OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Meeting - November 19, 2025

Board of Commissioners Meetings — Wednesday, November 19, 2025
BodyWinchester, Kentucky
SessionBoard of Commissioners Meetings
DateWednesday, November 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 48:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

AOAS Anyway.

0:12

Okay.

0:14

429.

0:15

429.

0:18

We're already with that one.

0:20

I'm not going to return these shoes.

0:26

I never pictures.

0:38

Okay.

0:39

Is it 430?

0:42

Okay, if everyone would please stand.

0:44

I'm gonna ask James Bowen, owner of Hasbee Collectibles if you'll lead us in our pledge this evening.

0:50

When regions to do the flight of the United States and the visible liberty and just destroy to please remain standing at our irritation of legislation by dying one.

1:10

Our most gracious Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for the privilege of being here tonight.

1:15

We thank you for the blessings that you give us each and every day.

1:18

We thank you for the staff that we have.

1:21

We thank you for this commission.

1:22

We thank you for the opportunities that you present to us each day.

1:26

And in this season of Thanksgiving, Lord, we pray that you would remind us that we have much to be truly grateful for and help us each day to be grateful for all the blessings and gifts that you give us.

1:39

Father, we do pray that you would be with all of our staff and especially our first responders that you would keep them safe in the rain and whatever they may come across this evening.

1:52

Lord bless our commission with wisdom and knowledge and help them to make good and right decisions that are honorable in your sight.

2:00

We love you and we praise you in Jesus' name we pray.

2:04

Amen.

2:04

Amen.

2:06

Thank you.

2:11

Okay, we'll officially call our meeting to order, and you will see the minutes attached.

2:18

Oh, I'm sorry, there are no minutes.

2:20

The minutes are not attached.

2:21

They are not, I'm sorry.

2:22

Okay, that's all right.

2:24

We'll just pretend it didn't say that.

2:26

Okay.

2:27

Okay, departmental agents reports 380 through D.

2:31

Is there anything anyone would like to highlight?

2:35

Seeing none, is there a motion to accept the departmental and agency reports?

2:40

Motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Chenault.

2:43

Any discussion?

2:44

All in favor, aye, aye.

2:45

Any opposed by sign?

2:47

Motion carries.

2:48

Okay, number four, informational item.

2:51

We just have one uh regarding Senate Bill 100.

2:55

Uh anyone want to comment on that.

2:58

If not, that's again information only.

3:01

Okay, we'll move into our work session, which will be bamboo regulations.

3:06

So uh we'll ask Shandon to come forward or home enforcement officer and tell us what's going on with the bamboo.

3:13

Yes, ma'am.

3:15

Okay, thank you.

3:16

Um about running bamboo.

3:21

There are a few types of bamboo.

3:23

Uh we have running bamboo and clump bamboo.

3:27

Um running bamboo is incredibly invasive, it's very vigorous, it's um it's difficult to contain, and we have several of these uh patches, if you will, in the community.

3:43

And over the years, as we've grown and as nursery stock is more available, variety stock is more available to the masses, and so different plants are getting planted, and we're just learning that these plants are very damaging to the ecosystem.

4:04

Uh we've noticed how calorie pair is just take takes over.

4:10

Well, bamboo, once it gets planted, it loves our climate, it loves uh our um our area.

4:22

So it is very aggressive once planted in this area at this latitude, and I don't know if you've driven down Moundhill, but if you have there's a big clump on Moundale, and as you can see, there is not anything else going to compete in that area.

4:40

So we could sit here and talk about all the ecological issues with bamboo, but really the issue that we probably need to consider in addition is how difficult it is once it jumps a property line to eradicate.

5:00

So I'm going to read just quickly that uh bamboo can break through barriers.

5:03

Um, it has an underground rhizome exploit cracks in concrete and push through asphalt.

5:10

It is the vigorous rhizomes can damage house foundations, swimming pools, retained walls, and underground pipes, potentially causing thousands of dollars in repairs.

5:20

It crosses property lines, it is notoriously aggressive shredder that doesn't not respect property lines and can quickly encroach on a neighbor's yard leading leading to legal disputes and expensive removal removal costs.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Environmental Protection█████████████████████21%
Public Safety████████████12%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Land Use Planning███████7%
Education█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Meeting - November 19, 2025

The Winchester City Commission held a work session on bamboo regulations followed by a regular meeting on November 19, 2025, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included presentations, approvals of routine orders, personnel actions, and discussion of a new invasive plant ordinance. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Work Session: Bamboo Regulations

  • Code Enforcement Officer Shandon presented on the ecological and property damage risks of running bamboo (genus Phyllostachys), noting it can break through concrete, damage foundations and pipes, and cross property lines, leading to costly removal. She identified several established patches in the community, including on Moundale and Windridge.
  • Commissioners discussed prohibiting the planting of running bamboo in the ground while allowing clumping bamboo or container planting. They considered existing stands and the need to require containment to property lines, similar to an ordinance from Burlington, New Jersey.
  • It was noted that state legislation (Senate Bill 100 or similar) on invasive species may be reintroduced in the upcoming session, but the commission decided to proceed locally rather than wait.
  • Commissioners directed Shandon and City Manager Brian to draft a sample ordinance for review, with a target to bring it back by the December 9 meeting.

Presentations & Recognitions

  • Chief’s Presentation: Captain Charles was recognized for rescuing Max, a child with cognitive disabilities (level 3 autism), who attempted to leave Baker Intermediate School on November 12, 2025. Captain Charles safely returned the child to the school. Max’s mother, Courtney Cosme, expressed gratitude.
  • Coach of the Year: Coach Robbie Graham was presented with a proclamation for being named the Kentucky Girls Basketball Coach of the Year by the Career Journal.

Consent Calendar (Items Voted Individually)

  • 3A: Order declaring certain city property obsolete and surplus. Motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Toole. Approved.
  • 3B: Approving $7,000 from the Downtown Development Investment Fund for a beer cheese relief fund grant for a business at 1 South Main Street. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Strode. Approved.
  • 3C: Approving $5,639 from the Downtown Development Investment Fund for a beer cheese relief fund grant for a business at 68 South Main Street. Motion by Commissioner Chenault, second by Commissioner Toole. Approved.
  • 3D: (Correction noted: originally listed as lower story retail, actually beer cheese relief) $7,660 for a business at 72 South Main Street. Motion by Commissioner [not specified], second by [not specified]. Approved.
  • 3E: Approving $3,000 from the Downtown Development Investment Fund for a lower story retail grant at 128 North Highland. Motion by Commissioner Strode, second by Commissioner Chenault. Approved.
  • 3F: Appointing Seth Boyd to the Winchester Tree Board for a four-year term. Motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Toole. Approved.
  • 3G: Accepting substantial completion and final cost of the Fulton Road Extension project. Motion by Commissioner Chenault, second by Commissioner Strode. Approved.
  • 3H: Declaring 4 ballistic helmets and 11 ballistic plate carriers surplus and transferring to the Wolfe County Sheriff’s Office (numbers corrected). Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Cox. Approved.
  • 3I: Declaring 11 ballistic helmets and 11 ballistic plate carriers surplus and transferring to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Motion by Commissioner Strode, second by Commissioner Toole. Approved.
  • 3J: Declaring 8 ballistic helmets surplus and transferring to the Clark County Public School Police. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Chenault. Approved.

Personnel Items

  • 4A: Promoting Leon Hunt from Assistant Code Enforcement to Code Enforcement. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Strode. Approved.
  • 4B: Accepting resignation of Harvey Schnauck (Operator 1) – he obtained an HVAC certificate and took a new job. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Strode. Approved.
  • 4C: Accepting retirement of Rebecca Power (Code Enforcement) after over 30 years of service; her last day is November 30, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Toole, second by Commissioner Cox. Approved.

Commissioner Comments & Announcements

  • Commissioner Strode reported positive feedback from downtown businesses about the weekend open house and noted a large turnout for Veterans Day (estimated 150 attendees).
  • Commissioner Cox shared experiences as guest principal at the high school and visits to the Batec school, and noted the retirement of Becky Power and resignation of building inspector Robert Rice (who accepted a promotion elsewhere).
  • Mayor announced a joint city-county meeting on January 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM (location TBD). Items for the agenda should be sent to Diana.
  • Jesse McCoy was recognized for completing the Kentucky Transportation Center’s Road Scholar program; his graduation is December 11, 2025.
  • BCTC enrollment at the local campus increased 23% from fall 2023 to fall 2024 (from 439 to 540 students).
  • House Bill 664, authorizing automated speed enforcement in work zones, was noted; pilot programs include Fayette County.
  • A book titled Fairy Tales by Heather Carter was promoted to support pet adoption; 50 animals are awaiting adoption at her facility.
  • Good Giving Day is December 2, 2025; Operation Happiness is requesting food donations.
  • The next regular meeting will be December 9, 2025 (no meeting on December 2).

Key Outcomes

  • All orders and personnel items were approved unanimously.
  • A draft ordinance prohibiting planting of running bamboo will be presented at the December 9 meeting.
  • The meeting was adjourned by motion of Commissioner Cox, seconded by Commissioner Chenault, at approximately [time not recorded].

Meeting Transcript

AOAS Anyway. Okay. 429. 429. We're already with that one. I'm not going to return these shoes. I never pictures. Okay. Is it 430? Okay, if everyone would please stand. I'm gonna ask James Bowen, owner of Hasbee Collectibles if you'll lead us in our pledge this evening. When regions to do the flight of the United States and the visible liberty and just destroy to please remain standing at our irritation of legislation by dying one. Our most gracious Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for the privilege of being here tonight. We thank you for the blessings that you give us each and every day. We thank you for the staff that we have. We thank you for this commission. We thank you for the opportunities that you present to us each day. And in this season of Thanksgiving, Lord, we pray that you would remind us that we have much to be truly grateful for and help us each day to be grateful for all the blessings and gifts that you give us. Father, we do pray that you would be with all of our staff and especially our first responders that you would keep them safe in the rain and whatever they may come across this evening. Lord bless our commission with wisdom and knowledge and help them to make good and right decisions that are honorable in your sight. We love you and we praise you in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Okay, we'll officially call our meeting to order, and you will see the minutes attached. Oh, I'm sorry, there are no minutes. The minutes are not attached. They are not, I'm sorry. Okay, that's all right. We'll just pretend it didn't say that. Okay. Okay, departmental agents reports 380 through D. Is there anything anyone would like to highlight? Seeing none, is there a motion to accept the departmental and agency reports? Motion by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Chenault. Any discussion? All in favor, aye, aye. Any opposed by sign? Motion carries. Okay, number four, informational item. We just have one uh regarding Senate Bill 100. Uh anyone want to comment on that. If not, that's again information only. Okay, we'll move into our work session, which will be bamboo regulations. So uh we'll ask Shandon to come forward or home enforcement officer and tell us what's going on with the bamboo. Yes, ma'am. Okay, thank you. Um about running bamboo. There are a few types of bamboo. Uh we have running bamboo and clump bamboo.

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