Board of Commissioners Meetings

171 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, in the third floor Assembly Room of the Municipal Center, 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky, designated as the primary location for this video teleconference meeting allowed under KRS 61.826. MAYOR STATON led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. There were present Mayor Bradley S. Staton presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. Commissioner Nicholas E. Whitt Commissioner Rodney Thomas ABSENT: Commissioner Kelsey Hargis ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Dylan Ward, City Manager Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Ms. Donna Madden, Executive Assistant Ms. Holli Blanford, Public Relations Director Ms. Jessa Brandon, City Clerk Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Ms. Crystal Windhaus, Mass Transit Superintendent Mr. Matt Anderson, Fire Division Chief Mr. Sam Lingerfelt, Safety & Training Coordinator Ms. Karla Beckgerd, Human Resources Specialist Ms. Chelsea Mills, Finance Director Mr. Thomas Kenney, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Chris Stachewicz, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Mr. David Gee, Grounds Maintenance Worker I Ms. Dawn Winn, Assistant Finance Director Mr. Tim Clayton, Gas System Director Ms. Jordan Webb, Emergency Communications Director Ms. Jenna Basham, Project Manager Ms. Breasha Pruitt, Project Coordinator Mr. Billy Bolin, Police Chief Mr. Robert “Bob” Shoultz, Deputy Police Chief Ms. Nancy Stone, Occupational Technician Ms. Anni Wright, Occupational Tax Technician Ms. Andrea Gibson, Account Technician Senior Mr. Devin Elder, IT Network Administrator II Mr. Wesley Gower, IT Programmer Analyst Mr. James Elliott, Police Officer Mr. Kevin Roberts, HWU Director of Operations Mr. Matt Calvert, HWU Chief Engineer Mr. Jace Powell, HWU Maintenance Technician I Mr. Matthew Watson, Water Treatment Operator I Mr. Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian Mr. Dwight Williams ________________________ PRESENTATION: “New Employee Recognition” KEVIN ROBERTS, HWU Director of Operations, introduced JACE POWELL, HWU Maintenance Technician I, and MATTHEW WATSON, Water Treatment Operator I. 172 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 CHRIS STACHEWICZ, Parks & Recreation Superintendent, introduced DAVID GEE, Parks & Recreation Grounds Maintenance Worker I. The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS welcomed our new team members for employment with the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “25-Year Service Award” MAYOR STATON expressed appreciation to NANCY STONE, Occupational Tax Technician, for her 20 years of service and dedication to the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Community Spotlight” MAYOR STATON presented JOSH DIXON, Fire Chief, the August Community Spotlight Award following the honor of the Kentucky League of Cities naming him 2025 Career Fire Chief of the Year at the Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs annual conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Both awards recognized Chief Dixon’s dedication, skill, exceptional leadership, and commitment to his team as well as his community. JOSH DIXON, Fire Chief, addressed the Commission to thank them for their recognition and shared two key points from the speech he delivered in Bowling Green during his acceptance speech for the Fire Chief of the Year award, which were “to surround yourself with rockstars,” and that “the greatest investment you can make as a fire chief is an investment in your people” (John Maxwell). With both statements, Chief Dixon humbly drove home the point that his success and the success of the department was made possible by the team effort of all Henderson Firefighters. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Minutes: August 12, 2025, Regular Meeting Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 87-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated August 26, 2025, And Approving All Actions Contained Within Res. 88-25: Resolution Authorizing Extension Of Water And Wastewater Service Outside City Limits To Ethan Wilborn For Property Located At 3143 Us Hwy 41 N. MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________  173 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 26-25: FIRST READ ORDINANCE AMENDING JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENT TO JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN FOR THE TRANSIT MECHANIC SUPERVISOR MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the ordinance adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 27-25: FIRST READ ORDINANCE AMENDING JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENT TO JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN FOR NON-HAZARDOUS DUTY POSITIONS, FIRE HAZARDOUS DUTY POSITIONS, AND POLICE HAZARDOUS DUTY POSITIONS MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the ordinance adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 59-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A NEW JOHN DEERE 35 P- TIER COMPACT EXCAVATOR WITH A 12 INCH HEAVY DUTY BUCKET, A 24 INCH HEAVY DUTY BUCKET, HYDRAULIC GRAY THUMB, A CONFIGURATION 7 – CAB, RUBBER, SUSPENSION STANDARD ARM, ANGLE BLADE, AND WILL INCLUDE SET- UP FOR HENDERSON MUNICIPAL GAS, FROM WRIGHT IMPLEMENT 1, LLC, OWENSBORO, KY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,106.82 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to authorize the purchase of a new John Deere 35-tier compact excavator with a 12 inch heavy duty bucket, a 24 inch heavy duty bucket, hydraulic gray thumb, a configuration 7 – cab, rubber suspension standard arm, angle blade, and will include set-up for Henderson Municipal Gas, from Wright Implement 1, LLC, Owensboro, KY, in the amount of $56,106.82. 174 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the municipal order adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 60-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AWARDING BID FOR PURCHASE OF POLICE UNIFORMS AND ACCESSORIES FOR HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SIEGEL’S UNIFORMS OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,426.00 MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to award the bid for purchase of police uniforms and accessories for Henderson Police Department to Siegel’s Uniform’s of Evansville, IN, in the amount of $36,426.00. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the municipal order adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 61-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN OWNER AND ARCHITECT WITH BRANDSTETTER CARROLL, INC OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR NEW FIRE STATION #1 AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to approve the amendment to the agreement between owner and architect with Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., of Lexington, KY for design services for new Fire Station 1, and to authorize the Mayor to execute documents on behalf of the City. DYLAN WARD, City Manager, explained that this agreement dates back to December of 2021. He further elaborated that this is a design fee percentage contract, stating that it’s common to use a percentage fee as opposed to a lump sum, as until the preliminary phase of design work is reached, specific details for construction costs are difficult to determine. He continued to explain that the total design fee is based on 6.5% of the owner’s budget for the cost of work, which is subject to change. The contract amendment is to increase the design fee, which is based on the construction cost, and also to give a 24-month extension to allow for the completion of construction and close out all remaining phases of the project. MAYOR STATON clarified that the extension will not affect the timeline of the construction, rather allow for the timeline of the initial contract, which expired July 9, 2025, to extend out to cover services from Brandstetter Carroll during the construction and any incidentals.  175 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the municipal order adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ COMMISSIONER PRUITT: Congratulated Fire Chief, Josh Dixon, for obtaining his prestigious award of Fire Chief of the Year 2025, commending Mr. Dixon for taking the opportunity to recognize his team. ________________________ MAYOR STATON: Thanked Matt Calvert, HWU Chief Engineer, and Kevin Roberts, HWU Director of Operations, for addressing the public to answer questions about the Washington Street project during a meeting on August 25, 2025 at the Municipal Services Center. The Mayor elaborated that the entire Washington Street project should be substantially completed by mid-November. He elaborated that final paving would be completed in mid to late spring to avoid settlement issues, but would be made passable in the meantime. He urged anyone with further questions or concerns to reach out to the Henderson Water Utility. MAYOR STATON: Informed everyone that the Inner City Improvement Plan Midyear Review will be held on the following Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Services Center located at 1449 Corporate Court, during which an overview of ongoing projects status will be given and each of the five Inner City Improvement Plan Sub-Committees will give a rough-draft presentation of their final proposals to be given in December. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Handy Fest Funding 2026” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that funding for Handy Festival had been tabled at the last meeting during the City Manager Report. MAYOR STATON, indicated that he’d had a chance to gather feedback from Commissioner Hargis as well as heard comments from other commissioners regarding the matter since the conversation held at the previous meeting. Hearing positive feedback, he proposed a motion to give $12,500.00 to the 2026 Handy Festival. MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to donate $12,500.00 to the 2026 W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Sports Complex” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported a need for the purchase of maintenance items for the Sports Complex, including a zero turn mower and other items relating to irrigation. He continued that the ask is for the general consent to proceed with the $45,000.00 expenditure, which will return before the commission with the midyear budget amendment at a later date. 176 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS gave its indication of interest, stating that the investment into the sports complex should be protected. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Employee Recognition” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, recognized other employees for their professional achievements, in light of the recognition of Fire Chief Josh Dixon, including William L. Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager, who received the Buzzy Newman Economic Development Impact Award, named for him, and Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney, who was named Rotary Hometown Hero. He commended the City Staff for doing great work for the community and for earning special recognition as well. ________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: “Litigation” MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, that the Board of Commissioners go into Executive Session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b) for deliberations on the sale and/or future acquisition of real property in the vicinity of Water Street and Green Street and First Street and Fifth Street and pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c) for discussion of the opioid litigation by the City of Henderson. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the Board adjourned into Executive Session. ________________________ MEETING RECONVENED: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the Board of Commissioners reconvene into regular session. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________  177 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on August 26, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. 89-25: RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE SECONDARY OPIOID MANUFACTURERS BANKRUPTCY AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SECONDARY OPIOID MANUFACTURERS’ SETTLEMENT INCLUDING ALOVOGEN, AMNEAL, APOTEX, HIKMA, INDIVIOR, MYLAN, SUN, AND ZYDUSOPIOID SETTLEMENT AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS AND RELEASE FORMS FOR SETTLEMENT PARTICIPATION AND RELEASE FORMS (AND/OR ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS) IN THE SECONDARY OPIOID MANUFACTURERS’ SETTLEMENT MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to accept the secondary opioid manufacturers bankruptcy and to participate in the secondary opioid manufacturers’ settlement including Alovogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydusopioid Settlements and to authorize the mayor to execute all participation agreements and release forms for settlement participation and release forms (and/or any related documents) in the secondary opioid manufacturers’ settlement. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 26 , 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Absent: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:53 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: September 9, 2025 ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk