Winchester City Council Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Winchester City Council convened on November 12, 2025, at approximately 3:20 PM (start of meeting). The meeting included a land acquisition for a CDBG redevelopment project, engineering contracts, downtown development grants, a resolution for a $750,000 transportation agreement, first reading of an ordinance to expand the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), and personnel policy changes. Several public comments addressed road conditions, water/sewer notice issues, and the HPC ordinance. A motion to table the HPC ordinance amendment passed, and the council voted to form an internal committee to study HPC reforms.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution adopting MOA with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Approved $750,000 for rural/municipal aid. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Strode. Passed unanimously.
• General Orders (items 4A–G):
  • 4A: Approved sale contract for 31 Lincoln Street for the CDBG Phase II redevelopment project for $21,000. (Motion Toole/Strode)
  • 4B: Approved contract with Palmer Engineering for the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge replacement project for $99,305. (Motion Chenault/Strode)
  • 4C: Approved a $6,000 downtown development fund grant (new business stipend) for 44 South Main Street. (Motion Strode/Chenault)
  • 4D: Approved a $6,000 downtown development fund grant (new business stipend) for 24½ North Main Street. (Motion Toole/Chenault)
  • 4E: Approved a $2,250 downtown development fund grant (façade project support) for 10 North Main Street. (Motion Toole/Strode)
  • 4F: Approved a $2,700 downtown development fund grant (façade project support) for 30 North Main Street. (Motion Chenault/Toole)
  • 4G: Approved a mutual aid agreement between the City of Winchester and Clark County Fiscal Court for emergency services. (Motion Strode/Chenault)
• Personnel Orders (items 5A–B):
  • 5A: Amended personnel policy regarding accumulated time and vacation eligibility; increased vacation time for employees with 0–5 years of service. Motion by Chenault, second by Strode. Passed unanimously.
  • 5B: Accepted resignation of police officer Micah Williams. Motion Chenault/Toole. Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Smith (Hamilton Street resident): Expressed concerns about road conditions after water work on Hamilton Street, specifically insufficient gravel and encroachment onto a neighbor’s yard. He requested city inspection and potential regravelling. Mayor directed City Manager Brian and Mike to inspect the area.
• James Bowen (business owner, 2 South Main Street): Raised two issues:
  1. Lack of 7-day notice for street work: Allen County construction work in front of his shop was done without prior notice, causing forced closure on a cold day and disrupting a planned event. He requested better notification, even 2–3 days in advance. Mayor directed Bruce to contact the contractor.
  2. Support for HPC but concerned about board composition: Expressed full support for historic preservation but noted that the current HPC board lacked building/business owners. He later learned there will be a minimum of three downtown property owners. He also inquired about the application process for boards/commissions; the clerk confirmed an online application is available.
• Adam Kidd (downtown property owner/business representative): Addressed two topics:
  1. Food pantry needs: Requested the city coordinate community efforts to support the local food pantry, which has unmet needs beyond broadband. He noted the pantry faces shortages and suggested the city help organize churches and volunteers. The mayor noted that council member Diana sits on the Council of Churches and could help coordinate.
  2. HPC reform: Advocated for forming a community committee to rewrite HPC guidelines before appointing new members. He stressed that property owners and contractors should be represented, and the current process is “lazy.” He urged the council to table the ordinance amendment and instead create a working group to develop new guidelines, guidelines that are simple, enforceable, and respectful of historic preservation while being practical for building owners.

Discussion Items

• First Reading of Ordinance to Amend HPC Membership (Item 3): The ordinance would increase the Historic Preservation Commission from 6 to 7 members to avoid tie votes. Mayor clarified that only the membership change was being voted on. Commissioner Toole expressed initial intent to dissolve HPC but reversed upon advice from the city attorney, who stressed the commission’s importance.
  • Adam Kidd (speaking during public comment on the agenda item): Argued that the amendment was premature. He noted the HPC has been effectively dormant and that property owners were not consulted. He urged the council to first convene stakeholders (including him and other business owners) to rewrite guidelines and determine board composition, then amend the ordinance. He stated the current guidelines are “worthless” and the existing board had no property owner representatives.
  • Bill Dykeman (HPC member?): Said he saw no reason to table the ordinance, as it only adds a seat, and that board composition could be addressed later. He expressed personal belief in the need for a historic overlay commission.
  • Commissioner Strode: Initially moved for adoption but withdrew motion after public comments, stating she favored the board but wanted to ensure downtown representation.
  • Commissioner Chenault: Made a motion to table the ordinance, which was seconded by Commissioner Strode. Passed unanimously.
• Formation of Internal Committee on HPC (later in meeting): Following further discussion, Commissioner Tool moved to create an internal committee comprising the planning director, property/business owners, and other stakeholders to study HPC reforms and bring recommendations. Seconded by Chenault. Passed unanimously.
• Comments from Commissioner Tool: Raised concerns about the city’s Facebook page turning off comments, calling it a transparency issue. He noted that even negative comments should be allowed and that lack of response to his direct message was problematic. City Manager explained that comments were disabled due to employee harassment and misinformation, and that citizens can still share posts and comment on their own pages. Commissioner Tool maintained that comments should be turned back on.

Key Outcomes

• Tabled Ordinance Amending HPC Membership (Item 3): Motion to table passed unanimously. The item will return at a later date.
• Internal Committee Formed: Council voted to create an internal committee with the planning director, property/business owners, and other stakeholders to develop recommendations for HPC structure and guidelines. (Motion by Tool, second by Chenault; passed unanimously.)
• Road inspection promised: City manager will inspect Hamilton Street conditions tomorrow.
• Contact contractor for notice: Mayor directed Bruce to discuss 7-day notice requirements with the Allen County contractor.
• Food pantry coordination: Council member Diana to follow up with the Council of Churches; city may facilitate coordination.
• Next regular meeting: No date mentioned, but the council will bring back HPC discussion after the internal committee reports.

Additional Highlights

• Mayor thanked Community Trust Bank for donating a treadmill to the police department and acknowledged other community contributions (Central Bank’s $20,000 for baby box, $6,000 for Christmas decorations).
• Commissioner Strode thanked Public Works and volunteers for Christmas decorations and encouraged participation in Operation Happiness.
• Veterans Day celebration announced for November 11 at 11 AM at the Broadway memorial (new sod laid, bricks still available).