City Council - Regular Meeting

get my microphone on. Thank you. Good evening. If it is 6 o'clock, so we're going to call this city council meeting to order. If everyone would please stand. At this time, we will have a moment of silence. Thank you. We'll ask Councilman um Michael Crisp if he will lead us in pledge. I

pledge allegiance 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.

Thank you. You may be seated. Uh again, council members, uh if you're not talking, please put your make sure your microphones are turned off and when you going to speak, please make sure they're turned on. Uh good evening to each of you and welcome to Georgetown City Council meeting for Monday, February the 9th, 2026. We're here to conduct business for the city of Georgetown. That being said that uh when you're uh bringing business to this uh council, be sure to come to the microphone and be sure to speak loudly and and give us your name, especially when we talk about the uh uh time for public comments. So, we will go with the agenda as written. And at this time, Madame Clerk, if you have the roll call.

Yes, sir. Mrs. Wilkins here. Mr. Mr. Chris here. Mrs. Ham present. Mr. Hampton here. Mr. Minky present. Mrs. Lesby Mitchell here. Mrs. Tingles here. Mr. Stone here. Thank you. Mayor, yes. Mr. Mickey, I have a motion to for a walk-on.

Uh before we proceed, I'd move to place on tonight's agenda the municipal order approving the purchase of power DMS. uh subscription services for the Georgetown Police Department. Uh this was reviewed in our uh committee uh for the last two months and was recommended but failed to make it to the agenda. Motion a second. Okay. All right. Let let me go in order here. All right. So uh a request motion has been made and

second made by Miss Sans. Are there further questions and or comments? All those in favor of this motion signify by saying I. I. Those opposed say nay. We will add that as a walk on to the to this agenda. Thank you, ma'am. You're welcome. Item three, the approval of minutes uh for February 4th, 2026 special city council work session. At this time, I will entertain a motion to accept those. Motion made by Miss Ham. Do I have a second? Second.

Second made by Miss Sames. Are there further questions and or comments? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I.

Those opposed say nay. Let the record reflect that it passed. Item four, receipt of the check registry. Council, if you have received that electronically or have reviewed it, please raise your hands. Let the record reflect that all have received. at this time is public comments. Item number five. On public comments, you will have four minutes which you state your business uh to this council. Uh madame clerk will time you in that four minutes. At 3 minute mark, she will let you know that you have exactly one minute and we ask at that one minute time that you be uh respectful and that you finish and take your seat so we can also have others come up to the uh microphone to speak. Once again, be sure to uh pronounce your name as for the record. And Mr. Steve Price, you're up.

Thank you. I'm Steven Price and I you say I'm there going to be others who approach your microphone. I think I'm the only one. Am I not? Uh there will be others. You're up right now.

Okay. All right. Um I'm I uh ran across a a publication of of the uh National Association of Counties. I realize you work interlocally with the county government and I recall a meeting at the library, an interlocal meeting when either you, Mayor Jenkins or Judge Coington made a statement and the statement was the purpose of government is to deliver services. Was that you uh Mayor Jenkins or was that uh Judge Judge Coington? Do you remember? Uh no,

you don't remember? Well, I do remember, but you know, this is not a debate and so on, but go ahead and continue on.

In any case, services, uh, we you you share with the county, uh, a commitment to delivering services. At least that was the impression I got from the comment I heard at that meeting at the library. And I've got here a I'm going to read to you from what a man, his man's name is Taran Zamuda. He's the national association of counties chief research officer and chief economist. He says counties and because we are inter local with the county I think you can agree that the town a small town government like this one and the small town government of Scott County share similar strategies similar mission. What is Mr. Zamuda says? He says, "Count's distinct position is rooted in a pragmatic approach to on the ground service delivery. It's a mindset of keeping the car assembled, fueled, and tuned for operation." That is the mindset of a motorist. And I'm proud to say and happy to say that I have not driven since 1999. Although for 25 years I did drive. I did all my own mechanic work. So I know a little about a little bit about motor vehicles. Best move. One of the best moves I ever made in life was quit driving. So I don't look for services to be delivered to me. And I don't look for to deliver services because since I don't drive anymore, I'm looking for what I can handle. I'm a handyman. I don't have a steering wheel in my head and in my hands and in my consciousness all the time like Mr. Zamuda does and like most people do who drive. And I'm going to show you what I

found out why when I quit driving. You you you are talking about uh uh Fire Chief Johnson and and the council are discussing strategies for fire abatement. three minutes.

And and I I wrote Seth Stuntson a letter a couple years ago. I said the quickest, easiest way to to fight fire is to give people tax incentives to put a five gallon bucket in the every corner of every room of their house. And that five gallon bucket sits there all the time full of water. If there's a fire, there's 20 gallons of water in each room available to fight the fire. I never heard from Mr. Johnson. And the second thing I found out, if you'll look at the uh paper I left there for you, uh you you know what accessory dwelling units are, don't you, Mr. Fleming? It's a big topic of conversation, accessory dwelling units. Mr. Johnson wrote, Seth Johnson, the fire chief, wrote a letter in the in the news graphic said the the biggest source of fire fatalities is overnight fires while people are asleep. The biggest cause of fires is electrical malfunction. This is an accessory dwelling unit built out of grass.

That's four minutes. I built this out of grass because I quit driving. I had something to do with my hands. I learned how to build a house out of grass. All right. And outside the electrical circuit. So fire. The people who sleep there are at no risk of fire.

Thank you, Mr. Price. All right. Next is up is Mr. Jay. Griffin, Oxford Road. Hello, mayor. Hello, council. Hello, um, citizens of Georgetown that might be watching this or read about the newspaper. I've lived on Old Oxford Road for over 20 years. And when I moved there, a lot less traffic. They didn't have all the developments. The last um, five years, the growth has qu, you know, it's 20 times what it used to be. The traffic going up and down this road is crazy. It used to be the speed limit was 25. Now it's 35. Like I say, my property is a triangle-shaped lot. My front door is only about 35 ft from the edge of Old Oxford. I have no backyard. It's all on the sides. The only way to safely and legally to enter and exit my driveway safely is to back in. Statistics show law enforcement and insurance there's more accidents from backing out into from driveways and parking spaces than anything else. I don't know it may be handheld devices now but that's been a standing statistic. Many companies require that. So my subject I put on Zodash Road. I know this is not a answering question session but I put down why in capital letters mayor. The reason for that is I'm at Witson. I nearly got hit twice more today. It happens about every day. One driver and vehicle, they do this all the time. So, they know I back in my driveway. But how come I have only received one speeding ticket in my life that I remember and it was in my mid20s on the interstate and I was going too fast. The road was clear though. The road conditions were excellent, but I was. But I do not speed in town. I do stop at stop signs. I do stop at red lights before turning red. But for some

reason, the mentality of many drivers is, "Oh, you're slowing me down for that second. What is your right to to do this?" Well, it's safety and it's following the law. Like I say, I have not had any speeding tickets driving around town. Georgetown, I'm from Lexington originally. I've lived in cities all over the country. in my previous work sent me on the road. I seem to not be able to get in out of my driveway without people coming up behind me. It happens all the time. I've contacted the authorities. Nothing. Um people just seem like they got to rush up behind me right on my bumper when I'm try driving within the law and then especially when they know I have to stop. There's a double yellow line. There's no way to just back in. I mean, there's no room on that road. I've got two vehicles including one's a one- ton large DY. I've got a camper and a tri-on. So, it is I do have to back in a lot, but people in I mean I think intentional will just try to pass me. I've been in two accidents right in front of my driveway in the last four years. One just up the road. All were people committing driving infractions. One time, why why did the police come out and start blaming me? Look what you've done. I don't understand that. How come I can't go down Cherry Blossom in the left lane ready to turn left within four miles of the speed limit and I have a police officer following me the whole time. People follow me on the right and the police officer pulls me over. I get my driver's license and my registration. He never asked for that. He says, "I'm impeding traffic." I said, "Sir, no, I wasn't. I'm not on a limited access highway." He said, "Yes, you are." I said, "No law states." He said, "Well, show me the law." And I said, he didn't ask for my driver's license and registration. I said, "Why are you detaining me?" "Oh, just to talk." Then he goes back to his vehicle. Why can a person not follow the traffic laws

without being harassed in your safety ben put in life? All this is verifiable. And I have many videos and audio recordings as documentation as I've told the police and I've told the mayor's office before, but nothing can be done. All I'm asking is the citizens in the old Ash Road corridor and maybe law enforcement to please do something. I've lived there. I'm scared to death of driving and I know I'm being targeted. I've been assaulted three times because of following the law. That's all I've got to say. Thank you very much.

All right, Mr. Dan Hullman. Hi there, Dan Hullman from Georgetown. Uh yeah, I wanted to talk about the uh Royal Springs Park and protecting Royal Springs Park in the context of the uh the sewer project that's going on, the large deay sewer project that was recently uh moving forward and that is replacing the sewer line on South Water Street and across Main Street down on Northwater Street all the way to the park. Um, so one fact that just hadn't come out, the news graphic, you know, published an article recently that you all probably saw about moving the cabins for like removing one cabin that's at the park and then moving the leech cabin uh at at the park because of the sewer project. And I don't think that hadn't been mentioned in the uh November 10th council meeting when this project was explained to you all. They that they said there will be some disruptions at Royal Spring Park, but the actual disruptions weren't. We didn't know we were going to be moving around cabins. And I think when some people saw this article and found out they're there's upset about it. So this is just a topic that uh deserves some convers some public conversation. It's a public park and what happens in public parks is a matter for the public to discuss and to talk about. Um okay. So so basically what's going on there is we have a there's a 15-inch sewer line that goes right down the middle of Water Street and there's another 24inch line that goes beside it. So, and ideally it would you could ask Chase it would what is the best place to put a sewer line. So, whatever sewer line we put in to replace these old ones will probably be here for the next hundred to probably 200 years. This is the location of the sewer line and is diagonally right through the middle of Royal Springs Park. The best place for it when you have to have a big manhole cover there. And probably the reason that the leech cabin is not going to be replaced to where it is is because they want to keep that open for big equipment

to get in the park to maintenance the manhole. And that's just a question, you know, to ask. Will this park be continually accessed by large equipment because of this sewer line? So the best place for the sewer line if you just could snap your fingers and put it where you want it is probably right down the middle of Water Street. So that's a question for you all to ask is that would cause some disruption to to water street but then for 200 years that you'd have your water line right where you want it and it's the best place to have it. So maybe that's the better solution than than uh the park and could you all just ask for other alternatives to be looked at. Also in the newspaper there was an article there was a letter to the editor by James Long who I believe was the previous director a previous director of um the water company and he he just mentioned this book about Royal Springs or about Royal Springs in Royal Springs Park and he referenced how this is a very good book for everybody to read all bluegrass paradise royal spring and the birth of Georgetown Kentucky by Gary Odell and it was just recently published so it has some pretty up-to-date stuff and it talks extensively about Royal Spring Park and the importance of this park that I hope I'm basically I'm trying to impart upon the council. Royal Spring Park is a very is an important park that we need to not just behind the scenes decide to build a a sewer line right through the middle of it. We you all need to decide is that really what what you want to do. That's the full four.

Oh, thank um so yeah, so in this book they talk about I mean so Royal Springs Park uh has been it was called the town commons for 200 years. It was the center of the town town activity for over 200 years. And uh Glenn Tall is here tonight to talk about historic stuff. So, so this Royal Springs is a very important part of our history. Since 1909, it's been specifically a park that's supposed to be aesthetically pleasing. And this this geo uh you know, this geological spring was mentioned here as worthy of being a state park or even a federal park. Um, so I'm just can we please, you know, realize that Royal Spring is very important and could there be a public conversation about what we do there and could there be alternatives presented to this sewer project and we can decide which alternative you all want to do because that is ultimately your all's decision. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there no other that had want to come for public comment? Thank you. So, I've got a few comments to make and then we'll get to our next section after that. Uh we have a few other people here that wants to speak. So, first of all, uh let me first talk about the storm which we had had again. Uh Chief Bruin is here and I want to publicly thank him and his crew for the outstanding job. Uh, you know, we started on that Friday night and I think they worked from Friday all the way through to to a point where we even uh working together to actually get the streets cleared so that Scott County schools could have school. And matter of fact, we were one of the one of the only school district nearby that actually had school last Thursday. So that's because of what they have done. And I publicly want to say to you all, well done. Thank you. They've already had two major storms and each one of those you all have have stepped up to the plate. When people in other communities are talking about Georgetown and actually what we what you all did in getting the roads uh safely where people could travel, I want to give you an applause for that because that is well done. Thank you very much. Um, an update on Marshall Park project is completed. The bathrooms are completed. As you all know that uh we had to some some issues getting it started, but we've we now got it done. Uh, I had an opportunity to go and to take a walk through and it was really uh uh top-notch. And I think the uh football program and uh Scott County, Georgetown, Scott County parks will be

pleased with this and uh the effort that was put in with that. So that being said, I'm glad to see that's done. Um you know, there have been a lot of talk about cabins. Um one thing I want to say is this. This is a project which uh has to be done and you're talking about where you want to put it. They're the experts. We have had conversation with city engineer, myself, parks and wreck and and what's the best place to do it? Well, you got to look at well where the least amount of disruption. Yeah, you probably could put it down the middle of the street there, but you will disrupt that whole for for months. And you got businesses down there that we have to be concerned with. But in talking with them and and everybody uh talking together, the best place is what they're going to do in in Royal Spring Park. Now, that being said, whatever they do to the park, they're going to fix it back the way it is. And one of the things about moving those cabins, and I'm going to make a recommendation, not tonight, but next week, I'm going to bring you a proposal saying that what I would like to see happen is this. We the leech, which is the most historical one that we actually keep and we can actually and and uh Chase, correct me if I'm wrong, we can actually take that leech one, kind of move it, and put it right back where it was. Is that correct?

That is correct.

Okay. And so what I'm going to bring to this council for their consideration, a proposal to do that plus the one where we got I think from Shelbyville. Uh it is in bad shape and but we do have somebody that wants to want it and that stamping ground but that is part of city property in this surplus. So, this council will have to give me permission to actually do that to put it on surplus to actually give it to um or surplus it to stamping ground and it will stay in the county and I think they got they've got a good place for that. So stay tuned with that. I'll bring something back to you on the next meeting which would highlights that. Okay.

Question on that. Tourism has been involved in in the conversation.

Yes, tourism has. Yes. And we're and there are some other things that we're going to do and you know even talking with parks and wreck they're going to do some really uplifting things at Royal Spring Park and those cabinets might come back into play. So I'm working on that as we speak. All right. All right. Next, uh, on council, you're going to be receiving a calendar invite for February 26, 4:30 here. We're going to have the um, city council and fiscal court work session for the long-term water supply update. So, you'll be getting an invite. So, but the 26th of February 4:30, it will be here. All right. Next, uh on February 21st, uh as and I, uh there going to be an event, but I'll come back to that in a few minutes. I'm going to kind of go out of order a little bit before I bring Mr. Tall up. Uh item B is the 202627 budget schedule and uh I'm going to

have to Yeah, I'll present it to you. And so what will happen is at the end this meeting we'll make sure that you all get a copy of that. If you have not received it, you'll get it and plus you will get I think we'll put it online and also correct. Yes. uh per the ordinance that's adopted to govern the budget preparation process. This is being provided to you all tonight and it will be published in the in the local newspaper by our city clerk uh following tonight's meeting. But that was included in your all's packet. Yes, sir. And um will be published uh per the ordinance. Thank you, Devin. Yep.

Okay. Next. And then I'll bring up Mr. Tall in just a minute. He's going to give us an update on and he may talk a little bit about this. So I'm stealing some of his set weight on this. uh Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at Georgetown College at 1:00 as part of the Black Historical uh uh you know, history month. They're having a a big event. Uh I think they have some gospel singers, some some information about the history of that. So, I teed it up for you, Mr. Tall. So, I'll let you come on up and talk about the uh item a the 20 250 anniversary of Georgetown founding events update.

So, I I distributed to you all uh a packet of three documents. Uh the first one is what's going on right now this month and the mayor uh just referred to one of the events that's being put on by echoes of our ancestors at uh John Elill Chapel at Georgetown College. It's going to take place from 1:00 to around 5:00. So it's going to be a lengthy thing and it's going to be about the place of gospel music. One of the things it's going to be about gospel music and its place in not only black history but American history and and also the city of Georgetown. So that's going to be great. There are the the other uh so the first document is the calendar of February events. So, there's an exhibit going on now at the library and uh there's I saw today there's uh panels up talking about uh black pioneers in the uh racing profession and they've had two they're going to have two book uh discussions related to the exhibit. One's for children, one's for adults. So, and then the museum has a continuing uh exhibit going on right now uh beginning at the beginning of uh geological history of Georgetown and going up through the early history of Georgetown. Um I don't have the copy that you have. I didn't make enough copies for for some reason I miscounted. Uh thank you.

I just wanted to point out the highlights quickly. Um so and then um one of the things that uh I have been working with a a very energetic young man called Tristan Black. Uh he is got on this schedule uh with he's working with uh students over at the two high schools and the students initiated this whole community debate night on the 19th of February. I'm going to attend. So, and they're just going to talk about local issues uh from their perspective. And um so that's basically for February. Uh the you all asked a for a list of projected events that may not necessarily be def uh the schedule hasn't been uh finalized yet, but um one of the things um that I am getting it well, let me back up a minute. We were planning to have two events last month. Uh one was about lobbying, how citizens should lobby their government to to affect policy. The other one was u something we were going to talk about u well now my I'm getting a senior moment. That's um but anyway, but weather and other things intervene. We're meeting, we're going to be meeting this week to reschedule those. Uh the student event we were going to have at Great Crossings, we're going to have later this month and uh we just got to reschedule that. So that's that's just all I wanted to say about that. Um then uh one of the things I scheduled for March is um y'all will be interested in hidden secrets of the hidden history of Kentucky political scandals. that's going to be uh sponsored by the Kentucky Historical Society. That's one thing.

Then we are planning uh we're starting the plan with tourism and Old Friends Farm and the parks and wreck to have an outdoor showing of Seab Biscuit on the on the property of Old Friends. Uh they're going to give many tours and then have a showing of Seab Biscuit outside. So, parks and reccks going to provide the screening and some of the equipment related to that. Um, one of the things I'm really excited about, and this is as a result of uh Councilwoman Lusby's suggest Mitchell's suggestion, is so the Scott County Historical Society is going to have a oral history interview uh uh program of all celebrating the 100th anniversary of GAR school. We're going to have a oral history interview of five uh people from different generations and we've got a great lineup. Uh fire chief Seth Johnson's on it, Judge Lusby's on it, Emily Porter's on it. Um Clyde Wilkins is on it and Anthony Palmer is going to be on it. So, that'll be an hour. That's the hour and a half portion, but because of uh Councilwoman's uh Mitchell's suggestion, we're going to have a chili supper and then we're going to have and and the PTO is going to get involved. So, I'm just really excited about that. That'll be a whole evening. And that's going to be September the 17th. Um uh so, I just wanted and and I got word today from our playwright in Cynthiana. She's starting on the play to write the play about Georgetown mostly, but Scott County will come in there at some point, too. Um, and then, uh, so that's that's some of the big things. And then, of course, another project that's come. I'm always looking for projects to add to

the program. And uh Councilwoman Hamrich suggested a tree planting, a special tree be planted somewhere in the city related to the 250th anniversary. And I had another per she mentioned to somebody and that person uh approached me, where do you want to plant the tree? The only thing I can think of is the gar school property somewhere in the front there or the side park there. and then we can have a special and then we might just combine that with the uh gar school celebration too and just have a big old time. So um that's that's in that's in the offing. Um so this is and then the last thing that I wanted to do the last document had so in the since n 2017 there has been 13 books published that have something to do about Georgetown or Scott County and Mr. home and mention one uh bluegrass paradise which is a very good book. Uh Richard, so this is I'm giving you a list and I'm hoping that if you all have connections with a book club in the community or something of that nature and they want to devote their some their reading about local uh books, I'm giving you a list to do that. And uh I I'm just amazed. And of course, one of them is George Judge Lesby's uh memoirs uh from the columns he's written over the years. Um but there's just a recent book on re reinventing the American thoroughbred which is about Alexander Keane Richards and his uh bluegrass farm was just up the street uh where Tucker Yokum uh funeral home is. This historical society is going to request that a historical marker be placed on Broadway near Rucker. Uh because that's the only place

you can pull over and look at the sign. If up on East West Main, you can't do that. Uh so that's just some of the things that we're thinking about and I just wanted to bring you if Do you all have any questions? Thank you. Thanks.

Yes. Yep. Well, I definitely want to thank you for your hard work. um and and your team and everybody that's putting together, you know, all these amazing events. This 250th anniversary is a great way to not only celebrate our city's past, but to also reinforce all of the things that make Georgetown special moving forward. Uh one quick question. I know you mentioned GR uh school. Are there any other local schools or civic organizations or small businesses, local businesses that you are working with uh that you haven't already mentioned, you know, moving forward this year?

I'm I'm trying to work with Katie Prather about commemorating some of the business long-term businesses downtown. So, we're working on that kind of a thing. Great. Uh yeah, there's some other uh organizations and businesses we're trying to work with um on that. Okay, great. Thank you. And Mr. Just for your knowledge, I think this is the year that the time capsule at Southern Elementary is open. Oh, really? I didn't know that. I think it's in May. Uh I believe who could I contact? Oh, I I will contact.

Yeah, you could do that or or contact Mr. Billy Parker with with with Scott County Schools and and let him know that that's what you want to do. Get permission and then I think he will direct you to do that. Okay. I was involved in that. Oh my gosh. Is this is this celebrating like a 50th anniversary or something of that nature? They 1976 they did the uh time capsule and all the students participated. All right. And this is the year it comes up.

Okay. Well, I'll contact him. Do you think they will do it this semester or the next semester? Okay. I'll contact him. Yeah. I just know what comes up this year. Okay. And someone had suggested that we do a time capsule now. just about the city of uh so I'm going we're having a meeting next Tuesday so we'll bring that subject up and once again Mr. Paul, thank you so much for that update. Again, you know, uh especially again, I would just let you know that again, if you will contact Scott County Schools and they can direct you to the principal and get that all set up and get the information you need from from there.

And there's just one more thing. Uh there are at least two teachers in uh one's a gifted and talented teacher and one is uh a magistrate, Chad Wallace. They're working on biographies of the Revolutionary War soldiers that are buried in Scott County. Oh. So, we're having to have that that at some point. That's not that's not as public as some of the other events where, but I'm hoping to have that uh we're published that kind of thing at at the end of all this.

So, all right. Thank you again, Mr. talk for your for your hard work and also getting us updated on some of the uh historical uh events that's coming on for this 250th uh birthday of of Georgetown. All right. Next, we have council committee reports. And on tonight, we have all four of you all up and running. So, I'm just going to just pull one out of the hat. Since I'm looking at you, Mr. Stone, I'll let public works go first. Thank you, sir. All right.

January 21st, public works committee met at B Street 4:30 uh with all members present. Um we approved the minutes and then got right into the heart of the matter. Uh biggest thing was the snow event that was forecasted for that weekend, which we're still dealing with today. Um, I think you talked about the salt inventory. Thank you.

Uh, talked about the salt inventory and that uh, Chief Breuan had more more salt on order. Um, and we discussed the the snow snow routes, the state of emergency declaration. Um, even reaching out to Scott County schools to open up schools if we needed warming shelters uh above what we had. Um, so we that was a lengthy discussion, but that was the highlights of it. Uh up next was uh Eddie High Totower and engineering update which clubhouse drive uh plans are being worked on at this time and so we'll know more as the coming days. Um sidewalk brick rehab project um will be presented to consideration a January 26 council meeting, but I think it's on for tonight. It is

uh we'll talk about that in a little bit. Um traffic calming implementation um going to start with tier one projects uh in the near very near future. Um also the Indian Hill storm water. It's uh slowly coming around uh cleaning out ditches. Once the weather breaks then they'll really get into that. Um, as we heard, the the Marshall Park bathrooms are now up and using. Uh, spring football will be here soon. Uh, TAP grant project uh reported that uh is in the design phase and uh that it's a 30% match. I believe that's correct. So uh and then in general discussion um grading for the lanes run business park um phase three is underway. Um we discussed about a new street sweeper coming up um with the uh cost of approximately $400,000 which we will probably voting on next and bringing before council. Um the old Oxford Bridge project, uh finance director Clark brought it up. Um also reported that the Washington Street sidewalk project um is in the works as well. So and we adjourned at 4:54 that afternoon.

Thank you very much. Mr. Stone, Miss Ham, you have a report on fire. Oh, excuse me. Could I ask a question? Sure. Um, thank you for your snow removal report. Is there a scheduled reflection on that activity to be able to reflect and improve? I'm going to bring that up in in council comments. So, I want to get with Chief Breuan and everyone and see if we can't schedule another public works committee in addition to the one just to talk about the snow event. Kind of do review of it, see what we can get done. So, all right. Thank you.

All right. All right. Yes, ma'am. Fire.

Thank you, sir. Um, we met for the fire committee on January 22nd and everyone was present. Um, we approved the minutes. recruit graduation uh was uh announced to be February 6th and it was on February 26th. I was there. It was a wonderful ceremony. We had the most recruits I think in the history of of the fire department. There were 10 and u it was it was a very special evening. So I was glad to be there to see that. The Kentucky task force was the next uh talked about and the general assembly approved funding for this statewide task force um under the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Division. And they're responsible for um responding to disasters statewide and providing services and relief to um authorities under the jurisdiction where the the disasters occurred. So me many members of the Georgetown Fire Department actually applied for this and six were selected to be on the statewide task force. So it's a really good opportunity for them to have growth and advancement and to receive uh training but to give service uh to the rest of the state foremost. Uh the fire marshall position uh was posted, but again there's an update there because um correct me if I'm wrong, but Corey Thomas has been chosen as the new fire marshal. Uh and I believe he started February 2nd. So um station one update, uh it work has probably begun at this point, but it said it would begin soon. and it was one of the final things that need to be done for the command station to be moved fully into fire station one. Midyear budget requests um will be reflected for

the fire department. They're requesting 125,000 um dollars. H 100,000 is to repair the concrete um apron I guess it's called in front of the fire station which is deteriorating and it can cause some damage to the vehicles going in and out. Um and also 25,000 for building maintenance that is needed. Um they're going to do something that I think is really necessary. They're going to do a complete facility condition uh assessment and develop a three to fiveyear capital needs um response um so that we can budget intelligently going forward for what they might need facilitywise. Safety Day is going to be April 18th, 2026 and um Assistant Chief Willlet is planning good and fun and necessary things for that. That'll be 10 to 3 on April 18th. Code enforcement update. There have been interviews for the third code enforcement officer. I is there an update there too? Probably

as well. Okay, great. I thought it might be. So, um they made 42 calls. um in calendar year 2026 for is that accurate? Sounds low to me, but first three weeks of the year. First three weeks of the year. Oh, three 20 weeks. Yeah. All right. Yeah. So, they they they've been they've been busy. Okay. All right. There you go. All right.

Um I would assume that that is a job I would never want. There you have it. I'm thankful for those who do that work. And station 4 presentation, we had a a work session completely devoted to that. Hopefully the public has been able to see those things. Um it was February 4th when we had the the work session and um Chief Johnson also discussed the safer grant and there'll be a lot more discussion moving forward on that and there was no general discussion and so in about 60 minutes almost exactly we adjourned.

All righty. Thank you Miss Ham. Next we have police Mr. Mickey.

Thank you mayor. Uh the police committee met on the 2nd of February. Everyone was in attendance. Uh we did cover staffing as our normal uh for the police department. Uh they're currently at 70 out of 77. Uh they are recruiting again. There had 22 applications and 10 active candidates that were beginning the um physical fitness training this past Saturday. So they're well on their way to that activity. Uh the police department does have two interns that are uh shadowing and spending time with the police department as another recruiting tool uh from Georgetown College. And then from the 911 dispatch center, uh they have four dispatchers that will be going to the academy in February. Uh and that's a four-week program that gets them there. Um earlier tonight I mentioned the uh power DMS activity. So this was the second uh month that we uh had a followup with that activity. uh the power DMS you'll hear about later tonight, but basically it's software that pulls information together uh to support the management team with a tool uh looking at internal internal affairs type case management complaints, use of force, incidents, and then looking at the well-being of the officer and and being able to link all those things together and see the bigger picture uh to be able to have a good management tool for managing uh the department. And so it's just one of a series of tools that are already exist and uh they've done a really nice job of uh negotiating uh for for that additional subscription. The other item that we

talked about was looking at another tool for dispatch. Uh it's called Axon prepared and again it's a software tool for uh training dispatchers and pulling together the various tools that they use in their work uh in an easy and usable manner uh that tracks and makes it easy for them to go back and reflect on their calls and that type of activity. Um there were a few questions even though um and so we'll be reviewing that again uh next month, but uh hopefully we'll be bringing that to you as well. This is a software program that's that works with the police department uh software as well. So, they were able to negotiate some good funding there and um Jennifer anticipates being able to do this year if we're able to move forward with that uh with the existing budget that they have and then look at the uh ongoing budget needs going from there. And that was the balance of our report.

Thank you, Mr. Mickey. All right. And last but not least, we have finance.

Thank you, mayor. Um, excuse me. The finance committee uh meeting was held on January 20th um at 8:00 a.m. All members were present. The minutes from the December 15th uh meeting were unanimously approved. The first item on the agenda was the midyear budget amendment which we'll have first reading tonight. Uh Stacy uh Stacy will take us through that. Uh finance director um Clark also discussed the historical tax credits for city hall. Uh she's completed some preliminary calculations based on estimated final construction cost and upon the completion of of that final paperwork will be submitted and uh city council uh city council consideration uh to of the offer to uh take place upon completion of the paperwork. Um on the the next item, insurance premium taxes, we we discussed the implications of the rate reduction. Um finance director uh Clark uh presented to us that the fiscal year 202526 budget is 8.8 million which equates to an estimated 1.1 million of loss for uh each 1% of in the rate. Um it was also noted that this would reduce the projected uh revenue growth uh of 10 to 11 of 10 to 11% that was you would be used for the capital projects work session. Uh let's see we also discussed uh the agency appropriation amendment. uh a draft copy, amended draft copy was brought to the finance committee and uh discussed the uh uh whether we should uh limit the amount of supplemental funding uh that they can request uh that will be ongoing. Um the next item, uh C

committee member Lesby Mitchell, um brought up the bluegrass ride, uh support situation with the dollar, uh fee now being collected from bus rides and uh Lesbie Mitchell will be attending interlocal meeting to ask the fiscal court to consider partnering with the city to wave to wave these bus rider fees. Um item seven, central bank CD. Uh the rate for the CD decreased uh in the last maturity date. So uh committee chair Hampton would like to investigate other opportunities for these funds. Uh finance director Clark will explore other opportunities and bring back uh to the February meeting. Uh there was no general discussion and we adjourned at 9:02.

Thank you. All righty. We have covered all four of the committee meetings and thank you all council for your due diligence of working on those committees. I know sometime it can be with all other things going on. I appreciate the fact that so we know that uh we have some input from this council and also sharing it with the public as to what we are doing. Next on the agenda is item number eight planning and zoning and zoning ordinance. Uh is there anything that needs to report chairman? nothing in particular. We brought it to your attention at meeting or two ago. Brought it to your attention at a meeting ago and I believe that um the memorandum was uh given to you by Emily to take a look at and have time to council at this point in time. Do we want to start a workshop to share with planning and zoning to start looking at things or what what would the council's desire to be the next step?

Okay. All right. Thank you. Next is item number nine. We have the Office of Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Quality Update and Mr. Candace White House going to come up and tell us all the good things that's going on with the housing and everything about that. Okay.

Um well u today I've tried a PowerPoint so we'll see if this is helpful and if you all like this method but I'm here for my quarterly update. Um, last time I was here, I presented uh an outline of what the next couple of years I was the goals that we were hoping to achieve. Um, I broke them up into quarters. Um, so I have just taken the the first few of those and put them on the slide for you. Um, so I was just going to uh highlight and go into a few of the things listed on here. Um, the first one being to expend the money that we have from our ESG grant. Um and so just to refresh your memory, the ESG grant is the emergency solutions grant and it um has two uh pools. One is our emergency shelter pool um and that funding goes towards the low barrier shelter at the gathering place. So if you go next slide, whoever the person out there is. Um the emergency shelter um funding so far has served 267 clients. That's an unduplicated number. Um and that began on July 1st, 2024. Um and and then the uh low barrier shelter now, as you all know, is open 24/7, but it was a crucial piece of the response in this um recent weather. Um Heather was able to get people in and get them warm. Um and they were able to stay throughout the day, not only at night. Um and she did not, to my knowledge, turn anyone away. And so folks who needed um a warm bed um was were able to find that uh at the gathering place. And so that's a huge um gym in our community. Not every every community has that. Um and again the low barrier meaning that anybody who is looking for shelter can come. There are no requirements that they need to meet

um or no reason that they would be turned away um unless they were being in danger. Um could I have a point of information? Is that the same as people refer to the white flag shelter? Yes. So the white flag shelter was what it was originally called and we have um started calling it the low barrier shelter um because we went away from white flag because white flag um shelters are really just temperature triggered and so now our low barrier shelter is open 247 365. Okay. Um

thanks. and we are able to fund the days that um our temperature um triggered um but the gathering place covers the the other days and so our emergency solution grant helps cover um those days when it is below 32 or above 95. Um so the next slide, the other um portion of the emergency solution grant is the rapid rehousing. Um and this is a rental assistance program or a housing assistance program that um helps folks go from literally unhoused to being housed. Um and so this program has been a huge addition to our community. I know I've I've had a lot of nonprofits reach out to me and say that it's making a big difference in the speed at which they're able to move people into housing. Um and so um since July 1st, the beginning of this grant in 2024, we um have seven ongoing rental assistance households, meaning that when they moved in, we um they became in they came into the full rapid rehousing program. And so we help them move in, but then we also do rental assistance for them. Right now those clients will um have to be re-evaluated at 12 months to see are they able to sustain on their own or do we need to um look at what our rental assistance looks like for them. Um and they are um provided ongoing case management by the gathering place. Um so they are receiving support services as well. um they don't have to participate in those but um I believe all of our clients are to some extent because um they appreciate the support services and then 15 households have taken advantage of the move in assistance program. Um so under the rapid rehousing um umbrella um then we have the move in assistance

program and this is for folks who can afford um to live in housing but they cannot get over the initial bump of moving in. So that including the first maybe last month's rent, security deposit, application fees, um utility deposits, things like that. It's big lump sum when you're moving in somewhere. Um and so while they may be able to afford the monthly rent, they can't afford um to the move in costs. And so this move in assistance program um is for folks who are literally unhoused again um and um they can apply and get assistance with all those upfront costs. And then once they are moved in, they have the option to access our case management for 90 days. And then after that, they are officially exited out of the program. um and they are able to sustain their housing on their own. That has been enormous. I know I've gotten few success stories from the school system specifically because they have families who are um kind of bouncing from motel to the gathering place to um couches and they have an income but they can't get moved in anywhere. And so we have successfully moved in multiple families um into their own housing and they are now um sustaining that on their own. So that is under the um emergency shelter or emergency solutions grant. Um I will be back next council meeting. Get me two in a row um because we were granted renewal of these ESG funds and so I will be back to I guess officially accept those funds um and all those details. But um it's a little confusing because this grant will start July 1st of um 2025 and it goes through the end of this year. So they kind of overlap and it's a little confusing, but we will have the details of that um next council meeting.

Uh Candace. Yeah. And all that information that you're sharing with us, would you send that to me so I can share it with them because I'm sure they want to they're sitting there looking and writing and you know, I got to pick up on that. They probably want this in in their hand. So, if you will send that to me, I will make sure council I will spread it to you all so you can have it. Okay, sounds good. I know those numbers are exciting and yeah, good numbers. I had a question. Does these programs help anybody become home owners? These two do not do. No. Do you have anything like that coming up or

um my office does not um but I know Habitat has programs and then I think the housing authority was also speaking about looking into programs like that but I don't know if they are. Yeah. So, Candace, can you remind us again the dollars that we're talking about for these grants and whether or not you have any additional demographics on the the clients that you're serving?

Yeah. So, I can have the exact breakdown of the numbers at the next um meeting and I believe that you saw them when we asked to renew the funds too. Um I do not have them in my head though. Um, and then as far as additional demographics, I can bring some additional breakdown. I have I can run pretty much any report on our folks because they're in our database. It's a HMIS database and so the reports are pretty easy to run. Okay. Thank you.

I have a question. How do we get in touch with the folks who are in need? Is it mostly through school resource? Is it through our housing development people? Is it word of mouth? How

um a little bit of everything. Um so all of our nonpr local nonprofits are fully aware of the programming. I make sure that they know and then in our monthly networking meeting I a lot of times go over it again. Um, so they're all aware and if they meet with someone who would qualify for either of these programs, um, then they are sure to make that referral. Um, like I said, Scott County Schools has really been really huge in sending me, um, specifically folks for the move in assistance program, right?

Um, but then word of mouth is huge. I have a lot of people who call and say, "My friend said that you put them on the waiting list for referee housing or were able to help them with movement assistance and they want to know if they can also be helped." And sometimes it's a no because there it's kind of a slim um you have to meet standards for the programs, but um I have also gotten referrals that way. So, and I think just yeah, Scott County is small in a lot of ways and so people just talk and hear about the program. I'd be interested to know um how many people are on a wait list and and um demographics of people who are being served. And

so it gets a little complicated because um the in order to receive the rapid rehousing funding the to be in the rapid reing program, you have to be put on the coordinated entry list and that list is regional um and it is run through Kentucky Housing Corporation. I don't run that list. Um, but it is in that database that I mentioned. And so folks get put on the coordinated entry list and they are scored using a VI spedat um, which is an evaluation um, and then they are ranked on that list um, depending on their vulnerability score. And so if you have a disabled person living outside, they will score higher than maybe a mom with kids who this somebody's paying for their hotel room. Okay.

Um and so depending on their score, they are placed on a list. when an organization such as myself or Clark County Homeless Coalition um or Homeless and Housing Coalition in Frankfurt, when they say we have an opening for rapid rehousing or other programs such as permanent um housing or um TBR, any other programs, they email and let them know and that the person over the coordinated entry list then pulls a name and sends it to them. And so, um, that is how someone is selected for rapid rehousing. That is the process we have to go through. So, I'm happy to answer questions about a waiting list, but it's like a little more I don't personally have a waiting list, if that makes sense.

I gota Yeah. Yeah. I've not really understood all of the intricacies of that. And so, I've sat through lots of trainings. you don't necessarily have the final say about the applicant or the application process. It's all done out of out of our hands basically. Yeah. So, I put the application in, I sit down with them and walk them through that and then I put them into coordinated entry, right?

Um but then yeah, they're on that list and ranked according to their VIP spat score um and some other factors. Um, and so yeah, they I've had people put in the coordinated entry list who got uh pulled for a referral within a week, but then I have put people in a year ago and they're still waiting. So, okay. Well, thanks. That's helpful information. Mayor, if I could, Candace, um, the housing authority, do they have plans on building anything anytime soon? Well, I do not have information into that. I know that their director just um yeah, I know they're going through that. So So I think they're probably just trying to make it

well and I know that the city owns a lot of land over there just off of uh Powers Drive, George Martin in that area. Yeah. So, you know, that's that's a potential if they're looking for a place to expand, I'm sure that we could look at partnering with them on that. But, you know, that's, you know, they have a lot more access to stuff than what we do. And yeah, so it would be a big project that hopefully they'll have a strong leader who can come in and take that. Hope that's Yeah. Thank you very much.

And just to just to comment more on that, of course, me being on that as one of the commissioners, you know, one of the things about the uh the Georgetown Housing Authorities, number one is this. You got to get things right with HUD. You know, that's that's the big thing. You you can want to do all the expanding. They're not going to approve any projects you have unless you in compliance with HUD. And I think that's what they're working on. They're trying to get all those uh for all the many years that they had issues. That's what they're working through now. And once they get that done, once they get those uh uh requirements of HUD in line, then they can talk about expanding. They can talk about other projects of that way. And that's what we we are working at. We are aware of that. But that is a process that we've been they've been working on for for for a long long time. And there's light at the end of the tunnel. Uh they are making progress. They've had some evaluations done and they are making progress. So, and I'll keep you a breast as those unfold.

Yeah, Mayor, that would be a I think a great update topic. Yep. U because there was there was a process put into place uh with the with the former director now, right? um that really had some potential, right? I would say uh and you know now with the step back I think it's important to push that because of what we're seeing and needing in this community. Okay. Excuse me, Candace. I'm sorry I take your thunder here. Okay. I got a drink of water, so I was hoping

Yeah. Yeah. Candace, what are probably some of the biggest barriers that your office faces? Uh, I mean, first off, you guys are effective and that's great. I mean, with what you do, you're able to do so much, but with um maybe funding, staffing, housing supply, uh what are what would you say are the biggest factors or the one big factor that you could use more of immediately, say out of those three examples?

Um, that's a good question. I think I could on a different day pick different, you know, each of the different options. Um, but my today self will say probably funding. Um, because it's hard to do a lot with three pennies. And so, um, I think it would open some doors if we could find ways to uh, have this office's budget line increase, but um, we can work together to make sure, you know, that happens as we move forward, too. So, thank you. Okay, next slide. So, um right now, um during this first quarter, um K count is on the priority list. Um and as I don't know if you all heard or not, it was supposed to be um at the end of January during snowageddon and um they did reschedu it. Um and so if you go to the next slide, um it has been rescheduled for February 25th. Um and so hopefully we have some better weather and we'll be able to um conduct our K count efficiently. But just to let you all know um on that on that night um if you're unaware of what K count is, it I think you all have heard this, but it is a one-time count that HUD asks each state and then the states ask each community um to capture how many unhoused votes we have in our community on this one single night. Um, I do always really emphasize that the definition of homeless we have to use on this night is the HUD definition of homeless. Um, it is not McKenna Vento, which is what the schools use, and it is not my personal definition. It is probably not your personal definition. It is the HUD definition of homeless. Um, which limits us to essentially folks who are literally living outside. um people who are living in their cars, people who are living in motel rooms that are being paid for by a third party. So if a church or nonprofit pay

for that motel room, then that is classified as homeless. Um or if they are living in one of our shelters, which in our community would be um Elizabeth's Village Gathering Place or Mary Safe Haven. Um those are the only um locations they could sleep on February 25th and be counted as homeless. Um, and so those are the folks that we are trying to capture. Um, this count in our community has really grown more and more effective each year and we're I'm very proud of that progress. Um, I think like 10 years ago, nobody was doing it here and so we were just auto reporting zero. Um, and each year we are finding ways to more efficiently count. um due to our um ESG funds and our partnership with Gathering Place, we do already have a lot of uh folks in our HMIS database system and so counting folks is um a lot more streamlined and takes a lot less time. Um, and so folks who are at the gathering place, whether that's at the low barrier shelter or their gathering place programming, um, which they fund totally on their own, um, they're kind of already in the system and we can easily count them for that night. Um, and because of this, um, the main place that we'll be counting on February 25th will be at a dinner at the gathering place, um, at six o'clock that night. It's their regular dinner. They have it every Wednesday, but we will be there um to hand out additional resources that night. Um we have some other folks coming to set up. Um UK healthcare will be there. Um I think the police department will be there. Um and some other folks just to show up and offer support. Um we do uh also do food and then we hand out backpacks um that we um we were filling with supplies. this year they get to fill the backpacks with what they want. Um but it could be things

like warm clothing items, hygiene products, um things that the health department um donate and so um we are very thankful for our community. All of that stuff is donated um and we are able to hand hand those resources out. Um I'm trying to think of what else for Kount. If you want to be involved in Kount, um you can just reach out to me directly. It is not something that um showing up the night of there's not a lot that I can um delegate to you because you need some training um prior to, but if you would like to be involved, let me know. Or if you just want to come hang out, um Heather would love to have you um come eat dinner and um see the place. Um so yeah, does anybody have questions about K count?

Yes. How many How many did you have last What was the count for 2025? I think it was like right under a hundred. Yeah, Candace. Yeah, along just to follow up to that, do you have any idea how accurate the count is?

So, that is a really fun thing that we debate a lot in my world. Um, so the argument that is that in the winter, the reason they do the count in the winter is because everybody is hunkered down and we can find folks easier. Um, and so everybody's techn everyone's hypothetically in shelter and we'll be able to um, find them. Um, I've had discussions with people who are in this world who feel like this count is definitely inaccurate because um, there are folks living outside who do not want to go to shelter and so they find creative ways to either continue to live outside and we cannot find them or to stay warm for the night um, if the night is very very cold and it's dangerous. Um, and so I believe that the there are some officers who would agree with me that if we did this count in the warmer months that we would be able to go out and find folks living outside and that would raise the count because Heather's not empty in the summer. Her numbers might be just a tad bit lower, but um it's not drastic enough that it would like make that big of a difference. So um it is something that we have to do to comply with HUD and we complete it best we can but I do not think it is a great reflective number of our homeless population.

Yeah. Okay. Next slide. Okay. So something a little bit new. Um something that is that I pulled out of our housing needs assessment is ways that our community consider um reducing soft costs for affordable housing. So incentivizing um development to come in um whether they're already planning to come in and they can add affordable housing or to come in and build affordable housing. Um if you'll hit the next slide um this is I do not have these as Devon likes to say fully baked. These are ideas and brainstorms that I have going on um and research and I just wanted to let you all know where my brain is headed. Um and so some ideas that I have gotten from other communities um are adjusted parking requirements um waving and waving fees slashred reducing fees and I know that that starts to affect other departments um and so I would definitely be working with whoever that would be affecting to talk about what the best ways to go about that is but um that is a very common probably I would think maybe the most common way um to provide an incentive. Um and then tax exemptions. Um and those three or all of these I guess on the screen are if you are meeting whatever we would define as providing affordable housing. Um and there are examples that I've seen um that haven't even broken down further than that. So, if you're providing affordable housing for the 80% AMI, you would be open to um receiving these incentives, but if you're dropping down to 30% AMI, then you would be open into a second list of incentives. Um, and so really um getting with the folks who are interested in this and talking to them

about what they're willing to provide as far as affordable housing and what that means to them and and what that means to our community. Um and then the last thing on the list that I've looked at multiple communities who are doing this is grant programs. Um that would come from the city and county. So essentially someone applying saying I'm coming I'm going to do a third of my development at 50% AMI and I would like um grant funding to help me um with infrastructure um to make this more affordable. And so, um, this is something that I've seen some of the cities that I've looked at because I know you all will ask is, um, Denver, Colorado has some things like this. Um, Boulder, Colorado. I actually spoke with somebody from Sarasota County today in Florida. Um, and they have some of these options. Um, and then Port Angeles, Washington was actually the first city I looked at. Um, and so a lot of these cities that I'm looking at have kind of like a package or like a buffet of here are some incentive options. Um, and we really want you to help with our affordable housing. Um, if you're coming here anyway or maybe you're coming here for this. Um I know one of the reasons that um Boulder did um these some of the incentives they did was that they set a goal for their community um to increase their affordable housing by 15% in a um 10 years. And so this was one of the ways that they were trying to incentivize folks um to help provide affordable housing. Um does anybody have questions? Again, these are not like super

I have a question. Yes,

correct me if I'm wrong. um when we had the builders here, maybe when we were discussing the impact fees, um I can't remember who it was, but one or maybe even two builders said that um much of the time, cities or counties don't ask for them to do things. Um, I want to make sure that we're on the front end of asking whatever we can ask the builders to do. And I'm not talking about impact fees because we've we've talked about that at length and it often just raises the prices of the of the homes. Um, but I don't necessarily know what those asks are, but it was relayed, again, correct me if I'm wrong, that other places are getting more than we're getting because we may not be asking. Is is that what other people heard? Um, so I just have a question about that and I I'm curious about how we can um ask more of of the builders within the parameters of what's legal. Um, you know, it would be nice if we could require them to say if you're going to come and do a subdivision, 10% of your homes have to be and and I know that I don't I don't even know the absolute legality of things like that, but I want to ask what we can ask. It doesn't hurt to ask. So,

and I can talk a little bit about that because it's something we're working with, you know, in looking from that study, uh, Judge Co and I have been trying to get, if you look at the, uh, Transennsylvania, their project and how they got that done. And what they did was was public and private coming together. And what they did was the banks got involved. And what that project ended up where they got low low cost or low rate uh loans to upfront that for the developer, right? And then once that was done, they somehow get it paid back. They also got the state involved through through grant funding. So that's what we're trying to look at here and try to say okay uh how can we take that model and do him and that's what we're working on.

Okay. And so it's you and Judge Cington that work and that and then along with some with some others. Okay. Okay. Well, that's exciting. Yes. Thank you. Well, I do think to um maybe answer, I know when I was researching um these communities, you could tell from their city site that affordable housing was a priority. And um it it was very upfront when you were looking at applying for a permit or applying um for I don't know, looking at the different ordinances. Um, it was very apparent and I feel like I appreciated that about these cities and um, it wasn't something they were just talking about. You could tell that they it's current. It's happening and they talk about it a lot and keep it on the forefront.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. So, mayor just so as a point of reference, the legislature is working on several bills around this as well that might help. Yes.

Yeah. Just tying back to your original question, not cutting back on anything mayor said in terms of kind of looking to mimic that project. Um, you know, the Kentucky Bankers Association is looking at how to make that a model that folks can use. Um, and I think these conversations that Mayor and Candace referenced are continuing to stay ahead of that, you know, side by side with that KBA conversation. But to your question about asking the builders, asking the developers to come to the table. Um, you know, I know some of the conversations Candace has had with those folks is around what, you know, what they're interested in, what they might what might bring them to the table. So, you know, as a part of these four bullet points, you know, um, one point of emphasis is is getting stakeholders to the table and you all are stakeholders, fiscal court stakeholders, obviously as folks who can provide funding, but ultimately understanding are these things fits in our community for our development community and for the the available land we have and the opportunities, the zoning we have. So, um, to that point, I think the answer is they're not they haven't been asked, but they'll have to be stakeholders as you all consider possible legislation and possible grant programming and funding to continue to support, uh, the activity. So, I I hope that's an an ad to just just kind of reemphasize that those folks are going to need to be brought to the table as stakeholders to make sure what is asked of you all in terms of legislation and funding is going to make that impact.

Okay. So, thank you. Just wanted to add that. Yeah. Any other questions? All right,

next slide. I think I'm almost done. Yeah. So, um that was just I guess the timeline one more time. Um yes. Anybody have any other questions in general? Okay. Well, thank you all so much. I appreciate it. Uh thank you Candace for that update and as always it's uh very timely and we'll continue to work with that and again I'll continue to you know we'll still be working on on ideas how we can get involved in this as a model and hopefully we can get things done where we can address that based on what we got from that that uh study we did and listening to them from the work session we had with the builders and what they thought would you know bringing uh working together to do uh to try to uh uh you know get some of these home. Like I said, we're about Scott County. I think we were and Holden, correct me if I'm wrong, Holden, on this, but I think we're about 3,000 units short in Scott County alone as for housing.

Yeah, assessment show that there was a substantial deficit. Come up. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, yes, about 3,000 units and I think Lexon is is is really has a issues, but you know, those are some things that we're trying to trying to address. So, um, I just want to make sure that I was had the right number in mind. Thank you. All right. All right. Number 10, first readings. We have three first readings. Uh, the first one is the 2025 26 budget amendment ordinance. Uh, sponsors are Greg Hampton and Tammy Lusby Mitchell.

Good evening. Uh, I just want to walk you all through the list of items included in this budget amendment so that if you have any questions, uh, you're given the opportunity to ask. So, uh, mostly new requests this time since it is our what we consider our mid-year amendment. The first item is general government professional services. Uh we have included an additional 20,000 in legal fees. We've had some uh legal issues come up throughout this year that were unanticipated and above and beyond what's normal. So we've had to contract with third party uh legal services more than usual. So uh looking to add 20,000 to get us through the end of the year on that. Uh we did add 25,000 or requesting 25,000 for an IT consultant. We've been having a lot of conversations in finance committee about the nature of it in the city, what is best going forward. Uh we'll talk about it a little bit more as we go through this budget amendment, but currently we're we're working through probably an extension of our current contract and some tweaks to that to make it work better for us. But um our hope is to also in the meantime um like to have a consultant to look to what would be best for the city. Is it continuing the MSP provider? Is it in-house staff and that kind of thing? So, um just getting a little outside help from an IT expert on how to to do that. Um if there's any questions, I'll probably defer to Devon on that one a little bit, but um you'll see I'll go ahead and bring up on here you'll see part of the way down on here we have um net gain staff augmentation. And that's one of the things we did the survey. You all may have received the survey about our IT and what our staff needs were and the biggest thing was having someone who can be on site that can fix. Um that was the biggest request from our department. So

part of this renegotiation uh of this contract is requesting staff augmentation and it is a flat 7500 per month to have them here for 35 hours per week. Uh, so just like a full-time employee. So our IT liaison position is a manager of vendors, manager of contracts. They're not that. So this would be like a level one service technician on site at the city full-time. So those two kind of go hand in hand. Um adding the staff augmentation in this next iteration of our technology budget or technology agreement um with net gain would be kind of that interim while we continue to evaluate what the future needs would look like. So those are those two requests in here uh that are both related to our managed service provider contract. Uh the next one just 2500 in miscellaneous. We usually only allow a little bit for miscellaneous. So, just some things that have come up. Uh, city clerk computer hardware software, just adding that in. Um, that shed a computer and some other things that came up that weren't budgeted. Uh, professional services recontification of the city ordinances. That was a project that had been started last year. Um, after researching, we'd only paid about half of that. So, we needed to account for that in the city clerk's budget. that is where we'll have a searchable online code um on our website. So, just finishing up that project. Those payments will be due in a few months. Uh couple of the things you'll see, one of the things you'll see on the personnel ordinance coming up, uh police has requested uh two safety officers and an open records clerk that will be shared with dispatch. So, uh, both departments have vacancies to cover that, but just illustrating that we are using vacancies to cover the addition of those positions through the end of this fiscal year.

I have a question. Yes. Could you refresh my mind about the specifics of the safety officers? What what what would their job descript? So, this would be I know chief is going to talk about it a lot more with the personnel ordinance. Okay. Um, so we should wait then if you'll give him I know he's going to come up on the personnel ordinance and talk about all the positions, the open records and that. Um, but those will be non-hazardous positions. So, they're a little lower cost than a police officer.

Uh, the open records clerk was another position requested that we talked about. Police and dispatch get inundated uh with open records. The body cameras brings its own animal uh with the open records. So, just a lot going on there. And again, we're using vacancy coverage. Uh the next item, the fleet vehicle order for next year. We mentioned this when you all approved the order. Just trying to make sure we keep in line with legal statutes that if we approve something, we've budgeted for it. However, we don't expect those to come in and actually start paying for those until after July 1, but just trying to follow statutes regarding budget procedures. the fire cabling project that was mentioned by the fire committee. Um they ended up having some radios that were turned in by other jurisdictions that they were able to use. So they're just transferring 22,000 from their communications equipment line to their buildings and improvements to be able to cover that IT cabling project because they had initially not planned for that. Uh, as was mentioned in the committee updates, the fire station number two apron and concrete work estimating 100,000. Once we get our concrete unit price um, contracts out to bid and back, we would use those contracts for this work, but that's an estimate. And again, the building maintenance, having three buildings that are quite old, uh, some unexpected things have come up this year and they've asked for 25,000 to get through the rest of the year. So uh and again the same thing fire station one building maintenance and utilities we have a separate line for that one where at least still currently EMS is housed there. So any building maintenance that we do at fire station one half of that cost gets put in a separate line item that we then bill the county for. As we move forward to next budget year we'll be re-evaluating how we build the county for that depending

on where EMS ambulances are located. And again, so the county half of those station one expenses. So engineering, uh, as was mentioned from the public works committee, the old Oxford Road bridge engineering, much like we did with Clubhouse, we received a grant for the construction of the repairs. However, we the city have to pay for the engineering. So we had added clubhouse drive, I think in our last amendment. So, we are adding the engineering for Oxford for the Washington Street sidewalks. Um Eddie actually has enough money in his line item to cover the engineering and design of those sidewalks, but we had included an estimated $85,000 for the construction of those sidewalks. So once we can get a engineer procured design then we'll have the money set aside that we can work on the construction of those. As mentioned from our previous uh municipal orders, if you've approved the city hall networking equipment and city hall move, as you remember, we were reshuffling some IT budget items, but still needed an additional 21,900 to cover that network equipment and move back into city hall. Uh that was part of that municipal order that you approved at the end of January. Marshall Park restroom. Um, we had a couple of change orders related to the footers. They had to dig a little deeper on the footers and then also the plans did not include the gutters and downspouts. So, they had asked to add those uh obviously to protect the building. So, we have those two small change orders that we need to to wrap up as that project has wrapped up. the planning and zoning roof. Um they need it's not a complete and total roof replacement, but it is a significant

repair that will cost about $40,000. And so we are being asked to cover half of that. The county would cover the other half. Uh the revenue commission um mayor could probably speak to this better than I can, but I do my best to estimate their budget. I don't always have their final budget number. And then they also did a mid-year amendment. So, our portion of that is about 15,000 extra dollars. Um, so I wanted to get that updated. The Kowanas fireworks, uh, I believe they have lost a community partner for the fireworks show. We typically allocate 6,250. Um, we've been asked to increase that to 7,500. So, this is an additional 1,250 uh for the requests that will come for the 2026 fireworks show. community grants. Our appropriation policy for the agencies or our nonprofit funding policy allows up to $400,000. We only budgeted exactly what was applied for and what the mayor uh allocated which was around 322,300. We have received some additional requests, some things that have been discussed in finance committee. So, this would add an additional 25,000 to that budget for any requests that are brought to council and the mayor over the course of the next few months. And then, as mentioned, uh we would need to bring at the next meeting a revised appropriations policy that would allow for those additional applications. So, um yes,

quick question. So, the application process is the process now it's one time. Typically, we open those applications usually around March to April. We open the applications for the following fiscal year. And we didn't have anything in that policy that allowed for items that may come up throughout the year. Um, we've had a couple that have been brought to the mayor and Judge Cington that thankfully got resolved because the state ended up funding them or some other things. Um, but there's some other things that have been brought up by council members. Uh, so we wanted to allow just a little bit of additional money because the policy allows for up to 400,000 in that line item, but we only budgeted exactly what we approved per the application. So that appropriate that updated appropriations policy would come to you probably at the next meeting that would allow for those additional applications on for any emergent or immediate needs that can't wait until the next budget year. So it's to give a little bit of cushion for some things that may be coming down the pipeline.

So having done that in the corporate world for a lot of years, maybe one of the things you ought to consider is a kind of a a holding fund that out of the allocation you have x number of dollars that you set aside. you still only have one um application period, but in the case of an emergency or whatever, then you've got this holding fund.

Yes. And that's what we've talked about in the future budgets. I think the mayor may recommend that we budget the full 400,000. He may not allocate that all in the initial application process and hold some back. The policy allows for up to 400,000, but that's not what we adopted in the budget. So, um, as mentioned tonight, uh, at one of the upcoming meetings, you'll have the approval of the next round of ESG funding. Uh, that does require a $41,750 match from the city. So, this is putting the budget, the match in for the new grant that will be brought for your approval at the next meeting. We'll talk more about the transfers to the other funds as we get down to those. Um the only previously approved item we had was the uh change order for the Vicotta camera system. And then as mentioned throughout the year I'm bringing back these non-cash budget items. So I looked at all of the vehicles that have been delivered since July 1. This is the uh delivered capitalized price for those vehicles and inn-out revenue and expense. No net effect on the budget. Uh, and I'll continue to do that for future budget amendments as more vehicles are delivered. Uh, for the 911 fund, there's no amendment required. I just wanted to illustrate that they will be paying for half of the open records position, but they have enough vacancies to cover that. So, it doesn't require an amendment, but just wanted to make note of it. the grant fund. Uh we had our VAWA GR grant was a little bit different than what we had um applied for. Also bringing in our KPDI round two that had not been brought in the two city county bridge improvement programs and our current round of ESG money. So just updating for all the current grants we've received the environmental services fund. Uh, one of the things the mayor had asked about

since we don't appear to be pursuing a stormwater utility fee at this time, um, public works and engineering storm water have requested a street sweeper back truck hybrid for several years now and, uh, so he has put that 400,000 in the budget for that. Part of that will be offset by we had budgeted for the next phase of the stormwater utility fee, which we're not moving forward with at this time. So we were able to reduce that budget and then a couple of the engineering carryover contracts we were able to reduce because there was more paid on them last year. So um yes,

just to mention so by be able to purchase that that actually does meet the qualifications of the permit um and the program. So it it falls nicely in line with

the roles and responsibilities. And hopefully we'll be bringing that purchase to you by the first meeting in March through using either cooperative purchasing or state contract pricing. Bruins doing a little more research. Uh the cemetery fund um our cemetery Sexton just uh requests for an additional 4500 in his professional services that will be split with the county. Just some things that he had either the price had increased um and just a little bit of buffer to get him through the rest of the year. And lastly, as mentioned at the last meeting when we approved our purchase order for the security camera and access control, adding 89,000 for that purchase um to cover both that and the audio visual. Again, those were not con not not uh anticipated to be part of the GMP contract with Kodell and then 29,000 for the additional um construction administration services by the architect. since we've gone a little bit farther than anticipated. So, that's everything that's in the budget amendment.

All right. And then I think Tracy has to read all the numbers now.

An ordinance amending the annual budget ordinance for fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Summary general fund. Prior year revenues are increased by $882,389. Intergovernmental revenues are increased by $3,850. Lease proceeds are increased by 1,448,85. General government expenses are increased by $47,500. Affordable housing expenses are increased by $41,750. Information technology expenses are increased by $51,900. City clerk expenses are increased by $9,475. Police expenses are increased by $134,992. Fire expenses are increased by $125,000. City engineering expenses are increased by $135,000. Community services expenses are increased by $26,250. Interlocal expenses are increased by $58,622. Transfers to other funds are increased by $255,750. Capital expenses are increased by $1,448,85. Grant fund. State grant revenue is increased by 1,577,456. Federal grant revenue is increased by $12,596. Police expenses are increased by $3,528. Community service expenses are increased by $1,676. Five1,676,524. Environmental Services Fund transfers from other funds are increased by $135,500. Storm water expenses are increased by $135,500. Cemetery fund intergovernmental revenue is increased by $2,250. Transfers from other funds are increased by $2,250. Cemetery expenses are increased by $4,500. Capital projects fund transfers from other funds are increased by $118,000. Capital expenses are increased by

$118,000. All ordinance or part ordinances in conflict of this ordinance are hereby repealed. This ordinance shall take effect after its passage of publication according to law. The full text of this ordinance is available for examination the city clerk's office 629 North Broadway Kentucky 40324 or at www.jeorgetownky.gov. Public introduced and read for the first time February 9th 2026. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next on the item is the item B 10B, the amendment to the personal ordinance. Sponsors Kim Minky and Karen Tingle Sames,

Mayor Council, as Stacy mentioned, uh we have a growing need for the open records uh position as we talked about in our budget. Uh just some numbers to throw at you. Since July of 2025 at the police department, we've had over 276 open records requests. Um through the county attorney or the Commonwealth Attorney's office, uh which a lot of times is linked to our body cameras. We've had over 440 requests from them. That could be redaction of um videos we're at at a crime scene or things like that. So they're constantly needing information uh as well. So this leads to over 223 redaction hours. Uh currently we have um basically two officers or an officer and a civilian that does that and Captain Lo assist when he has time as well. So it's uh burden obviously on our manpower and the hours. Uh she mentioned dispatch that we would share this position. So, their numbers are very similar to ours. Since July of 2025, they've had 278 open uh records requests, and they have four people uh down at dispatch that try to keep those requests um completed in time as well. So, they're anticipating over 500 open requests, open records requests, and I'm sure we'll get close to that as well. So, I think that's the need. Uh it's going to continue to grow. Uh we knew that when we got body cameras, uh insurance agencies, uh the community, people just want to want to know what's going on and they continue to do that. We do have a uh a space at the police department that we can um house this person or put them in an office so we'd be ready to to go.

All right. And as far as the um traffic safety, the civilian officers, uh just give you a little bit about information about what they can and can't do uh through statute. So they um shall not have the authority to issue citations for moving violations. An example that would be like a speeding citation. They can't do that. Uh they can go out and control and direct traffic. Uh they can remove vehicles from uh roadways in violation of state or local laws. Um they may issue a citation for a misdemeanor or violation committed in their presence and typically that would be from investigating a traffic collision. So they may come up and somebody's tag may be expired or license have been expired. So they can issue citations for that. uh they shall not have the powers of peace officers to make any arrest or carry deadly weapons. So civilian role uh they have to go through and complete 120 hours of appropriate training that is certified by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council prior to being appointed as the uh safety officers. Um, as we have said, our friends down in Richmond have agreed to let us come down if we're given these positions and train our civilians for free and then they would be glad to give us the curriculum going forward so we could train inhouse, make that easier. Uh, so what would this look like as far as vehicles and uniforms and things like that? Uh we're looking at pickup trucks, uh obviously four-wheel drive so they can get through conditions that we've been having seems like forever here lately with snow and ice. Um so they'd obviously be a big benefit to our patrol guys. So we're looking at white pickup trucks. You know, our fleet is black uh with white and gray stripes or just black plane vehicles. So you'd

be able to distinguish um our strike package would look similar, but it would say traffic uh officer or civilian officer and using our patch for our patrol guys use our badge. Um vehicles be a little bit cheaper uh because we obviously we don't need the cage, we don't need the pursuit package, we don't need all the bells and whistles we would for a normal uh police officer. Uh lights of course, um the strike package as I said. So, those uh would be a lot cheaper than our normal vehicles. Um uniforms, we're still talking about that. Uh we've kicked around several different ideas, but we would want to make sure that it's easily to distinguish um the civilian traffic safety officer versus a patrol officer. If you'll notice, our lights on our patrol cars are blue and amber. Uh we've chosen to go with blue and red. be another way to distinguish them so hopefully the public wouldn't get them confused with a normal police officer. Um I gave you all a couple handouts um prior to like these I got a lot of stuff. So just to uh show the need again for uh this obviously it would help out our patrol division tremendously. uh they will be able to take a lot of the calls that we have noted here. Um so by them taking helping out on some of the collisions in parking lots uh the motorist assist you'll see that those a lot of these numbers are up. So giving you over a three-year period um and vehicle lockouts, parking problems, debris in the roadway, all of that. If they're able to respond to that, obviously it leaves our traffic unit. they're able to still go out and enforce traffic laws, do speed studies, uh be in the intersections trying to deter traffic crashes, things of that. Uh so the

traffic safety guys would still help u patrol officers that may be having to leave and respond to something that's traffic related. Um and the other graphs I gave you, just an idea of our calls for service. Last year we were right at 40,000. So, we're anticipating over 41,000 calls for service uh this year in 2026, and you can see the population still continues to grow. So, we feel like they would be a great um asset to our department, and they're considerably a little bit less than what a patrol officer is.

A question. I I'm I think this is a great idea and a and a really big need. I'm a little concerned about their safety. Um, will they be in like an identifiable police uniform? I mean, be identifiable. I mean, like what will they be wearing in their white pickup? What will they I mean, um, we're still looking at this. Or it may be the they going to have a badge. Are they going to have identif It won't say police. It'll say traffic safety. Okay. We'll have it civilian. We talked about maybe having it as a reflective yellow so that they can be seen. They'll be

Yeah. distinguished uh differences between them and what we put away. Okay. I'm a little concerned about their safety. I assume they won't have cameras. Well, they'll have cameras. They'll have cameras. Okay. Well, that's good. Y Thank you. That was one of my questions. I was going to see uh if they'd have body cams or if they would be allowed to carry any sort of protection if they have radio and they have body cameras and part of the 120 hours I'm sure covers uh you know some self-defense and things like that. If not we'll do that in house because we do that you know throughout the year. Um of course

with the radio and our guys we would know if they're out and if they would listen out see if they needed assistance and you know we'd go there. We know it's very successful in Lexington, Richmond, and there's some Winchester is just kicking off a similar um program, if you will. So, they're getting into the traffic safety officers as well. So, it it's successful. Great. I'd imagine there'd be some courtesy non-emergency just helpful things occasionally help with a lockout or call. Yeah, that's in the graphs I gave you all the vehicle lockouts, debris in the roadway, directing traffic, motorist assist, uh things like that.

I think one of the important thing they're trying to do with this is that it takes away or alleviates some of the uh everyday

small items that the police is is responding to that, you know. So, if they don't have to worry about going to a lockout, if they don't have to worry about going to see someone with a a minor traffic uh accident that's in a parking lot, something like there, then that frees up our traffic unit. It frees up our other officers to actually handle uh more serious type of uh of calls that needs to be made. And as you can see, the call volume is going up. And I was a lot of those calls are probably calls that these safety officers could do that will allow uh our other officers to do more patrolling to to handle more of the um I want to say high risk type of calls.

Yes. So this graph here is gives you an idea of calls that they could go to. So again, collisions, motorist assist, funeral escorts, debris in the roadway, parking problems, vehicle lockouts, traffic control, traffic hazard, traffic signal, so forth, so on. So yes, just parking problems and vehicle lockouts alone between those, they're both right at 650 calls each. Um, so you can look at the graphs and see that where the needs are.

Yes. in our committee meeting because we talked about this in the committee meeting. In the committee meeting, one of the things you also talked about, you mentioned that you haven't mentioned tonight to the council uh or to the audience tonight is how this is a recruiting tool for the next step up to become a police officer. Yes.

Uh yes, we have mentioned that. So, we obviously we'd open it up. Um we'd love to see it as a recruiting tool. uh 18, 19, 20 year old uh person that could u get their feet wet, if you will, by getting exposed to uh the law enforcement, public servant uh aspect of it. Um and then that way if they work with us a couple years, we get to see their work ethic. Um see what they're how they perform under some stressful conditions and see if it's the right fit and if they'd like to uh be a police officer, then we would extend that. uh the buzz has gotten out that we were, you know, looking at this. So, there's um definitely several people that we've been told uh to our officers if this is uh granted and I feel like we're going to have a lot of applicants because there's people lined up. Uh we've also got um several people that's reached out about the open records. So, I think with both of these positions, we could fill them very quickly.

Good. Good. Much needed. Thank you. Thank you. Captain Lo is going to do the power dem.

Good evening. We haven't finished this item. Nope. Not yet. Sorry. Okay. So, so we need to go ahead and do that first. Madame Clerk,

an ordinance amending section 2-60 of the code of ordinances regarding personnel summary one amends exhibit B of section 2-6 subsection C of the code of ordinances to create two positions of safety officer at grade 109 and one position of open records clerk at grade 108 within the Georgetown Police Department. Two provides for repeal of inconsistent ordinances, severability of provisions, and an effective date upon passage and publication. The full text of this ordinance is available for examination. from the city clerk's office 629 North Broadway Georgetown Kentucky 40324 or at www.jeorgetownky.gov introduced in public the first time February 9th 2026.

All right. Thank you. Now let's see. Uh so you're currently in the ver the first reading section. So yeah we'll have you want to skip ahead you can but you are in that section. Yep. So, uh, let's just go ahead and finish up that the item C and then we can bring him up. It's your call. Yep. I'm going to call audible on that and just go ahead and bring bring him on up. Come on. Get it out of the way. Let's try this again.

All right. All right. Um, so I just want to talk a little bit about uh Power DMS. So that stands for the document management system. Um so right now what we've done is we utilize this um for all of our policies and general orders. So anytime we make an update it archives the old copy. It makes it very easy um if we need to go back because of litigation if we need to go back for anything really. It will show us whatever the current policy was at the time. Um we also use it for our training. So anytime, so we just recently, this past budget year, started utilizing it um with our new recruits for their um field training program, but we also use it for um our in-house training, whether it's firearms, driving, so that we can track all of that. And we also it's uh used for our accreditation process as well, which happens every four years. So that's currently what we're using it for. What we're looking to do is we're looking to expand into three different areas. The first one being power action. Um so power action would allow us to do our use of force reports. Um our vehicle pursuits, officer injuries, property damage, equipment loss and damage. So all of these are things that we currently utilize. You know, for use of force, we use this. For pursuits, we use this. For um injuries, we utilize this. And so this would help to streamline all of that stuff into this platform that we're already utilizing for these other things I mentioned. Um so that's just going to save time. It's going to improve efficiencies. Um the second would be internal affairs um power IIA. Um so that's very important especially for um our executive team, those of us that are looking into these investigations. It allows us to um basically take our workflow, import it um and just make sure that we're checking all the boxes off and it just makes it a lot easier to be able to track and retain all of those as well. U we're also looking at power vitals um which is a wellness forward early intervention and officer support. So, one of the things that we brought up during police committee um was just, you

know, there are times that we may have officers responding to multiple critical incidents over the course of maybe like a two-eek period and maybe they've also been involved in a pursuit, maybe also been involved in a use of force. And sometimes those are kind of hard to track um just with the current systems we're using. And so with stuff like this, it would give us the ability just the analytics dashboard to be able to look and see, you know, if we've got an officer that's responded to, you know, a suicide and then a fatal car wreck and then, you know, been involved in a use of force over the course of whatever time period, it's going to flag and at least give us the opportunity to be able to follow up, have their supervisor follow up, um, and just be able to support our guys better because sometimes it's just it's hard to track these metrics unless you have a a system in place that allows you to be able to do that. So, we feel like um expanding to these three um I guess these three add-ons, if you will, um is just going to increase the efficiency um of our command team and just the agency as a whole. So, if you all you have any questions, be happy to answer those.

All right. Do we need a a motion from you all on this? This is an add-on. Yeah. Motion, mayor. Second. Motion made by Mr. My, second by Miss Mitchell. Are there further questions and or comments? All those uh for this amendment and add on. This is a it's municipal order. Municipal order, excuse me, municipal order. Um signify by saying I I. Those opposed say nay. Let the record reflect that it passed. Thank you.

Thank you. Now we can come back with C because I don't want to keep it all since they were talking about police. So I thought item C, first reading of the insurance premium tax rate change ordinance. Sponsors are Karen Tingo Sames and Todd Stone just for a introduction for the public. Oh, thank you. Uh introduction for the public for what this is. It's just because of our and Emily in doing the ordinance explains it very well, but it's because of our uh bonus, you might say, that we received on the net profits, a substantial amount that we didn't budget for that we didn't expect that out of that for this next calendar year or when the fiscal year comes in, the new fiscal year is to give back a a small percentage and it will be a very small percentage because it's only 1% for the city. It's about a million.1 is what will come out of the city's budget, but what it will give back to to everyone. As Tammy said, the last meeting we talked about it briefly. She said it might be $50 for her. It might be $100 for somebody else. It might be $200 for somebody. But the bottom line is it's not how much you're going to get back. It's the fact that the city acknowledges that we have this extra windfall, as I'll call it. and that when when those things happen and we're able to that we want to give back not only in providing services for you because we're going to be able to pro provide services and some capital projects with the the rest of the money but to be willing to say okay let's give it back when we can give it afford to give it back to people because the number one thing that has been complained about the last year is the water rates. Well, you know what? For a average $40 water bill or a $60 water bill, because you're saving that little amount, that may help you pay for that. That may take you out to eat. That may do something for you, but it's the right for you to have it back when we

can do that. So, uh, proposed with with Todd and I are for this next fiscal year, it'll have to it has to be approved by the end of March and it'll be time to work it into the budget so the mayor can start working it into the budget knowing what the amount will be. Uh, granted, Georgetown's growing, so more than likely we're going to get more out of insurance um premium that's going to come to us anyway. So, the ordinance states that it's for a year now. I think Emily, we'll have to come back for a vote next year. Okay. All right. It will have to come back to the council for a vote yet next year whether you keep it at seven or you take it back to eight or you create some other which personally I like it coming back to a vote for the council because it takes makes it transparent what the council's doing and and the council votes on things year from year and takes a look at it year to year. So that's my proposal. Todd, anything extra that you'd like to add to that?

Thank you governor. Okay. And so um that's what Todd and I are requesting of the council. All right. Is there any other comment from Miss Council here? We need to do the first reading first. Oh, come at my I'm getting ahead of myself. Okay. Madam Clerk, go ahead and read it. I'm sorry.

An ordinance amending section 36-93 of the Georgetown Code of Ordinances to change the insurance premium tax rate from 8% to 7% effective July 1, 2026. Whereas the city of Georgetown's tax revenue is largely derived from adorm property taxes, occupational license taxes on wages and net profits and insurance premium taxes. And whereas the city received a significant increase in net profit tax revenue collected during fiscal year 2025 that led to an unexpected surplus at the end of the year, which increased the city's fund balance. And whereas members of the Georgetown City Council are exploring various ways to spend or invest these surplus funds. And whereas in light of this surplus, this legislation has been proposed to reduce the insurance premium tax rate to be imposed during the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 from 8% to 7% as a means to offer one-time relief to city taxpayers without making permanent changes to the tax structure. And whereas KRS 91A080 provides that the Georgetown City Council may change the license fee or tax known as an insurance premium tax imposed by the city of Georgetown upon insurance companies for the privilege of engaging in the insurance business within city limits. And whereas the city must send the commissioner of insurance a copy of any changes to its insurance premium tax rates by March 23rd of each year to be effective the following July 1. And whereas effective July 1, 2026, the Georgetown City Council finds it in the best interests of the community to temporarily reduce the insurance premium tax rate from 8% to 7% for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, unless extended by a future act of the Georgetown City Council in accordance

with KRS 91A.080 subsection 1. Now therefore, be it ordained by the city of Georgetown, Kentucky, section one, section 36-93 of the code of ordinances, city of Georgetown, Kentucky, is hereby amended as follows. Section 36-93 these A. The license fee imposed upon each insurance company which issues life insurance policies on the lives of persons residing within the corporate limits of the city shall be 7% of the first year's premium actually collected within each calendar quarter by reason of the ins issuance of such policies. fee. The license fee imposed upon each insurance company which issues any insurance policy which is not a life insurance policy shall be 7% of the premiums actually collected within each calendar quarter by reason of the issuance of such policies on risk located within the corporate limits of the city on those classes of businesses which such company is authorized to transact lest all premiums return to policy holders. C. No license fee or tax imposed under this section shall apply to premiums. One, received on policies of group health insurance provided for state employees under KRS 18A.225. Two, received on policies ensuring employers against liability for personal injuries to their employees or the death of their employees caused here by thereby under the provisions of KRS chapter 342. Three, received on health insurance policies issued to individuals. Four, received on policies issued through Kentucky Access created in KRS chapter 304, subtitle 17B. Five, received on policies for high deductible health plans as defined in 26 USC 223 subsection C2.

Six received on multi-state surplus lines defined as non-admitted insurance as provided in title five subtitle B the non-admitted and reinsurance reform act of 2010 of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act publication L number 111-203 7 pay to insurance companies or surplus lines brokers by nonprofit self- insurance groups or self- insurance entities whose membership consists of school districts or eight paid to insurance companies or surplus lines brokers by nonprofit self- insurance groups or self- insurance entities whose memberships consist of cities, counties, charter county governments, urban county governments, consolidated local governments, unified local governments, school districts, or any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. D. No license fee or tax imposed under this section shall apply to premiums paid to insurers of municipal bonds, leases, or other debt instruments issued by or on behalf of a city, county, charter, county government, urban county government, consolidated local government, special district, nonprofit corporation, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. However, this exemption shall not apply if the bonds, leases, or other debt instruments are issued for profit or on behalf of for-profit or private organizations. Section two, the 7% insurance premium tax rate to be imposed and collected under this ordinance is intended to be for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 unless extended by an act of the Georgetown City Council in accordance with KRS 91A 08 subsection 1. Section three. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or a portion of this ordinance is declared illegal or unconstitutional or otherwise invalid,

such declaration shall not affect the remaining portions hereof. Section four, all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Section five. This ordinance shall be enacted pursuant to KRS 83A060 published pursuant to KRS chapter 424 and become effective on July 1, 2026. Pursuant to KRS 91A.080 subsection 1, a copy of this ordinance shall be filed with the commissioner of insurance at least 100 days prior to the effective date of July 1, 2026. Publicly introduced and read for the first time February 9th, 2026.

All righty. Thank you. Good. Now you can take a breath now. Okay. All right. All right. While she recovers. Now at this time, uh, council, if you have some questions or want to discuss, you may do so at this time. Mayor, I have a question. Um, Emily, could I ask you to come up? Could I I have a question about the wording?

Yeah. So, if you go to section two on the last page where it says the 7% insurance premium tax uh to be imposed and collected under this ordinance is intended to be for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 unless extended by an act of the Georgetown City Council in accordance with ARS DA. So that appears to say to me, and I I need help understanding this, that appears to say to me that it would go back to 8%. automatically, but I don't think that I called you about that and we talked about it and I I seem to remember that you said that it would take an act of the council to put it back to 8%. The wording is a little funny.

The way it's worded, it says that it it's intended for one year and that it would go back to 8% unless it there was an action from the council.

When I we talked, I thought I understood that it takes an act of council to change it from seven to 8 to eight. Um so what was requested in the ordinance was to for the period I guess the next fiscal year was to reduce the tax rate the insurance premium tax rate from 8% to 7% for the upcoming fiscal year. It was also requested that there be a sunset clause and the purpose of the sunset clause um essentially sets that specific expiration date for that law. Um so unless you take an as a body you act to extend whatever is coming to a close um the purpose of a sunset clause is essentially to force you all to re-evaluate and look at the law and what it is that you're um sunsetting putting an end to because the circumstances under which you created impose this um in this case it's the tax rate um the circumstances may have changed or there's something happening in community that has called your attention to this and so you've addressed it for a certain period of time, but then it comes to an end and it's time to either send it back or change it to something different. Um, my opinion on this is it does not specifically say that it would automatically go back to 8%. I think if you want that to be the effect, you would need to put language in there that says beginning July 1 of 2027, the tax rate would be whatever percent that is. Um but the statute the KS 91A 080 um it does talk about changes to the tax rate being imposed by the legislative body through an ordinance. So that is where I think you would want to have some type of affirmative action or explicit action next year. Whether that is to say yes, we want to continue the 7%. No, we've

evaluated what's going on and we want to change it back to 8%. It could be a 9%. You may find that you want to go lower than 7% on what's happening in the community. So is that helpful? Uh well, so there's no way that we can put in there that it will go back to 8%. Because we would we will have at when the time comes, we can't do it this far out because when the time comes, it will be a different council. I would well not my opinion legal opinion it does talk about the legislative body and there would be tech even though it's a city council the makeup of the city council will be entirely different um so I think you would want to be mindful um but several years ago um there was a provision included in one of these ordinances that did adjust the tax rate after the end of the sunset period. So, it has been done here before in researching this. I did not see that as a common practice because I think the intent is that you evaluate it and you impose your rate based on what's going on. Um, but that has been done here in Georgetown in the past where you specifically say after June 30th or in this case effective July 1st of 2027, the tax rate will be x amount. So then specifically stated and and Karen, correct me if I'm wrong because you may have been mayor at the time or you were on council, but this very discussion came up on insurance premium tax. It was at a sunset clause and they let it ride out. It ended and then jumped up. They actually well actually what happened before is yes they put it in put it in sunset clause and uh then when

it came back up for a vote the council had to go back to the publicly discuss it and they struggled over it. Were they going to keep the rate that it was or were they going to increase the rate back? they struggled over it and at that point in time they decided to keep the rate the same and then later things came along and the rate jumped back up again to where it is like the 8% now. So um yeah there was a but there did have to be a council action.

Yes. And there should be when you're talking about taxes whether you're lowering it or raising it. I mean it really should be. So it makes accountability for having the language in there like that bringing it back next year. It makes accountability to the council to say, "Okay, we need to raise it back to 8%." And we may need to raise it back to 8%. We may not get a big lump sum coming back, but then it comes to the public accountability on the council's part to say we need to raise it. We need back that million dollars because this that or the other thing has happened. So the public absolutely knows we're taking accountability to it. I think we're taking accountability to to to take it down and let the public know that we're just talking about this for a year. It's going to have to come back next year. It's we're forcing it to come back next year when we look at the budget. Take accountability in it. Whoever's whoever's up here, take accountability into it next year. And like she said, there could be something dramatic, let's hope not, pray, happen over the next year and it comes back in a seven, then it goes to nine instead of going back to eight. But uh anyway, I just think it's accountability to bring it back to the ca bring it back to the council because we just we're justifying why or I asked Emily to put it into the language justifying why we're taking down just a little and then next year if you take it back up then justify why we're taking it back up and what the need was and what was facing the council and all that. It just it seemed when I first read this, it seemed like it was automatically going to happen.

And I think some people might have thought that that it it it reads that way that we're we're just saying we're doing this for one year, but we we really aren't saying that. We're saying we're changing it to seven and we'll go over it again next year. And that Go ahead. Sorry. I I think the key wording is unless extended. I mean, to me that says we we don't have to do anything to extend it. The way that reads unless extended. It's the way it reads to me, too. It's the way it reads to me, too. And that's why I brought it up again.

Yeah. because it's it the way it reads says that unless this 7% is extended you you you have to take a council action only to change it back to eight right but don't you also need No wait a minute I said that backwards I said it backwards

but but don't you need to take action to the commissioner of insurance to be able to invoke the change one way or the my reading of the statute. Um, and I'm happy to do some more research on this and talk with people to say if that would be helpful. We do have a small window that we're working with. Um, but my read and I, if I'm misunderstanding you, please let me know. Um, any change to this particular tax rate, um, city council would have to impose that by amending this insurance premium tax rate ordinance. So, I'm not certain unless you take an actual action to either change it back in a separate ordinance next year. Um, I'm not sure that's the effect of the statute. I don't want to speak out of turn, but my reading on it and my my take is that next year any change, whether it's extending it the 7% and continuing that into the next fiscal year. So, you want to continue the 7% rate or if you're going to change the rate back to 8% that you have currently, you would have to have some type of legislative act in the form of an ordinance to amend that tax rate. So, so whether you whether you keep it at seven or where you go to eight, you going to have to have council action to say we're going to keep it as it is at seven or we're going to bump it up back to eight where it was.

That is the intention of the sunset clause is to to force it. I I appreciate that the intention is laid out here because it does it I mean it does say you know we're taking this seriously and we feel like it it's only because of this but some of us may not be here next year and it you know I think we talked about you can't we can't make a decision now that would be relevant to the next council. You can't bind another council to what it, you know, what that vote would be. So,

well, that's not necessarily true because if you use that logic, you've already you've already the 8% was already bound to the current council that's sitting there. So that logic's not quite what you're really the reason why and there's a time factor on this is because it's bound by the budget because when we pass the budget for 26 27 you have bound the next council even though it's going to be different you bound the next council to that budget. So this is this is your money part of your money whether you have it or you don't have it in that budget.

But your but from my explanation that I got Emily help me here. Uh uh the explanation I got is that we were if we can't right now say we can't in through the end of this year say that we want that to go back to 8%. We can't do that because that's a change that would take place with a new council. That's a change that will take place because of the way the law is set up that the insurance is collect the money is collect the insurance company has to be notified and the money is collected and do they have to be notified if you stay the same?

No. So once the way the statute reads anytime you change the tax rate that's when you have to notify insurance. Yeah. So in past years where I can't remember off the top of my head the last time it was increased but between that period and potentially now except for that that first year where the tax rate was changed there was no notice because it was the same like and the purpose of the notice is this to the state is so that they can notify the insurance companies about the the tax rates that they're going to have to deal with. Let me just throw something out here and you I mean shoot it down. If could another section be added to state that um unless extended um by an act of the Georgetown City Council, it will go back to 8%.

Um this is your all's ordinance and if you want to put that in there, you can do that. Um there's always a chance that the next coun even if you do that the next council could still vote on this issue and evaluate and and change it. But if you want to add that language you can certainly do it. Um this council not this council a past council has done that. So by doing that we will have to come back and have is that would be amendment to that or would you have to do another first reading over since we're adding that language to it? change. I would consider that a substantive change because you're trying to clearly articulate an action that would happen. Okay.

That's not already set forth here. That would be my recommendation. Okay. So, we would have to go if you if if we to add that particular language to that, then we will have to, you know, have another first reading and then a second reading with that change involved. And so the the deadline for the notice to um the Department of Insurance is March 23rd. So you would have um two meetings between now and then, I believe. Mhm.

Let let let let me take this in just a little bit different direction because I'm I'm still very interested in getting more input from people in our town about what this how this would impact. Um, I've had four or five people call me because they knew that this was being talked about. And when I ask them, and I want I want I always want I have been misqued on this, but I always want to hear from my constituents. I always want transparency and I always want to know the intricacies of what we're doing both at a microcosmic and a macrocosmic level. And to me, changing a revenue stream is a big deal. And we need to be very careful about taking even 1% away and the impact that $1.1 million might have on a budget, especially since we're moving into needing to hire a lot of fire personnel for a new fire station and the interest that collectively millions of dollars together can make over a year in interest. And so I when I talked to the four or five people, I said, "Would you rather have?" And they gave me an estimate of what this might give them based on their insurance premium costs. Some of them it was $30. Some of them it was 50. I didn't hear anybody that was in the 100 or 200, so I might not be talking to those people. Businesses it would be a bigger impact. But when I said, "Would you rather have that $1.1 million added to some of the other surplus and do some of the quality of life things and the safety things

that our city is trying to do?" Immediately they said, "Oh, would I rather have $35 or would I rather have that money go to the new fire station or go to the outdoor swimming pool or go to some of these other capital projects that we are trying to do?" And one person said if it would mean that we can get new new water pipes underneath the ground quicker and some of this could go for some of the water mitigation things. We have a lot of capital projects that we have talked about but we've never had a surplus like this to be able to move forward with them. And to me it seems like removing possibly and I'm not fully decided on this. I want to hear from more people on the street. Which would you rather have? Would you rather have us keep that $1.1 million, acrue interest, decide capital projects more holistically at a macrocosmic level, or would you rather see us give you that 1% back and then possibly next year have to come back and say, "Guess what? We need that revenue stream and now we need to raise your taxes. This council has not raised any taxes and I'm proud of that. I don't know that I would want to do that necessarily next year. That never goes over well, but nor do I want to handicap some of these things that people have been waiting a long time to be able to give back to the public. So, I want to hear from my constituents. I don't care if I get 400 calls. I want to know which would you rather have this council do? Well, and to to piggyback on

that, you know, we had a meeting last week um and we talked about the new fire station and we talked about the timeline involved and the timeline showed that we wanted to add nine firefighters in the next budget and that's about a million dollars.

Yeah. And now we're talking about giving back a million dollars that would pay for those nine firefighters that I mean we we had a presentation. We didn't make a decision. We haven't done that yet. But we that was the time like line that was involved and and to have a the excess that we had the for good fortune that we had um it comes at a great time because I'm the kind of person who wants to pay for things in cash where we can and we want to build a fire station next year and so that money is here and we can use it for that or honestly the only people that are going to get $200 in a year's time are big businesses. It's not you and me. It's not I mean I'm middle class as can be. It's it's not even $50 a year. It's not even $40 a year. and you know to be able to do things like a swimming pool to be able to build our fire station to have this recurring revenue

to pay our firefighters that we want. I mean most I'm not speaking for everybody here but it was a great plan that we got to see and a timeline that we have the good fortune to be able to work with. And so to me, the language I asked that question because I was confused because it looks like it would go back to 8%. That's not the biggest question for me. The biggest question is which one do we want? Exactly.

And well, we can do both with the I've been around here the longest. The city of Georgetown is in the best financial shape it has been ever. I do believe I can go back and say ever that has been we've got money in the bank. We've got CDs that are in the bank growing interest on it. We're we're growing community that is what we've talked about that's causing issues but it's also giving us our our money that we need more than likely with the growth outcome. You'll have more insurance that will come in and what's even anticipated. So giving back one a small percent 1% to the public. Do you realize that when you give back to the public then let them make their decisions that how they spend their tax dollars it actually goes back in our community. The statistics is it goes back seven times over. So actually what you're doing is allowing people to put it back into their community and that will generate we're talking a million dollars that will generate $7 million back into the community and allowing people to make that decision. And I really think and I'm going to be bold when I say this. I really think you're more scared about raising having to raise a tax to come back and raise a tax next year than to give it back. We can give it back at this point in time. And we make decisions on the taxes every year. We make decisions whether we increase property taxes and we increase property taxes every year, whether you do all the other taxes that we do. So be accountable and if you if you disagree, so be it. Leave it alone like it is and disagree and vote no that you don't want to give any taxes back when we can. But if you want to then next year be accountable. Show people, hey, I've got a responsibility here. Yes, we're going to have to we're going to have to do this and it's going to be a tax increase. give a tax decrease and get a tax increase. We're still going to be able to pay for all the projects that we've talked about the one night that we came through here and all the projects that were on the table, even including

leaving that million dollars in there. We were we were well we were sound. I'm not afraid of voting for something that I believe is right. Okay. And not at all. And um it I agree with you 100% that we should give back. I think the difference is in how we give back. I think that your idea is one and my ideas is another. That's true. That's true. And and and you know, giving back with a with 40 bucks

giving back in extra firefighter fire protection um swimming pools. We could probably do all of it and spend all of the money that we have, but I don't think that's responsible either. That's just my opinion.

We're not going to spend even with doing that. We're not going to spend all the money that we have with that. But, you know, our our difference is yes, there's things the city needs to do, the city wants to do, the city's going to do. But I do think people have the right to their money when we can do that and take it back and let them make the decisions what they do with their money. Even if it's pennies, that's why I think you all are thinking, well, it's it's pennies. It's not important to people. Every scent these days with things that people are going through, every single scent is important to people.

Let me let me um put an example out there. Um you're a business owner. You know, there's other business owners in here. If you have one really really good year, are you going to lower your prices for your customers? I do. If I can lower my prices for my customers, yes. Because the anticipation is that they're going to buy more because they've got more money to buy more things with. I do lower my prices. I'm not I, you know, that's a bad thing about our economy right now. All the food prices has gone up, which hey, maybe you'll get enough to go buy some eggs, but all the food prices has gone up and they haven't gone down. And and I'm I'm only trying to bring up points for people to think about here. Yeah. Think about this.

You know, this this is a one-time um infusion of of surplus. Okay. Um I look at it from my standpoint or anybody's standpoint. If you get a bonus at work, um, are you going to go out and add a monthly expense on it? No. You're going to take that money, you're going to pay off a bill, you're going to put a roof on your house, or you're going to do something else with it. You're not going to add a monthly expense because it's not guaranteed. That net profits is not guaranteed. It could drop back down next year. If we have a bad economic downturn, that's going to drop. And not only the net profits, your occupational tax is going to drop, which we are heavily dependent on, right?

So I think those things we just need to think about these things. But the difference is going forward, you know, I really think the difference is we're looking at it incorrectly. This is the people's money. It's all about the people's money. And I know I'm talking little bit amounts, but what you were talking about, if you got a bonus at work, that's your money. You earned that money. We're talking about the people's money. We didn't earn that money. But yes, we're responsible for their money.

Yes, we are responsible for their money. And you know, as I believe Tammy stated, you know, that money can be used to benefit more people with through special troop projects like the the the fire station or the the police uh station expansion or quality of life projects. You know, I just want everybody to to, you know, to think about it in in those terms. you know, I I just run uh rough rough numbers. You know, just say if it's 1.1 1.2 million, if you know, we take that out of our, you know, um out of our recurring revenue, you know, we do these projects, you're going to be looking, you know, possibly bonding another 1.1 $1.2 million. The cost of that from anywhere from 3 to 5% bond rate over a 30-year bond is is upwards of 1.8 to $2.3 million. So, you know, that's a lot of money. Grant it's over 30 years, but that's a lot of money. And I just want people to really think about that.

Well, it's just something Tammy said in your meeting the other day because actually I wrote it down and she was talking about something else, but she said a little bit of money that would help a lot of people. So, this is a little bit of money going back to a lot of people in our community. So

believe me I would you know I am for you know cutting taxes but when we get a one time one time infusion you know I just caution against doing it and you know are when when this comes back if this goes goes to 7% and it comes back to to to raise it back up to eight are you going to vote for it to back up? Well, I don't vote for, you know, I don't vote for tax increases. So, yeah, put me put me on the line. I'm not going to vote for it. There's there's about only one I've ever voted for. But the bottom line, the bottom line is have accountability and we'll vote for it next year. So So, you know, and when are you going to lower taxes? You said you you would like to lower taxes. When are you going to do that? When's the last time that you

Well, I I mean, you're you're trying to respond with, you know, we haven't raised taxes and we've we've passed

we passed up on opportunities to to to put in reoccurring revenue, you know, the the the uh storm water utility fee. We passed up on that because we didn't want to impose that on the citizens. you know, if there was a way we could we could do it and and and do it across the board to where it wouldn't impact us or potentially have negative impact on it. Yes, I'd love to do it. I think one thing that one thing that I think just just keeping in mind that uh years ago, you know, we were talking about uh about four years ago, we're talking about a fire station 4 and one of the big hiccups with that that we didn't have a revenue stream that could possibly add those those much needed personnel. So, that's something else to keep in mind. You know, we're in a business of services. So, you got to remember that, you know, you don't want to end up where you're cutting services because this would impact us.

Just minute. Let me get to Kim because I think he had asked. Then I'll get to you, Todd. And he had he been up. He had his hand raised for about an hour. So, I'm going to make sure he sits here and then Todd, I'll let you go. If you would hold on and then Michael, if I'll let you go, Mr.

Thank you, Mayor. So, one of the things I just want to add to this discussion is th these are net profits taxes. This community is limited and every community across the Commonwealth is limited to certain ways to be able to raise the funds necessary to be able to provide the services that we have. And not only are we providing services, but we're having to maintain everything that we have and for the communities that have the good fortune of growing responsibly, then you have to grow those services in concert with that. Nothing gets cheaper. So the cost of services keep going up even though we're providing the same services and it costs more. We we have talked about where this money is, the people's money. These net profits are business dollars that are being infused into the community to support the community. So they're not necessarily everybody's dollars until they get in the till. And you know, we keep hearing over the course that business needs to pay more. Well, they are paying more when they have good profits and it's very cyclic. One of the things that from a business perspective, we have said in the various businesses I've been connected with that net profit should not be something that you plan for because it's like that bonus that that you mentioned. So those should be for one-time expenses that we

have or that we're planning. And this community has a lot of those. It's not just the fire station. We're talking about, you know, all the the community uh benefits, the the pool and all those things that are on our plan, but we're also getting ready to do a police department study to because we're out of room there. Dispatch, we're out of room there. So, as we grow, we've got to continue to pay for those as well. So being able to put those in a fund and a dedicated plan and not impact negatively a guaranteed source of income that is already dwindling. So I think we need to keep those things in mind and these big infusions of money just like you know the monies that we got from the the federal government you know we spent all those right or we're almost done and you know what do we have in terms of facility improvements capital improvements and things like that to show for that that's it's incumbent upon us to be able to develop those plans and develop those strategies to fund those. And when we have the good fortune to have these wild swings, then we've got resources to be able to pull the trigger and make them happen.

So, I just want to make sure that we're keeping those things in mind. Mr. Stone,

well, some of us were on council, some of us weren't. When the fire station came up a number of years ago, I stood alone and voted for the fire station. Some people I think you voted for it. I'm sorry. I stand corrected. You were there. Some people said, "We we can't we can't have a fire station that's going to sit empty. We can't do it." So instead, we voted down a fire station that was going to cost us $3.5 million. Now, we're going to be looking at a fire station is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million. But instead, we turned around at the very next vote and voted on the money pit. So, did it need to be have? Yes. Did we need the Taj Mahal? No. There's a lot of things that could be done that we didn't have to have over there, but that's that's already voted on. That's already done. It's going to be great. Looking forward to it. But here we are. on a first reading beating a dead horse. Let if we want to make a change to something, make the change. Otherwise, let it go. We're going to be back in two weeks and you can vote yes, you can vote no, you can let it go, but quit beating the dead horse. Move forward.

Well, just to say that it was not a money pit because I think that's the most most thing we have done for this community is to do that and it was much needed. So uh I may have to disagree with on that because I think you know because I think that it is important that for our for our people which is going to be something good you know a actual place where we conduct business where everybody can come in and and and take part and be able to view this. So that just me on that one but let's move on. I think you had a question here.

Yeah I sure did. Um, as we explore this, there's a couple interesting, you know, viewpoints that are completely neutral. And thank goodness we're not voting on this tonight because we do need we need to uh need to think about this a little bit more. But, um, I'm all for tax relief. I think we all are uh some measure of tax relief. Uh, I don't know if this is enough. And frankly because uh Scott County and George Scott County is the fifth wealthiest uh county out of the 120 counties in the entire state and $20, $50, it just doesn't really it doesn't impact most of the people in the county. It's very helpful, but it just doesn't really have that kind of zing. you know, we're used to getting presidential stuff and so that's just something to consider. But another thing to consider is we are also pretty much the lowest taxed community, you know, around. Um, so a lot of other communities wonder how we do what we do with such a small budget. I mean, we have, you know, no bias. We all agree the best emergency services, public works, police, everything, best staff everywhere. And we do it on a shoestring budget. So, um, the question is, and of course it doesn't have to be decided deny it, how big of an impact would one or 1.2 million make on our budget? Um, maybe it won't make a big difference this year. Maybe it'll have to be adjusted over the next year or two, but these are great things to think about as we move forward. And uh I I really value

everything everybody said. Everybody's made some really great points. Not since Backyard Chickens has anything been this divisive and polarizing and interesting, but I I really I really admire everybody, especially Council Member Hamick. I think uh you know, I think you made some great points and I think everybody has so far. Okay. So, we have just one more here. Go ahead.

No, I I agree with Council Member Hamick. I'd like to hear from my constituents also. Um, and I agree with Council Member Stone. Like, we need to go on and, you know, think about this, whatever. Let's get it over with. We can vote yes, no, whatever, and move on. Like, I don't want to use the same exact words that you use, but I agree with that. But I but I want to throw it out there that I do want to hear from my constituents. And please call me like you said because I'm I'm in between here right now and I I do want to give back to the community. I want to make sure we get the the pool. I want the fire station all you know maybe an amphitheater or something like you know but let's just move forward.

All right. Now that we have had a healthy discussion on this we can everybody had their had their day in court. So now have a spirit of debate. spirit of debate, you know, and uh you know, sometimes you have to be ready. Yes, ma'am. Okay. I think she's going to take what do you want us to do, right?

Um just something for consideration, just avenues for how to collect public comment on this topic. Um since you are going to take this feedback, it sounds like, and you will use that to help with your decision- making on this ordinance, it might be worth setting up um kind of a limited I don't know how you would phrase it. I don't think you I don't know if you'd want to do like a full public hearing. We don't have to do that for this type of tax rate change. Or if you're creating an like a designated contact person or email account um where people in the public can direct their comments in writing um creating a space for them to show up either outside of the council meeting. Um just something to think about that you do have that path to collect extra feedback from constituents. Um obviously more than welcome to contact each and every one of you and you will hear what you have to say. But if your plan is to integrate that into the record as part of this conversation, you just might want to think about that.

Question, could we could we do a could you have like a survey done? Is that you know there's a way could we do a a survey where have people you know say what they wanted to do with this? I mean I'm just asking is that possible? You can always do a survey, you know, do a link with a survey and people can actually answer says, "Do you are you in favor of this particular measure and you that's another way you can hear from people. We have enough time." Mayor, here's my thoughts on that. When I'm talking to people and I, you know, I'm not against a survey, but surveys don't allow engagement and depth of conversation about the topic.

They ask one narrow question and the answer has to be yes or no. But When we've talked about this, I don't think we're beating a dead horse. I I think we're deliberating the way that we've been asked to deliberate. And I want to continue to deliberate and I invite conversation, but I want it to be more than a sterile survey. I really want to say so let me let me understand you more clearly and let me tell you what this might impact and I think that when you talk to people like that it's more valuable to me than a than a data sheet.

So a timeline to Yeah. So I want to ask this question. So since uh do we need do we need to add that language into it or we just going to simply because I think Emily's trying to you know she asked the question up early that somebody want to add that into that. So if not then we just take things as it is and then mayor and have

I would say take things take the based on the conversation tonight and we are on a time period take it take the ordinance as it is but everybody listen let your constituents talk to you and hear back from them um on what what their opinions are is to help you make your final decision but to leave the ordinance as it is and we'll just vote had first reading vote on it next time around because I would say just counting straws at this point in time it probably not going to pass. So why you go back to do more work on it and it not going to pass but we'll see what what happens and maybe the constituents will change people's minds. The other option because I'm not we do have the time limit for when you would have to notify to make to vote on the change and then if it were to change to notify the state. Um we do have two meetings. So if you did want more time and you wanted to you know have more discussion at the next meeting you don't have to have the second reading and vote at the next meeting you do have that next next meeting. So just trying to keep things straight that there is still a little bit more time if you feel like you need that time but you don't have to necessarily. So unless you make a motion or something to kick the second reading to that first March meeting, our typical process is that the second reading would be slated at the next meeting which would be February um

20 23rd 23rd 23rd and then the next just clarifying the kind of timeline that we're working with and so then March meeting will be March will be March 9th would be the next one the first one the second Monday in March will be the for us be March 9th and that would be the the the deadline that we have to have a decision at that point in time. So that gives them enough time to make that uh if there's a change to make sure that we contact the insurance group by by statute so they can make that change. All right, we're good. All right, let's move on to Chase. Are you still here? Have you left the building?

Oh, you're still here. Great. All right. So, Chase is going to talk about the item A, B, C, and D, but let's take them one at a time. Vehicle purchases. Mayor, if you would just allow me very briefly to revisit um what you discussed on Royal Spring Park. If I could just if I could just add a few things. Um

please know that we've heard some concerns about this project, specifically the impact it's going to have on Royal Spring Park. uh council members have reached out to me and um just know that we've heard those. Also know this this project is imperative. Uh it is it has to be done. Um it it's a large service area that that uh the wastewater goes through this one pipe. It's one of the oldest uh sewers in the system and it's uh it's just got to be done unfortunately and it has to be done in an area that is very sensitive that nobody wants disrupted. ood. I wanted to share just a few things if if I could that I hope can ease some of these these concerns. Um first first of which we do recognize the sensitivity, the history, the value of Royal Spring Park and and what it brings to downtown Georgetown is just one of the the many focal points. um and and specifically within the park and the the history that it provides, the the two cabins that are there, the north the north cabin adjacent to the baptismal steps, that's the leech cabin, and then the southern cabin that's adjacent to the the KU substation. Um we put in uh provisions within our construction contract, clear construction, that we could adequately um work around or work on the cabins as needed to get the sewer installed. Um, so that that's kind of just the first part. We knew this was going to be an issue, so we've planned for that. So, we have funding in the construction contract. They know that that we're going to have to do some things with with these cabins. So, um I really credit Clearary Construction is they uh brought in uh as one of their subcontractors on the project. They brought in um a gentleman and his dad his father was I believe as as what he's conveyed to me is that he worked on he put those cabins or at least the leech cabin in and he's done maintenance on those cabins. This is his son now that

worked with him on these cabins and he's on the construction team. So, anything that's going to be dealing with these cabins, we've got kind of the resident expert to help us through. Um, so that's that's kind of the first important thing. We know we're going to have to work around these. We're going to have to move these. Um, we know that we're going to uh possibly look at relocating should the right opportunity arise. And if it's if it's ends up being the right thing, not in any way saying that this is what needs to happen, but if uh one of the cabins is not in good good condition, do we need to just dispose of it? is there. Is this the right time? Uh we have all options on the table right now for these cabins. We know there's going to be um impact to the park. When you're putting in a sewer pipe, it's not a pretty operation, but we know how to do that pretty well, and we know how to restore the property pretty well. We generally, I believe, we we look uh we leave things better than where we found it when we go through and do a project in that corridor. I think you can look to the South Sewer Extension as a good example of that. Um, so I think we've got options. We've got uh we can make this work. We will consult or have consulted. We'll continue to consult with parks, with tourism, with mayor, with council. I think we can do this. I also think that um if if we can reframe this as as just an opportunity, yes, we're going to impact Royal Spring Park. It's not going to be a pretty place in the year 2026. However, um I'm going to have a contractor there and I'm going to have construction equipment there. I'm going to have track codes, dump trucks. So, it's also an important time for us to look at uh with parks and say, "What else needs to happen? It's going to be messed up. We're going to fix it. Let's not do that more than once." So, if there's other items that we can can be brought to my attention, uh no, we can't add a million- dollar change order for park upgrades. But, if there are smaller things, which uh people have called me and said, "Hey, can you look at this?"

That's an easy change order for us to do now. We we we tear things up once, we fix it once, and we leave it better than uh than what it is today. It's not going to be a fun 2026, but if we have to do this project, and I think we've got the right team that can help us work specifically with these cabins uh that that we're not going to lose any value in Royal Spring Park. So, I just wanted to address say that uh because of the calls that I've had and um again, if you have questions, please give me a call and um I know we can make this work. Thank you. Thank you for bringing that up. Okay. Now, let's talk about purchasing a vehicle. Yes, sir. So, all right. So, you want to purchase some vehicles, right?

I want to purchase three vehicles if if council will allow. Um

point back to September of last year, September 2025. I brought you all our one budgeted uh truck replacement. I think at that time when you all approved that I I told you at that time um that's probably something that that we went way too conservative. It's not really feasible in our budget that we're only going to be able to live on one truck. So um and and then also before the one truck in September of 25, our previous truck purchases was two two vehicles in uh December of 24. So, I I just think that that shows year-toear we're not going crazy on vehicle purchases, but we do operate a fleet currently of 42 vehicles, and the average age of that fleet is 10 years old. I've got a new board member that helped with uh managing the police department fleet, and he's already told me um he's going to make me work on that. He did not like seeing that our our average age of our fleet is 10 years old. And so, this was kind of step number one. But um currently our next meeting with the board, I'm going to be asking them to surplus eight of our fleet vehicles, eight trucks that um the on&m expense um vastly outweighs the uh the value of the current sales value of the vehicle. So we're going to be going from 42 to 34 vehicles. And so I'd like to request Eur's um approval to purchase three trucks. This will be a 2026 Ram for our wastewater treatment plant number one. as well as uh that that department covers plant 3 and stamping ground, a 2026 Tacoma for the water treatment plant, and a 2026 Silverado uh for our distribution department. That will be uh more of a specialty truck as they build that one out with tool boxes, tool bed, uh and and equipment that's actually mounted on that that frame. Um and while these trucks, they're not in our current budget. We have not stopped, even though I've not budgeted for more uh trucks, we've not stopped putting money into our

vehicle depreciation savings account. So, we have the funds to cover these three trucks and we're requesting your approval at this time. Okay, counselor, at this time, you read the request. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. Motion made by Miss Brent. Do I have a second? Second. Second made by Mr. Minky. Now, are there questions? So, let me understand it. you going to take the eight vehicles and surplus those? Okay. So, you should get some type of money from those or what are we doing with those? Um, we're likely going to just put those out for bid. Okay. And then whatever money you get that will be also put back in for maybe of the purchase of those vehicles.

And if we don't get anything for them, I've already talked um I believe after you go through that process, if they're not roadworthy, we don't get a bid. Um, I've already talked to the fire department about uh they always have the need for training that they can um they can bring out their equipment to practice chopping up those those vehicles. Um they've already already said if if we don't get anything for them that they're happy to take them. So So man with access, that's what you're going to do with it, right? I I hope that we get money for them. Sorry. All right. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor of this motion signify by saying I. I.

Those opposed say nay. Item B, uh, Heric Company Incorporated for $18,513. Thank you. This is a change order on wastewater treatment plant 2. We are replacing what I believe is the original grit removal equipment from the uh when the plant was constructed. Uh, it might have been put in a later date, but as as pictures that I've reviewed and original plans, it looks like it was part of original equipment. Okay. Um, so quite a few years old. We're we have this contractor Heric. They're already under contract. What we we got into this and um just as while they're there working on this equipment, what we'd like to do is add some uh access hatches that we can more easily access this equipment in the future uh for on and so this involves uh cutting into some concrete and putting some uh aluminum grading down uh as a walkway. It's just to give us greater access. And this is something that we're looking at right now while somebody's on site versus doing this separately, having to pay a contractor to mobilize and demobilize a second time. Uh Herrick can take care of this for us while they're there. And we have uh gone through and had this uh this amount in this change order also. We've we've run that up the flag pole for our fund too at Toyota as well. So we're recommending this for approval

at you have heard the request. Do I have a motion? Motion mayor. Motion made by Mr. Hampton. There is there a second? Second. Second be by Miss Hamrich. Are there further questions and or comments? All those in favor of a motion for Herit Company Incorporated for $18,513 signify by saying I. I. Those opposed say nay. Item C, Hazen and Sawier for 14,500.

So this is an expense that is not uh through rate revenue. This is a pass through cost that will be reimbursed by a developer that's working on the Georgetown Commons project. Developer came to us and they requested that um they'd like to look at if they add a booster pump station or uh water pumps individually in different buildings on their development. Can they get a higher level of service? Um we said that if they're going to do that analysis they we recommend using our consultant that uh that does our modeling and and tracks our system level of service and uh that goes to their benefit. So this will be at their cost. So this is borne by Hogan Real Estate. have to reimburse us for the cost of this analysis. And then if uh the analysis shows that they they want uh one of their tenants, future tenants wants a certain level of service or if uh and they want to put an individual pump in or if they want to put a uh sitewide booster pump station in, that's the recommendation from the engineer, then that is an additional cost that is again borne by um Hogan Real Estate, but it also gives us the benefit that anything that they do on this site uh we make sure that a booster pump is not going to adversely impact our customers that are not on the site

pass through cost. All right, you have the request. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Miss Mitchell. Do I have a second? Second made by Mr. Chris. Are there further questions and or comments? All those in favor of the motion for Hazen and Soldier for 14,500 signify by saying I. Those opposed say nay. Let the record uh reflect that it's passed. Item D, C Square Excavating L uh LLC for 125,33.78.

Okay, if this sounds familiar, this was approved by council on December 22nd of this past uh this past year in 2025. Uh this is uh us doing a sewer project, a sewer extension for the Oxford Elementary School. I just point out that within that packet, you all approve this work, but I didn't have a purchase order in there. I like to have the board and council approve. Even if it's the work uh also with a purchase order, so I'm just bringing you back a purchase order. That's all this is. It's uh all the exact same information that you approved in December. This is passed through the board's paying for this. Uh the board of education is part of the project. We're doing it because we've got good bid prices and a good contractor that can do it within their time frame.

All right. You have heard the motion. Do I have Excuse me. You have heard You've heard the request. Do I have a motion? Motion by Mr. Stone. Is there a second? I'll second. Second made by Miss I have a question. Second made by Miss Brent. Now is a question. Miss Hamburg. In the packet that you sent out, I think there was a little more explication of this there as far as the date of completion and you said that you hope that it could be done by the time that the Oxford elementary schools uh date of opening. What would this handicap our school system? Because I know if one school goes down, the whole school system tends to not open at

I remember when we had to do that temporary bridge and what what happens if there's a delay and you don't meet that because it seems like it's a pretty narrow deadline. I can't answer uh what happens, but I can say we I think within the agreement I pushed out till June or July. I actually think we're going to be done in March. In March, I I gave us some I gave us some cushion. Um I know that we'd already, even though I'm bringing the purchase order, I had them order manholes and pipe. Um this isn't a difficult project. Okay, good. All right, that was my only question. Thanks.

All right, any other questions? Any comments? All those in favor of the motion for C Square Excavating LLC for 125, $33.78 signify by saying I. I.

Those opposed say nay. Thank you. As always, Chase, as always, you do good work. Thank you. Uh item 12 which is city engineer municipal order apex design group main street brick sidewalk and rehabilitation project. Thank thank you mayor. Yes.

Um so this is a project we've been talking about for a little while getting done. Um and we received three uh bids for the project and this is the low bid. uh in the amount of 233 84630. Uh they'll be working on Main Street on the uh rehabbing the sidewalks down there, specifically the brick and focusing on that. They're also going to pressure wash the uh sidewalks and clean them up and do that kind of thing, too. So, I ask for your approval. All right. You have heard the request at this point in time. Do I have a motion? Motion made by Miss Mitchell. Do I have a second? Second.

Second made by Miss Hamrich. Are there further questions and or comments? Just one quick question. Mayor, um Eddie, so with the implementation of this activity, is there a designated communicator with the businesses and and all that to be able to keep that Yes. uh those lines of communication open? Yeah. I've asked I've reached out to Lorie Saunders uh about this project. Um and she would probably be the best point person because she's knows all those people really really well and I've asked her to help me with that effort. Okay. Communicating with those people because I don't personally know a lot of them and um I think she will be a good asset and she's agreed to do that.

Okay. Y because I I think the other component uh is the general public. Yes. because of parking and and you know maybe some limitations in those stretches and that kind of thing. So if there's a a good communication plan that can be developed and implemented just so everybody knows what's going on.

No, I agree. I agree. I think it's something we we can look at and probably put on our social media platforms where we can alert the public that that's going on, that project is going on. That's how we usually do when we have like a road being, you know, detourred because of something working on. We try to get it on our platform. So, we'll get it get staff to work on that to get it, you know, that part of it. Thank you. That's a good comment. Yeah. Thank you.

All right. So, is there any questions or comments? All those in favor of the motion for the Apex Design Group for Main Street brick sidewalk re rehabilitation project signify by saying I. Those opposed say nay. Let the record reflect that it passed. Item 13, uh, Stacy's coming back up, our finance director, uh, municipal order for furniture solutions, city hall furniture order.

Yes. U, I want to obviously we wanted to get some of these items ordered. Um, I know for the council chairs, there's a price increase later this month and then with some of the deaths can take four to six weeks. So, just making sure we get everything ordered in time. Um, there may be some additional items on a follow-up order. I'll talk about that more in item B with the city hall financial update, but this is just our kind of first order of kind of what we called our essentials. Um, so that we're not moving more furniture around than we have to. So, uh, just a note, the pictures that are in there are of the products we're getting, but they may not be that exact color. We're probably going to make the chairs black, not cream colored obviously to to not show dirt, etc. So those were just stock photos of those items.

All right, you have heard request. Do I have a motion? Motion, Larry. Motion uh by Mr. Hampton. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Miss Mitchell. Are there further questions and or comments? Yes. Oh, go ahead. U Stacy on the council chamber section. I see I see the the seating uh 72 chairs. Yes, for the I guess public. Um I'm not seeing any actual I mean chairs for council.

No, we had an option selected. Um and then once we got the price back on it, it was very expensive. So we will be looking for some other options for those. Okay. I'm asking for Karen. Yes. Yes. Well, send send me all your uh hopes and dreams. We'll see what we can find. We, like I said, we had a very nice chair picked out and once we got the quote back, it was a little more than we and I said if I had to I will bring my own chair and that will save us some tax money. You will have chairs. Um, we may not order those from these this company, but we'll make sure that we've got there will be chairs. Yeah, keep that keep that thought in mind because you may have to bang on chair. So, I guess exactly right. No, I'm just kidding. Go ahead.

I hear five gallon buckets are pretty cheap. Is it my understanding that those furniture purchases are going to come out of what is assumed to be contingency? And when I we talk about item B, I'll show you, but this is coming out of what would have been our contingency balance or that we had expected for FF. We're pretty sure that that's set. Yes, we'll talk about that. There is a final change order that's still being actively negotiated, but when we talk about item B, all right, even with this order, we've still got a cushion and that's why we didn't want to bring, like I said, there's some additional items we would like to order, but we need that final change order amount before we're comfortable ordering anything else. I see. Question.

Yeah. So, uh, my question al also is on the council chambers itself. So, the 72 chairs, how does that line up with the capacity of that room? All I'll say about this is the furniture designers went in and measured the space and laid everything out according to room capacity and space. So, they have been in there, they've they know exactly which chairs they're putting in, how big they are, and they've measured that. Um, I don't we can pull that number. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. because I I I want to make sure that we're when we're buying furniture, we're maximizing the the capacity. Yes. But also, and when I looked at the drawing, and I know that may just be for

drawing purposes, but making sure that we have like side aisleways. Yes. To allow folks to easily move in and out because we have a lot of that activity going on. Yes. and any chairs. If, for example, if all 72 don't fit in council chambers, we will have them for overflow. Um, there will be a few chairs outside of the city clerk's office for guest when they're waiting uh to do transactions. So, we'll make sure, but we can get that capacity. Okay. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor of the micro order for furniture solutions, city hall furniture, signify by saying I. I. Those opposed say nay.

Nay. Thank you. All right. Item B, financial update.

Yes. Uh, you were sent this information out in advance. It is in draft state as we do not know the final amount. But on the left side, I have all of the funding sources, all the transfers that have been made from general fund for the city hall renovation project, as well as what I'm currently estimating to be our tax credit um balance. And so you can see the the total of all the funding sources and then all of the project cost from construction, preconstruction, the audio visual, the security, um the parking lot asphalt. We mentioned that there was a change order to take that out of the project. Um Eddie had gotten a quote where we will plan on doing that through our unit price asphalt contracts. Um so I've put that in here, this furniture order. And the bottom line is right now um pending the finalizing of that last change order number 18 um right now we've got about 41,000 uh left. So again we're waiting on that final change order amount. Um but it is in here. It's under that 12 million4.99 and then that's where we're at. And then depending on how that comes in, we may have an additional furniture order. So, what's the gap list of furniture or whatever else?

So, the main thing would be the break room and then there's probably some bookcases, lateral file cabinets, things of that nature, some additional uh guest chairs for the offices, things like that. Um, council lounge, those are the main items that are not in here. So, we kind of kept the offices to bare minimum. Um, so we'll take our chairs with us if we, you know, can't get anything else, but just kind of getting those big pieces of furniture that are started to order. All right. So, hopefully we'd be able to get all of that within the next one, but we just wanted to be 100% certain on what that last change order amount was. So, do we have that list?

We I Yes.

Yeah, we have another one. We're getting some additional quotes on that. So, not to oversimplify, but essentially, and a lot of credit to Stacy, I know it's not in her job description, but she's she's handled the entire uh communication with the furniture folks. So, we've broken it into an essentials order, which is absolutes such as, you know, the public facing spaces, public engagement areas, um and then, you know, basic office um desks where necessary, and then a non-essentials order, which is it's not a wish list. It's a we we'll need these at some point, but but in the event that our contingency doesn't allow, those are the spaces where we can fill in the gaps with pre-existing um older stuff and and phase that in. So that non-essentials list after the final change order comes through. We will sit down and evaluate that and determine, you know, with the delta we have in the contract, what is the most important and pressing on that list and work through that in order to stay within the project budget. Um but but knowing that we're still negotiating that final change order number, not comfortable bringing any of those non-essentials to you all uh until we have that, you know, signed sealed on the on the final change order. So So once we have that number, we'll go through that and work with uh staff and and determine what the highest priorities are.

All right. No other questions. Okay.

Thank you, Stacy, as always. All right, moving on now to item 14, old business. Anybody got any old business? Just one thing, mayor. Um, if I may, Todd mentioned earlier the uh traffic study and uh were talking earlier. Um, and I wanted to ask if we could um in either the next meeting, which I don't know, we might it might be a long one if we're gonna if we're going to have beat beat some more dead horses. I don't know. It might be a long one, but maybe the one after that if we could have uh review that report that we had. Um it was good information and then kind of uh have Eddie do that for us and then um we can look at what the next steps were and maybe it would also give us time to um like come in with some kind of estimate as to what taking some of the next recommended steps are, what they would cost. So, we we're getting ready to be working on the budget and that would be a good a good time to start doing that if we can.

Yes. So, what we can do with that is that uh uh I'll get staff on that. Um maybe looking at the um March 23rd meeting because that would give them more time to have a conversation with Chief Allgood and traffic committee uh to find out more information that they might have on that. That'd be great down there. Thank you. Um, so and then once we do that, uh, we you'll have enough information to where you can give us, uh, that report again and show where we are. Okay. All right. Any other old business? New business? Yes, sir.

All right. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Uh the two different questions I've got uh for new business are both in the same category and it's uh snow removal and snow removal was amazing. You guys did a great job. Uh but we've got two questions. The first one is uh business related. Um, a lot of we we had some businesses reach out to us that are on North and South Broadway, uh, complaining that their sidewalks were pretty snowy and icy. Uh, I think we tried to explain to them that typically sidewalks are not really done by the city. You work that out with your landlord. If you're a business owner, that's really you check your lease and you you're kind of responsible for that. But a lot of those business owners said that they saw that the Main Street sidewalks were very clear and they wanted to know who did those or how those were done and why their sidewalks couldn't look like that. I told them I I'd ask tonight and see uh do you guys have any

Come on up. But I I I actually saw uh they I think they got private people to come in. They they got private people like the banks and them got private people to actually do some. Is that correct? Great. Yeah. We don't do the sidewalks. They clean the sidewalks. They put it to the curve where the state pushes the pile up. And then uh Hamilton Hinkle, they always do Main Street. They offer to us every time we have a big snow and we thank them and we appreciate it. But I had one guy up there with them helping them. But they uh once the business owners move their snow out, we'll pick it up. Okay. And we just haven't got to South Broadway yet. I mean, you know, it's it's Yeah. I mean, that's we've moved a lot of snow.

Yeah. Yeah. Some of the streets in in town on South Broadway was one I drove by there because the three of North and South Hampton, South Broadway down by G where they parked. Some of their customers and their businesses had to park out on the street. So, the snows where the state did it. you all didn't do that. The state left it out there if it could be kind of pushed over. Yeah, we're we're we're headed that way, but hoping hoping we can get some more melting. But great second, now they should get they should get their snow to the snow pile and then as we get it either melt or we'll get we'll get it moved.

Okay, great. And then secondly, do you have any advice for homeowners who uh you know, a lot of them complain that snow plows blocked with the ice on their driveway? Do you have any advice if we get another snow like this? What should they do to kind of either prevent that or be ready or should they just be ready to shovel? They need they need to be ready to shovel. There's there's no preventing the wind rolling up on it. The biggest thing is not parking in the street would help quite a bit. But yeah, we saw that graphic going around social media where uh they were supposed to clear an 8ft area off to the left of the driveway. Who is homeowners? Oh,

so the snow plow would push the snow in there. But no, don't work that way. Yeah, figured. I guess you can't It's got to go It's got to go somewhere. Well, I guess you can't believe everything you see on social media then. Well, all right. Well, that sounds good. I appreciate it.

And I think something Okay. And then something else is, you know, as even I observe is, you know, people understand when we have a snow emergency, you know, we tell them about parking in those snow emergency areas and when they park and they can't get out, you know, it's a while before we able to get in and do that. So, I think that's something else we need to work with. All right. Any other new business, mayor? So maybe I think this probably fits better under new business than council comments. So one of the things this past week uh at the KC HR seminar,

one of the seminars centered around the um onboarding of employees and and things like that. Some best practices around that. That was one of the things that I I found uh missing uh when I moved from business into government uh especially on council that other than KC training that there really wasn't any overarching uh onboarding for new council people about the city in particular. And so there's some best practices there and I' I'd love to help provide some uh suggestions there that we could look at uh for new council members being one um last year uh to to help that transition as we have new folks and and even keeping folks that are returning up to date with who does what where and and all those kinds of things as well. An acronym alphabet would be really helpful.

Yeah. Okay. Honestly. All right. Any other new business? All right. Uh it is item number 15, council comments. Uh I'm going to start with you, Mr. Stone. Thank you, sir. Turn that microphone on so Deon don't yell at me. So people won't hear you.

I know it. I can use a coach voice, but we don't want that. Uh, you know, the police department did a fantastic job, fire department did a fantastic job during this snow past snowstorm and and Robert and his guys did a a tremendous job as well. Um, one of the things that that I did and was able to keep up with was um monitoring stuff on on social media platforms and would get it to Robert. So, you know, anytime that you all see something like that, you know, the quicker they can get that information, the better they have it. And uh um it really helps them out know where that is. But um we are going to have we don't have to do a special public works meeting. We've got one coming up on the 18th

at 4:30 at the police department. And I'm sure a lot of this stuff will be discussed, including, you know, salt usage. where we at with salt in case we have another snow coming in. So hopefully we won't hopefully warm weather's coming in. So um other than that, Sanja, I'm sorry I left you out of that uh earlier. So that's all I've got, sir. All right. Uh Miss Mitchell, um just again, thank you to everybody for the the way we covered the snow snowageddon. Um, I drove into Lexington a couple of times early on and it was like driving on the moon. It was crazy. Yeah.

And and it made me so proud to know what was done here. The other thing is I think we had the best communication going this time. Um, it was the city communicated, the council members were on Facebook sharing information. Um, you know, I think our uh the newspaper had it. I think uh the the city was ready for it. The citizens were ready for it and um everything was much appreciated. Great job,

Mr. Hampton. Uh I'm just going to echo uh Councilman Stone and Councilwoman's um Leslie Mitchell's comments on the public works and police and fire. Uh great job. And I work in Lexington and yes, it was a mess. I mean, you got off of a a main main artery and it was almost impassable. So, anyway, um my my last comment and tonight on the um you know, um item uh was it C under uh first readings. Um you know, I I I like a a good spirit of debate we had tonight. That's good. That's good for this council to do that to get to get this out. Um I I know every one of us um we want to be good stewards of taxpayer money and do what we think is best. Um and we all may have different ideas of what that is. But uh you know I just encourage each and every one of our our comments tonight. you know, think about those uh get those out in the community and solicit public comment on on these um on this and make sure you you you know you communicate and uh and we'll we'll get through this. Thank you.

And I want to uh you know stay in hoping that you know you get to your your procedure which is coming up. Um we be I am I'm having major surgery. Yep. So, so we want to be praying for him and and hoping that everything goes well and you have a good quick recovery. Thank you. All right, Miss Brent. I'm good, Mayor. Miss Hamick, I am good as well. Uh oh. Sorry. I know. Okay, go ahead.

Mine's quick and and not controversial. So, I want I want to brag on John Burke and the PBA office. So, this year I have one of those magic birthdays, you know, that you make a transition. Um, and they sent me a letter that there is a homestead exemption for anybody in this community that owns a home and they live in that home that they can get a break on their property taxes. If you're old. If you're old. Apparently, you are now.

Not yet. Not yet. um but they reached out and so if if you're of that age or if you have a disability uh that qualifies as well. So again there are ways that are built into the system for folks and if you meet any of those requirements uh or will this year uh you're eligible for that. And so you just need to go in, fill out a form and talk to them and they will tell you exactly what um what your reduction is and it could be upwards of, you know, over $400 uh on your property taxes. So, and I I I can firsthand tell you, yep, I got a I got a a surplus that uh

went to pay for a bill. So, there you go.

Yes. Just still just a couple of comments on that. Uh pig back off a key. Personally, I don't think you should pay taxes after you're a certain age, but that's another story, especially on your homes. But uh on the insurance tax, just something I didn't say earlier, somebody asked me said, "Well, why you just do 1%." And I said, "Are you kidding?" I said, "We'll be lucky if the council passes 1%." So, you are proving me wrong. And beating a dead horse, 19th century politics. The phrase was popularized in the House of Commons in 1859. So, see, we were right. You were right on it. Here we are. But yes, I enjoyed the debate as well. So, appreciate that.

Well, let's let's just move on with that. All right, Mr. Chris, you get to finish it up. Nothing. Thank you. All right. Uh, thank you again. Uh, so at this point in time, no other business but for council, this meeting is adjourned. Todd