Board of Commissioners Meetings

239 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of Called Work Session Meeting on December 3, 2024 A Special Called Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the Jefferson Elementary School gymnasium located at 1000 South Alves Street, Henderson, Kentucky. There were present Mayor Bradley S. Staton, presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Nicholas E. Whitt Commissioner Austin P. Vowels Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. ABSENT: Commissioner Rodney Thomas CITY STAFF MEMBERS included: William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager; Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney; Dylan Ward, Assistant City Manager; Jenna Basham, Project Manager; Steve Davis, Codes Administrator; Sam Lingerfelt, Safety & Training Coordinator; Mary Ann Whitledge, Account Representative; Jessa Brandon, City Clerk; Holli Blanford, Public Relations Director; Billy Bolin, Police Chief; Trace Stevens, Parks & Recreation Director; Chris Stachewicz, Parks & Recreation Superintendent; and Briscoe Edwards, Police Officer. ALSO PRESENT: Steve Gold, County Attorney; Bobbi Jo Marx; Nivea Carter; Dwight Williams; Matthew Reynolds; Reverend Charles Johnson; Ryan Scott; Kristie Randolph; Jay Randolph; Jason Beasley; Kevin Gibson; Adam Blythe; Kacee Campbell; Ron Alexander; Stacey Gilbert; Kelsey Hargis; Rachel Heath; Shannon Sandefur; Tyrone Young; Cathy Williams; Gloria Young; Michelle Chappell; Ashley Beaty; Angie Poe; Hailey Black; and Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian. ________________________ THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED: INNER CITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROPOSED PROJECTS FINAL VOTE AND BUDGET MAYOR STATON reported on the progress of the projects still in motion from the prior year Inner City Improvement Plan Committees, explaining that the projects being voted on were for fiscal year budgeting allocation, and would be slated for completion at future dates. A total of fifteen projects were presented and voted on by attendees. ❖ Economic Development Committee ➢ Kevin Gibson presented a video debuting existing businesses in the Inner City, as well as newer businesses, which are thriving, to advocate for the potential success of new businesses who may be interested in locating or relocating to the Inner City. He suggested on behalf of the committee, that to further entice new business to root in the Inner City, the funding of a Small Business Incentive Package to aid new business ventures by alleviating or lessening the costs associated with start-up (building rent, utilities, etc.). ➢ Adam Blythe reported on the committee’s suggestion to create a sub-group of the Economic Development Committee, via Missy Vanderpool’s existing organization, to specifically serve the Inner City and its residents, coined the Inner City Economic Development Committee. ➢ Kevin Gibson shared the vision of a Letcher Street Business Corridor, which focuses on creating a business hub, as a central area within the Inner City, with the goal of promoting business expansion in the future, by restoring storefronts to former glory and enticing new business to occupy them. ➢ Adam Blythe further recommended to provide the facilitation of Economic Vision Talks, within the Inner City, to gather feedback from residents about the kinds of businesses they would like to see.  240 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of Called Work Session Meeting on December 3, 2024 ❖ Youth Enrichment & Engagement ➢ Jason Beasley presented the committee’s Young Athletic Training project, which would help youth to broaden their horizons, by introducing sports not currently available to them, such as flag football, lacrosse, and Ultimate Frisbee. ➢ Chris Stachewicz shared the committee’s proposed Job Readiness Training program, which outlines a plan to aid youth in obtaining certifications in lifeguarding, sports officiating, and childcare, with the goal of building confidence, leadership skills, responsibility, and also providing them with valuable skills training. ➢ Ryan Scott presented a plan to host a Career Exploration Fair, which would provide interactive, hands-on opportunities to explore a variety of potential careers, which attendees may not otherwise have been introduced to or made aware of. ❖ Public Safety Commission ➢ Bobbi Jo Marx presented the Child Fatality Review, which due to multiple recent child fatalities, suggested the installation of flashing signage and speed humps encouraging drivers to proceed more slowly in school zones, as well as brightly colored cross walks to draw attention to areas where children frequently cross roads. ➢ Billy Bolin highlighted the committee’s suggestion for an SRO Program in which school resource officers would continue to interact with Inner City Youth during summer months and further develop a positive relationship with the community. ➢ Kristie Randolph informed listeners of a need for a Domestic Violence Shelter as no current shelter exists locally which has a secretive and secure location to protect domestic violence victims from discovery from their abusers. ➢ Furthermore, Kristie Randolph reported on the need for a Domestic Violence Mobile Crisis Vehicle to safely transport Domestic Violence Victims, and any children they may travel with, which would need to have security, means of providing sustenance, clothing, and other necessities. ➢ Steve Gold reinforced the need for a Domestic Violence Shelter and Crisis Vehicle, highlighting the number of victims who remain with their abusers due to lacking the means to leave. ❖ Mental Health & Wellness Committee ➢ Yvonne Hall presented the Committee’s proposal to offer local QPR Training (Question, Persuade, Refer) to local leaders, such as teachers, counselors, etc., to educate around mental health, offer professional resources, and help to prevent crisis situations. ➢ Yvonne Hall further presented the creation of a Victim Checklist to assist victims in times of crisis with the steps they need to take, as well as the resources available to them for various needs. ➢ Finally, Yvonne spoke to the committee’s recommendation for a Social Media Campaign in collaboration with C.A.R.P. (Community Alliance & Resource Partners) to educate, provide resources, involve younger communities, and also to advertise events. ➢ Hailey Black presented the committee’s proposal for a Mobile Resourcing Unit, which would empower the community with resources, mobilize resources as a way to extinguish the barrier of transportation, work to remove the negative stigmas associated with seeking mental healthcare, and connect the community to healthcare professionals who can help. The project would be a 3-Phase venture, beginning with visibility and availability to the community for resources, and with an end goal of including professional staff to offer on-site assistance as awareness and utilization of the unit grows.  241 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of Called Work Session Meeting on December 3, 2024 ❖ Affordable Housing Committee ➢ Matthew Reynolds presented a proposed City/County Blight Elimination & Property Acquisition Initiative, reporting the need to create space for new development and eliminate the blighted properties contributing to the dilapidated appearance of the Inner City, to which the group’s response is a proposal for joint funding, which matched by a grant program, would empower the City to perform a potential $300,000.00 worth of blight remediation per year, continuing over the next 5 years. This project would pave the way for potential developers, which could bring in more housing and new business, by removing part of the workload and cost associated in developing these properties and enhancing the curb appeal of the Inner City. MAYOR STATON reiterated that the projects being voted on would be completed as part of the next fiscal year’s budget, and would not see immediate fruition, as projects from the previous Inner City Improvement Plan vote were still underway at various stages of completion in the current budget year. Mayor Staton further reported on the voting process, as well as other poll locations, dates, and times to include: December 4 at the JFK Center, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. December 5 at AKZ, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. December 6 at Thomason’s Banquet Hall, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. NO FORMAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. ________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Vowels, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: Commissioner Vowels --- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor January 14, 2025 ATTEST: ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk