Leitchfield Utilities Commission reviews bids timetable, records easements and discusses staff pay increases

The Leitchfield Utilities Commission convened March 21 and handled routine approvals, set procurement timelines for a sewer bypass lift station, noted recorded easements and discussed staff pay increases and policy updates.

Chair opened the meeting and presented the draft minutes of March 7; the chair recorded a motion "by Pudgy, second by Mayor Miller" and the minutes were approved after the chair called for the vote. The commission also moved to approve and ratify the bill list, recorded by the chair as "Motion by mayor Miller, second by mister Farris," and the transcript records an "Aye." The chair said Sabrina requested approval of the January 2024 financial statement; the transcript records a motion "by mister Jones, second by Mayor Miller," but when the chair asked "All in favor?" the exchange in the record is a single "No." The transcript does not provide a roll call or clear tally for that item, so the recorded outcome is not specified in the meeting excerpt.

City clerk Laurie Bluesley asked the commission to approve two pay increases: employee #2337 would receive a 50¢-per-hour raise; employee #1873 would receive a $1-per-hour raise split into two 50¢ increments (one when she changes position and another about 90 days later to confirm she is comfortable in the new role). The chair recorded the motion "moved by mister Farris, second by mister Jones" to implement both raises as recommended by the clerk; the excerpted transcript does not include a clear vote tally for that motion.

On capital work, staff reported that advertising for bids on the bypass lift station will run in the local paper on the 30th and that the commission intends to open bids on April 19. A staff member said the project will be listed on Dodge reports and an additional bidding service to broaden outreach: "we're gonna put the ad in the paper next Saturday on the thirtieth, and we intend to open the bids on April 19," the staff member said.

A commissioner reported that required easements for a project "have been returned signed and recorded" and that copies will be placed in the minutes; commissioners agreed to create project folders containing engineering drawings and recorded easements to avoid future record gaps. "We have received the easements back signed and they are recorded," the commissioner said, and added the city will draft a policy and maintain project-level folders for engineering drawings and easement documents.

The chair introduced a draft online extension policy provided by consultant Matt Baker and asked that foreman David Roof, Dwight and Dave Vickery review redlined sections in a small meeting that would not create a quorum; the chair asked staff to aim for a version ready to consider by the commission's first meeting in May. Separately, a commissioner updated the commission that Benton has submitted paperwork for the wastewater treatment plant facility plan and that Brandon will send revised documents to the Kentucky Department of Water along with sample resolutions and facility-plan copies for the city and council to adopt.

Staff and commissioners also discussed an inventory of gas risers and enforcement of an existing policy for dormant risers. A staff member said Brad completed a new inventory and that crews will be shifted to concentrate on risers this summer; the commission indicated it will enforce the rule that customers who want to retain dormant risers must pay a minimum monthly bill or the riser will be removed.

The commission confirmed upcoming meeting logistics and noted that one commissioner expects to be absent at the April meeting. Chair reminded members of the Chamber luncheon on April 11. The meeting was adjourned on a motion recorded by the chair.

Votes at a glance
- Minutes (motion recorded by Chair as "Motion by Pudgy, second by Mayor Miller"): transcript records an "Aye." Outcome: approved.
- Bill list ("Motion by mayor Miller, second by mister Farris"): transcript records an "Aye." Outcome: approved.
- January 2024 financial statement ("Motion by mister Jones, second by Mayor Miller"): transcript records "All in favor?" followed by "No." The transcript provides no roll call or final tally; the outcome is not specified in the record.
- Employee pay increases (motion recorded "moved by mister Farris, second by mister Jones"): transcript does not include a clear vote tally; outcome not specified in the excerpt.
- Adjournment (motion recorded by Chair as "Motion by Mayor Miller, second by mister Ali"): meeting adjourned.

Next steps and follow-ups: staff will place the bypass lift station bid ad and open bids April 19, staff will collate recorded easements into project folders, designated staff will review the draft online extension policy with commissioners before the first May meeting, and Benton will complete paperwork for the facility plan submission to the Kentucky Department of Water.