Board of Commissioners Meetings

226 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, December 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. MAYOR STATON led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. There were present Mayor Bradley S. Staton presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Nicholas E. Whitt Commissioner Kelsey Hargis Commissioner Rodney Thomas Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Dylan Ward, City Manager Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mr. Eric Shappell, Acting City Attorney Ms. Donna Madden, Executive Assistant Ms. Jessa Brandon, City Clerk Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Mr. Steve Davis, Code Administrator Ms. Megan McElfresh, Human Resources Director Mr. Michael McFadden, Safety & Training Coordinator Ms. Chelsea Mills, Finance Director Mr. Brian Williams, Public Works Director Mr. Thomas Kenney, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Chris Stachewicz, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Mr. David Gee, Parks & Recreation Mr. Blair Day, Parks & Recreation Mr. Mike Shelton, Parks & Recreation Mr. Terry Green, Parks & Recreation Mr. Tony Baughn, Parks & Recreation Mr. Rob Sanders, Parks & Recreation Mr. Ricky Butts, Parks & Recreation Mr. Wayne Owens, Parks & Recreation Mr. Treigon Settle, Parks & Recreation 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. Wes Hite, Municipal Facilities Worker Sr., II Mr. Travis Owens, Assistant IT Systems Director Mr. Wesley Gower, IT System Administrator Mr. Chris Burns, Police Officer Mr. Brad Bickett, HMP&L General Manager Mr. Randall Redding, HMP&L Attorney Ms. Britney Smith, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Henderson Mr. Matthew Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Henderson Mr. Davis Hunter, Henderson City-County Airport Board Attorney Ms. Emily Herron, Henderson City-County Airport Manager Mr. Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian ________________________  227 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 PRESENTATION: “Community Spotlight” MAYOR STATON presented the December Community Spotlight Award to the Parks and Recreation Staff of The City of Henderson for their hard work in relation to revitalizing several of the display pieces used in the Christmas in the Park display at Central Park. Several employees of the Parks and Recreation Department were present to accept the award and were then pictured with the Mayor. ________________________ PROCLAMATION: “Habitat for Humanity of Henderson – Blight Elimination” MATTHEW REYNOLDS, Chief Operating Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, gave a presentation updating the Board of Commissioners on the status of the Blight Elimination Program since its presentation at the Inner City Improvement Plan Work Session in December of 2024. Progress included the acquisition and demolition of 9 dilapidated properties, including: 1414 Powell Street; 1513 Wright Street; 1238 Clay Street; 1130, 1132, and 1134 Washington Street; 605 Plum Street; 1308 Helm Street; and a more recently acquired dilapidated property on Madison Street scheduled to be demolished near the beginning of Spring 2026. To summarize, Mr. Reynolds reported that recent property acquisitions had secured $51,500.00 taxable value between 9 properties, which is projected to grow to $1,352,000.00 upon completion of the 8 proposed structures Habitat of Humanity is willing to build. He further reported that $122,712.98 remains in the partnership account as of December 4, 2025. DISCUSSION WAS HELD regarding property acquisition, the challenges that Habitat for Humanity has experienced in attempting to acquire properties, and the application process and eligibility criteria for obtaining a Habitat for Humanity home. MAYOR STATON asked that when it is necessary to remove trees in conjunction with the demolition of dilapidated properties, developers plant new trees to replace them, in order to maintain our commitment to remaining a Tree City. BRITNEY SMITH, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, invited everyone to advocate for Habitat of Humanity and its funding on January 13, 2026 in Frankfort, if they are able to do so. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Minutes: November 18, 2025, Special Called Meeting Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 100-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated December 9, 2025, Approving All Actions Contained Within, And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute Any Necessary Contracts For Employment M.O. 77-25: Municipal Order Approving Purchase And Sale Contract Between The Henderson City-County Airport Board And Josef C. Peller In The Amount Of $140,000.00; And Directing Mayor To Execute All Documents Which Are Deemed Necessary To Effectuate The Sale And Conveyance Of The Property MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. 228 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 35-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE AMENDING JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENT TO JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND PAY PLAN BY CREATING THE POSITION OF GAS DISTRIBUTION TECHNICIAN, SENIOR MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 36-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTION OF CITY OF HENDERSON FY 2026 BUDGET & APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY OF HENDERSON BUDGETED POSITIONS AND JOB CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE 2025-2026 BUDGET BY DELETING ONE (1) GAS DISTRIBUTION TECHNICIAN POSITION AND ADDING ONE (1) GAS DISTRIBUTION TECHNICIAN, SENIOR POSITION MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________  229 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 37-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 17, PARKS AND RECREATION – SPORTS COMPLEX RENTAL RATES AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 17-8 RENTAL RATES FOR THE SPORTS COMPLEX TO ARTICLE I, IN GENERAL OF CHAPTER 17, PARKS AND RECREATION, OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON CODE OF ORDINANCES MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 38-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 TAXATION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD AND ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-2 – ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD OF CHAPTER 21 – TAXATION, ARTICLE I – IN GENERAL, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 39-25: FIRST READ ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTION OF CITY OF HENDERSON FY 2026 BUDGET & APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY OF HENDERSON BUDGETED POSITIONS AND JOB CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE 2025-2026 BUDGET BY ADDING ONE (1) PROJECT ENGINEER, PART-TIME POSITION MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, that the ordinance be adopted. DYLAN WARD, City Manager, explained that as the City Engineer position has remained posted since the announcement of the City’s former engineering consultant’s retirement with little interest, the City, in order to provide adequate services, which require the expertise of a City Engineer, is requesting for the addition of a part-time position to allow for the 230 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 former engineering consultant, Doug Boom, to return and fill the service gap until the position is filled. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 78-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF HVAC EQUIPMENT FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING LOCATED AT 1990 BARRET COURT TO TRANE U.S. INC., EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $211,229.00 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to authorize the purchase of HVAC equipment for The City of Henderson Public Safety Building located at 1990 Barret Court to Trane U.S. Inc., of Evansville, Indiana in the amount of $211,229.00. MAYOR STATON shared that he believes this is the best possible avenue, as the City obtained cost estimates for a multitude of possible solutions, and this avenue is the most economically friendly, while also ensuring that employees whose offices remain within the Public Safety Building will have a functional cooling system for next summer. DYLAN WARD, City Manager, gave recognition to Wes Hite, Municipal Facilities Worker, Senior II, for his dedication and hard work regarding finding a suitable resolution for repairs. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ 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: December 9, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “CDBG Certification Recognition” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, congratulated Breasha Pruitt, Project Coordinator, on her recent of achievement of becoming a Certified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administrator. Mr. Ward explained that Breasha completed a 4-day training course, ending in a 4-hour exam, which she passed, in order to obtain this certification, which will help her in her role at the City of overseeing all of the CDBG projects. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS congratulated Breasha on her certification and offered positive commentary in regard to working with her. ________________________  231 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 CITY MANAGER REPORT: “KLC Safety Grant” MICHAEL MCFADDEN, Safety and Training Coordinator, reported that Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) awarded a check in the amount of $3,000.00 to the Safety Program for general use. He continued by adding that the Safety Department applies for this grant yearly and was awarded this amount recently. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Status of Former HMP&L Office Building” WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN, JR., Assistant City Manager, and STEVE DAVIS, Codes Administrator, approached the Board of Commissioners to propose the use of the former HMP&L Office Building, located at the corner of Fifth and Water Streets, which has been listed for sale for approximately two years, to accommodate 3 City Departments, in lieu of being sold. The building is only in need of minor repairs, some demolition, and light construction to be suitable for housing the Parks & Recreation, Occupational License, and Code Enforcement offices, which would also serve as a convenience for contractors and developers, by bringing the Occupational License and Code Enforcement Departments into one centralized location. The proposal would also resolve the need for a new building or office space to accommodate the Parks & Recreation Department, as their current office building on Madison Street is in need of significant renovation to accommodate the vision for the future of the Parks & Recreation Department. The estimated cost of construction and repairs needed to the building on Water Street is approximately $125,000.00 - $150,000.00. As this is an un-budgeted expense, it will need to be considered during the mid-year budget review. It is also the suggestion of the Assistant City Manager to retain the office spaces in the Public Safety Building for City use. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS gave its indication of consent and support for City staff to continue moving forward with developing a plan to utilize the former HMP&L Office Building, located at Fifth and Water Street, for the offices of Parks & Recreation, Occupational License, and Code Enforcement. ________________________ CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: “Rezoning #1180 – 1000 North Elm Street” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that the Planning Commission has acted upon the request for rezoning for property located at 1000 North Elm Street (PID# 1-15-2-13), containing approximately .0163 acres, rezoned from Residential 2 (R-2) to Residential Office (RO) after conducting public hearings and producing findings of fact at the December 2, 2025 meeting. The Zoning Map Amendments shall become final on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 unless an aggrieved party or the Board of Commissioners files written notice with the Planning Commission within the allotted twenty-one-day time period to have the Board of Commissioners make the final decision. The deadline for filing written notice is December 23, 2025. ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Code Enforcement Board” Bill Dixon – Passed Away, Term Expiring September 9, 2028 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to appoint Stacey Gilbert to serve the remainder of Bill Dixon’s 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 Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ MAYOR STATON, with the mention of Bill Dixon’s tragic passing also took time to acknowledge the recent passing of Airport Board member, Kimber Heddens. 232 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on December 9, 2025 ________________________ COMMISSIONER PRUITT added acknowledgement for the recent passing of Henderson Civil Rights advocate, Mr. Thomas Platt. ________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: “Property & Litigation” MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Board of Commissioners go into Executive Session pursuant to the KRS 61.810(1)(b) for deliberations on a sale and/or future acquisition of real property in the vicinity of Henderson Airport; and further pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c) for discussion of proposed or pending litigation against the City of Henderson. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the Board adjourned into Executive Session. ________________________ MEETING RECONVENED: MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Board of Commissioners reconvene into regular session. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Hargis ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: December 16, 2025 ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk