Butler City Council met on Monday, September 12, 2022 in the Butler City building. All council members were present with the exception of Teresa Antrobus.
A written report was sent by the Falmouth Fire department which was read by Mayor Greg McElfresh. Only one run for the month was reported, which was on Matilda Street in Butler.
Police Chief Kenny Hale is doing much better and his return date will hopefully be announced soon. We continue to wish him well.
All of the original streets that were scheduled for blacktopping have been completed. The city still needs to raise some lids and work on the sidewalks and street drops to raise and or slope them as well. The county did contribute an additional $10,000 to assist with this cost and the city is hoping to blacktop two more streets, namely Main and Central.
The city did receive a very nice thank you letter from the Lions Club for the use of the grounds and the donation made by the city for the recent car show the Lions Club hosted. The car show was a big success and enjoyed by many.
Council voted to make a monetary donation to the Water Search and Rescue in the amount of $1,000 to be looked at again next year. The Mayor stated that this is a vital service that we benefit from and that does much for our community.
Each year the city must look at the tax rates on tangible items and motor vehicles, including water crafts. Council decided Monday night that their rates are right where they need to be and voted not to increase either set of taxes.
Every five years, the city is also required to complete a resolution and adoption of the Solid Waste Management. Monday evening the City of Butler completed a resolution adopting Pendleton County Area Solid Waste Management Plan 2023-2027.
A lengthy sanitation survey was completed for the City of Butler and no deficiencies were found. This survey is done every three years.
The first of two readings was done to amend ABC Ordinance 442 which will lower the licensing fee for Kentucky Millstone Restaurant from $1,000 a year to $300 per year. This is due to the fact that the restaurant serves food as their main source of income and does not depend on alcohol to keep them open.
The city received a $500 grant from Woodmen of the World which was used to de-weed the Butler park, install new bases and flags and power washed equipment.
Council member comments were unanimous in saying how nice the new blacktopped streets are. Council member Mason Taylor asked the Mayor what his plans are to divert water off of Williams Street. Mayor McElfresh stated “all we can do is continue to work on Storm Water Projects. There is a plan already in the works to start soon on Pendleton Street first and then move to Williams Street in the future.”
Last order of business was a discussion on the safety of keeping South Street open. The Mayor is extremely concerned for the safety of those who use that street, especially the large trucks. It was stated that South Street needs to be shut down to thru traffic. More discussion will follow.
The next City Council meeting will take place on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 7 p.m.
