City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good morning everyone. I would like to welcome everyone here for the new year to start off 2026. And uh uh we'll call the city of Franklin City Commission to order. And uh at this time I have asked uh Stephen Kirby from the Franklin Church of Christ to come and uh lead us in prayer and do a short devotional. And uh Stephen, we're pleased to have you and we appreciate the time that you're giving us today and I just want to say that your church does a great job in our community serving serving our community and we're we're very pleased to have you today.

We appreciate that. Thank you. Uh just a short Bible reading for y'all this today. That's from Proverbs 19:es 19-23. A little bit of words of wisdom. Verse 19. and a man of great wrath will pay the penalty. For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept instructions that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life and whoever has its rest satisfied, he will not be visited by harm. Let's pray. Dear father, we thank you for today. We thank you for all the many blessings you uh give us and bestow upon us. And dear father, let us make sure that we give everything back to you. We pray especially a prayer today for all of these individuals in this room. We pray especially for Mr. Dixon as he leads the uh city as mayor. We pray for all the commissioners, Mr. Pal, Mr. Bush, Mr. Stewart, Mr. McCra, and we also pray for all their families in this time that they serve and uh and uh and due diligence to the community here in Franklin. We pray for all the city employees and their families. Be with them as they're out on the job working. Keep them safe. keep them due diligence of their duties to uh do the best that they can to serve the city of Franklin and everything that they do. We pray for our first responders, our firefighters, our uh EMS, our police officers, our linemen, and everyone else that is uh in harm's way sometimes with difficult situations. We pray for all them and their families and keep them safe during this time. We also pray for the physical court and its members, Mr. Barnes, M the

Mattress, Mr. Burr, Mr. Poston, Mr. Thurman, Mr. Chandler and their families during their running of the county government. And we pray for them as well during this time. We pray for all the citizens of the city of Franklin and of Simpson County and be with us to make sure that we're uh good stewards and that we are doing the things that we uh need to do to encourage one another and uh be uh be uh compassionate about the city and county we live in, but also be reverent to the things that are going on and uh the decisions made by our city government and our county government. We pray for the state of Kentucky and the elected officials there. And we also pray for our United States and our country and the elected officials there that uh oversee our country and oversee everything that is going on and the great country we live in. We pray for unity and understanding. We pray for growth and discipline and we pray for compassion and love. And dear father, we also pray for our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and you as well as our heavenly father. Thank you again. and be with us all in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, Stephen. And you're welcome to stay or leave. I don't you probably don't want to sit through, but I got some other things. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh moving on uh to uh here at the public. I don't believe we have anyone listed to anyone here. We will move on to approval of minutes and that'll be approval of minutes of the December 8th, 2025 regular meeting. And I'm sure everyone's had an opportunity to look over those. Are there any comments or questions? Make a motion we approve them. We have a motion by Commissioner Pal to approve. Do you have a second?

Second. We have a second by Commissioner McQuary. Are there any further comments or questions? I abstain from voting. I don't vote yes. So, I'm going to just go ahead and say that we have one. Sorry, I cannot hear. I'm going to abstain from voting on this one as well. So, thank you. Yep. Moving on. Uh, we will have uh recognitions and you did not call for a vote, mayor. I did not call for a vote. Sorry about that. That's okay. All in favor? I I.

Any opposition? And we have one abstaining abstaining. Okay. Moving on to uh recognitions. We'll have recognition of new employees and uh I believe Trent Coffee is going to come to uh bring uh [clears throat] Austin Bishop and Grant Deans to us.

Well, good afternoon. Uh I'd like to introduce Austin Bishop and Garrett Dinkens. Uh Austin will be working in the wastewater department. Uh Austin grew up here in Franklin and resides here now with his wife Kayla and daughter Adeline. Garrett uh will be working with the public works department, Daryl's department. Uh Garrett is a native of Warren County, but he lives in Franklin now. And Garrett just got out of the Marines. I appreciate that. And uh he will be getting married in a few months. So uh please help me uh welcome Austin and Garrett. [applause] Welcome aboard, guys. Look forward to a long relationship. [clears throat]

I've got the next one, too. Zach and Ben, and that's recognition of wastewater certification.

Yeah. In November, uh, Zach and in December, Ben attended the, uh, Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet's wastewater class and certification exam. Uh, the class exam helps ensure that operators that are in charge of dealing with the community's wastewater are knowledgeable and capable of handling the responsibilities required by the position. And I'm proud to announce that Zach uh Chandler passed his class one Kentucky wastewater collections exam. And I'm also proud to announce that Ben passed his class one Kentucky wastewater treatment plant exam. And uh both of employed by the city a little over a year and need to be recognized for their hard work and dedications to the city of Franklin. Congratulations. [applause] Congratulations, guys. Thank you, Trent. Okay. Uh moving on, we will have uh recognition and swearing in of new officer Lton Vincent and uh Chief Solomon is here to take care of that.

All right. Got Lton Vincent with me. He's our newest police officer. Um Lton lives in Portland, Tennessee. [clears throat] Um actually last time Lton and I talked, he said that he might actually be moving here pretty soon. So I'm actually going to hold him to that. It's on camera now, so you got to um Lton is a member of the Army National Guard. Um he's a platoon sergeant E7 with the Military Police Division. He's uh served deployments in Afghanistan and Poland and on the Texas border, which I think are three unique different locations. So, uh he's had quite the experience in the National Guard so far. Uh he's married to his wife, Casey, and has a four-year-old daughter named Kayla. Kyla. Okay, pronounced that wrong. Um, his hobbies are to hunt, fish, shoot, and hang with family. Um, and we're welcoming a board. And with that, I'll send him over to Scott to be sworn in. [clears throat]

Welcome again, sir.

Please raise your right hand. I, Lton Vincent, do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky? That you possess the required qualifications to hold this office and that you will faithfully execute to the best of your ability the office of police officer for the city of Franklin, Kentucky, according to law. And do you further solemnly swear that since the adoption of this present constitution that you have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this state nor out of it nor have you accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons nor have you acted as a second in carrying such a challenge nor aided or assisted any person thus offending so help you God. And do you finally and further solemnly swear or affirm that you will endeavor to the best of your ability to detect and prosecute all gamblers and others violating the laws against gaming? That's a mouthful of swear. I do. I do. Congratulations. Welcome aboard. [applause] Thank you, sir. Okay, we will move on to community services and that will be discussion and a possible action regarding the 2026 Franklin, Kentucky newsletter which is which Megan will uh bring that to us.

Thank you, mayor. Uh we have completed our ninth ninth edition of the newsletter. This is a recap of uh the 2025 year. We started this process uh late last fall asking department heads to give us a list of their projects and then from there um I asked everyone to rate them in importance so that um we could fill these four pages that we have. But what you have is the copy of the four pages of the newsletter and uh a letter from the mayor that would be a mailer letter to go along with it. Um, this year's edition includes information on the new website, our highway flag installation, affordable housing, our new, uh, K9 police dog, and a few other topics. So, um, at this time, I'm happy to answer any questions. Um, the recommended motion would be to receive approval from the city commission to move forward with the printing and mailing of this publication.

Okay. Publication, what what's the timing on the publication, right? Um upon approval uh we can get this printed and mailed out uh as early um hopefully next week, but for sure the first week of February. And we use our uh list of all water and sewer customers for that mailing list. And we do have additional copies that we keep for our office and for local distribution. Okay, you have heard the presentation. Do I have a motion to Mayor I make that motion? Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner Stewart, second by second by Commissioner McQuary. Uh, any further discussion?

We'll have a roll call vote. Kathy, Commissioner Pal, yes. Commissioner Bush, abstain. Mayor Dixon, yes. Commissioner McCra, yes. Commissioner Stewart, yes. And that motion passes. Thank you very Thank you, Megan.

Okay, we will move on to general government and I believe I have that one. So, u and this is in reference uh to a uh citizen complaint. Uh and I will read the complaint. Uh, we have received a complaint from a citizen who wishes to remain publicly anonymous regarding the use of personal computer devices and mobile devices along with actively actively making social media post during the meeting. The person specifically asked that this matter be addressed to the commission so as to be responsive. And because I tend to agree that these personal devices can cause lack of attention on the business taking place at the meeting, I would like to request that that we all, myself, commissioners and staff included, please refrain from the use of these devices during the meeting. I am not saying that all are I'm not saying that all posting be stopped but I think that we should all be we should all wait until after the meeting to make any post and to communicate with others on these devices unless it is absolutely necessary for meeting and related business. I would agree with the person who made the complaint that we all owe it to the voters to devote all of our attention to the business of the city. I would appreciate your consideration and uh I would appreciate your consideration of and to this request. Okay. And moving on, uh we'll have a discussion or a possible action regarding payment in lie of taxes uh pilot agreement with Geoquest and

Ashgrove Real Estate Holdings and uh Scott Crabtree will bring that to that to us. [clears throat] Actually, do you want to address it? You want me to? I'm going to turn it over to Jim. That'll be good. That's I just had you on my program.

Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. Uh if I may real quick, uh earlier in the meeting, y'all hired Garrett. Um he grew up across the street from me and he couldn't be a finer young man. So that's a a great um hire for the city of Franklin and I'm glad to see he's back home from the Marines, too. And I know his parents are as well. Um, Project Geoquest or Ashgrove Holdings, which is the parent company of um of Geoquest has uh purchased the old Toyo building and uh they would like a pilot agreement. The city or the county and the uh school board have already signed off on it. The county is going to hold the IRB and uh the request is for the city to uh sign the pilot agreement as well to allow them to move forward with uh finalizing their sale and moving into the facility and get operational.

Okay. And and I should note it's in the Sanders Industrial Park, not the Henderson. Thank you. Did I put the wrong one in there? It's all right. Uh this is just the normal Yes sir. procedures that we we take with new industry coming in and uh I will ask for a motion. I'll make that motion. We have a motion by Commissioner Powell. Second, mayor. Second by Commissioner McCquiry. Uh is there any discussion, comments?

Comment mayor and not a comment but to Jim. You know, obviously when we use these terms, you know, pilot agreement, I don't know if general public has a complete understanding as to what what what we're the transactions that we're taking. Could you could you expound on that just a little bit?

Yeah. So, an industrial revenue bond is going to be issued by the county and what happens is in essence because we our tax code is ingrained in the constitution in Kentucky, we can't offer some of the incentives that other states offer. So, this will allow them to abate their property taxes except for school taxes. They'll still be responsible for for making those payments every year. And u it'll be for the life of the IRB. And for that to happen, uh the the county, the school board, and the city have to sign off on that. In exchange, we get a new company, the jobs, uh the tax benefit of all that.

I appreciate it. I I definitely wanted to wanted to make it clear that, you know, I know we've run into some walls before with, you know, tax and tax abatement and and the schools not being made whole, but as you address the commission, [clears throat] I think at maybe our last meeting, that that that would no longer happen and and uh I just want to make sure that that's a strong foundation that we stand on that our schools is is always made whole in this process. So, absolutely. and this company and and u EJ Franklin which is taking over the old Fritz Winter facility. They were both uh and I was happy to hear this were um very supportive of making sure that schools are made whole because they see that as the future workforce. Absolutely.

And uh they want to make sure that that we're provide they are providing everything they can to enhance education in Simpson County. Thank you, Jim. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Any further discussion, comment? [clears throat and cough] We'll take a roll call vote. Please catch it. Start at the other end of the table. Yes. Commissioner, yes. Mayor Dixon, yes. Commissioner Bush, yes. Commissioner, yes. And that motion passes. Thank you all.

Jim, thank you. Okay, moving on. We will uh have a discussion or possible action regarding an electrical inspector contract and Kenton will bring sor u this is probably a little bit of housekeeping. And uh James Thomas has been an electrical inspector for Simpson County since around 2019. And around December, the state office in Frankfurt notified me being that we have separate programs city and the county that they recommended that we would have uh James Thomas as a separate uh contract with the city. So with that, uh, I attached all the information. James is, um, because he has years of electrical experience. He's a level three electrical inspector. And also the value of having James available, he is, uh, in case there was an emergency or whatever, he's able to respond immediately on a 24-hour notice, uh, where the other inspector could not. So, uh, but the motion is to enter a one-year agreement with, uh, Jim Thomas for electrical inspection services for terms outlined in the professional.

And Kenton, I guess we might add, too, that he's worked for us for work with Simpson County 2019. Yeah. Yeah. And they just recommended that we have two separate just to go through the city and make sure that everything is correct. And as part of that motion, mayor, we need to authorize you to sign. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I'll ask for a motion. I'll make that motion. Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Powell. I'll second. Seconded by Commissioner Stewart. Uh any further comments or questions. And we'll take a roll call vote. Kathy, please. Commissioner Powell? Yes. Commissioner Bush? No. Mayor Dixon?

Yes. Commissioner McCra? Yes. Commissioner Stewart? Yes. And that motion passes. Thank you, Kathy. Okay. Moving on, we will have discussion and a possible action regarding Freedom Parkway. And Kenton, you will if you'll speak to that for us also.

Yes, sir. Um, as we a few weeks ago, we had announced that Kroger was going to be the distribution center around the I guess I'm going to say the Oz property, Steel Road, exit 2 area. And uh as as it's noted, it's a $400 million investment. Um but Kroger has kind of reached out and because there's a new roadway is going to be built and it's called uh Freedom Parkway and Freeman. Freeman. Yes. Freeman. Freeman. Yes. Freeman. That's going to be in Henderson Park, too. Yeah. That's [laughter] Jean. Thanks. Freeman.

Freeman. I am so glad you're here. So uh so we make sure that that is correct but anyway they have reached out and typically the city does take this after it's built uh to the specifications [clears throat] but I guess being new they want to make sure that the city will if it's built to city specifications and requirement the there is no city funding uh that the city would take ownership of it and I think a lot of times if you was to think about winter snow removal ice treatment they want to make sure that that road is open for your truck traffic and I think there's about 60 trucks per hour or something like that. So, so they're just asking uh if all the specifications that are built to city standards that the commission would except freeway

freeman Freeman [snorts] Parkway Freeman Parkway. Wow. And I should be standard. Okay. Any questions or how much is it going to cost them to build it? I know that there you have that. How much is going to cost? I know it's a few million. So, um I've heard estimates about $8 million. So, what's the what's the annual expected upkeep? What's the annual expected upkeep? I don't know. Well, we we don't take a road over until the specifications are

this is ongoing maintenance and everything. So, you have to look at oies, property tax, everything else that we do in the roadway. So, and as I said, this is typical to what we have done in the other industrial parks that I note, you know, uh [clears throat] to specifically answer your question, Commissioner Bush, there should not be a lot of upkeep for the first several years if it's built to our specifications. However, there will be of course snow removal and any kind of ancillary maintenance such as if there's an accident on the road for cleanup crews to come take care of that or whatever and to to further the ongoing maintenance really won't kick in

10 years or more and further yes Scott there's uh that's what we do with all roads correct with within city u within that's a normal procedure. So, is this a wet area on the map? I don't have a legend that I can legibly read. Can't hear you. Is it a wet area on the map? So, uh I think it's an area that's probably uh adjacent to it. I don't know exactly where it is, but I can

Well, specifically, I'm referencing the the portions that are circled and have the the crosses in them. I would assume that that's to signify that that's I'm assuming it's signifying something. I'm just wondering what it is. I'm not sure, but um I can assure the commission that uh the developers in the state uh will have the the proper phase one geoteex and and environmental studies needed to construct the road and they will not be permitted to do so unless they meet certain requirements and parameters as required by law. And um if there's anything um out of the ordinary, they can either a uh rehabilitate it or be changed the route of the road a little bit

and that's with any project that that happens. Thank Thank you for the Jim for the I'll call for a vote. We need a motion. We haven't had a motion. We need a motion. We need the motion. Motion that we accept we accept. We need a motion that we accept that we accept it provided that it meets city. It meets the city and state specifications. Right. Mayor, I'll make that motion. And we have a motion by Commissioner Stewart. Second by

Second by Commissioner McQuary. [clears throat] Any further comments or questions? I mean, I would I would So, we're going to accept free the Freeman Parkway as a street city street provided that all city specific city specifications are met. So, when do we when do we accept the parkway? When we know that all the specifications are met. So then I would amend the motion to make sure that we have that verbiage in there to accept the the parkway once all specifications I already had that in there. That's in Yeah, that's in there. I said that. So is it going to

I'm sorry. Is it going to does that include So when all city specifications are met, so that means the last cap will go over top as well. Yes. Sure. Okay. Oh, I will call for a motion to accept the and and then well and and that is a good point. What Daryl was bringing out is not only when they're all met, but it's a year after they're met, everything's met because we always make them give us a year warranty. Good point, Daryl. That's good. Thank you, Darl. That's valid point. I will call for a motion to accept the We have a motion.

Yeah, we have a motion to second. Yeah, I made the motion. Commissioner Commissioner Pra second the motion and I asked for uh comments and we've had those. So, we'll call for a vote. You're ready for a roll call. Okay. Commissioner Stewart, yes. Commissioner McCra, yes. Mayor Don, [clears throat] yes. Commissioner Bush, no. Commissioner Pal, yes. And that motion passes. Thank you, Kathy. Thank you, Jim.

Uh, we will move on to public safety and that'll be discussion and our possible action regarding amendment to the Franklin Police Department policies and procedures of vehicle use policy.

And actually, I'll take that, mayor, and let me correct that. It is not a Franklin Police Department policy. It is a citywide vehicle use policy. It's one that we have adopted before. This is these are some there's some amendments to it. Uh the chief kind of got thrust into this as part of the uh review by KLC, but it does meet legal requirements. And [snorts] uh if the commission finds it in order, we need a motion to approve the amended vehicle use policy as presented. Hey, I'll ask for a motion. Don't move. Don't move.

Oh, no. We have a motion by Commissioner Powell. Second. Second, mayor. Second by Commissioner McCquary. Any further discussion comments? This replaces our current policy. I'm sorry. This is This replaces our current policy. It It's It just amends it. There's just some language change. So, what was approved it before? What What part was changed? The part that's underlined. Page 54. Any further comments, question? Ky, if you'll have a vote for us, please. Sure. Commissioner Pal, yes. Fisher Bush,

abstain. Mayor Dixon, yes. [snorts] Commissioner McCra, yes. Commissioner Stewart, yes. [clears throat] That motion passes. Mayor, can I say something? Sure. Roger. Thanks for updating this. It may look like we rush through this, but I've been a policy maker before and this is this is your deal. So, we're trusting you. You know what you're doing. A lot of policies and appreciate appreciate you doing that. February. Well, this this has already been in place. All we

understand amendments I'm talking about. Okay, we will move on. Do we have anything under utilities today, Trent? Okay. Uh we do have an ordinance and uh Kathy if you will present that for us please. Thank you mayor. We will have second summary reading today of ordinance number 2025029 an ordinance amending the city of Franklin local zoning regulations concerning administrative regulations and enforcement. And I will need a first and second motion for approval. So, mayor, we have a motion by Commissioner Stewart.

Second. Second by Commissioner Powell. Um, and we'll have a roll call vote. Commissioner Stewart, yes. Commissioner McCra, yes. Mayor Dixon, yes. Commissioner Bush, no. Pal, yes. And that ordinance passes. We'll have second summary reading of ordinance number 2025030 an ordinance to close the public portion of a 0.1525 acre track or less of P Avenue and I will need a first and second motion for approval.

Motion second. I don't think we have a motion. Oh, I thought you made the motion. No, I'll go ahead and make I'm asking for a motion. I'll make the motion. Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner Stewart, second by Commissioner Powell. That Okay. Uh, and we'll have a roll call vote. Commissioner Powell, yes. Commissioner Bush, yes. Mayor Dixon, yes. Commissioner McCra, yes. Commissioner Stewart, yes.

And that ordinance passes. This concludes second summary reading of these ordinances. They will become effective on passage and publication and will be posted on the city's website. A full copy of these ordinances are available on request by contacting the city clerk at city hall during normal business hours. Kathy, thank you. You're welcome, Mayor. As far as executive session, we do not need litigation. All we need is personnel. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. uh we'll go into executive session under personnel and that'll be discussions or hearings which might lead to the appointment, discipline or dismissal of an individual employee member and that's under KRS61.8101F and I will need a motion to go into executive session motion. I have a motion by Commissioner McQuary. Second second by Commissioner Powell. All in favor? I I. And we now move into executive session.

I will now ask for a motion to come out of executive session. Motion. Motion by Commissioner McQuary, secondary. Second by Commissioner Stewart. Uh, and I believe we have a motion to come before the All in favor. I I I believe we have a motion to come before the uh body. We do, mayor. Uh, the motion is to hire Christian Nava as an officer for the Franklin Police Department with an effective start date of January 26, 2026. Do I have a motion to that? That motion. We have a motion by Commissioner Bush. Have a second. Second.

Second by Commissioner Powell. Any further discussion, comments? Kathy, do a roll call vote, please. Commissioner Powell, yes. Commissioner Bush, yes. Mayor Dixon, yes. Commissioner McCra, yes. Commissioner Stewart, yes. And that motion passes. Thank you very much, Kathy. Okay. From here we will move on to city attorney report. No. Okay. Uh city manager report. No sir. Okay. Uh commissioner Stewart any report? Commissioner Commissioner McCquaryy.

Uh four things actually. I'll be brief. Um you know back in when we added on additional people on the fire department. They started helping you announce December 1st of last year. Talked to Tom Scott this morning. I'll give you a short report how much this has helped. The fire department responded with EM instances text responded with 101 two 101 EMS call since December the first 101. Uh several were significant help on different multiple patient patients and extrication one in particularly from a home where they had a stroke patient that they couldn't get them out of the house and the doors had to be removed. We could certainly could have not done that without the resources there and saved us a life saving time. So, it's working. I just want to report on that. That's exceptional.

Yeah.

Um, also the history center this Tuesday night 6:30 they're having their quarterly meeting. The director from the Octaven Hall is going to be there talking about the history of it and just giving great detail. She always does a good presentation. And third, want to thank Daryl Mallerie for getting the lines done out on Steel Road. Um if anybody goes out there when you come tours come off the interstate and they cut in short there's multiple accidents. Roger can tell you all about that. It's helped tremendously. It's bright at night. So and the last thing I'd like to bring up is uh I was talking to Daryl too. Want to look at pave and Aken Avenue. It's it's pretty rough since the work and wish I would consider it. It's emergency ride on top of that. [snorts] Since all the sewer repairs and the work been done lately, it's kind of kind of rough.

See? Okay. So, when you get done, if you just if y'all just talk, I'm just requesting that y'all take a look. Appreciate.

Well, thank you, Commissioner Clear. [clears throat] And just to add on to what your comments, Darl, about the Cracker Barrel still rode out there. I've had several compliments on that that that we have done that and I want to pass that on to you because several people have spoken to me about how how happy they are to to see that. So, thank you uh beginning of my report. Uh the only other thing I have is that uh Martin Luther King uh breakfast is uh Monday morning the 19th. I believe it's seven eight 7:30 or 8 uh in there. So I want to pass that along and uh that's all I have. And Commissioner Bush, I'm fine. Thank you. Okay. Commissioner Pal,

make a motion we journ. We have a motion by Commissioner Pal to adjurnn. Second. Do sec. Have a second by Commissioner Bush. All in favor? I I I. And we stand adjourned. Thank