Board of Commissioners Meetings

185 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, September 23, 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 Kelsey Hargis ABSENT: 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. Holli Blanford, Public Relations Director Ms. Donna Madden, Executive Assistant Ms. Jessa Brandon, City Clerk Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Mr. Brian Williams, Public Works Director Mr. David Steele, Sanitation Superintendent Ms. Megan McElfresh, Human Resources Director Ms. Karla Beckgerd, Human Resources Specialist Ms. Crystal Windhaus, Mass Transit Superintendent Mr. Sam Lingerfelt, Safety & Training Coordinator Ms. Chelsea Mills, Finance Director Ms. Dawn Winn, Assistant Finance Director Mr. Thomas Kenney, Parks & Recreation Director Ms. Jordan Webb, Emergency Communications Director Ms. Jenna Basham, Project Manager Ms. Breasha Pruitt, Project Coordinator Ms. Jeannie Quattrocchi, Project Coordinator Mr. Billy Bolin, Police Chief Mr. Robert “Bob” Shoultz, Deputy Police Chief Mr. Eli Chinn, Heavy Equipment Operator Mr. Frank Harris, Equipment Operator Ms. Shelly Allen, Custodial Worker Mr. Gabriel Barker, IT System Administrator Mr. Devin Elder, IT Network Administrator II Mr. James Elliott, Police Officer Mr. Bart Boles, HWU General Manager Mr. Paul Hudnall, HWU Utility System Crew Leader Ms. Missy Vanderpool, Henderson Economic Development, Executive Director Rev. Charles Johnson, Henderson Human Rights Commission, Executive Director Ms. Whitney Floyd, President of Latta Insurance Mr. Bill Latta, Director of Insurance at Latta Insurance Ms. Nicole Smith, Account Manager II at Latta Insurance Mr. Jeff Justice, President, Hafer Associates Mr. Ron Steinhart, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Hafer Associates Mr. Steve Bridges, USI President Family of Steve Bridges Mr. Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian ________________________ 186 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 PRESENTATION: “New Employee Recognition” BRIAN WILLIAMS, Public Works Director, introduced ELI CHINN, Heavy Equipment Operator, and SHELLY ALLEN, Custodial Worker. DAVID STEELE, Sanitation Superintendent, introduced FRANK HARRIS, Equipment Operator. BART BOLES, HWU General Manager, introduced PAUL HUDNALL, HWU Utility System Crew Leader. The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS welcomed our new team members for employment with the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Latta Insurance to Present KEMI Dividend” WHITNEY FLOYD, President at Latta Insurance, explained that Latta Insurance is proud to present the City of Henderson with a dividend check in the amount of $56,256.84. She elaborated that the City is eligible for this dividend because the policy is active and was effective in 2022 with a loss ratio of less than 65%, which she attributed to the commitment of City Management to workplace responsibility and safety. DYLAN WARD, City Manager, took the opportunity to recognize all department heads, including Human Resources and Safety & Training Coordinator, for collaboratively making this accomplishment possible. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Henderson Economic Development – Retail Development” MISSY VANDERPOOL, Henderson Economic Development (HED) Executive Director, addressed the commission to explain that as property had been acquired by the City with great potential for Economic Development, HED had formed a partnership with Nextsite, which is now on its second year of a three-year agreement. She elaborated that the partnership allowed HED members to attend two International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) events, in Atlanta and Las Vegas, at which many retail developers gathered at the largest events in the nation for retail development. She reported that she would be attending a third conference in Atlanta in October, alongside the Mayor of the City of Henderson and the President of the Chamber of Commerce for Henderson. From the meetings, she reported that HED was able to secure 17 face-to-face meetings with retail developers, whose scope include anchored shopping centers, multi-family, mixed-use developments, restaurants, and many other retail developments. 12 of those meetings resulted in follow-up conversations virtually, and 5 of those developers visited the City of Henderson to tour the community. Lastly, she reported that HED had recently received a letter of intent from one of the aforementioned developers, who develops anchored shopping centers with retail junior box stores, or grocery anchored developments, regarding a property within the City of Henderson. MAYOR STATON thanked Missy Vanderpool and the team at Henderson Economic Development for their diligence and efforts to bring in more retail development and expressed his excitement for the future of business within the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Community Spotlight” MAYOR STATON presented STEVE BRIDGES, President of the University of Southern Indiana, the Community Spotlight Award following his inauguration as President of the University of Southern Indiana, providing a remarkable example of Henderson’s roots making an impact far beyond our City limits.  187 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 STEVE BRIDGES, President of the University of Southern Indiana, thanked the Commission for their recognition, stating that there is nothing more humbling than to be honored by his hometown. He expressed that though he may be working across the bridge to develop our region and the talent pipeline, all of his children have returned back to the Henderson area, and he also continues to live within and enjoy his hometown in the City of Henderson. KELSEY HARGIS, expressed her pride in having a Hendersonian running things at USI. ________________________ PUBLIC HEARING: “Ad Valorem Tax Rate Adjustment Beginning July 1, 2025” MAYOR STATON declared the Public Hearing on the Ad Valorem Tax Rate Adjustment, beginning July 1, 2025, and explained that the City is not able to address the assessment of property values, as that is a responsibility of the Property Valuation Administration (PVA) office. However, the City does determine the tax rates for real property and personal property. He further explained that real property refers to real estate and personal property refers to other matters, not including motor vehicles. He announced that the proposal for real property tax rate is to remain the same as the previous year at .470 and personal property tax is suggested to decrease from .606 to .580, which is a slight cut in the personal property tax rate. As a result of this change, he explained that a Public Hearing is required to allow for any public commentary on the matter. MAYOR STATON asked if any member of the public or the Board had any questions or comments regarding the proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rates to begin on July 1, 2025. There being no further discussion, Mayor Staton declared the Public Hearing closed at approximately 3:17 p.m. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Minutes: September 9, 2025, Regular Meeting Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 93-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated September 23, 2025, And Approving All Actions Contained Within Res. 94-25: Resolution Of The City Of Henderson, Kentucky, Authorizing The Filing Of A Kentucky Local Assisted Road Program (LARP) Grant Application With The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet For Garden Mile Road In The Amount Of $117,208 With A Required Fifteen Percent (15%) Match Of $20,683; And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute All Documents Related To Said Grant MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, 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 --- Absent: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: September 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ 188 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 28-25: FIRST READ ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, AND PROVIDING FOR THE TIME OF PAYMENT FOR SUCH TAXES, PENALTY, INTEREST AND DISCOUNT MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, 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 --- Absent: 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 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 29-25: FIRST READ ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS CONSISTING OF SIDEWALKS, CURBS AND GUTTERING ON MERRITT DRIVE MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, 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 --- Absent: 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 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 64-25: A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE FOR SIXTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($16,000) AND SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES, INC. FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A NEWBORN SAFETY DEVICE AT HENDERSON FIRE STATION ONE AND APPROVING RELATED OBLIGATIONS MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to authorize the mayor to execute a lease for sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000.00) and service agreement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. for the placement of a newborn safety device at Henderson Fire Station One and approving related obligations. JOSH DIXON, Fire Chief, explained that the Baby Box offers a secure and anonymous option for parents who are unable to care for their newborn children, allowing them to surrender infants safely without fear of legal consequence. He continued by explaining that the boxes are  189 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 monitored continuously, so that if an infant is placed inside, Dispatch, EMS, Fire, and Police professionals will all be notified. Chief Dixon explained that the boxes are already offered in Owensboro, Evansville, and Newburgh, and it is a new service that the fire department is excited to be able to offer to the community of Henderson. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: 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 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 95-25: RESOLUTION ACCEPTING REVERSION OF THE REAL PROPERTY FROM THE HENDERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION LOCATED AT 7-9 N. JULIA STREET, HENDERSON, KY (PVA 2-16-3-7), DECLARING THE PROPERTY SURPLUS, AND AUTHORIZING DONATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY, INC. MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to accept the reversion of real property from the Henderson County Board of Education located at 7-9 N. Julia Street, Henderson, Kentucky (PVA Parcel # 2-16-3-7), declare the property surplus, and to authorize the donation of the surplus property to Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, Kentucky, Inc. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: 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: September 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 65-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AWARDING BID FOR DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF A DILAPIDATED HOME LOCATED AT 503 PLUM STREET TO RCL DESIGN BUILD, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,300.00 MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to award the bid for demolition and reconstruction of a dilapidated home located at 503 Plum Street to RCL Design Build of Lexington, Kentucky, in the amount of $185,300.00. The vote was called. 190 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: 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 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 52-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING PROPOSAL TO EXTEND CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE / CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES BY PALMER ENGINEERING OF WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY, FOR WATHEN LANE WIDENING PROJECT 02-382 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to pull Municipal Order Number 52-25 off the Table for further discussion. MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to accept the proposal to extend construction assistance/ construction inspection services by Palmer Engineering of Winchester, Kentucky, for the Wathen Lane Widening Project number 02-382. MAYOR STATON explained that the total cost of inspection services will be approximately $300,000.00, of which the City of Henderson will be responsible for approximately $70,000.00. It was explained that while City leadership does not feel as if the City should be liable for the additional charges made necessary by the untimely completion of the project by the contractor, that the City’s only avenue to challenge that financial responsibility would be to accept it now and challenge it at a later date. However, it was further explained that challenging the amount could lead to substantial legal costs, which have the potential to reach the amount being disputed, regardless, and potentially worsen the outcome. Therefore, Mayor Staton explained that in response to this occurrence, to avoid similar situations for the future, the City does not intend to utilize third-party inspectors moving forward. WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN JR., Assistant City Manager, further elaborated that as part of the contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the City is required to follow certain guidelines, giving the City no choice other than to pay its portion of the inspection services as detailed in the contract. However, the City did impose a penalty on the contractor of $700.00 per day between December 15, 2024 and August 28, 2025, which had accrued enough to, after the consideration of liquidated damages, reduce the City’s net expense added to $35,099.00. Lastly, Mr. Newman explained that the third party services for inspection were made necessary by the retirement of our City Engineer prior to the completion of the project, which he stated will be better planned for in the future, in attempt to keep inspection services in-house. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: 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 23, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________  191 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Peabody Building Update” WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN JR., Assistant City Manager, reported that as the Peabody Building undergoes repairs to its HVAC system, there may be added costs to remove and replace ceilings and bring them back into codes compliance. His ask of the Commission was to allow City Management to explore other options for repairs to the Peabody Building. MAYOR STATON expressed his concern that whatever repairs are done to the Peabody Building must be done within a timely manner, so as to not displace offices longer than absolutely necessary. JEFF JUSTICE, President of Hafer Associates, explained that supply chain issues create issues with the schedule of repairs, and that even if approvals were granted and equipment was ordered quickly, it would be at least fall of 2026 before repairs would be completed. MAYOR STATON stated that many discussions for alternatives have been held and will continue to be held; however, he’d like for the final decision to be made by the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners in October, to ensure timely completion of the process. He also encouraged City Management to develop a displacement plan for the summer of 2026, as a precaution while repairs to the HVAC system are underway. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “H.E.R.O. Project” WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN JR., Assistant City Manager, reported that progress had been made on the Letcher Street Corridor, including the removal of three structures (two houses and one commercial building), which he accredited to Codes Administrator, Steve Davis. However, upon inspection of the residential property proposed to be utilized for the H.E.R.O. Project, which was performed by experts from the Police Department, Codes Department, and the Project Coordinator, the condition was found to be poor, including the discovery of asbestos in the siding and all interior walls of the structure. Mr. Newman’s recommendation is to demolish the home, and either utilize the property to construct a new home for the project or to offer it for other residential development. MAYOR STATON stated that he would like to see the H.E.R.O. Project prioritized and completed within a timely manner, whether at the same location or elsewhere. He elaborated that given the plans for the Letcher Street Corridor, he would still prefer the H.E.R.O. Project house in close proximity. WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN JR., Assistant City Manager, recommended that the project be re-evaluated, re-planned, and re-budgeted to return before the Board of Commissioners at a later date. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Distinguished Citizen Award” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, congratulated William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager, on his receipt of the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Chamber of Commerce, thanking him on behalf of all the elected officials and city leadership, for his willingness to stay on and support Mr. Ward through his transition to City Manager. ________________________ 192 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Henderson City-County Human Rights Commission” Darlene Marshall-Ware – Term Expired September 17, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Darlene Marshall-Ware to a 3-year term on the Henderson City-County Human Rights Commission. Said term to expire September 23, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ MAYOR STATON reported that he’d received calls from a concerned citizen who reported having multiple issues with his neighbor, including playing music loudly in the middle of the night, attempting to provoke fights, lewd commentary, parking in front of his driveway, and other similar instances. Mayor Staton elaborated that though none of those individual offenses bear much consequential weight, he’d like to see an avenue for recourse become available for the City to offer its assistance in the event of repeat offenders. After some research, Mayor Staton discovered Common Nuisance Ordinances, which are utilized to provide recourse in some communities, after a certain number of offenses by a citizen, usually resulting in a fine. He explained that the Common Nuisance Ordinances are to help eradicate situations such as this, and that in the near future, Henderson will be exploring options to create a Common Nuisance Ordinance of its own. ________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: “Sale/Acquisition and Business Discussion” MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, 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. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Absent: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the Board adjourned into Executive Session. ________________________ MEETING RECONVENED: MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, 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 --- Absent: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________  193 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on September 23, 2025 MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, 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 --- Absent: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:04 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: October 14, 2025 ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk