Winchester City Commission Meeting

The Winchester City Commission met on December 11, 2025, to discuss several key items, including a major downtown streetscape project, updates to the historic preservation ordinance, and public concerns about odor from a local fertilizer plant. The meeting also included recognition of the city's economic development director and a heartfelt letter from a family praising the community's response to a mental health crisis.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jesse Jarman, a 67-year resident of Winchester, expressed strong displeasure with ongoing issues on Hill Street, particularly from the Kentucky Fertilizer plant. He reported that a lime-like substance falls on his neighborhood several times a month, damaging gardens and causing respiratory problems for his wife, who requires oxygen. He stated that the odor permeates the entire north end and downtown. Mayor Reed and Commissioner Strode reported that an odor complaint on November 24 prompted an investigation by the state Division of Air Quality on December 4; inspectors found no violations but noted a brief odor in ambient air. The facility attributed the odor to a change in lignin supplier and has since reverted to the old process. The commission agreed to support a citizen petition and send a formal letter to Frankfort if Mr. Jarman collects signatures.

Presentations & Reports

• Recognition of Brad Southern: Mayor Reed presented a certificate from the Kentucky Association of Economic Development to Brad Southern, who has served as industrial development director for three years. The award recognized his leadership in bringing "hundreds of jobs and millions in capital investment" to Winchester Clark County.
• TAP Grant Presentation: Mike from Palmer Engineering, accompanied by project manager Josh Colburn, presented a request to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the next phases of the Main Street improvements. Phase one (costing $3.8 million, $600,000 under budget) is nearly complete with 29 punch-list items remaining. The proposed phase two (Boone Avenue to Lexington Avenue) and phase three design would add angle parking, bulb-outs, retaining walls, and rapid-flashing beacons at St. Agatha School Crossing. Total project cost is estimated at $3.157 million (Palmer estimate) to $3.3 million (state-mandated contingency). The TAP grant would cover 80% ($2.64 million), with a state GRANT grant covering the remaining 20%, requiring a city match of only $25,000. Design is expected in 2026, with construction in 2027. Commissioner Strode voiced concerns about diagonal parking hindering traffic flow, citing examples from other towns, but Mayor Reed and Commissioner Chenault supported the project as pedestrian-friendly and attracting new businesses.

Discussion Items

• Historic District Ordinance (First Reading): An ordinance amending the historic district overlay to increase the historic preservation commission from six to seven members was discussed. Commissioner Cox requested that the ordinance codify a requirement that at least two members be either business or property owners in the historic district, and that an ex-officio member from Planning and Zoning be included. The city attorney advised this would be a major change requiring a new first reading. The commission voted to table the ordinance and bring a revised version back in January.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Minutes: Unanimously approved minutes from the November 4, 2025 and November 18, 2025 meetings (both special and regular sessions) by separate votes.
• Approved Departmental Reports: Unanimously approved departmental reports (items 4A through 4M).
• Approved TAP Grant Resolution (6A): Unanimously passed a resolution authorizing submission of a TAP grant application for up to $2,674,400 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
• Approved GRANT Grant Resolution (6B): Unanimously passed a resolution authorizing submission of a Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (GRANT) grant application for up to $642,096 from the Cabinet for Economic Development.
• Approved Orders (8A-8E): Unanimously approved the reappointment of Krista Joint to the Heritage Commission; funding of $4,778 from Beer Cheese Relief Funds for a business at 66 South Main Street; a $1,000 Retail Kickstart Grant for a business at 128 North Highland; $1,631 from Beer Cheese Relief Funds for a business at 68 South Main Street; and a $2,750 Main Street High Side Business Support Grant for a business at 5 South Main Street.
• Approved Personnel Orders (9A-9C): Unanimously approved amendments to police department rules and regulations, rescinding and adopting a new position description for HR Benefits Coordinator, and amending the position description for Stormwater Coordinator/Code Enforcement Support.
• Closed Session: The commission voted unanimously to adjourn to closed session for property acquisition discussions (KRS 61.810(1)(b)).