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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026

Board of Commissioners Meetings — Tuesday, August 18, 2026

BodyWinchester, Kentucky

SessionBoard of Commissioners Meetings

DateTuesday, August 18, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 50:31

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:09

Pledge of allegiance to be led by Kyle Rainey this evening if you'll come forward.

2:14

I know you don't like to do that, but do anyway.

2:21

W general manager, would you please lead us in the place?

2:25

I pledge it.

2:46

Let us pray.

2:47

Father, we come to you this evening.

2:48

We thank you for the occasion that we come together and uh Lord I just uh ask you to be with us and guide us as we make decisions and Lord that impact our community uh today and tomorrow and uh uh Lord impact our children and uh those that uh uh are all around us.

3:06

I thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve.

3:08

I pray that you bless the commission tonight as they uh review the business of the city and uh as we uh look at these uh promotions and those that uh Lord are around us that will uh be taking on new positions, Lord.

3:22

I pray that you bless them and their families, keep them safe and watch over them.

3:26

And then Lord, we thank you for all the goodness that you've shown unto us.

3:30

Bless us as we uh go through the rest of this evening, and uh Lord may you get all the honor and the glory is in Jesus' precious name.

3:36

I make my prayer.

3:37

Amen.

3:39

Please be seated, thank you, Mr.

3:43

And we'll officially call the meeting to order.

3:47

I'll be taking a few things out of order because we have a lot of excited family here this evening for uh good reasons.

3:55

And let's uh madam clerk, let's move to personnel orders first and uh go through all of those A through N.

4:05

And then uh is Joy Curtis in the audience.

4:11

Just being sure you're here, Joy.

4:13

That's all.

4:14

So um Madam Clerk, if we will go to item six a.

4:21

I will let you read that and we'll take a vote to see if we're gonna pin William Queasenberry tonight.

4:28

And order promoting William Quesenberry from fire lieutenant to assistant fire chief.

4:33

Is there a motion?

4:34

Um motion by Commissioner Strode.

4:36

Is there a second?

4:37

Second by Commissioner Cox in discussion?

4:40

All in favor.

4:41

Aye.

4:41

Aye.

4:42

Any opposed by like signed, motion carries.

4:44

I'll now send send this over to uh Chief Riggs and let him do the pinning of week.

4:51

Ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, I think you've got this opportunity for us to uh host our promotion here.

4:57

First isn't Global Wind.

5:01

Assistant Chief Quiz Mary has eight years of experience with the Winchester Fire Department.

5:05

He's got three years as a lieutenant.

5:08

And we are very honored to have your step in role.

5:13

We have him is his wife Shelby.

5:15

His children, JR, Millie, and Lily.

5:22

All intendants are father.

5:25

And various other representatives of Moorehead.

5:36

Chief.

5:37

Chief, if anyone would like to of their families take a photo, please feel free to stick in our aisle and do that so you can get a good one.

6:23

Congratulations, sir.

6:25

Yes.

6:27

Item B, six B.

6:29

An order promoting Jonathan Bean from the fire lieutenant to battalion chief.

6:38

He's been in the role of lieutenant for four years.

6:41

We are very honored to be sorry.

6:43

Thank you.

6:44

Thank you, Speaker.

6:45

We have is this uh daughter Harper?

6:47

She is one of the band here.

6:49

Also, the daughter's trained and like thank you.

7:25

Okay, Jonathan, while you're there, stand still a minute.

7:28

Let us vote on that.

7:30

Is there a motion?

7:32

So moved by Commissioner Cox, second by Commissioner Toole.

7:36

All in favor?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Personnel Matters██████████████████████████████████████38%

Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████22%

Public Engagement██████████████14%

Procedural███████7%

Land Use Planning██████6%

Transportation Safety█████5%

Homelessness█████5%

Fiscal Sustainability███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Winchester City Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026

The City of Winchester Board of Commissioners met on August 18, 2026, beginning at approximately 9:29 PM UTC. The meeting included multiple personnel actions for the fire department, a retirement proclamation for City Clerk Joy Curtis, a comprehensive update from Winchester Municipal Utilities (WMU) General Manager Kyle Rainey regarding the consent decree and infrastructure investments, first and second readings of ordinances, and public comments concerning a proposed sober living facility and a request to bring back a Long John Silver's restaurant.

Personnel Orders

Fire Department Promotions: The commission approved promotions for William Quesenberry to Assistant Fire Chief, Jonathan Bean to Battalion Chief, Ethan Brooklyn to Battalion Chief, John Gallagher to Fire Lieutenant, Chris Harms to Fire Lieutenant, and Luke Meltner to Fire Lieutenant. Each promotion was approved unanimously.
Reclassification and Employment: The commission approved reclassifying Andrew Miller from part-time EMT to paramedic; employing Carol Charles and Athena Simpson as crossing guards; employing Sarah Phillips as receptionist/administrative assistant; granting educational certification incentive salary increases; and granting longevity salary increases. All motions passed unanimously.
Retirement of Joy Curtis: The commission accepted the retirement of City Clerk Joy Curtis, effective August 31, 2026, after more than 27 years of service (from May 17, 1999 to August 31, 2026). A proclamation was read honoring her professionalism, integrity, and commitment, and she was presented with a certificate.

Public Comments & Testimony

William Baker (representing the Pineaville neighborhood) asked about progress on a proposed homeless shelter in a residential area. City Manager Mike responded that the commission had passed second reading of a sober living ordinance that includes zoning and certification requirements; the proposed facility on Third Street was no longer being considered. Baker requested and received a copy of the ordinance.
Kenny Book requested that the city bring back a Long John Silver's restaurant. A commissioner responded that the franchise is owned by a 97-year-old individual in California who holds exclusive rights and is unlikely to reopen.

WMU Update and Discussion

Kyle Rainey presented an update on WMU's progress under the April 2007 federal consent decree addressing Clean Water Act violations. Key statistics:
- 92% reduction in annual sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) volume from 203.1 million gallons (2006) to 1.6 million gallons (2024).
- 93% reduction in number of SSOs from 28 (2008) to 16 (2024).
- Over $82.1 million in capital improvement projects and $3.7 million in programs (C MOM, flow monitoring, I&I reduction), totaling more than $85 million invested in wastewater infrastructure.
- An additional $23.2 million invested in a new water treatment plant and waterline improvements.
- An EPA and Kentucky Department of Water audit in March 2026 found no significant findings; the EPA was to submit favorable recommendations to the DOJ within 90 days, but as of August 12, 2026, the submission had not occurred.
Commissioner comments addressed social media misinformation about WMU rates and water usage. A commissioner clarified that sewer rate increases are capped by ordinance at 3% per year (2.7% this year), corrected claims that WMU was rerouting water to data centers (none exist in Winchester), and noted that minimum city water rates are $6.20 compared to East Clark County's $28.80. The commissioner urged the public to call WMU with concerns and praised WMU staff.

Ordinances

Item 3 (First Reading): An ordinance annexing 6.47 acres at 27 D Boonesboro Road (James Monroe Development) into the city. The motion passed unanimously. The next step is a second reading after a 45-day county notification period.
Item 4 (Second Reading): An ordinance establishing the Colby Road Local Development Area. A roll call vote was taken: Commissioner Chenault yes, Commissioner Strode yes, Mayor yes, Commissioner Cox no, Commissioner Toole yes. Motion carried 4-1.

Other Business

Item 5A: An order accepting the Main Street high side improvement project with a final change order of $157,231.62. Discussion included a warranty issue on a roundabout coating. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned after public comments.

Meeting Transcript

Pledge of allegiance to be led by Kyle Rainey this evening if you'll come forward. I know you don't like to do that, but do anyway. W general manager, would you please lead us in the place? I pledge it. Let us pray. Father, we come to you this evening. We thank you for the occasion that we come together and uh Lord I just uh ask you to be with us and guide us as we make decisions and Lord that impact our community uh today and tomorrow and uh uh Lord impact our children and uh those that uh uh are all around us. I thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve. I pray that you bless the commission tonight as they uh review the business of the city and uh as we uh look at these uh promotions and those that uh Lord are around us that will uh be taking on new positions, Lord. I pray that you bless them and their families, keep them safe and watch over them. And then Lord, we thank you for all the goodness that you've shown unto us. Bless us as we uh go through the rest of this evening, and uh Lord may you get all the honor and the glory is in Jesus' precious name. I make my prayer. Amen. Please be seated, thank you, Mr. And we'll officially call the meeting to order. I'll be taking a few things out of order because we have a lot of excited family here this evening for uh good reasons. And let's uh madam clerk, let's move to personnel orders first and uh go through all of those A through N. And then uh is Joy Curtis in the audience. Just being sure you're here, Joy. That's all. So um Madam Clerk, if we will go to item six a. I will let you read that and we'll take a vote to see if we're gonna pin William Queasenberry tonight. And order promoting William Quesenberry from fire lieutenant to assistant fire chief. Is there a motion? Um motion by Commissioner Strode. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Cox in discussion? All in favor. Aye. Aye. Any opposed by like signed, motion carries. I'll now send send this over to uh Chief Riggs and let him do the pinning of week. Ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, I think you've got this opportunity for us to uh host our promotion here. First isn't Global Wind. Assistant Chief Quiz Mary has eight years of experience with the Winchester Fire Department. He's got three years as a lieutenant. And we are very honored to have your step in role. We have him is his wife Shelby. His children, JR, Millie, and Lily. All intendants are father. And various other representatives of Moorehead. Chief. Chief, if anyone would like to of their families take a photo, please feel free to stick in our aisle and do that so you can get a good one. Congratulations, sir. Yes. Item B, six B. An order promoting Jonathan Bean from the fire lieutenant to battalion chief. He's been in the role of lieutenant for four years. We are very honored to be sorry.

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