The Leitchfield City Council on Tuesday night passed a resolution forming the Leitchfield-Grayson County Economic Development Board and agreed to donate a police cruiser to the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office.
Economic Development Board
The council unanimously passed a resolution that allows the city of Leitchfield and Grayson County Fiscal Court to form the Leitchfield-Grayson County Economic Development Board. Fiscal Court passed the resolution on March 20.
The delay in the council approving the resolution arose when council member Terri Haycraft, at the July 7 city council meeting, questioned the language in the original resolution.
The city, county and medical center are also funding the continued existence of the economic development board by funding the salary of the board’s director.
In response to Haycraft’s concerns, City Attorney Earlene Wilson, in cooperation with County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon, re-wrote a small section of the resolution stating that taxes and other funds created by the economic development board’s activities will be distributed to the city of Leitchfield and Grayson County government.
The board’s focus will be on job creation; to establish more and better job opportunities in the community; to support business growth; and to retain both new and existing businesses.
The board will also improve infrastructure projects such as roads, utilities and public spaces, and will facilitate the adoption of new technologies and innovations. The new board will additionally work closely with our school system to identify the skills/trades that our businesses need taught at our tech center.
LPD donating surplus cruiser to Magoffin Co.
The council agreed to donate a 2013 Dodge Charger LPD cruiser to the Magoffin Co. Sheriff’s Office, as that eastern Kentucky county, already one of the most economically depressed counties in Kentucky, is experiencing financial setbacks related to recent flooding.
“I feel this is an opportunity for the city of Leitchfield to show some good will toward another agency that right now is in dire need of equipment,” Leitchfield Police Chief David Riley told the council. “Kind of goes back to: One day we may need something. I just thought this was a goodwill gesture and it would be worth bringing forward to you guys to see what your thoughts are.”
The cruiser is in good shape mechanically, Riley said, but the body has some cosmetic damage.
The chief noted that 2013 Chargers are being sold for only $1,500 to $2,500 on govdeals.com, which is where surplus city and county property is often sold.
The council voted to designate the vehicle as surplus and donate the Charger to Magoffin Co.
Planning Commission appointment
Mayor Harold Miller recommended appointing Theresa Clemons, who currently serves on the Board of Adjustments, to the Planning Commission. The council approved the appointment.
Clemons’ appointment leaves a vacancy on the Board of Adjustments, which Miller said will be addressed in the near future.
Upgrades at city park, American Legion Veteran’s Memorial Park
While only in the early stages, plans are being made to expand the splash pad at Firefighters Memorial Park on Brandenburg Road. Additionally, new playground equipment could be installed.
An engineer with the Lincoln Trail Area Development District will evaluate the park and determine how significantly the splash pad can be expanded, as well as make a recommendation on the installation of new playground equipment and shade structures at the popular park.
Miller noted that American Legion Veteran’s Memorial Park has fallen into disrepair and steps are being taken to have the memorial pressure washed and re-grouted. The mayor also said new lighting could be installed.
“We’re going to make it sparkle and shine and probably try to enter into a quarterly contract to keep it that way,” Miller said. (We’re going to) get it back like new and keep it that way.”
The work, Miller said, should be underway by early fall.
American Legion Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated in May 2016.
Executive session
The council entered a 14-minute Executive Session with Wilson emerging and saying there was a discussion on a “recent change of employment for one of our employees.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
