Outgoing council members were presented with plaques at Tuesday’s Hopkinsville City Council meeting spotlighting their service to the community.
Tuesday’s council meeting was the last for council members not reelected to their positions. Those not reelected include Natasha Francis of Ward 1, Bruce Smiley of Ward 2, Doug Wilcox of Ward 7, Terry Meek of Ward 8, Jamie Lienberger of Ward 9, Steve Keel of Ward 10 and Matthew Handy of Ward 12.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight presented the departing council members with plaques and thanked them for their service over the past two years and for prioritizing the needs of the community.
The outgoing council members also expressed appreciation for being able to serve their community. Handy says it’s been an honor to serve and advises the incoming council members to put people before party and policy before politics.
Turning toward reports, Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority President, Derrick Watson spotlighted HWEA’s new Hopkinsville Clean Water Plant. Watson also recognized HWEA Director of Engineering David Blane who has served the company for 30 years and is now retiring.
Knight presented Blane with a key to the city.
The council then heard from Community and Development Services Executive Director Tom Britton regarding a zoning request for land at the southwest corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Russellville Road. Britton says the request was made by the owner of the property, Heltsley Farms J&R, LLC.
The request is to split the land into a light industrial district, an agricultural transitional district and an arterial commercial district. Britton says they are taking into account how any developments may impact the Christian County Airport which is nearby.
Britton says development plans will be reviewed by the Kentucky Airport Zoning Commission.
Turning toward municipal orders, the council approved transferring ownership of the L&N Depot to Railmark Holdings, Inc. and Railmark Foundation Ltd. for $175,000.
The council revisited its grant agreement with Kitchen Food Company, the business set to move into the Christian County Spec Building. They voted to rescind their original agreement and approved a revised agreement for $4,500,000.
City Attorney Doug Willen explained that the grant amount is still the same but the payment installment deadlines have changed. He says the first payment is set to be made in January upon closing and the second payment will be made a year later as long as the grantee continues to make construction progress.
Newly elected and reelected council members will be sworn in on December 30 at the Hopkinsville Municipal Building at 5 p.m.