OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Work Session & Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026

Board of Commissioners Meetings — Wednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyWinchester, Kentucky
SessionBoard of Commissioners Meetings
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:17

Transcript — Verbatim
1:12

Okay, if everyone please rise, we will have our pledge for leaders led by Jeff Lewis, our director of the Winchester Park County Parks and Recreation, followed by the invocation by Commissioner Cops.

1:38

Please remain staying.

1:41

Dear Lord, we thank you for this day.

1:45

Thank you for this chance to meet.

1:49

Lord, we thank you for where we live.

1:54

Lord, we praise you for what you can do, what you will do.

1:59

Lord, we know that you can do all that we ask more than we ask.

2:18

That we have done what we ought to do.

2:21

Lord, we we we play, we pray blessings upon our first rebonders and Lord.

2:34

We pray that the weather that comes in here this week that Lord, we know that we can handle it.

2:45

But Lord, we just pray we can handle it easier than we even imagine.

2:53

We pray these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord at safe.

2:56

Amen.

2:57

Please be seated.

3:05

Item number two, minutes from January 6th, 2026, our regular 530 p.m.

3:11

meeting.

3:12

Is there a motion?

3:13

I'll move.

3:15

Is there a second?

3:18

Second by commissioners true.

3:20

Any additions or corrections?

3:22

All those in favor, aye.

3:24

Any opposed by a like sign?

3:26

Motion carries.

3:27

Item three, departmental agency reports.

3:30

Again, uh, we do need a motion on this.

3:32

So is there a motion?

3:35

Motion by Commissioner Tool.

3:36

Is there a second?

3:37

Second.

3:37

Second by Commissioner Chenau.

3:39

Anything anyone would like to highlight, lift out?

3:42

If not, all in favor, aye.

3:44

Aye.

3:44

Any opposed by a light sign, motion carries.

3:47

Item four, informational items.

3:49

Um you hear me say every meeting that uh these are for information only, so there's no vote taken on that.

3:56

Item five, we're going right into our work session.

4:00

And this evening we will be uh guess with the nice Mr.

4:04

Jeff Lewis, uh, who again is the director of Lark County Parks and Rick, or Winchester Clark County Carson Rick, and he's gonna give us an update about what's going on in our parks.

4:16

Thank you so much, Mary.

4:17

Thank you, sir.

4:31

I need to take my path favorite.

4:35

Thanks.

4:42

So I will obviously go down the list of every one of these things here because there's there's a ton of really good things we did last year.

5:02

Our building turned 100 last week.

5:06

And she's on live support.

5:09

We tell everybody she could use the transfusion probably, maybe a couple rooms.

5:13

But you know, we everybody we make it work.

5:16

And if you read some of those comments on there, a lot of people will tell you that they would rather come to the old building with people that care versus a new building with people that don't.

5:26

We do care about our people, we make extended relationships with our people.

5:30

It's very important to us to be out in the community.

5:33

It's very important to us to see that you know we're trying to take the monies that are given to us by city and county government and double or triple us.

5:42

And we've been able to do that over the last 10 years are revenues that now, of course, we have to get money to make money, but the revenues that we have received from city and county, we have turned into where now we are actually making more almost equivalent to what the city has given us with pass fees and membership fees.

6:05

So we're we're we're not proud of that in regard that we do have to charge more to make more, but we are proud of that, but we are trying to uh make it easier on the city and county government by helping cover like programming and things like that.

6:18

Those come out of the majority of the programs comes out, and we're lucky that we're Greg Wiseman.

6:23

He's uh uh board chair of our uh 501c3.

6:27

Anytime we're out in the community, if we're feeding kids or we're doing things like that, we always let people know that does not come out of budget because a lot of people like why are they buying pizza for kids or why are we doing these things?

6:38

Not that comes out with budget, all that comes from Friends of Parks and Recreation, or it comes from sponsors.

6:43

Uh we've had uh various sponsors that come out and sponsor often supernovae pop-ups, we'll beat the kids a little bit, a small meal, and also uh try to engage them in a play and things like that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████22%
Land Use Planning████████████████16%
Procedural████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Community Engagement███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Work Session & Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Winchester City Commission convened on January 21, 2026, for a work session followed by a regular meeting. The work session featured an update from Jeff Lewis, director of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation, highlighting 2025 accomplishments, challenges, and future needs. The regular meeting included a controversial rezoning vote for a 29.67-acre tract at 722 Colby Road and 2020 Bypass Road, along with several routine approvals and public comments.

Parks and Recreation Update

  • Jeff Lewis, director of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation, reported on 2025 accomplishments and ongoing challenges. The building turned 100 years old; Lewis noted it is "on life support." Revenue from city and county funding has been leveraged to nearly equal those contributions through pass fees and membership fees.
  • The splash park opened at the end of summer 2025; a punch list is being completed, and a cost for public use—potentially offset by donations—is under discussion. The Brown family has stepped in to manage it again in 2026.
  • A new shelter and concession stand (with roll-down doors) are nearly complete. Drainage improvements behind the building are underway, which will free up new programming space.
  • Programming has expanded: line dancing, new classes, and a partnership with the school system for teacher classes. The free swim lesson program, now in its third full year, served approximately 500 students annually.
  • The bike rodeo, supported by an Elks grant (~$3,500) and other sponsors, gave away about 62 brand-new bicycles in 2025. The event was moved earlier in the summer to allow more riding time.
  • The college park pool remains a regional asset, hosting swim teams from Mount Sterling and beyond. Swim lessons are far more affordable than private options (noting private costs of $1,400/month).
  • Capital concerns over the next one to three years include roof HVAC units (20‑22 years old) and an aging fleet (1998 and 1999 model trucks). The new HVAC system was praised as dramatically improving comfort.
  • Social media engagement has grown to nearly 10,000 Facebook followers and over 12,000 Instagram followers.
  • Friends of Parks and Recreation (501c3) funds programs, including scholarships for more than 50% of summer camp attendees. Summer camp costs approximately $400–$450 per child for eight weeks, including swimming 2–3 times per week.
  • A potential trail system was mentioned, with existing trails that could be advertised as a traveling trail.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from January 6, 2026, were approved unanimously.
  • Departmental agency reports were accepted (motion by Commissioner Tool, second by Commissioner Chenault).
  • Informational items were noted – no vote taken.

Ordinances – Second Reading

  • Historic District Overlay Ordinance (2A): Amended ordinances 19-2001 and 2-2024 regarding historic district designation and protections. Approved by roll call vote: all five commissioners voted yes.
  • Invasive Bamboo Ban (2B): Ordinance banning planting or installation of invasive bamboo. Approved by roll call vote: all five commissioners voted yes.

Ordinance – First Reading

  • Rezoning 29.67 Acres at 722 Colby Road / 2020 Bypass Road (Item 3): The first reading of an ordinance to change zoning from Professional Office (P1) to General Business (B4). Mayor Reed noted the property is not returning to green space; the planning commission voted 5–0 to recommend approval and the city had 60 days (until February 7, 2026) to act; if no action, the change would take effect March 10, 2026. A traffic impact study (80 pages) concluded that levels of service would remain acceptable, though right-turn lanes and a left-turn lane on Colby Road would be needed. Mayor Reed cited estimated annual tax revenues: city $61,500 (property) + $193,500 (payroll); county $40,000; schools $334,000. Commissioner Tool requested developer considerations: right-turn-only access on Colby Road, construction entrance solely from the bypass, and a walkway through the development. Commissioner Cox raised concerns about stormwater and flooding for downstream properties, questioning the traffic study’s methodology. City engineer Rob responded that any development must meet MS4 stormwater requirements and that a stormwater study will be required before construction; no developer has ever backed out due to stormwater costs in his tenure. Commissioner Strode supported the rezoning, citing trust in the planning commission and the need for economic growth. Commissioner Chenault spoke in favor, emphasizing community growth. The motion to approve carried on roll call: Chenault (yes), Strode (yes), Reed (yes), Cox (no). (Second reading will occur at the February 3, 2026 meeting.)

Other Appointments & Orders

  • Historic Preservation Commission reappointments: Barbara Disney, Brandy Peter, Lisa Rice, Gary Hess – all approved unanimously.
  • Beer Cheese Relief Fund grants: $3,000 to a business at 21A South Main Street (motion by Commissioner Toole) and $10,000 to a business at 10 South Main Street (motion by Commissioner Strode) – both approved unanimously.
  • Personnel orders: Approved position description for accounting specialist; employed Christina Cooter (patient transfer specialist), Jacob Allen (single-roll paramedic); reclassified Joanna Brady from accounting clerk to accounting specialist. All approved unanimously.

Public Comments

  • Perry Williams (GSR Real Estate) reported flooding damage to four downtown buildings (five South Main, six-two South Main, 66 South Main, and Mason 77). He stated that 30,000 gallons of water flooded the basement of 66 South Main about 10–14 days earlier, causing an estimated $40,000–$60,000 in damages per building. He expressed concern about moving to phase two and three of development before phase one is solid, and requested creative solutions for repairs. He noted that concrete dust from construction degrades painted exteriors, adding another $10,000 per building. He asserted that if structural issues are not addressed, some of the buildings could be lost.

Commission Comments

  • Commissioner Strode reported on the Martin Luther King celebration: the mayor’s proclamation was well received, the humanitarian award was presented, and attendance was so high that a larger venue may be needed next year. Also noted receipt of 25 planters for downtown beautification, to be installed in spring.
  • Commissioner Toole requested that the city turn Facebook comments back on.
  • City manager praised Chief Whitley for PTSD training and commended the fire and police departments for their response to a fire on North Main Street.

Key Outcomes

  • Rezoning of 722 Colby Road / 2020 Bypass Road passed on first reading (4–1), with Commissioner Cox dissenting. Second reading and final vote scheduled for February 3, 2026.
  • All appointments (Historic Preservation Commission) and beer cheese relief fund grants approved.
  • Personnel orders (hires, reclassification, position description) approved.
  • Meeting adjourned to closed session at approximately 7:30 PM for potential litigation (KRS 61.810(1)(c)) and personnel matters (KRS 61.810(1)(f)).

Additional Notes

  • Mayor Reed stressed the commission’s commitment to green space, mentioning a potential donation of nearly 16 acres near the current walking trail. She also clarified that previous discussions about a police/fire precinct on land offered by Greater Clark Foundation stalled due to the county’s question of “who is going to be in charge.”
  • Stormwater concerns raised by Commissioner Cox were addressed by city engineer Rob, who stated that any development must comply with MS4 requirements and that a stormwater study will be required before construction. He affirmed that no developer has ever withdrawn due to stormwater costs.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, if everyone please rise, we will have our pledge for leaders led by Jeff Lewis, our director of the Winchester Park County Parks and Recreation, followed by the invocation by Commissioner Cops. Please remain staying. Dear Lord, we thank you for this day. Thank you for this chance to meet. Lord, we thank you for where we live. Lord, we praise you for what you can do, what you will do. Lord, we know that you can do all that we ask more than we ask. That we have done what we ought to do. Lord, we we we play, we pray blessings upon our first rebonders and Lord. We pray that the weather that comes in here this week that Lord, we know that we can handle it. But Lord, we just pray we can handle it easier than we even imagine. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord at safe. Amen. Please be seated. Item number two, minutes from January 6th, 2026, our regular 530 p.m. meeting. Is there a motion? I'll move. Is there a second? Second by commissioners true. Any additions or corrections? All those in favor, aye. Any opposed by a like sign? Motion carries. Item three, departmental agency reports. Again, uh, we do need a motion on this. So is there a motion? Motion by Commissioner Tool. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Chenau. Anything anyone would like to highlight, lift out? If not, all in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed by a light sign, motion carries. Item four, informational items. Um you hear me say every meeting that uh these are for information only, so there's no vote taken on that. Item five, we're going right into our work session. And this evening we will be uh guess with the nice Mr. Jeff Lewis, uh, who again is the director of Lark County Parks and Rick, or Winchester Clark County Carson Rick, and he's gonna give us an update about what's going on in our parks. Thank you so much, Mary. Thank you, sir. I need to take my path favorite. Thanks. So I will obviously go down the list of every one of these things here because there's there's a ton of really good things we did last year. Our building turned 100 last week. And she's on live support. We tell everybody she could use the transfusion probably, maybe a couple rooms. But you know, we everybody we make it work. And if you read some of those comments on there, a lot of people will tell you that they would rather come to the old building with people that care versus a new building with people that don't.

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