Bardstown council authorizes wastewater loans, accepts transformer bid and approves demolition permits

The Bardstown City Council on Aug. 27 authorized two Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) Fund B loan agreements totaling $9,966,000 for wastewater system improvements and approved a set of routine procurement and permitting items.

In the meeting’s most significant financial action, Councilman Bill Sheckles moved to authorize Mayor J. Richard Heaton to execute agreements with the KIA for Fund B loans B23-003 and B24-003 in the amounts of $4,818,000.00 and $5,148,000.00. Councilman David Dones seconded the motion, which carried 6-0. The authorizations direct the city to proceed with wastewater system improvements financed by the two loans.

Council members also approved a procurement recommendation from City Electrical Engineer Eric Richter to accept a bid from Sunbelt-Solomon Solutions for electrical distribution transformers in the amount of $156,660.00. Councilman Joe Buckman moved to accept the bid; Councilman Franklin Hibbs IV seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

The council voted to accept recommendations from the Bardstown Historical Review Board on two Certificates of Appropriateness. The council approved COA-24-21 (John and Carolyn Willett) to demolish an accessory structure at 207 E. John Fitch under the conditions set by the HRB. The council also approved COA-24-24 (Bre VI LLC) for complete demolition and new construction at 211 E. Stephen Foster, with the provision that remaining approved plans continue; Councilman Buckman recused for the COA-24-24 vote and returned immediately after. Both HRB motions passed (COA-24-21 vote 6-0; COA-24-24 vote 5-0 with recusal noted).

Councilman Franklin Hibbs IV moved to approve a community development grant of $11,250.00 for Bethany Haven; Councilwoman Betty Hart seconded and the grant was approved 6-0. The council also approved a road closure request for Guthrie Drive on Aug. 29, 2024 submitted by Shot Reverse Shot (motion by Councilwoman Hart, seconded by Councilman Roland E. Williams, 6-0).

By unanimous consent the council approved minutes from the Aug. 13 regular meeting and the Aug. 15 special meeting. EMS Director Michael Reynolds reviewed the July 2024 EMS report, and City Administrator Aaron Boles reported the state has authorized the city to proceed with the Building Inspection Program.

Councilman Bill Sheckles moved to adjourn at 7:09 PM; Councilman Joe Buckman seconded and the motion carried 6-0.

Votes at a glance:
• Water and sewer service for Woodlawn Springs Phase 15 Area E — motion by Councilman David Dones; second Councilman Joe Buckman; carried 6-0.
• Transformer bid (Sunbelt-Solomon Solutions) $156,660.00 — motion by Councilman Joe Buckman; second Councilman Franklin Hibbs IV; carried 6-0.
• COA-24-21 (207 E. John Fitch) — HRB recommendation accepted; carried 6-0.
• COA-24-24 (211 E. Stephen Foster) — HRB recommendation accepted; Councilman Joe Buckman recused; carried 5-0 (recusal noted).
• Bethany Haven community development grant $11,250.00 — motion by Councilman Franklin Hibbs IV; second Councilwoman Betty Hart; carried 6-0.
• Guthrie Drive road closure (Aug. 29, 2024) — motion by Councilwoman Betty Hart; second Councilman Roland E. Williams; carried 6-0.
• KIA Fund B loans B23-003 ($4,818,000.00) and B24-003 ($5,148,000.00) — motion by Councilman Bill Sheckles; second Councilman David Dones; carried 6-0.

The meeting record indicates acceptance of staff reports and routine items; no further public hearings or contested votes were recorded. The next procedural step for the KIA loans is execution of the loan agreements by the mayor as authorized by the council.