Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Winchester City Commission, the second reading of an ordinance adopting a legalized medical cannabis program for the city of Winchester passed with all but Commissioner Kenny Book’s approval. 

However, intending to strengthen the community, other items also took center stage. 

Following discussion with staff from the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) and RSA Advisors, it was agreed at the Commission’s 4:00 p.m. meeting that – at the next meeting on August 20th – the first reading of an ordinance clarifying financial terms for upcoming projects would be read. 

Bonds will be applied to help finance “a total project deposit of 12.2 million dollars for all these investments in your city,” said Brian Skinner, Vice President of RSA Advisors. 

“It’s time that we step up and re-invest in our community,” said Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed. “I invite the community to look at these projects and see what’s going on.” 

Of the 15 different projects that will be taken on, the list includes the Eugene Gay Community Splash Park, Depot Street improvements, Jackson Street Bridge rehabilitation, Main Street high side project, College Park Dectron, equipment for fire engine and ladder trucks, and many more. 

Skinner and Steven Pickarski, the Financial Services Manager of the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC), spoke before the Commission. 

Both are members of a financial team dedicated to serving the city. The former organization creates various financing proposals based on Winchester’s needs, and the latter directs overall financing while serving as a primary contact. 

Among other points, Skinner and Pickarski presented a draft of a debt service plan through 2049. 

Mayor Reed spoke. 

“I read one time [that] a city without some debt is not a growing city,” she said. “If we don’t show that we’re making improvements and keeping up with the times and keeping our equipment upgraded and things…then we’re not going to grow, and we’re not going to be there.” 

As repeated during the conversation, certain factors could be subject to change over time, and it was noted that the different projects met the seven strategic areas identified in the Commission’s Strategic Work Plan. 

During a 5:30 p.m. meeting, the Commission agreed to go forth with Phase II of the Lincoln Street Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Redevelopment Project. 

Kriss Lowry of Kriss Lowry & Associates, Inc., a planning and consulting firm in Scott County, spoke. 

Closely involved with the Lincoln Street CDBG Redevelopment Project, Lowry noted that, in December, the city applied for a $1 million grant to develop block grant funds from the Department for Local Government in Frankfort for Phase II of the project. 

That grant has been approved. 

Lowry explained the project in further detail. 

“[It] will involve the acquisition of 13 properties, demolition of nine houses, relocation of five renters and one owner, and then we will consolidate the lots into larger lots for Habitat [for Humanity] to build back [approximately] six houses,” she said. 

To help hasten the process, the City Commission took action in several ways. 

Among them were to approve a resolution for a guide for residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plans under Section 104 (d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, a resolution on CDBG procurement standards, and a resolution on the city of Winchester accepting the Section 3 Action Plan for the Lincoln Street Redevelopment Project Phase II. 

City Commissioner Shannon Cox recused himself from voting on specific resolutions due to a working relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties. 

The city also approved an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 15-2024 regarding certain receipts and appropriations in the city of Winchester’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. 

Last but certainly not least, an order approving a legally binding agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, Kentucky, Inc., for Phase II of the Lincoln Street Development Project was approved.