It was business as usual at the first Hopkinsville City Council meeting of the year Tuesday night, one day after the South West Kentucky Economic Development Council Board announced Mayor Carter Hendricks had been hired as the new director.
The only mention of the mayor’s resignation was before the meeting was adjourned. Councilman Terry Parker stated he had asked the city attorney to give an update at the next Committee of the Whole meeting regarding how they move forward appointing an interim mayor.
The Council has 30 days to appoint someone as interim mayor after Hendricks’ resigns January 31st. The interim mayor would serve until the general election on November 3 and the individual elected would serve the remainder of the term through December 31, 2022. If Council fails to fill the vacancy within 30-days or by March 5, Governor Andy Beshear would make the appointment.
During the meeting, the Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance rezoning of a piece of property on West Fourth Street and a municipal order incorporating three streets within the City of Hopkinsville.
Mayor Hendricks said the zoning of approximately .091 acres on West Fourth Street from a multi-family residential district to a general business district was a request by the county.
The three streets incorporated into the city include Sir Barton Court, Justify Drive, and Sivley Road.
In other business, council members unanimously approved the second reading of declaring Elbs Cemetery on Hope Street as abandoned. The approval authorizes city attorney, Doug Willen, to take legal action to vest title to the City to assume responsibility of maintaining and preserving the cemetery and the historical significance.
The second reading of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Capital Budget for the fire training center was also approved.
The next regular Hopkinsville City Council meeting will be Tuesday night, January 21, at 6:00.
