening by Miss Sarah Stall from Kentucky League of Cities. Sarah? Pledge of allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republic for which one nation under God. Please remain standing.
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