City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome, everyone, to Elizabethtown City Council regular meeting for August 17th, 2026. I will now call the meeting to order and ask Councilmember Lamar Jones if he'd lead us in the invocation, please.

Let's pray, please. Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for this wonderful community we have the opportunity to live in, Lord. And the valued citizens and employees that make this just a wonderful place to live, Lord, we ask for your wisdom tonight in every decision we make. Guide our hearts and minds in the decisions we make for the future of this great city. Give us a spirit of peace, fairness, and deep care for the public, Lord. protect our workers on the job and their families at home, Lord. Lord, especially with our military and our first responders all over the world, especially those in harm's way, Lord. I just ask you, unite us, Lord, with kindness, strength, and mutual respect. Lord, bless our community with safety, growth, and hope in the days ahead. We pray for all this in your amazing and glorious name. Amen.

If you would join me in the 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. Madam Clerk, if you would please call roll.

Yes, sir. Council Member Bishop. Present. Fulkerson.

Present.

Isaacs?

Here.

Jones?

Here.

Springsteen? Here. Tyler? Here. You have a quorum, Mayor.

Thank you, ma'am. And I want to make everyone aware, we've discussed in the last couple meetings, or at least the last meeting, about the public comments section and procedures that we're ultimately going to modify a little bit. So anyone wishing to speak during the public comments section, if you would sign in with Mrs. Inman. And then if you choose to, when you go to the podium to speak to the council, you can use your name and your address. Or if you're not comfortable with saying what your address is, you can just say whether you're a resident or non-resident of Elizabethtown, but we still need your name. So we're going to try to adopt those procedures and hopefully make everyone a little bit more comfortable. With that, I would ask for a motion and a second for approval of minutes from August 3rd, 2016. Okay, I got a first and a second. All in favor?

Aye.

All against? Seeing none, motion carries. That brings us to resolution number 3-2026, recognizing non-profit week in the fifth annual non-profit roundtable conference hosted by Central Kentucky Community Foundation. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Motion. Second.

All in favor? Aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Seeing none, I would ask Councilwoman Julia Springsteen if she would read the resolution.

I'd be happy to. All of it.

Thanks.

A resolution of the city of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, recognizing Nonprofit Week and the fifth annual Nonprofit Roundtable Conference hosted by Central Kentucky Community Foundation. Whereas nonprofit organizations are vital contributors to the strength, vitality, and quality of life of communities throughout the Lincoln Trail region, providing essential services in education, health, human services, art and culture, recreation, and civic life. And whereas the nonprofit sector represents a significant economic force, employing thousands of individuals, mobilizing countless volunteers, and generating measurable economic activity that benefits residents and businesses alike. And whereas nonprofit organizations address community needs that would otherwise go unmet, working in partnership with local governments to deliver programs and services that strengthen the social fabric of our communities, And whereas, the dedication, compassion, and work of nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers reflect the very best of the spirit of service that defines our region. And whereas, Nonprofit Week provides a fitting occasion to celebrate and recognize the invaluable contributions of these organizations and the people who sustain them. And Central Kentucky Community Foundation, established in 1960 and serving nine counties in the Lincoln Trail region, has long championed the growth and capacity of the nonprofit sector through grantmaking, education, and collaborative leadership. And whereas, Central Kentucky Community Foundation will host its fifth annual Nonprofit Roundtable Conference, bringing together nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and community partners to share knowledge, build capacity, and advance the collective mission of service in the region. Now, therefore, be it resolved that this governing body hereby recognizes and celebrates the week of August 17th as Nonprofit Week in Central Kentucky and the invaluable contributions of nonprofit organizations to the well-being of our community. And be it further resolved that this governing body commends Central Kentucky Community Foundation for hosting its fifth annual Nonprofit Roundtable Conference and for its enduring commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector throughout the Lincoln Trail region. and be it further resolved, that this governing body extends its gratitude to all nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers, and encourages all citizens to support and engage with the nonprofit organizations that serve our community. Done this seventh day of August, 2026. Thank you.

You're welcome. Take a drink of water.

And I do appreciate that. We are recognizing nonprofits. We have an incredibly generous community. And without the nonprofits in this area, a lot of people would be very lost. So thank you.

Any discussion? Seeing none, I need a motion and a second to adopt, please.

I'll make a motion.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. Seeing none, motion carries. Next up, a motion and vote. Motion to reject bids received for Steel Grove Amphitheater Ice Rink on July 28, 2026. And I'd like to ask Mr. Pope if he'd come up and explain that a little more.

So as part of the Steel Grove Amphitheater, there is a concrete area in front of the stage that in most of the events will be used as a area for the concert patrons to view the show. Initially in the design discussions, we thought that might be an opportunity to use that area year round, and so we prepared some specifications to purchase an ice rink and install in that location. As we've done throughout the project, we've tried to be mindful of a budget, and we budgeted $400,000 for that piece of equipment. We solicited bids, received only one bid, We thought we would receive additional, but we did receive only one bid and it was $716,831. So because it was almost twice our budget amount, we kind of met as a team and discussed the need for that piece of equipment at this time. And because of the cost and because of Those discussion led us to that. We ought to concentrate on the main use of the facility, which will be for concerts and events of that nature. It is our recommendation that the council reject that bid and we will continue to evaluate. that activity and maybe plan some other type of winter activities for that facility. So it is used year round, but not as an ice rink in front of the stage.

Any questions?

Thank you, sir. Any discussion? Need a motion and a second, please.

Motion. Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. That brings us to ordinance second reading by motion number 13-2026, amending code of ordinances title 15, land usage chapter 154, zoning code, establishing text amendments related to data centers. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Motion. Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Judge Howard.

This is a second reading by summary. This ordinance amends the code of ordinances, Title 15, as it relates to land usage, Chapter 154, zoning code for the following nine sections to update the text relating to regulations for data centers to include definitions, zoning district restrictions, square footage limitations, and specific design and operational standards to be allowed as accessory uses only. The full text of this ordinance can be found by contacting the city clerk's office. As a second reading, this is now available for your consideration.

Any discussion? Seeing none, I need a motion and a second to adopt, please.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

I'm sorry, it's roll call vote. Madam Clerk, would you call roll, please?

Yes, sir. Council Member Bishop? Yes. Isaacs?

Yes.

Springsteen? Yes. Volkerson?

Yes.

Jones? Yes. Tyler? Yes. Motion passed 6-0, Mayor.

Thank you, ma'am. That brings us to municipal orders. And municipal order number 61-2026, accepting bid for Pear Orchard Road Northwest Water Main Relocation Project. If I can get a motion and a second to read. Motion. Second. All in favor? Opposed? Judge Howard.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below, after first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made, seconded, and approved. Whereas the city prepared bid documents and publicly advertised the project and received bids that were publicly opened on July the 29th of 2026 for the Pearl Orchard Road Northwest Water Main Project. now be it ordered by the city council to accept the bid from dirt works unlimited llc for this project in an amount not to exceed four hundred ninety one thousand eight hundred and seventy three dollars be it further ordered that the mayor and or his designee is hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order including but not limited to signing all contracts documents obtaining the necessary permits and approving change orders with the aggregate amount not to exceed $73,780.95. Any discussion?

Seeing none, need a motion and a second to adopt, please.

Motion.

Second.

All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. Municipal order number 62, 2026, amending the public speaking policy. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Judge Howard.

at a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below after first being read a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made seconded and approved whereas the city wishes to engage the general public in the discussion of various topics pertinent to the operations of city government and therefore adopted a public speaking policy on february third of twenty twenty by municipal order and whereas the city wishes to afford all people the ability to be heard on matters of city operations in a proper decorum and wishes to keep the public safe be it ordered that the city amend the policy as attached for the proper presentation of comments by the public at city council meetings to allow for the civil discussion of topics, be it for the order that the mayor and or his designee is authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, including making the policy and subsequent procedures known and available to the general public, read, adopt, and approve the 17th day of August.

Any discussion? Seeing none, I need a motion and a second to adopt, please.

Motion.

Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. Municipal Order No. 63-2026, approving lease for Heartland House at 1117 Woodland Drive. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Motion. Second.

All in favor? Opposed? Judge Howard.

At a regular meeting of the City Council on the date set out below, after first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made, seconded, and approved. Whereas the City owns property at 1117 Woodland Drive, as recorded in the Office of the Hardin County Court Clerk in D. Book I, 1598 page 372 and whereas the city wishes to support local not-for-profit organizations for providing certain services for the betterment of citizens in the community and whereas the heartland house incorporated has offered to enter into an agreement with the city to operate at 1117 woodland drive now be it ordered the city approves the agreement with the heartland house incorporated uh with the mayor hereby authorized to negotiate the final terms. The essential terms are contained as an exhibit to this municipal order. For the order that the mayor and or his designee is authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, read, adopt, and approve this 17th day of August.

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce a few people that are in our audience, Mr. Page Harden and his wife, Debbie, his daughter, Shelly Washer, and Mr. Roy Keith. And at this time, I'd like to ask whoever you're going to have speak real quick, which appears to be Mr. Hardin and his daughter, Shelley Washer, if they come up and talk a little bit about Heartland House and introduce it to our community.

Let me simply read the mission statement. Heartland House mission is to operate as a structured program That provides a bridge of hope for individuals family facing unexpected life crisis. Through this program, we are offer short term housing mentorship. Practical support to help people regain stability, restore independence and move confidently toward a sustainable future. Rooted in community accountability and connection of lasting resources. Our program is designed to guide participants through a clear path from crisis to stability.

Thank you, Mr. Hardin. And just so everybody understands, the building on Woodland Drive, 1117 Woodland Drive, is a piece of property that the city bought several months back. It was a blighted piece of property that used to be signature health care before they moved out on Veterans Way. We were glad to be able to buy that piece of property and house some of our nonprofits in that building together, which we think is going to be an advantage, Heartland House being one of them. and one of the new ones, also Mission Hope for Kids, and then eventually Warm Blessings, and we're really excited about that. I know that there's going to be lots of questions about that, and we will answer several of them in the future. Some of them that I've already seen from people had to do with Mission Hope for Kids and Heartland House and Warm Blessings being in the same building and the safety for the kids and how that was going to look. So I asked Shelly if she didn't mind if she would address that for us and give us a little summarization on that.

So, I am a board member on both heartland house and mission hope and that absolutely has been a source of concern for all parties. And a lot of the infrastructure set up, even with our architect has addressed those issues. They will have no access to 1 another separate parking lots. And then even with the outdoor play spaces, they have been critically designed to separate the different parties.

very good y'all have questions i don't know if it's so much of a question but thank you all for what you're doing um you know that is a very needed service here in this community so appreciate you all stepping up and taking on the task so thank you and you know one of the questions that i also get is you know what kind of people are we looking at being able to use heartland house and what kind of folks will that serve and i use this

example today my wife teaches kindergarten at panther academy and she has since its inception and she's been a teacher in the city schools for 24 years and it seems like every year she has a student sometimes a couple or three that are living out of a car their mom drops them off at school they go to work come back pick them up they eat dinner somewhere and they go back and go to sleep in their car and do it all again the next day or one of the motels on the south end of town or on the 94 exit side, they stay there for multiple days and they can never really get back on their feet. Although they are trying a lot of them and it's a very sad situation a lot of times. And this is exactly the kind of place that we need to be able to help those kinds of folks that just need maybe a small hand up or a way to get in a different position to be able to get their life back on track. So we've never had this before in Elizabethtown. You all have figured out a way, hopefully, for us to be able to do that. And listen, I want to make sure that I stress this. Everything's fluid. You always have a plan and you always have a model when you go in. But just like us every day at work, we learn things as we go and we tweak it and we make things better as we go. So every model is not going to be perfect right off the bat, especially something that you're starting brand new. But it always takes a start. And you all are providing that. And we look forward to working with you on it. And thank you for your investment in these people.

The Heartland House is, again, just deeply rooted in community, and we're glad for that opportunity.

Very good. Thank you all very much. Any other comments? Any motion and a second to adopt, please?

So moved.

Second. All in favor?

Aye. Opposed?

Seeing none, motion carries. Judge Howard, municipal order number 64-2026, authorizing land purchase and acceptance of Arlingwood Court. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Motion. Second.

All in favor? Opposed? Judge Howard.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below, after first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made, seconded, and approved. Whereas Arlingwood Court was initially developed as a private street, but the owners in the villas at Arlington Park Condominiums Council, Inc., now desire for the city to have the responsibility of maintenance of said street. Whereas Arlington Park has prepared and recorded an amended record plat designated arlingwood court as a parcel to be transferred to the city and whereas arlingwood court has been properly constructed and inspected and found to be acceptable as conforming to street standards now be it ordered by the city council that the city accept arlingwood court into the city street maintenance system and that all the appropriate traffic control signs and devices be installed be it further ordered that the mayor and or his designee is authorized to sign the deed accepting ownership of arlingwood court uh that is recorded in the Hardin County Court Clerk's Office and be it further ordered that the mayor or his designee is authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order.

Any discussion? Any motion and a second to adopt, please?

Motion. Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. Municipal Order Number 65-2026, accepting bid for Magnolia Farms Section 2, gas main extension. If I can get a motion and a second to read, please.

Motion.

All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Judge Howard.

At a regular meeting of the city council held on the date set out below, after first being read, a motion to adopt the following municipal order was duly made, seconded, and approved, whereas the city prepared bid documents and publicly advertised the project and received bids that were publicly opened on August the 12th of 2026 for the Magnolia Farm Section 2 Gas Main Extension Project. now be it ordered by the city council to accept the bid from superior technologies llc for this project in an amount not to exceed thirty two thousand four hundred ninety seven dollars and fifty cents be it for the order that the mayor and or his designee is hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to perfect this order, including but not limited to signing contracts, documents, obtaining the necessary permits, and approving change orders with the aggregate amount not to exceed $4,874.63. Read, adopted, and approved this 17th day of August. Any discussion?

I do. So, and I don't know, this might be for Mr. Hobbs. Do we feel good? There was like a huge difference in those bids there. So I was kind of curious. Yeah, that was my question. Did they read the same bid packet?

Good evening. They did read the same bid packet. I'm not familiar with the Johnson Incorporated out of Stanville, I believe. The other group has actually done some work for us before, and they were fairly in line with what we expected it to be.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

She just wanted to make you say something, Matthew. Any other discussion? Need a motion and a second to adopt, please. Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. And we did have some people come in late, but I will reiterate, we are going to our public comments section. We have changed how we operate.

time public comments. Anybody have any public comments?

Yes sir.

If you haven't yet, yes sir.

TJ Cain, Elizabethtown, Kentucky. It's been about three weeks since the last time I was here when we were discussing this issue of hyperscale. Last meeting, there was a lot of squabbling. Some of the council members were arguing with citizens about whether or not we should use Google or what search engine we should use or who actually is it that gets to decide the definition of a hyperscale data center.

Sorry, you're asking me that question or it's rhetorical? I mean, we've just defined it in what we've just voted on, what we've put in our regulations.

I noticed that you're gonna cap it at 50,000 feet. Does that include sub-basements?

Aaron, can you address that?

I asked that question because I noticed that's how a lot of these companies are getting around ordinances that different government bodies pass. If you say 50,000 square feet, you had to stipulate the whole facility for the whole property because they're exploiting language where they're making basements and sub-basements and fitting double the amount of servers down in there.

I'm guessing 50,000 feet means 50,000 feet.

Okay.

Is that correct? Yeah.

Aaron Hawkins with Planning and Development for the City of Elizabethtown. So to clarify, the 50,000 square feet is only in the industrial one and two zones. All other zones, it's capped at 10,000 square feet, but that is floor area. So it doesn't matter where in a building or where on property it takes place. It's 50,000 square feet total floor area.

Thanks. Thank you for that. The other thing I wanted to cover is the buffer zone. I can't believe that you, Mr. Mayor, or any of you on this council would be happy with a 50,000 square foot AI data center three and a half blocks from your house connected to your water supply, sucking it dry, ejecting God knows what into the storm drain. Three and a half blocks, that's pretty close. I would not want one of these monstrous facilities three blocks from my house. And in my research, I also found out that this term called closed-loop data centers, which gets sold and marketed to us as the safe, clean alternative, is actually a lie. Most people assume that these closed-loop data centers reuse their water. That's not true. They simply pay to have their water carted off to a different waste facility. So instead of their wastewater being our community's problem, it's just some other community's problem. There's actually no such thing as a clean, safe, or responsible AI data center. And I did appreciate that at the last meeting you did have your water guy here talking about the spill at Wawa. Was he here tonight? Our water guy? The head of the sanitation?

It's a, it's, oh, Corey Bond, our wastewater engineer.

Because I remember at the last meeting when we were talking about this, one of you had brought up that as a way to try to counteract the waste that the 50,000 square foot data centers would put into our water supply that we would simply have our water guy stay on top of it. I have a lot of questions for him. Would he want to test the water three times a day, three times a week, yearly, biannually?

He's not here today.

Okay. And then the last thing I want to say is that I'm not a person who just wants to come up here and give you a hard time. I love this town. It's a great town. I've lived here six years now. There's a lot to be excited about in this town. Everybody's excited about the amphitheater. Everybody's excited about Wawa. Everybody wants to try those sandwiches. Everybody's very excited about the Publix. September 23rd, baby. September 23rd. You're finally going to be able to shop at a real grocery store. Like I said, there's a lot to be excited about here, but a 50,000 square foot data center, three and a half blocks from your house is not something to be excited about. And just the last thing I wanted to say to you that I was kind of hoping that you would get with the mayor of Munfordville and kind of base your ordinance on the one they had in Munfordville. Because like I said at the last meeting, the mayor of Munfordville, when they passed their ordinance, he held it up and he said, good luck ever building a data center anywhere in Munfordville. That's the kind of leadership that I was kind of hoping to get out of you.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate your comments.

Anybody else?

Good afternoon Jose Torres. I also reside in Elizabeth town. I just wanted to say thank you for. For being open to the discussion, I think you've been. Getting hammered pretty bad at certain points, so I just want to actually be positive today and make sure that I think the certain avenues. I had a great discussion with you, Mr mayor, although we don't agree on everything. I think it was. It was good to have a discussion where we could just both share. I think Ms. Hinman for being there, too. She added to the conversation. But I would say I think it's a great thing that eventually Woodland will happen. But in the near term, I would just ask that maybe we look at some interim measures, especially during storms. There are a lot of people out there that have nowhere to go. I know that you've invested a tremendous amount in the winter months and also in certain phases during floods and whatnot in hotel rooms, but I think if we can come up with an alternative for a short-term basis to try to alleviate some of the problems. I'll give you an example. I'm not sure if you're anyone on the... Of board is aware or anyone's aware in the community, but for people that are homeless that are walking the street, there's nowhere to eat on Saturday and Sunday. Right? So, and I don't blame you. I'm not trying to I'm just trying to say it's a fact. Right. Like there's churches that do a tremendous amount during the week with intermittent food boxes. Of course, you can go to warm blessings Monday through Friday. You can go to seek meals. But after Friday at 630, there's no place for them to eat. Had a chance to talk to some of them last night. Like I went out of pocket. We went to got some peanut butter and jelly and we just went around and found some people. But anyway. as good as it's probably gonna get, and we have this opportunity, there's still the midterm, the interim until we get there, so I would just like you to maybe keep that in mind, and maybe if there's an opportunity to fill that one opportunity that may exist. some of the buildings you're doing across the street. I don't know if it could be put off for a little while, if you can build it up, but I know you're gonna move City Hall. Maybe City Hall can wait a couple months and maybe it could be stopped, gapped in between. That's just an example of maybe one suggestion. Again, not trying to... Our conversations can be at times, but I'm not trying to I'm just trying to say that's an example of maybe an outcome that could could help in the interim. And then maybe you could delay it and then move in after. Because it's hot out there, as you all know, my next door neighbor didn't have air conditioning and she was like screaming because the two companies couldn't come out and. Just thinking to myself, well, yeah, I get it. I get it. It's uncomfortable, but when you live out there in it full time, it's a real problem. So I'm hoping maybe you all can consider something as a stopgap measure for in between, and maybe we can get something done. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Anybody else? City council information items. Next city council meeting is August 24th, 2026. Don't forget that the Heartland parade is this Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, starting at 10 AM. And also don't forget that our rescheduled concert at the lake will be on Wednesday, six o'clock. Six o'clock at the lake. So that's rescheduled from last week. So we're looking forward to that. Y'all have anything you want to add?

We have our downtown master plan meeting Tuesday, tomorrow. At Pritchard Community Center, right?

Starts at 6, 5. Yeah, don't forget that one.

And I'm going to add that this weekend, St. James Church has their St. James Community Picnic that's open to everyone in the community. Takes place at the Robinbrook campus, so 401 Robinbrook. Dinner, they do chicken dinners and taco dinners. It starts at 4, and then entertainment, I think it's 6.30, so.

Anybody else? We will go close meeting pursuant to KRS 6.1.810, Section 1, to conduct deliberation on future acquisition or sale of real property by the city, if I can get a motion and a second. All in favor? Opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. And we will not have any action coming out.

Thank you all.