Please rise for our pledge of allegiance, which will led by our city clerk, Joy Purdue, followed by the invitation from our city manager, Dr.

Rich Mann.

Pledge allegiance to the United States.

Please remain standing.

Let's pray.

Our degree assembly father, we just want to take this opportunity tonight to ask for special blessings upon our city for the new year.

We thank you for the prosperous uh 2025, and we ask for continued blessings for uh safety, peace, and prosperity going into the new year.

We thank you for all of our leaders tonight.

We just ask you to be with them as they guide and direct our city.

Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

And you see, please be seated.

I will officially call the meeting to order.

Uh I'm gonna try to stay on test tonight.

I was having an MRI on my shoulder this morning and ran out of the room and had a claustrophobia.

So no we're aye this morning.

So it's been one of those kind of days, but it's good to see everybody here tonight and welcome.

Uh we have a not a huge agenda this evening, but uh we're gonna go through it and uh let's go.

Are we ready?

All right, minutes of the December 9th, 2025, special 530 p.m.

meeting.

Is there a motion to accept?

Motion by Commissioner Toole is there second.

Second by Commissioner Chenault.

Any discussion, additions, corrections?

All in favor, aye.

Aye.

Any opposed by like sign?

Motion carries item three, A through K.

These are departmental and agency reports.

Is there a motion to accept those?

Comment motion by Commissioner uh Strode.

Is there second second by Commissioner Toole?

Any discussion?

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed by like sign?

Motion carries item four informational items.

Uh as we always say, these are not do not require vote, they're information only.

I'd like to point out three things on this.

A I would like to congratulate on behalf of the city, uh Leisha Martin, who completed Kentucky's 2025 community development block grant administrators training, and she is now carrying the title of certified CDBG Administrator.

That's a huge step.

So we talked about this gentleman at our last meeting, but it's worthy of saying this again.

Uh Kentucky Transportation Center's 2025 Road Scholar and Roadmaster graduation.

Our own Jesse McCoy Engineering Tech received the Road Scholar designation and is working on his next level.

So let's congratulate Jesse.

And um, what I've going to do so everyone knows how we're going to do this.

I'm going through what we can legally do uh and give you all some timelines and uh we cannot take any comment this evening from us or from you, and I'll tell you why in just a second.

So okay.

Um if any of you are here this evening regarding the planning commission held on December the 9th and the vote to approve the application for the zoning change parcel at 2020 by Pest Row.

Please be advised that no action or discussion by the city commission or the public can take place at this meeting.

The city attorney has advised that Article 14 D of the Winchester Clark County Zoning Ordinance requires the planning commission to submit its recommendations to this body within 60 days after the public hearing, and that makes that date February 7th.

The planning commission meets tonight.

Tonight's their regular meeting across the street.

If any of you all want to attend after this meeting, where I anticipate the minutes of the December meeting will be approved.

I'm not, I can't speak for the planning commission, but we're anticipating those minutes be approved tonight.

Following approval of the their minutes, I understand that the planning director, Rob Jeffries, the Commission attorney Bobby Gaulett, and the chairperson, uh Stephen Fink will submit their recommendations back to us in a timely manner as required by the audience by the ordinance, not the audience, the ordinance.

The submission will consist of all these items that will be a letter to the commission making a recommendation.

We will be sent a draft ordinance.

We will be sent all the staff reports.

We will be sent all documents that were presented at the December 9th meeting.

We will receive the approved minutes from the December 9th meeting.

We will receive all the public comments that were from December 9th.

We will also have a video link and within a memo for the hearing recording portion of that meeting.

And then all that will be reviewed by us and reviewed by uh the attorneys.

I think Mr.

Ron, Mr.

Gullett, and Mr.

Dykman will go over that one more time.

But it's up to this commission to do our due diligence.

Uh, I'm gonna ask each person to review all submitted materials that we will be provided.

It's gonna be a lot, guys.

It's not gonna be it's gonna be a lengthy task to do, but at this point, we as a body have no legal basis to make a decision until after our review.

So that's the process, that's the procedure, and that's the legal way.

So we'll move on with the next item.

Item five ordinances first reading, uh, madam clerk.

This is a summary, an ordinance amending ordinance number 19-2001, an ordinance number two-2024, an ordinance relating to the establishment of an historic district overlay, designation and protection of historic district individual landmarks and prescribing penalty for violations.

Is there a motion?

So move motion by commissioner cox.

Is there a second?

Second by Commissioner Stroh.

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed by all like sign?

Motion carry.

Item five B, Madam Clerk.

This is a summary, an ordinance banning the planting or installation of invasive bamboo.

Do we have a photo of that?

Yes, if you go to the next slide.

Okay, we have several spots in the community where invasive bamboo is going into lines and the people's gutters, etc.

That's the need for this.

It's very invasive.

And if you live near that bamboo like that, um, I can point out some places you can go, and it's not good.

So we are working, we are planning uh an ordinance uh for the invasive bamboo.

That's what that's about.

Is there a motion to accept?

Motion by Commissioner Strode.

Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Commissioner Chenal.

Any discussion?

All in favor, aye.

Aye.

Any opposed by like sign?

Motion carries.

Let me back up just one second.

Mr.

Dykman, are you up in the ceiling tonight?

Yes, I am.

Mayor.

Is there anything you would like to add back on the zoning map amendment?

Sorry, no, I think I think you stated it exactly as it as it needs to be stated.

So no, nothing to add.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

I'm sorry.

That's all right.

Six, commissioner.

Uh clerk.

An order approving and accepting an automatic aid agreement between the city of Winchester and the Clark County Fiscal Court.

Chief, would you like to say anything about that?

Well, I mean, is there questions?

Uh I assume that you have it outlined there in front of you exactly what the order is.

It's the same as been forever in it.

Uh well, it's a little bit different, Commissioner.

Uh, as this body may remember, we signed a mutual aid agreement a few weeks ago.

Um, that created the ability to present this, uh, what you have in front of you tonight.

Um, this is basically an automatic aid agreement between the two departments on structure fires uh to the county and the city, um, identifying what resources will come uh on a first alarm assignment, as well as addressing some MBCs and emergencies on the southwest corner of the county.

So a huge benefit to the community and the county as a whole.

So very excited about it.

Is the uh fire department style their aid into the city?

Is that new?

Yes, that was a new agreement.

Yes, that does a different uh a few different things for us.

So any known structure fire that comes out for dispatch, uh the county will send one engine company uh and perhaps a battalion chief as a staff officer to oversee.

Um we will utilize them in a best practices approach of what we need at the time.

Uh, in turn, we will do the same thing for them.

Uh what they have the ability to do is if they have something in an industrial setting, something that requires uh an apparatus or piece of equipment they may not have, and they have access to our aerial um or rescue truck or our equipment or our knowledge base in the same for them.

So um a benefit, a collaborative effort that I'm very excited about, and hopefully it starts off 2026 in a way that shows one heartbeat community wide.

Um, so very excited about it and would appreciate your support in it.

Thank you for your efforts, sir.

Okay, do we have a motion on that door?

No.

Okay, it's the motion.

Motion by Commissioner Cox.

Is there a second?

Second by Commissioner Strode, and any more discussion.

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed by sign?

Motion carries item 6B.

An order approving a special warranty deed between the city of Winchester and Columbia Gas of Kentucky Incorporated.

There are a motion.

Motion by Commissioner Toole.

Is there a second?

Second by Commissioner Cox.

Any discussion?

Well, this will facilitate us being able to do some housing on that lot on mutual avenue.

Yeah, we're already partnering with Kentucky River Cook Hills for that exact lot.

So this was the last piece of the puzzle to get that consolidated.

Yeah.

That's when we agree.

That's good news.

Okay.

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed by sign?

Motion carries.

Item seven, madam clerk, personnel order.

An order employing Joseph Israel to fill the position of maintenance worker.

Is there a motion?

Motion.

Is there second?

Second.

All in favor, aye.

Hi.

Joseph, how about you coming up here second?

Don't want to embarrass you.

Let the people just see you.

And I told him for spring, so I can get away with it.

So I coach you football probably embarrassed him a whole lot more than this.

Well, he's a fine young man, and we're glad that you're gonna be part of the city.

And uh we look forward to working with you on a daily basis.

Welcome, thank you.

Welcome, welcome.

Okay, item B.

An order employing Jennifer Meredith to fill the position of building inspector.

Uh is there a motion?

So moved.

Motion by Commissioner Toole.

Is there a second?

Second by Commissioner Strode.

Any discussion?

All in favor, aye.

All right, Jennifer, it's your turn.

Come on.

Well what everybody look at you.

Then I know that's weird, but tell us what you're gonna be doing.

Um building inspection and backup, Jesse Engineering.

We're really glad to have you welcome aboard.

So thank you.

Thank you for coming to like both of them and Joseph.

Appreciate it.

All right, good luck.

All right, item eight.

Uh, are there any comments from the general public concerning items not on the agenda?

Join you looking at I don't think anybody signed in.

Anybody coming?

Okay.

All right, let's move down to comments from the mayor, commissioner, city manager, and city attorney.

So we'll start with Commissioner Tool.

Um I would love to see Facebook comments turned on.

I will leave by that every time.

But um, no, okay, thank you.

Happy 26th.

Yes, happy new year to everyone.

Uh want to give a report on bell ringing for the Salvation Army.

We exceeded our goal by about six six percent.

And considering is how uh Lexington came up sixty thousand dollars short of their goal.

Richmond was about 20% short of theirs, and they all wonder how we do to it here, and I say it's what we do in Winchester, it's what we do with Winchester.

I'll look at the good giving report or BG Gibbs or whatever it is, and I see that 10 of the top 17 agencies that received funding from Good Giving.

10 of seven of the top 17 are Clark County people or Clark County organization, and that just blows me away.

And also uh, I guess I ought to say uh if anybody doesn't know it, I'm af after 2028 years.

I am giving up this seat on the uh uh commission and have cast my hat into the ring for Clark County Judge Executive.

So but you're not giving up to the right, right?

Right, right.

Okay, anything else?

No, all right, Commissioner Strode.

I'll echo what Shannon said about this community being so giving.

I don't think there's ever a time that somebody doesn't ask for something and it's given by somebody, either individual or a group.

And um this is I guess the third year, maybe that Dale Hatton has done pizzas for the jail.

And not only did he do pizzas this year, he did got drinks from Pepsi's, he did um candy, and they got a pair of socks.

And it doesn't sound like a lot, but it really is, and it's very much appreciated.

He had his money way before the time.

So um don't ever you know count Winchester out when you need something.

And Shana, I it was so true about the good giving.

Yes, they're gonna hand out those checks on the 27th of January at the Weeds Theater at 8 o'clock.

It's a breakfast that morning.

So if any of you all want to come and support your your nonprofit there, I know they'd like to have you.

If I might add also uh Salvation Army-wise, between what the Salvation Army group did and what they did at the family race for Fener with the Angel Tree, we served 792 kids uh through guitar through guitar work.

We were also able to do 53 guitars to high school kids in Clark, Bourbon, Morgan, Minifee, uh McGolfin and Elliott Counties.

And while that's a big deal for Winchester, you go east of here to Morgan and McGoffin and Elliot and Minifique County, where they're a whole lot poorer than we are.

Those uh guitars mean a whole lot to those kids, and we're waiting on the first one to be on American Idol.

So thank you.

And you know, I echo what you all have said.

We are a loving getting to get you know, we rise to the occasion and uh and help supply things and and uh we love our people.

Yeah, so um oh not three, okay.

I'm far no, I'm just gonna say one thing.

Um Martin Luther King Day is the 19th, and um, it will start at nine o'clock from the courthouse with the march to St.

Agatha with um breakfast at 10, and Dustin Howard is the speaker this year.

Put that on your calendar.

We'll be doing a proclamation this year.

Really scrape the bottom of the barrel for a speaker.

Hopefully, Dustin's watching, and he heard that uh I would just like to say happy new year to everyone and thank the chief.

I've called on him several times for several things, and that's all I have.

Okay, city manager.

Yes, ma'am.

I want to highlight uh Chief Whitley and all the work he's done to put together um an event coming up on January the 20th called the Chip Terry Fund uh PTSD and trauma training.

Uh Chief, do you want to speak to that a little bit?

I know you worked hard on putting this together.

Um so on January 20th at 10 a.m.

to 12 uh p.m.

at 1919 rolling deals.

I think I got the address right, BCTC.

Uh a young lady by the name of Joe Terry would be presenting her story.

It's more of a testimony than it is a training.

Um, for those that don't know, you can Google the Chip Terry Foundation.

Chip Terry was an assistant chief of Cummings and Fire Department who lost his life in 2017 to suicide.

Um Joe Terry was his wife, and she gives her testimony on the things to look for in first responders.

This presentation is for first responders and their spouses, it is not for their children, but it is intended for those that make laws, ordinances, or rules that govern first responders.

Um, I would advise this group, the human resource director, anyone that has any relationship with first responders to be present.

Um we have talked about mental health issues uh with first responders, military service members for years.

Um I felt the personal obligation to put some tangible resources to those words.

Um that's my way of doing this.

Um, I've heard her speak at the Kentucky Association of Fire Chief Leadership Conference this past August in Bowling Green.

Um the testimony is very, very impactful.

Um, so I want to provide her testimony and the resources that she's able to provide as it relates to PTSD and the prevention of suicide in our first responders and just do my part.

So that's what it is.

Thank you, Chief, for organizing this one more time, date and time, January 20th.

Right.

10 to 12.

Could Diana send that out to us by email so that we can I'm sure she can.

And also just to follow up on that, we're gonna have a food truck there.

Uh that vendor would be there for 11 to 0 or two, or however long we need them.

Um, the intention of that is not only to grab a meal, but during this time of people getting food, maybe it um it fosters an atmosphere that's a little more relaxed for those people that do need some assistance or some resources in an unpressured way to have that one-on-one conversation with her or others that may be there, and there'll be others that give testimony.

So again, just encourage the uh sense of partnership, the sense of recognition in our first responders, um, and just trying to support them in any way we can.

Thank you, Chief.

Okay, Mr.

Dykman, do you have anything?

Uh other than saying um happy new year to everyone and uh my congratulations to Alicia Martin, my my second floor uh neighbor um getting the certified at C DBG.

That is as an administrator, that is a big deal, and we'll reap benefits for the city and county uh for the foreseeable future.

That's a big deal.

So congratulations, Alicia.

That's all I have, Mayor.

Thanks.

Thank you, sir.

I just said a couple of things.

Um wanted to congratulate our police department for participating in the toy drive.

And we that was more than successful.

Appreciate the officers doing what they do.

Uh got out on the newspaper, a uh photo where uh one of our officers arrested the grinch.

So that was pretty cool to do that.

I've never seen that before.

And then on uh Saturday, I'd like to invite everyone to the 2026 community prayer service.

Uh 10 a.m.

It'll be held at Living Rivers Fellowship, which is there on Belmont Avenue.

Um several speakers, and uh it's always a good time to um share and start the year with prayer and prayer for our community and uh and all of our folks.

Uh on Friday, I will be giving a state of the city address to the rotary club.

Um looking forward to that to talk about the progress we've made over the last couple of years and uh things we have in the hopper ready to move forward with.

So um, I don't know if I can invite you to the rotary.

You have to have the rotary, so I guess I'm on a rotarian, Matt is okay.

Um we might get you an application to join.

Okay, all right.

Is there um anything for closed sessions, Mr.

Major?

No, ma'am.

Mr.

Dykman, do you have anything for closed session?

No.

Okay, commission.

Do you have anything for closed session?

No, okay.

Motion to adjourn for a motion to adjourn.

Thank you, Commissioner Cox.

Is there a second?

Second.

Take them up, Commissioner Chanel.

Any discussion?

All in favor, aye.

Thank you all for being fine.

Maybe I don't think it's I don't think that's right.

Right.

Well, we have any help.

I mean