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LOUISA CITY COUNCIL CHANGED MEETING TIME TO 6PM…
By Susan Salyer
On Tuesday June 13, 2023 The Louisa City Council had a regular scheduled meeting at Louisa City Hall, 215 N Main Cross, Louisa, Kentucky at 7PM.
Mayor Harold Slone was in attendance along with Councilman Joey McClanahan, Councilman Caleb Farley, Council member Rose Lester and Councilman Keith Chaffin. Absent were Councilmen Gary Robertson and Coty Roe.
LOUISA CITY POOL
Mayor Harold Slone gave City Council updates on the Louisa Swimming Pool. Slone praised the Louisa City Workers for getting the swimming pool opened this year. Slone said, “Everything has been done to remodel and upgrade the pool. There are a few thing left to be done, a new sign in braille for new handicapped bathroom doors and a handicapped parking spot on the parking lot.”
MEETING TIME CHANGES
All members of Louisa City Council unanimously voted to change the time of the council meeting from 7PM to 6PM. August 8, 2023 will be the first Louisa City Council Meeting with the new time change at 6PM.
LOUISA WATER DEPARTMENT
Number 8 on the Agenda had much discussion. This ordinance will charge $12.50 monthly for water pump and grinders for 300 customers involved, most of them outside of city limits. Cynthia Chapel and Rt. 3 past Hardees are two of the areas that will see raises in bills. The First Reading of Ordinance 2023 – 05 was approved 3 – 1 with Councilwoman Rose Lester opposing this Ordinance. Lester said, “Property owners should have to pay for their own pumps.”
‘There was no increase in water rates . Only for tap fees and the 12.50 surcharge for the people on the individual sewer grinder stations’ –Harold Slone
Background for surcharge from Mayor Slone:
“…Back through years some customers in the outlying areas where gravity sewer is not available, and in an effort to get sanitary sewer to those folks, individual pumps are installed at each house. Many of these was installed with grants 12-15 years ago.
Since then the city has maintained those pumps and controls. Meaning if a pump goes out the utility department has replaced it at no additional cost. Now, with the pumps getting age and increase use of disposable wipes, the cost to keep these replaced is far outpacing the cost the customer is paying.
The Louisa Public Utility board, which has representation from members inside and outside the city, has been monitoring the situation for the last year. After data was gathered the board made the decision to apply a surcharge that would remain a steady rate on the grinder customers’ bill. These monies would be placed in a special fund to continue to purchase and replace these pumps at no further cost to the customer. All agreed that this appeared to be the most cost effective solution for the customers. The current cost for pumps is over 1,500.00 dollars each time they are replaced. With this surcharge they will still be replaced at no additional cost to the customer when needed.”
Slone did not say how many customers are involved in the surcharge, but about 300 are in the area, not all of which have grinders.
Also…
Mayor Slone explained that the Louisa Water purchases all supplies from Citco Water, Huntington, West Virginia. A signed agreement with Citco Water would keep cost from changing, unless manufacturers raise the prices. In turn, Mayor Slone requested if Citco Water prices get lowered then Louisa City Water price’s will be lowered. Also, Louisa Water will have 30 days to back out of agreement with local distributor.
NOW RENTING SENIOR CENTER
Mayor Slone announced that the Louisa Senior Citizen Center, 101 W Pike Street, Louisa, Kentucky will be available for rent again since Covid-19. The hourly rental rate will raise $50. It will change from $100 every 4 hours to $150 every 4 hours, city clerk Kathy Compton said.
PINE HILL RELOCATION
City Council discussed relocating water lines on Pine Hill Cemetery down the hill to the Lawrence County Sports Complex. The Council approved Kentucky Engineers as the Engineering Firm to complete the job even though they did not have the low bid money wise. But, Slone said there are many factors that go into the federal bidding process and price is not the only factor. They were chosen due to qualifications. Engineering cost are a standard rate based on cost of the project no matter which engineer you choose, Mayor Slone said.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order.
Old Business
2. Approve Minutes for May 09, 2023 – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
3. Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-01, City of Louisa 2023-2024 Budget – Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
4. Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-02, City Employee Compensation -Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.
5. Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-03, Louisa Utility Budget – Motion by Joey McClanahan 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.
6. Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-04, Utility Employees Compensation – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
New Business
7. First Reading of Ordinance 2023-06, “Ordinance Changing the Meeting Time of the Louisa City Council” – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.
8. First Reading of Ordinance 2023-05, “Amendment to Ordinance Relating to Water and Sewer Rates” Motion by Joey McClanahan 2nd by Caleb Farley. Councilwoman Rose Lester Opposed this Ordinance.
9. Discuss Citco Water Agreement – Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.
10. Discuss Community Center Rent – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
11. Set RFQ for Pine Hill Relocation – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
12. Appoint Member to Board of Assessment Appeals – Kim Burchett. Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Rose Lester. None Opposed.
13. Council Comments – None
14. Audience Comments – None
15. Executive Session – None
16. Adjourn – Motion by Joey McClanahan 2nd by Caleb Farley.
