Hopkinsville City Council approved a solar energy systems zoning text amendment municipal order on first reading and an order for funding the construction of a new sidewalk on Gateway Lane.
After a lot of discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting in October pertaining to amending the solar energy systems zoning text, there were still some questions at Tuesday night’s council meeting about the variance requirements creating a setback ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Executive Director Tom Britton of Community Development Services explained there is an application solar companies could submit for variance exceptions.
After more discussion and questions at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, the ordinance was unanimously approved.
Another hot topic of discussion at a recent city council meeting was the need to construct a sidewalk along Gateway Lane in the area of Hopkinsville Middle School after Councilman Travis Martin said he had received complaints about speeding and the number of students walking on the road. At that meeting, Councilwoman Natasha Francis made a motion to send the sidewalk project to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion which failed to pass. After an intense discussion among some council members, the original motion to fund the sidewalk project also failed to pass by a 5-6 vote with Patricia Waddell-Bell, Jason Bell, Phillip Brooks, Francis, Kim McCarly, and Alethea West voting no.
Before council comments during “other business”, Councilman Travis Martin asked City Clerk Crissy Fletcher to read a municipal order that he wanted the council to vote on at the meeting that transfers funding for the sidewalk construction project.
click to download audioFrancis questioned why this municipal order wasn’t brought up a little earlier with Mayor Wendell Lynch referring to City Attorney Doug Willen to affirm the action was legal.
click to download audioThe municipal order passed by an 8-4 vote with Francis voting yes and council members Brooks, McCarley, West and Patricia Waddell-Bell voting no.
During recognitions, Mayor Lynch honored Chief Financial Officer Robert Martin who has been recognized by the Kentucky Government Finance Officer’s Association at a recent conference.
click to download audioThe mayor also announced that prior to the city council meeting a proclamation was signed recognizing small businesses in our community and encouraging citizens to support them and shop locally.
click to download audioThe next regularly scheduled Hopkinsville City Council will be Tuesday evening, November 15, at 6:00.
