Roads, Taxes, and Cannabis
Pictured L-R: Council member Curt Estes, Mayor Doug Smith, Council members Cathy Nunn, Faye Word, and Tommy England. Photo | The Herald-News Archives
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Edmonton City Council met on Monday, August 5th with all council members present except Stacey Beard.
The minutes from the special called meeting of June 27th were reviewed and approved.
Bids were opened for the blacktopping of various streets in Edmonton. The only bid received was from Scotty’s Contracting and it simply stated $115 per ton, plus patch time and materials. The council accepted the bid and it was determined that with limited Municipal Road Aid, the worst street sections of the ten listed would need to be chosen for the work.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Discretionary Funds (KYTC CPPP) agreement for the work on Shirley Street up to $33,000 was approved and Resolution #2024-25-01 authorizing Mayor Doug Smith to sign on behalf of the City of Edmonton was approved.
Clerk Dawn Devore stated that the agreement for work on Scott Drive had not been finalized as yet. She added that these streets were being repaired using road taxes through KYTC and the city had received a total of $242,579 of road tax funds since 2010.
Vehicle Tax
The first reading of Ordinance# 2024-2025-05 assessing and levying property taxes for 2025 on motor vehicles and watercraft of fifteen and two-tenths cents (15.2) for every one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed value within the city of Edmonton remains unchanged. The first reading was unanimously approved.
Department Reports
After Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley presented the month’s numbers the council voted on the several ordinances and resolutions.
The second reading of Ordinance #2024-25-02 amending Ordinance 2005-19 amending the charges for services of the City of Edmonton Water Department was approved.
The second reading of Ordinance #2024-25-03 amending Ordinance 2005-20 to amend the charges for services of the City of Edmonton Gas Department was approved.
The first reading of Ordinance #2024-25-04 Cross Connection Prevention Program pertains to regulations enacted by KY Natural Resources and the EPA. The program’s purpose is to make sure the public water supply is protected from other water supplies that could cross-contaminate with backflow thus requiring backflow valves and other items. The ordinance was unanimously approved.
Resolution #2024-25-02 KIA Cleaner Water Program Grant for the Gordon Branch Road work for $451,250 was accepted and the council authorized Mayor Smith to sign on behalf of the City of Edmonton.
Resolution #2024-25-03 KIA Cleaner Water Program Grant for work on the Hubbard Cemetery Road for the amount of $195,000 was accepted and the council authorized Mayor Smith to sign on behalf of the City of Edmonton.
Resolution #2024-25-04 KIA Cleaner Water Program Grant for Wet Water Retention Improvements (WWTP) for the amount of $200,000. The grant is for infrastructure improvements. The council accepted the grant and approved authorization by Mayor Smith on behalf of the city of Edmonton.
Police Chief David Robertson was absent due to his job duties, but provided the July activity report for everyone’s packets. The July activity numbers are: 12 arrests, 4 non-injury accidents, 6 animal complaints, 2 Domestics, 1 DUI, 2 EPOs, 1 fight, 1 incomplete 911 call, 7 new investigations, 2 motorist assists, 10 medical calls, 2 drug complaints, 98 traffic stops, 1 trash complaint, 7 warrants served, 5 funeral escorts, 83 complains, and 16 citations written.
Devore relayed that Chief Robertson had requested the purchase of a police cruiser as was in the budget. The K9 officer needs an SUV. Devore pointed out two things, “one there’s no money to apply for a grant for a police cruiser and the second thing is we (city) have three 2016 Dodge Chargers and they still are valued at more…” The prospect of selling one of those could help cover the cost. The K-9 unit needs something other than a car such as an SUV.
It was explained that the cruiser will need to be bid out with specifications and once you get the bids you can be more specific as to model, etc. That doesn’t include the equipment and stipe installation. The council approved taking bids for a cruiser.
City ABC Administrator Fred Ray reported that all businesses are in compliance and everyone has paid their regulatory fees.
Parks and Recreation Manager Brian Garrett reported that 15 teams had participated in the Brooks-Toth Memorial Tournament that had just finished.
Edmonton Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons reported that for July there were 15 runs consisting of 10 medical assists, 3 lift assists, and 2 trees down.
City Attorney Updates
The first item presented by City Attorney Brian Pack concerned the medical cannabis program choices. “The way the state law works, any jurisdiction has the right to do an ordinance saying some or all of the businesses are not allowed…it would be very helpful to your constituents to know whether you even allow it. If it’s something you’re not gonna allow on any of them it’s probably good to go ahead and prepare/do an ordinance. If you want to stay silent, that’s fine…you can deal with it when someone shows some interest in it at that time,” explained Pack.
He stated that they could also wait until the county ballot choice went and then decide what the city wants to do. “I just want you to know that you have the option to do what you want to do. I don’t care what you do,” said Pack.
Devore added, “You have till December of this year to decide yes or no or nothing, and then after December as long as there’s no one already applied (for a license) at the state. You can still opt-out if you choose to, right?”
Pack replied, “That’s my understanding, yes.”
“I don’t want it,” said council member Faye Word.
“Council member Cathy Nunn then asked Pack how to proceed. He advised it needs to be an ordinance. He advised he could draft an opt-out ordinance and let the council look at it, then they could decide what they wanted to do. An ordinance would need a first and second reading. You wouldn’t be committed until it is passed by a second reading.
Next, City Attorney Brian Pack presented the council with another draft of the negotiated 911 Interlocal Agreement from Glasgow.
Pack explained the draft uses the census population numbers to reach the 19% contribution of operating cost from Metcalfe. It was noted by Mayor Smith that the call volume is only 8 or 9%. One of the concerns from the city council is whether population or call volume should be used to calculate the amount paid by Metcalfe/Edmonton.
The draft added a section requiring a unanimous approval vote on any purchase exceeding the amount all parties decide upon, possibly $10 or $20,000. The one sticking point is that a portion of the salaries of the Glasgow Despatchers is still being requested on Metcalfe.
Other Business
Devore received a packet with a petition signed by the people living on Fraizer Street asking for a speed bump to be installed. The request was approved.
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the September meeting has been moved to Monday, September 9, 2024.
