In what was a discussion for grant funds Tuesday morning, the Christian County Fiscal Court unanimously approved to enter into a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to clean three streams, and also agreed to apply for a community development block accord for a hopeful project at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library.
Judge-Executive Steve Tribble noted he and the magistrates had been waiting for the USDA grant, totaling nearly $206,000, to come through since soon after the December 10 & 11 tornadoes, which brought considerable damages to south Christian County.
Among those damages: three streams — two in Pembroke, one in Lafayette — that had most of their embankments laid flat by winds. Tribble added that plan is to have the blockages cleared and the banks reseeded, in order to rebuild the integrity of the streams.
Magistrate Phillip Peterson relayed that one particular stream, along Mason Lane in Pembroke, was severely damaged. Had this early summer brought more rains, small localized flooding could’ve been an issue.
Officials with Christian County Emergency Management will be meeting with an engineer Friday in order to prepare the bid process for the necessary work.
As for the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, PADD Associate Director of Community and Economic Development Amy Frogue said conversations with HCCPL Executive Director DeeAnna Sova have been ongoing in regards to some ADA compliant bathrooms and an elevator of ease of access.
Frogue said the library will be able to provide the match, and that should this CDBG be accepted, it would partner with the library’s ongoing grant from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives — which will provide $37,710 annually for the next 20 years designated for construction and debt retirement.
In other fiscal court news:
— Magistrate Rich Leibe noted that the Christian County Animal Shelter and its director, Irene Grace, put out an all-call earlier this week for donations of puppy and dog food. Current supplies are very short, and the shelter has many dogs in its care.
— Magistrate Mark Cansler said preparations are beginning for the new roof to go up on the old courthouse. County Treasurer Walter Cummings further added that certain road closures could impact downtown driving.
Fiscal court next meets August 9 & 23.
