Party in the Park and Community Market move to Dry Ridge

Cost to set up will be $20 per vendor spot with all proceeds going to Grant County 4-H, Grant County Future Farmers of America (FFA) and/or a Grant County Youth Development program.

There was some question about insurance for the Community Market, but it appears the University of Kentucky would have coverage for the event.

Council approved unanimously, contingent on insurance.

• Joe Montgomery of Patriots Landing addressed the council concerning veterans banners which will be hung throughout Dry Ridge and Williamstown. Individuals may purchase a banner with a veteran’s picture up until June 1.

The banners will go up by July 4 and be displayed through Veterans Day.

The banners last for three years and cost $149 each. To purchase go to https://www.patriotslanding.org/products/patriots-banner.

Resolutions, Orders and Authorization

• Resolution No. 2024-02 gives approval for the mayor to sign for “appropriated funds for infrastructure projects in Senate Bill 36 of the 2021 regular session of the” General Assembly for the “Cleaner Water Program.” Funds are distributed by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA).

This resolution pertains to cleanup of left-over funds previously appropriated for painting of the city water tower. These remaining funds will be used for another project (see 2024-03). The resolution was approved unanimously.

• Resolution No. 2024-03 gives approval for the mayor to sign for “appropriated funds for infrastructure projects in House Bill 1 of the 2022 regular session of the” General Assembly for the “Cleaner Water Program.”

Funds are distributed by the KIA. This resolution deals with approval to use funds from 2024-02 for upgrading the “water booster station” located by the Outdoor Power Store. The upgrade will allow control of the city’s water tanks for more efficient operation. This entails transfer of $57,000.00. The resolution was approved unanimously.

• A municipal order was approved amending classification and job descriptions in for all fire and EMS positions. The order provides for separation of the descriptions of the fire and EMS positions to assist in hiring and retention of employees.

According to Dry Ridge City Administrator Ken Little, this order will be “Adding single role positions to the fire and EMS departments ... We are also reestablishing pay scales.”

He and Fire Chief Allen Cammack said they were seeing people wanting to do “fire without EMS” or “EMS without the fire.”

• Final Authorization of the 2024-25 Interlocal Agreement has Crittenden EMS District paying $209,912.54, Corinth paying $22,263.15, Williamstown paying $313,887.91 and Grant County paying $678,178.99.

All entities have signed off on the one-year agreement.

Pending Department of Local Government approval, the Interlocal Agreement was approved unanimously.

• Due to the number of short term rental (STR) applications and other issues needing attention from the Board of Adjustment (BOA), Little said the five-member board has to meet more often than in the past. At times they’ve met several times a week.

Seeking compensation of $35 per meeting for BOA members, Little surveyed similar boards and found members are compensated from $25 to $50 per meeting.

Compensation can come out of fees associated with the BOA, such as those for STRs. Council approved paying BOA members $35 per meeting attended.

Miscellaneous:

• Phase two of the Meadowview pump station is complete with two “chopping pumps” there. Locust Ridge will also be receiving a chopper pump.

According to Little, these are all included in the city plan that was developed to “combat a lot of the debris that we are seeing in the sewer system that was unassociated with daily use.”

• Salt is still at 70% and barring any more use, this will be available next winter.

• Stop signs are still on hold. Apparently there are issues with “material shortage” to make the signs holding up delivery.

• The road department will be seeking bids on road repairs at the next meeting. The city has been filling potholes and will, more than likely, need to purchase more “cold patch” for temporary repairs.

• Party in the Park is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend. It will be held on Aug. 31 from 1:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.. Little said most vendors will be returning and entertainment is booked.

• Camera upgrades in the city are nearly complete. One is being added to “the bowl” area in the park.

• The budget process this year, according to Little, will be completed by workshop.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at the Dry Ridge City Building, 31 Broadway. For questions or more information, call (859) 824-3335.