The Versailles City Council discussed the concerns that have arisen from
the Woodford County Fiscal Court and the downtown business community
about a proposed arch for the new revitalization project which will span
the width of Court Street at its southern intersection with Main Street.
“There has been some debate about the archway and that it should move to
the original proposed location (somewhere on the Court Street extension
as it runs downhill towards the parking lot on Granducci Alley),” said
Mayor Brian Traugott, adding that the Downtown Revitalization Committee
(DRC) “is interested in having the arch closer to Main Street (for
people) to see the sign for the entertainment district.”
Traugott offered two options: the council could take it up or it could
be handled by the DRC.
Councilmember Lisa Johnson said, “Business owners should be consulted
(on the location)” and Traugott agreed.
However, he said any outcome from business owners would be advisory only
and any such committee “won’t have any veto power (over a final decision).”
Traugott told the council that he had had informal discussions with the
state Transportation Cabinet about siting the arch’s columns on state
rather than county property, and that did not seem like a feasible option.
Traugott said one of the issues with the original location for the arch
is the width of the street. It is too narrow. The council then discussed
whether to make the Court Street extension one-way, instead of the
current two-way traffic flow, to cure the “narrowness” problem for the
arch. Planning Director Steve Hunter, who was in attendance to discuss
an unrelated matter, pointed out that people and county employees,
including himself, use the Granducci Alley-Court Street as a cut-through
to avoid the Main Street/Rose Hill Ave. intersection during peak traffic
hours.
The council reached a consensus to have the council’s
Administrative/Legal committee look into the matter and make a
recommendation to the full council. Councilmembers Chantel Bingham, Mary
Bradley and Laura Dake are on the DRC and the Administrative/Legal
Council committees.
Water main break
Traugott updated the council on a water main break that had occurred
over the New Year’s holiday. A subcontractor on the DRC project hit a
water main while working on the site without calling in for a line
location. Smith asked whether the city participated in the “811 call
first program,” and Traugott said it is very expensive for a city to
participate in 811, so contractors, subs and others need to call the
city first prior to digging in an area.
Traugott said businesses were affected, including the Woodford Inn which
had to move some guests to the Holiday Inn. Traugott said the city will
be meeting the general contractor and the subcontractor to reach a
solution on the water damage, repair and other consequences of the break
to the city and businesses.
Storm Shelter project
The council approved two contracts for the next stage of work on a new
storm shelter located on Clifton Pike. Colt Engineering, Inc., d/b/a
Thoroughbred Engineering, was selected for both geotechnical engineering
services for $44,500, and civil engineering services for $14,500.
Downtown Revitalization sponsorships
Council approved sponsorship agreements with Jack Kain Ford and Frontier
Nursing University for $100,000 each payable in $10,000 installments
over ten years without interest – the same terms as all the other
sponsors. The Frontier Nursing contract will not go into effect until
May 2025. This brings the number of sponsors up to ten. Traugott said
there is the potential for a few more.
Zoning Map amendment
The council accepted the recommendation of the
Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission to approve the
application of Iva Mihaylova (a Michigan resident) to rezone 172 Simmons
Street from R-1C (single family residential) to R-3 (moderate density
residential). The commission approved the application on a 6-2 vote
which was contingent on the approval of a conditional use permit. Based
on the application, Mihaylova intends to operate the current property as
a short-term rental business.
Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration
Traugott reminded the council that MLK, Jr. celebrations will be on Jan.
15. The annual Roots and Heritage Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast will
be held at 8:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, at 160 Lexington
Street, Versailles. Rev. DeMarcus Hopson will be the speaker. Tickets
are $15. The annual MLK Day March will begin at 5:30 p.m. A shuttle will
be provided to take marchers to the starting point. Participants will
gather at the intersection of MLK Boulevard and Clifton Road and march
to the courthouse and will be accompanied by the Versailles Police
Department.
Code Enforcement
Traugott announced that Versailles native and former
Woodford-Bourbon-Scott Commonwealth’s Attorney Gordie Shaw has been
hired as a code enforcement officer and has begun work.