Board of Commissioners Meetings

178 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, September 9, 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. Members of the American Legion Honor Guard and Henderson Veterans Memorial Committee 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 Kelsey Hargis Commissioner Rodney Thomas 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. Jessa Brandon, City Clerk Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Mr. Steve Davis, Codes Administrator Ms. Megan McElfresh, Human Resources Director Ms. Karla Beckgerd, Human Resources Specialist Ms. Chelsea Mills, Finance Director Mr. Thomas Kenney, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Chris Stachewicz, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Ms. Morgan Cunningham, Parks & Recreation Secretary Senior 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 Mr. Gabriel Barker, IT System Administrator Mr. Wesley Gower, IT Programmer Analyst Mr. James Elliott, Police Officer Mr. Bart Boles, HWU General Manager Mr. Kevin Capps, HWU Geospatial Technician Mr. Jace Powell, HWU Maintenance Technician I Mr. Matthew Watson HWU Water Treatment Operator I Mr. David Gee, Parks & Recreation Grounds Maintenance Worker I Ms. Missy Vanderpool, Henderson Economic Development, Executive Director Mr. Tim Skinner, Skinner Design Associates Mr. Tom Davis, Henderson Veteran’s Memorial Foundation, President Ms. Gisele Purdy, Daughters of the American Revolution Ms. Jimmie Diehl, Daughters of the American Revolution Mr. Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian ________________________ PROCLAMATION: “Constitution Week” MAYOR STATON presented GISELE PURDY, D.A.R. representative, the proclamation declaring the week of September 17 – September 23, 2025 as “Constitution Week” in the City of Henderson and thanked the Daughters of the American Revolution for their service to the Community.  179 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 GISELE PURDY & JIMMIE DIEHL, D.A.R. representatives, thanked the City for their recognition. Ms. Purdy then distributed a small bell to all those present, stating that September 17th at 4:00 p.m., bells will be ringing around the City of Henderson in celebration of the Constitution. She encouraged everyone to participate. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “New Employee Recognition” KEVIN ROBERTS, HWU Director of Operations, introduced JACE POWELL, HWU Maintenance Technician I, and MATTHEW WATSON, Water Treatment Operator I. 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: “Henderson Veterans Memorial Foundation” TOM DAVIS, Henderson Veterans Memorial Foundation President, along with TIM SKINNER, Skinner Design Associates, presented conceptual drawings for the proposed Veterans Memorial Park to be located near the river at the old HMP&L site. They advised that landscapers as well as environmental protection professionals had been contacted in regard to the state of the land, which had been found to be contaminated. The conceptual renderings showcased a walk- through attraction, which would pay tribute to each branch of the military, as well as impactful historic engagements and the history of Henderson’s direct involvement, including two local Medal of Honor recipients. They advised as well that the new park would better accommodate the growing need for space, as the current location of the Memorial Crosses in Central Park is reaching capacity. The proposal for the new park would allow for the placement of approximately 10,000 more crosses. Regarding the Memorial Day Ceremony, suggested solutions were offered for the interim while constructing the proposed Veterans Memorial Park, including the option to continue the program at Central Park or Audubon Mill Park. Mr. Davis continued by explaining that the park could be utilized by schools for educational purposes, for pop-up events, and ideally, be open to the public for events as fitting, to encourage use of the facility. COMMISSIONER PRUITT inquired what the financial ask of the committee would be from the City regarding the proposed park. TOM DAVIS answered that cost estimates will come later, after the completion of fund- raising and with design progress, and the cost will be proposed as being split between the City and County at that time. MAYOR STATON asked if the park would be available for temporary installations, giving the example of a traveling wall. TIM SKINNER answered that open area was intentionally included in the design to enable for temporary, or pop-up, exhibits, with the goal of attracting public use. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Minutes: August 26, 2025, Regular Meeting Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 90-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated September 9, 2025, And Approving All Actions Contained Within 180 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 Res. 91-25: A Resolution Authorizing The Henderson Fire Department To Apply For The Kentucky Fire Commission Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Res. 92-25: Resolution Authorizing Participation In Kentucky Pride Litter Abatement Grant Program MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, 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 ---- Aye: 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: September 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 26-25: SECOND 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 Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: 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: September 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 27-25: SECOND 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 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 ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye:  181 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 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: September 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 62-25: RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HENDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS AND THE CITY OF HENDERSON REGARDING THE FIRE SCIENCE PATHWAY PROGRAM MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Henderson County Schools and the City of Henderson regarding the Fire Science Pathway Program. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: 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: September 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 63-25: A MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL FROM 10-8 SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH (CAD) SYSTEM FOR HENDERSON 911 COMMUNICATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $248,505 WITH $130,000 OF THE PURCHASE PRICE TO BE PAID THROUGH A STATE GRANT AND THE REMAINING $118,505 TO BE SPLIT 75% BY THE CITY AND 25% BY THE COUNTY, CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE HENDERSON COUNTY FISCAL COURT MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to accept the proposal from 10-8 Systems Solutions for the purchase of a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system for Henderson 911 Communications in the amount of $248,505.00 with $130,000.00 of the purchase price to be paid through a state grant and the remaining $118,505.00 to be split 75% by the City and 25% by the County, contingent upon approval by the Henderson County Fiscal Court. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: 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: September 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ 182 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: “7-9 N. Julia Street” DAWN KELSEY, City Attorney, reported that in 2014, Henderson Water Utility (HWU), as part of their storm/sewer separation, purchased a property at 7-9 Julia Street. HWU later donated the property to the CTE Unit of Henderson County High School as, at the time, the CTE Unit had a home-building program. As the home-building program no longer exists, and the deed included a reversion that if a house was not constructed within two years, the school system agreed to deed it back to the city, the city attorney, with Bart Boles, Henderson Water Utility General Manager, are now appearing before the commission to ask for their general consensus in regard to the city donating aforementioned property, contingent upon approval from the Water & Sewer Commission as well, to Habitat of Humanity for the purpose of Economic Development, as Habitat has expressed interest in the property. Contingent upon indication of interest from the Board of Commissioners and approval from the Water and Sewer Commission thereafter, the official donation of property will be approved before the Board of Commissioners by Municipal Order at a later date. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS gave its indication of interest in donating the property at 7-9 N. Julia Street to Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, contingent upon approval of the Water and Sewer Commission. ________________________ CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: “Tiny Homes” DAWN KELSEY, City Attorney, reported that as a response to the shortage of affordable housing within the state of Kentucky, the state has created the Kentucky Housing Task Force, for which Senator Robby Mills is a co-chair. She continued that alternative styles of housing are being explored in an attempt to make affordable housing more accessible, including tiny homes. Whereas the City of Henderson does not currently include, nor allow for tiny homes within the zoning ordinance; and whereas the City has received applications for the placement of tiny homes, primarily in manufactured housing areas; now therefore, the City Attorney and Codes Administrator, Steve Davis, are appearing before the commission to suggest that the City begin the process of amending the zoning text to include tiny homes. She gave an overview of the proposed definition for “Tiny Home” as well as the proposed permitted use and conditional uses regarding zoning. She further continued by requesting approval from the Board of Commissioners to send the proposed zoning text amendments to the Planning Commission for a public hearing, and contingent upon approval, to return before the Board of Commissioners thereafter as an ordinance, which will have two reads and two votes. MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to send proposed zoning text amendments to the Planning Commission for Public Hearing. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: MAYOR STATON reported that members of City Staff, Henderson Economic Development, and the Henderson City-County Planning Commission are meeting as well in attempt to address and mitigate the affordable housing crisis, as it manifests in the City, with a goal of injecting 250 to 500 new houses between 900 and 1200 square foot each to increase the availability of starter homes and affordable housing. ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Civil Service Commission” Chad Phillips – Term Expired June 1, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Chad Phillips to a 3-year term on the Civil Service Commission. Said term to expire September 9, 2028.  183 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Code Enforcement Board” Bill Dixon – Term Expired June 30, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Bill Dixon to a 3-year term on the Code Enforcement Board. Said term to expire September 9, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Code Enforcement Board” Tim Skinner – Term Expired June 30, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Tim Skinner to a 3-year term on the Code Enforcement Board. Said term to expire September 9, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: _______________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Henderson City-County Planning Commission” XR Royster – Term Expired June 1, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to appoint Curt Hamilton to a 4-year term on the Henderson City-County Planning Commission. Said term to expire September 9, 2029. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: _______________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: “Litigation” MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, 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)(g) for discussion between a public agency and a representative of a business entity and discussion concerning a specific proposal, if open discussion would jeopardize the sitting of the business. 184 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: 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 Whitt, that the Board of Commissioners reconvene into regular session. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________ 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 ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:58 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: September 23, 2025 ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk