The Woodford County Fiscal Court on Tuesday received an update from Ken
Kerkhoff on the progress of the Downtown Revitalization Project behind
Court Street in the old parking lot that abuts Rose Hill Lane.
Three of the main components of the $3.6 million project are a new
three-season building that will house the Farmers Market, an
entertainment stage and a water feature, all of which are now under
construction.
Kerkhoff, chair of the revitalization committee, sought to obtain
easements from the county on two small pieces of land: one at Court and
Main streets for the construction of a “Legacy Arch” which will span the
Court Street entry from Main Street; and the other along the Court
Street extension that connects Court and Granducci Alley for a viewing
area that will include historical aspects and signage for two new
sponsors: Woodford Reserve and Castle & Key.
Woodford County Attorney Alan George pointed out significant concerns
with the new rendering of the arch, noting that the initial arch did not
call the area “Versailles Entertainment District,” as it does now, but
instead “Woodford Community Market.” And, in the only presentation to
the court about the arch, it was located on the area of Court Street
that extends down to the old parking lot where the project is now underway.
George said, “The original archway presented to the court is different.”
He said that since the use of “Versailles Entertainment District”
promotes private businesses, “This would need to be discussed.”
The other issue with the arch is its location. The various renderings
presented raised issues on the impact of traffic turning onto Court
Street. At the request of George, Kerkhoff said the committee was
exploring moving it back to the original location on the Court Street
extension near the old parking lot. Kerkhoff indicated that the
committee was open to changing the name but that there was concern from
the legacy partners, who have agreed to pay $10,000 per year for 10
years for a total contribution of $100,000. He said they had concerns of
not getting the views of the arch and their names that they want.
Kerkhoff added that the area originally considered for the arch could be
too narrow.
Another issue is that the two easement requests will need to be dealt
with by the court and the Public Property Corporation. Woodford County
Judge-Executive James Kay said there were some vacancies on the Public
Property Corporation that would be filled at the Dec. 22 meeting,
allowing the court, the corporation and the committee time to work
through the identified issues with the arch and easements so that it can
be addressed at the Jan. 23 Fiscal Court meeting.
Opioid abatement
settlement money
Magistrate Larry Blackford requested an update on the status of the
plans for how Woodford County’s opioid abatement settlement funds will
be spent. Kay said to date, no funds have been spent. He said that he
met with the Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) board about the
results of the court’s public forum held to gather ideas and possible
proposals. Kay said given the parameters of the state commission that
will approve any requests, the county will not propose anything without
the support of ASAP.
Kay also said the county should be receiving additional settlement funds
in the coming months.
To that end, Kay said he thinks the best course of action is to hold an
additional public hearing with the City of Versailles, since it too has
received opioid abatement funds, and ASAP to seek more public
engagement. Kay said two proposals the court should consider when the
timing is appropriate are a voluntary detox program and the “Youth
Engagement Project (YEP), modeled after the Planet Youth Drug Prevention
program.
Kay also informed the court that he had appointed Magistrate Kelly Carl
as the chair of the county’s Opioid Taskforce.
Former Governor/State Senator Julian Carroll
George paid homage to former Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll, who died
Dec. 10. Carroll also served in the Kentucky House of Representatives
and in the State Senate, in which for most of his service Woodford
County was in his district. George also pointed out that for a brief
time Carroll practiced law with an office in Versailles.
George described Carroll as “one of the most consequential governors
Kentucky has ever seen . . . and one of the greatest orators Kentucky
has ever seen.”
Kay adjourned the court meeting with a minute of silence in honor of
Carroll.
New vehicle registration program
Woodford County Clerk Sandy Jones told the court that a new vehicle
transfer, renewal and registration computer system mandated statewide by
state government will be in place in mid-January. Jones said her office
is working hard and will be trained to make the rollout here as smooth
as possible. The new system will be operational on Jan. 16, 2024.
She said any registrations, renewals and transfers in December will
still be processed on the current AVIS system, but the January ones will
not be able to be completed until the transition to the KAVIS system is
complete. Jones encouraged folks planning January transactions to go to
the County Clerk’s Office or website and begin the paperwork or form
process.
Jones said all other services will be available and reminded the court
that her office will only be closed Dec. 29 and Jan. 1, 2024, for the
holidays and that the transition to KAVIS will not require any office
closings.
Comp time
Kay proposed a plan to resolve accrued comp time (time certain city
employees earn in excess of their regular weekly work hours instead of
overtime). Maintenance Director Rick Wade worked an extraordinary number
of hours in excess of his regular work week due to the number of severe
weather events, particularly the March 2023 windstorm. Kay and
Magistrate Mary Ann Gill lauded Wade for his dedication and valuable
work under the 2023 circumstances.
Kay requested a motion to “not withstand” the county’s comp time
ordinance to allow Wade to carry over 120 hours instead of the 40-hour
limit of accrued comp time. Kay said this will save money and that the
payout amount is already in the court’s budget. Wade said he intends to
use most of this to take time off given how many hours he was required
to work in 2023. The total payout to Wade on 291.5 comp hours will be
$11,264.16, which includes social security and retirement benefits. He
will carry over 120 hours instead of 40 which saves the county from
paying him for 80 additional hours of accrued comp time.
The court unanimously approved the proposed solution. Magistrate Liles
Taylor said the court needs to make sure that Wade has sufficient
resources to help him get all of the work done that is necessary.
Ordinances
Three ordinances received first readings. Due to changes in state
statutes and regulations, an ordinance is necessary to create the
Woodford County Emergency Management Agency. An ordinance was proposed
to change the zone map amendment for 1605 McCowans Ferry Road from A1
district to A2 to RR/Residential Farmland. The other ordinance adopts
Aachen Road into the Woodford County road system.
Appointment
The court approved Kay’s appointment of Larry Moore to the Northeast
Woodford Water District.