Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The city of Frank December meeting it's December 15th 5 now and we'll begin with the pledge of allegiance.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madame clerk, will you please call the role? Commissioner Richardson here. Commissioner Anger present. Commissioner May here. Commissioner Smith Willis here. Mayor Wilkerson

present. And we'll begin tonight with citizens comments. And we do have a few in the audience. And I want to welcome our visitors. And as I call your name, if you'll approach the podium, state your name for the audience. and uh we give you 5 minutes. We'll give you a one minute warning. And first, Penny Peaveler, welcome back.

Thank you. Good evening, members of the commission. My name is Penny Peeler, and I'm the executive director of Develop Frankfurt, formerly known as uh Kentucky Capital Development Corporation. I've provided you with a copy of a resolution that was recently passed by our board of directors uh which is in support of the Frankfurt 100 resolution adopted in October 2021 and aligning with best practices adopted by municipalities uh nationwide for the integration of sustainable environmentally responsible building features such as energy efficient systems, green roofs, water conservation strategies and bird friendly glazing supports. And we offer this resolution to you um in support of the city's broader environmental commitments, but also particularly um to draw attention to the proposed new Frankfurt Convention and Meeting Center, which we know will serve as a key economic driver for the community. And we encourage you through this resolution uh to impart upon the um selected uh development design bill partner to advocate for environmentally um responsible design standards. So that's what we're bringing to you today. And I just wanted to bring you um a little update along those lines. We have been working on the deeds and covenants for the new Franklin Anderson Commerce and Technology District um of which you're a part. Thank you for your support of that. And we are also working to update the covenants in this new development which will also um assert environmentally responsible design standards. And so, um, a couple of months ago, the board of our organization also readopted, um, the

what I would say are the, um, initial more stringent environmental regulations which were put in place in 2009 when Industrial Park 3 was, uh, created. And so, uh, we applaud your efforts at environmental sustainability and we want to offer our full support for that and say that that is, um, that's how our organization is operating as we put new deeds and covenants in place because these are good business decisions. They make financial sense for energy conservation and they certainly support um, our city's broader efforts. So, um, thank you for having me. It's good to see everybody. Thank you for being here.

Thank you for your support of our organization. Congratulations on the name change. Let's say congratulations on the name change. I love this. We think it's um we think it's much more descriptive of the mission of our organization in community and economic development and certainly puts forth um the larger mission to diversify our economic development efforts um to create a more sustainable tax base for the residents of Frankfurt and Franklin County. Thank you. Thank you.

Next, Rich Rosen. Good afternoon. I am Rich Rosen. I live in downtown Frankfurt and I I guess more than anything I consider myself to be an environmentalist, a conservationist, and therefore uh but I'm also on the board of of uh KCDC and uh really support this resolution that Penny has just described to you. What I want to see happen is I want you guys to really push the city planning and the county planning. We're going to talk to the fiscal court as well to draft some rules and regulations uh to make uh Franklin County a more environmentally friendly place with a really good reputation. They can look to things like lead certification and the US Green Building Council for guidance. They could look to other cities in Kentucky and in the nation for guidance. And um we can follow some of those those good examples. and maybe more importantly, we can become the example of what's what's good for for Kentucky. Um, some of the things that would be included might be included would be uh building designs that will support the weight of future installation of rooftop solar. uh permeable parking lot surfaces and sidewalks to reduce groundwater runoff, landscaping with trees and shrubs native to our part of Kentucky, uh water retention ponds to again trap runoff, and then a couple things that I want to really focus on uh right now is things which I consider to be bird friendly. Um and that would that would be uh dark sky lighting which um uh when birds are migrating at night uh which they do and bats too for that matter. There are so many collisions with uh buildings that have left their lights on and there's really no reason for it. It's energy saving to um um turn your lights off uh at night at least put motion activated lighting in the

building so it'll shut off automatically at night. The other thing I want to talk about is installation of birds safe window glass in the new construction especially in this pending new uh convention center uh and meeting space. Glass kills about a billion birds per year. A billion birds per year in the United States including large numbers of migratory song birds. In 2023 McCormack Place in Chicago had a thousand bird deaths in a single night during the fall migration. What they've done there in Chicago with McCormack Place is they have gone in and retrofitted with bird safe glass and they have uh adopted better lighting practices and this has reduced bird deaths by 95%. So it can be done. Um one of the concerns that I've heard when I've broached this subject in the past is it's going to be cost prohibitive. No developers want would want to put in uh bird proof glass. Um, but I contacted the American Bird Conservancy who does all the testing on bird safe glass and they uh provided uh some examples um which I have here. You're welcome to look at this. If you want me to send you copies, I'd be happy to. Okay, Kim, I'll do that. Um, if you look at new construction, putting in birds safe glass adds less than one half of 1% to the cost of the building. So, if you're out and you're going to buy a new dress, you're going to buy a new sport coat for $100. Lane, I know you spend more than that on your sport coats. Um, $100, that's going to add 50 cents. That's 50 cents on $100. So, no, this glass is not cost prohibitive. Um and one of the things I think we can accomplish I I also serve on the forest advisory board or the tree board. Uh we are a tree city USA. We can become with the help of the Ottban

Society and there's some Ottabban society members here. We can become a bird city USA. Okay. Um, I think from an economic development standpoint to have an image of a progressive green city is good for our economy and good for the citizens. And I know that's what we are all concerned about. There is no there should be no opposition to a resolution like this. I think everybody left, right, and center up and down will agree that this is the right thing to do. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. And next, Betty Bar.

Hi, I'm Betty Bar. I grew up here. I was away for 40 years in Colorado, but I'm back and I live on Shelby Street in the house I grew up in. I care a lot about Frankfurt. I'm on the board of the Frankfurt Ottabon Society. I'm also on the board of the newly formed Dark Sky Kentucky, a chapter of Dark Sky International. So, we are advocating for a healthy environment that includes mitigating bird deaths from window collisions and also the health problems and outcomes that we see from light pollution. And it's it is something that is not only good for us to address, but as Rich said, the Ottabon Society is working to make Frankfurt a bird city and also to mitigate light pollution through our new city lighting ordinances that are going actually in the process now because the cost of energy, the cost of the health consequences of light pollution are very substantial and we can do a lot for our citizens. When you go out west and you go to national parks out west all you see and I mean these are big billboards there signs the gift shop is full of dark sky advocacy. It is a great big tourism draw and it Frankfurt can be unusual. We do have a national park that is a dark sky park mammoth cave. They get a lot of visitors. They just had a huge crowd in this very cold weather Saturday night um about the meteor shower and although it was cloudy and they didn't couldn't see the meteors, they did have a a very nicely attended program and so we're also working with

the state parks in making them dark sky places. We worked with Seth Wheat and Carrie Ruff and our advocate is Dan Price. So it's very important to us that Frankfurt be aware that buildings are collision that collisions for birds and as Rich said over a billion birds a year are killed from window collisions. So it's important to make them bird friendly. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. And now is the time. We're in the code rewrite. So if any of those suggestions, I think now's the time to be bringing it to our attention. No further citizens comments. We'll move on to consent calendar. Thank you all for being here. Consent calendar item number one, we have the minutes from special meeting November 10th, 2025. Work session, November 10th, 2025. Regular meeting November 24th, 2025. Item number two, a title six plan approval from transit. Uh staff request approval of the transit title six plan as required by the civil rights act and the office of transportation delivery to be in compliance to receive transit funds and for the mayor to sign all related documents. Item number three, jani janitorial services contract transit center. Uh staff is seeking approval to award the janitorial services contract for the Frankfurt transit center to facilities performance group LLC and for the mayor to sign all related documents. Item number four is sustainable strategies 2026 contract. Uh staff request authorization to renew the annual contract with sustainable strategies DC for 2026 and for the mayor to sign all related documents. Total cost of the contract will be 90,000 over 12 months. This amount is budgeted. Item number five is 2025 roadway restoration unit price contract extension. Staff is seeking the board of commissioners approval to extend the 2024 unit price contract for roadway restoration for an additional one year and authorized the mayor to sign all related documents. Item number six is a park rates for 2026. Uh staff is seeking board of commissioners approval for the 2026 parks department rates for facilities and programs with the increases as discussed at the December work session. Item number seven is an amendment number one to sanitary sewer extension contract

with the Capital LLC Paddics Development. Staff request the board of commissioners approval for an amendment number one to the sanitary sewer extension contract with the Capital LLC dated October 14th, 2024 for the Paddics development and authorized the mayor to sign all the documents. There is no increase to the city's cost on this. Item number eight is personnel actions. We have an appointment of Lauren Washington, finance 122 20225, license and accounting specialist. We have an appointment of Gabriel Morgan, sewer 1225, sewer tech. Appointment of Gage Mitchell, police 122 2025, police officer. Appointment of Justin Hill, police 1225, police officer. Appointment of Gavin Fent, E911. 1225 E911 telecommunicator. We have a resignation of Ryan Phillips, police 1222 20225, police officer. We have a resignation of Andrew Alvarado, public works solid waste. 1212 2022 public works tech solid waste. We have a resignation of Brandon Lman, public works streets 1210 2020 2022 25 heavy equipment operator authorized payout of acred leave. And we have a retirement of Clara Coats public works transit 12312025 transit dispatcher authorized payout of acred leave.

Motion to approve. All right. Any discussion on this motion to adopt the consent calendar.

Clerk, please call for the role. Commissioner Richardson. Yes. Commissioner. Yes. Commissioner May. Yes. Commissioner Smith Willis? Yes. Mayor Walker. Yes. And the consent calendar is adopted. And moving on to action items.

We have a second reading. An ordinance fixing the rate of taxation for the year of 2025 on all taxable capital of domestic life insurance companies subject to tax and levying said tax for all city purposes. This ordinance establishes the 2025 city of Frankfurt Avalorum tax rate at 8 and 210 cents on each $100 valuation on taxable capital of domest domestic life insurance companies. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion on this ordinance? Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Commissioner Richardson. Yes. Commissioner Anger. Yes. Commissioner May. Yes. Commissioner Smith Willis. Yes. Mayor Wilkerson. Yes. And that motion is adopted. Action item number two, first reading, seeking a sponsor. May.

Okay. Thank you. An ordinance amending city of Frankfurt code of ordinances sections 37.31 and 37.32 related to officer and employee pay structure classification compensation and salary schedules. This ordinance amends city of Frankfurt code of ordinances section 31.31 and 32 to update the city of Frankfurt salary schedule to create two new lieutenant positions and reclassify one existing lieutenant position.

Any discussion on this first reading? If none, we'll move it on to the next and consider that for next month. Yes, we're moving on to number three. First reading taken a sponsor. I'll sponsor it. An ordinance to close an unused portion of public rideway being a part of Airport Road, Frankfurt, Kentucky. This ordinance establishes a new section of the city of Frankfurt code of ordinances closing an unused portion of public rideway located on Airport Road, Frankfurt, Kentucky, in accordance with KRS 82.405

and someone explain what this is about. Sure. Um, and I can try if I need to if Eric needs to add anything. Basically, um the state who owns all of the area around that with the airport is building a new concourse terminal. Um and it's a tiny little portion. They just need that to be able to complete the project. Perfect. That's all. Right. Any other questions, discussion? Not we'll move to action item number four.

Number four is a park surplus order. Uh staff is seeking board of commissioners approval for the parks department to surplus a Christmas tree, restroom amenities, and John Deere 1070 tractor and for the mayor to sign any related documents. Motion to approve. Second. All right. And any discussion on this? Christmas tree. It's the Yeah, it's the Christmas tree. The old Christmas tree. This is someone's chance to purchase City of Frankfurt's Christmas tree. Pretty cool. That's a really nice you see that. How long was that the public Christmas tree? 15 years. Oh wow.

So it's a piece of history. I don't know that how one goes about that but go to our website if you're interested in purchasing goals Christmas tree would know that. I should know that. Okay. Well, it's exciting opportunity. Any other discussion? No. All right. I ask the city clerk to call for a vote or do we have a motion? Okay. Commissioner Richardson, yes. Commissioner, yes. Commissioner May, yes. Commissioner Smith Willis, yes. Mayor Wilkerson, yes. And that motion is adopted. Action item number five.

Action number five, an order of the board of commissioners of the city of Frankfurt establishing a volunteer time off policy for employees and repealing replacing all conflicting policies. Motion to approve. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second on this order. Any discussion, questions, Commissioner Smith Willis? Kathy, I hate to put you on the spot. Can you walk me through this one more time just so I can have a full understanding of this? I remember the meeting last week, but backto-back meetings. Just want to make sure I have clear communication about

where this time is going. It's not being rolled over, none of the things like that. So this order would grant full-time employees with three or more months of service 8 hours of time in a bank of time that will be modified through UKG Ready where they can use that in our increments toward uh service in Franklin County. It must be in Franklin County toward a nonprofit, a school effort. uh basically doing good in the community in some different capacity from their normal work lives. So there's a limit on how much time is used, but the intent is to kind of get people out in the community providing good work to help our community um move forward.

Okay. Thank you. I do want to add uh the ordinance or not ordinance, this order also will fold in a couple of things that we do have on the books. We currently have uh blood donation time and that's folded into that. So if people wish to continue to use their time for blood donation, they can continue continue to do so. And time that is allocated for voting leave, employees can still use that time for voting leave as well. Does that help?

It does. I just And there's no I know it says no significant new financial impact is anticipated. I just want to make sure that if we notice that people are not actually using this time that like say for instance each full-time employee has that set amount if they're not utilizing it is it fair to say that we could scale back on that volunteer time that we're allotting at this current moment or how does that like what does that look like

if they're not using it then they will still be present in their regular jobs. So I guess I'm not sure that we would necessarily need to scale back. It's something we could look at. we'll be able to run data on not only how many hours are used, but what um what nonprofits in the community benefited because in order to request the time off, that will flow through to a manager and it has to document what you're doing, how you're being of service. So, we'll be able to pull that data and know what organizations have been served in the number of hours served. So, after that, I guess we can look at that and revisit it. Yeah. But I I feel like it it won't if if it's unused, it'll it'll be there for the year. They'll still be working their jobs and a new allocation will be given the next year. Got it.

So nothing's really I guess in my mind lost. Got it. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Richardson. That was my question. If there was a way that we can keep track of this and and have some data. Uh, obviously this is new and I I I I like it how you're kind of lumping the the uh donating blood and the and the voting leave, but just we have a way of looking at this down the road uh like commissioner said and just seeing, hey, this is where our volunteer hours are going and and this is what we uh have in this category and so forth. So, if we've got that capability, that was my question.

We do. Absolutely. and managers should not be approving any BTO request if they don't specify how this time uh will be used and and to clarify it's in the within the city of Frankfurt not within Franklin County I think is the current res thinking it was Franklin County is up there just city of Frankfurt that's that's where the majority of nonprofits are yeah which is most probably right no no argument on that point though. Commissioner Anger, would churches fall under Yes. Okay.

Is that any issue? I think it's something I think this whole policy is something that I think it makes sense to revisit. Maybe give it a a year and and let's just see how it's tracking and we can see the the number of hours that are being used whether or not there's any I don't know wait I mean it I don't know to abuse it. I don't know if there is a way I just I think it makes sense for us to revisit it but I think it's a good it's something worth a try for sure. Yeah. Great. Um, in terms of if there's a way to abuse it, I would say requesting the time and then not doing the activity, right?

But there would be a way to monitor that because you're asking in advance. And so if people are seen not actually where they're supposed to be, then the order also includes that there's a means for the city to address that through you disciplinary or corre corrective action. Commissioner Richardson, I tend to think the good of people that it will not be abused. Exactly. I'm just thinking from the the people out there, the public, you know.

Yeah. I'm sure there are people that probably look at this and wonder, you know, why are we paying people to take time off to go volunteer? Shouldn't they do that on their own? But I think it's it's a way for us to uh try something to if we encourage if this makes the community better and this is something that the city can do, I think it's worth a shot. Absolutely. We can always revisit it. So, we'll see. We'll see what six months or a year of data um provides. Commissioner,

I do think it's a really good like lead by example initiative. I do think that once people even possibly see, you know, city employees that are working full-time hours go out and volunteer, it'll have other people fall in line and want to volunteer. So, I do think it's a great initiative. My only other follow-up question was if somebody is approaching OT, they cannot utilize this, right? So, like say somebody's reached their allotted hours in a work week. If they're like, "Oh, hey, I want to go volunteer this weekend, but they're at their what 60 hours?" They cannot utilize this. Correct. That's correct. The order actually specifies that it can't be used to drive any overtime. Got it. Thank you, Commissioner Richardson.

I might add this this is done in the private sector quite a bit. I know I know it is uh I know my wife's financial institution does this and and I think it's a good thing to have city employees out here, especially when it comes to nonprofits and volunteering and stuff like that. I I agree. I I agree with the mayor. I mean, I don't want people to think, the citizens to think, but you know, I worked here when we got four hours to go vote and then especially in today's time with early voting and the way voting, I mean, I don't know if it takes someone four hours to vote anymore. Uh, so I think this is a good thing to give the voting time, right? But it's also given time to especially uh the blood drives uh are huge. Um, I know that's a big thing. Uh I know a lot of local u agencies in town host those especially in time of need when the blood our blood supply is short. So

yeah. So we're we're conscious of that time and we're looking at ways to fold it in with how time is being given. Again, as mentioned previously, it doesn't generally take people four hours to vote. So, our hope is that they may use a smaller portion of time to vote and then use the rest of that time in in a meaningful way engaging in the community, but it still is up to the employees. It'll be their block of time. Everybody good? And I'll ask the clerk to call for the vote. Thank you, Kathy. Commissioner Richardson, yes. Commissioner Anger, yes. Commissioner May, yes. Commissioner Smith Willis,

yes. Mayor Wilkerson, yes. And that order is adopted. Action item number six is emergency declaration Broadway and An Street Repair Bass Construction Sewer Department. Staff is requesting the board of commissioners to declare an emergency for a construction purchase order with Basham Construction for emergency repairs needed at the Broadway and Anne Street to alleviate reoccurring basement flooding on Broadway Street and to authorize the mayor to sign all related documents. This to this is requested a total price shall not exceed 700,000. Motion to approve. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second for this emergency declaration. Is there any discussion or questions?

Go ahead. Commissioner, please go ahead. I was just going to ask about how many buildings are affected by flooding. I mean, I know the corner, but I didn't know how far it might. Right now, we have had, I think, four reported basement backups. Okay. And as you all know, we've been trying to get a permit from the railroad for almost two years on this project. And so, finally, we actually got the final signed document this morning. So, it was very good, perfect timing for tonight. So this will remedy the flood the backups that are happening. Yes. Should it should should remedy? Yes.

And then also the mccclure was that part of this whole system. What it is is it's putting all the storm water into the sewer and the sewers are a smaller pipe and so this is getting it all back into the storm water system. Commissioner Smith, I was thinking in real time while you were talking. Sorry. Um, you said four four properties are impacted from flooding. Is this a continuous issue with these same four properties? So, this Well, there's actually been a few new newer ones that have had issues here lately. So, this emergency declaration will um basically fix this problem that they're continuously having.

It will take all the storm water that's backing up and take it off of the sanitary and put it into the storm only, which where it's going is a 60-in pipe instead of our 14-in pipe. So, got it. Okay. It should carry everything away and we should not have those issues anymore. Got it. Thank you. So, I know several businesses that will be very happy with this. I know. Yes. Commissioner Richards, is this going to close part of Ann? for

Yes, we had gotten we had received permission a couple months back, but we hadn't had the documents finalized and we knew with candle light and Christmas and everything downtown, there was no way that we were going to be able to do this, but we expected two to three weeks for it to be um from Lewis to An Street to be shut down. Okay. Yeah, you were leading right into my next question. How long and then when do you think you'll get started on this? Uh should be in early January. Okay,

we're hoping to get moving on this. We've already most of the parts have already come in. Uh the last couple manholes are being manufactured right now. So, we're hoping they're going to be here any day. So, the parts should be here fairly quickly and as soon as that happens, he's ready to go because he's already in town working on Paddock's project. So, how much of an street will you need to dig up? any and we will not be it's just from Lewis alley to an on Broadway is the only that's only one that's going to be dug up at all this our opportunity to get an paved and finally no maybe that's in the works I don't know maybe that's in the

commissioner hunger so will it be one side of the road instead of the other or is it okay yes it's Um, Broadway clay, it's on that side of the road. It's not on the other side of the railroad tracks. Okay. But this pipe goes under the railroad tracks. It has some what we call anomalies, which is basically some voids

that are directly under the railroad tracks. And so, uh, that was our biggest concern. And then we just kind of got shut down by the railroad department. And there was nothing we could do. And we finally were able to reach back out and got a hold of somebody with R.J. Corman who could push it through CSX would and then that's the one that really got it pushed to the final end point that where we're at now. Okay. Good. All right. If there's no other questions or discussion, I'll ask the clerk to call for the vote. Commissioner Richardson, yes. Commissioner Anger, yes. Commissioner May, yes. Commissioner Smith Willis. Yes. Mayor Wilkerson,

yes. And that emergency declaration is adopted. Action item number seven is a resolution regarding funding to Bluegrass Area Development District for the Bluegrass Recovery Initiative. This is a $5,000 pledge of opioid settlement funds if they are approved for a state grant to fund this project. Motion to approve. Second. All right. Any discussion on this? If not, I ask the clerk to call for the vote. Commissioner Richardson, yes. Commissioner, yes. Commissioner May, yes. Commissioner Smith Willis, yes. Mayor Wilkerson,

yes. And that resolution is adopted. That's the end of the action items for tonight. Any unfinished business from last meeting, which was last week. There's nothing left over. Any new business to come before the board? If not, I'll open it up to board comments. Commissioner Smith Willis.

Well, since is our last commission meeting of the year together, I just wanted to put on the record that I've appreciated spending time with this board this year. Um, I'm looking forward to next year serving with you all and I just want to thank staff for being patient with us. I guess freshman's, I won't speak for Commissioner Richardson, but thank you for just working with me in my first year with you all. So, just wanted to say you all are appreciated and look forward to continuing some good stuff next year. Anyone else? I'll did that. It's been a great great first year. I can't believe it's already over. Assuming we have no other meetings this year. We don't have any planned. Keep our fingers crossed. No planned meetings.

If no other board comments Entertain a motion to go into executive session. I move go into executive session pursuant to CARA 61.8101B deliberations on the future acquisition of real property to possibly support the sewer department or the fire department operations where publicity would be likely to affect the value. Action may be taken in open session. Second.

And all those in favor of going into executive session say I. I. We're now in executive session. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Are you? Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat up here.

Are you buying Mhm. Buddy. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

and we're now back in open session and no action will be taken by the board. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor of adjourning say I. I. I. We're opposed. Happy new year. Merry Christmas. Happy holiday. Happy holidays all the time.

See you next year. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.