COMMISSION APPROVES ANNEXATION OF BENT CREEK PHASE 2

HENDERSON, Ky. – The City of Henderson Board of Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance annexing Phase 2 of the Bent Creek Subdivision at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The annexation would become final, making the neighborhood a part of the city, with the approval of a second reading on Feb. 23. A first section of the subdivision was annexed into the city in December.

Residents in Phase 2 will begin receiving the city services of police and fire protection, sanitation services and a lower rate on water and sewer services as early as March. City taxes will not be assessed until 2022.

In other business, the board:

  • Passed an ordinance finalizing changes in signage requirements and restrictions in the Gateway Zone District as they apply to electronic message signs.
  • Passed first reading of an ordinance awarding a 20-year electric system franchise to Kenergy Corp. The purpose is to allow the utility company to do work in its service area within the city limits.
  • Passed first reading of an ordinance closing a portion of an unimproved alley off South Julia Street to allow for a consolidation of property owned by Metzger’s Tavern.
  • Passed first reading of an ordinance that amends the FY 2021 Budget and Appropriation ordinance to allow hiring temporary non-hazardous duty personnel for key positions when deemed necessary for succession training purposes and to prepare for retirements.
  • Approved a change order in the amount of $13,528 for the new fire truck pumper that’s currently being built. The change order eliminates some un-needed items and adds others that fine-tunes the truck’s equipment to local needs.
  • Approved a series of mowing contracts for city properties.
  • Authorized the submission of two grant applications to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency) for cleaning of contaminated gear, new gear, fitness equipment, fire prevention education, smoke detectors and other training programs.
  • Heard a report from Mark Chumbler about the United Way of Henderson County’s Restoration/Recovery Fund efforts. The commissioners voted to allocate $25,000 in funding to the COVID recovery program for non-profits.
  • Heard an update and report from Special Projects Manager Dylan Ward about the sports complex project including comments gathered at two recent public open houses held for the purposes of giving citizens an opportunity to share their views.
  • Heard a report from Police Chief Heath Cox about police reform policies.
  • Passed a resolution supporting legislation protecting Historical Horse Racing. Without it as part of pari-mutuel wagering in Kentucky, some racetracks (including Ellis Park) are at risk of closing. Ellis Park employs 140 full-time year-round employees and 400 employees during summer live meets.
  • Informally decided to further discuss a potential lowest law enforcement priority ordinance at a future meeting.

The next meeting will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. Meetings are still closed to in-person attendance but are streamed through the Zoom meeting platform, on the city’s web site (www.CityOfHendersonKy.org), on Facebook and on Twitter. They are also broadcast on Spectrum Cable Channel 200.

-HCWatchNews

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