The Louisa City Council met Tuesday, July 11 for the regularly scheduled meeting. Those in attendance were Mayor Harold Slone, Mitch Castle Council, Lisa Schaeffer Council, Tom Parsons Council, John Nolan Council, Police Chief Greg Fugitt and City Attorney Eldred Adams. Absent from the meeting was Ron Cordle Council and Matt Brown Council. The meeting was called to order following the opening prayer and pledge.
The city courtroom was alive and very well attended. Various groups, speakers and residents of Louisa were present and eager to participate in this open meeting.
Mayor Harold Slone recognized and thanked the many volunteers that have spent the last 10 weeks in Louisa, summer vacation, helping out our elderly and less fortunate. There are eighty teenagers at the Trinity Christian School who leave Friday and make room for the next 80 that will replace them.
Volunteers that were recognized this evening are from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The members have repaired homes, participated with the community’s youth as well as supported the local economy.
Other business:
* Motion by Mitch Castle, second by John Nolan to approve the minutes from the June 13, 2017 meeting.
* Several resolutions were approved by Council with no opposition.
- Approve Resolution 2017-05, “A Resolution of the Louisa City Council of the City of Louisa, Kentucky………”. EEC Grant.
- Approve Resolution 2017-06, “A Resolution of the city of Louisa, Kentucky Approving An Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Between The City of Louisa and Other Parties thereto Regarding the Kentucky Association of Counties Interlocal Finance Corporation”.
- Approve Resolution 2017-07, “A Resolution Approving a Lease….. for the Financing of the Cost of Various General Energy Savings projects…….”
- Approve agreement for Municipal Road Aid Cooperative Program.
Approve Resolution 2017-08, Resolution adopting and approving the execution of a Municipal Aid Co-op Program…….”
* There were no bids offered for the replacement of breathing apparatus for the Louisa Fire Department. LVFD Asst. Chief Jeff Kinser informed the Council that there was only one vendor state-wide who sells the equipment.
He also stated that the air packs were about $6,400 each and approximately 21 of them were needed. Eldred Adams and Jeff Kinser will work on solution and report back to the Council.
Monies for this equipment will be provided by a grant received by the City.
* The Director of the Lawrence Co. Health Department, Debbie Miller, addressed the Council and presented them with evidence based information on why Council needs to adopt a resolution regarding the Harm Reduction Program, (needle exchange) for the City of Louisa and Lawrence Co., Ky.
A motion by Mitch Castle, second by John Nolan was made to approve a resolution in support of implementing this life saving program by the Lawrence Co. Health Department.
All were in favor except Tom Parsons who voted ‘no’.
* Louisa residents Melissa and Ken Shapaka of 320 S Main Cross St. were in attendance to inform the Council of problems around their property with public parking.
Melissa Shapaka … “The parking on Powhatan St. adjacent to our property has become dangerous for our children. We have witnessed domestic violence, foul language, suspicious behavior and loud music. We have told our children to come in the house when cars are parked there. We would like to request a no parking sign for that part of the street.”
“…Most of the cars parking there appear to be coming from the Water Street Apartments. There is sufficient parking for anyone who lives there. The Fire Department would have a hard time servicing this area should there be a fire.”
After a lengthy discussion, Council voted to put up a NO PARKING sign from Main Cross to Water St. on Powhatan St. The vote was 3-1 with councilwoman Lisa Schaeffer opposed.
The Council was then asked to review a request by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC). Several cities in Kentucky are seeking legal representation to oppose the rate hike by American Electric Power. (SEE STORY ON LAZER MAIN PAGE) They have asked for a 11.25% rate increase in electricity
costs. Council voted unanimously to pay $1,600 to participate with other cities in the state to oppose these rate hikes. The $1,600 cost to be divided equally between the City and the Water Co.
The Council then went into executive session to discuss a possible real estate transaction. When the Council returned, Eldred Adams informed the audience that no action was taken.
The meeting was then adjourned.
