SLONE CHOOSES ‘NEW’ MEMBER AFTER COUNCIL TIES 2-2 ON PARSONS’ REPLACEMENT

Click for video of discussion of a dispute of alley property near the railroad tracks in Louisa

ASHLEY CAUDILL RESIGNS LOUISA CITY COUNCIL AND COTY ROWE VOTED IN WHEN MAYOR BREAKS TIE…

By Susan Salyer

LOUISA, KY –On Tuesday March 14, 2023 the Louisa City Council had a Regular Scheduled Meeting at Louisa City Hall, Louisa, Kentucky at 7PM. Louisa Mayor Harold Slone was in attendance along with Louisa City Council Members Gary Robertson, Caleb Farley, Rose Lester and Ashley Caudill. Key member Joey McClanahan was absent.

The biggest shock was Louisa City Council Member Ashley Caudill handing in her resignation at the end of the meeting.

Last month at February’s City Council Meeting Thomas Parsons had to resign due to the sale of his home, he moved to Fort Gay, West Virginia. Caudill’s resignation was also due to her personal housing situation, having to move out of city limits into the county. That’s two members in one month to leave after being elected.

After long time member Tom Parsons resigned at the February City Council Meeting,  a new Council Member had to be chosen last night so Mayor Slone asked for any nominations for City Council and  new Council Member Caleb Farley nominated Coty Rowe.

Council Member Gary Robertson then nominated former long time member Lisa Schaeffer, who was 26 votes shy of being re-elected in November’s election. When Mayor Slone took a vote on Coty Rowe, Farley and Lester voted Yes and Robertson and Caudill voted No. When Mayor Slone took a vote on Lisa Schaeffer, Robertson and Caudill voted Yes and Farley and Lester voted No.

Mayor Slone had the final vote to break the tie and he went with Coty Rowe because, he said,  “Lisa Schaeffer has already served on Louisa City Council in the past and Coty Rowe would be someone new to serve.”

Rowe was not in attendance and information about him is scarce thus far.

WATER, TRASH  BILLS

Mayor Harold Slone said, “The State of Kentucky requires Solid Waste Grants. Lawrence County Solid Waste makes the plan and the Louisa City Council adopts it. The landfill numbers are reported. Also there is mandatory garbage and the city has to agree to the county plan. Resolution 2023-03 has standard language. Solid waste requires citizens to pay garbage pick-up. There is an ordinance on city garbage. The City of Louisa pays $14 and Lawrence County pays $21.”

WATER

“The ‘Whole Rate Adjustment’ will affect customers with a raise of .84 (eighty four cents) Right now the rate is $3.06 per thousand and it will go up to $3.90 per thousand.

“When I took office 8 yrs ago, we negotiated with Big Sandy Water District and in the agreement in 2015 the City of Louisa agreed not to raise the rate for 4 yrs. We produce a million 1/2 gallons a day, 26% of that water is sold wholesale to Big Sandy Water District and they sell it to their customers in turn.”

Slone said, “we raised the wholesale cost of water to Big Sandy Water. It only affects the price Big Sandy pays us for water they resell.”

Trash

“The City of Louisa has a contract with Republic Services Green Valley Landfill off of I-64 at Industrial Parkway, 1594 Grn Vly Dr, Argillite, Kentucky. This contract expired on March 7, 2023 but the City of Louisa has been given extra days to approve contract. Last year the amount paid was $20 total. This year the garbage will be $20.63 and fuel will be $1.75 making it raise to $22.38.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

The City of Louisa had 3 pcs of property for sale by bid online that sold as follows:
$ 655.00 2000 Chevy
$ 455.00 2004 4 x 4
$ 2,145.00 1984 John Deere Tractor
The monies totaled $3,255 and will go into the City of Louisa General Fund.

SPEEDING ON LADY WASHINGTON, LESTER SAYS

Louisa City Council Member Rose Lester said, “I have had several people on my street complain about how traffic speeds up and down Lady Washington Street in Louisa and cars don’t even stop at the stop signs I was wondering if speed bumps or signs can be put up.”

“Speed bumps are not allowed on public streets, but we can post speed limit signs and have the Louisa City Police patrol Lady Washington Street more often.” Mayor Slone said.  Louisa Chief of Police Greg Fugitt, who was in attendance,  agreed with posting new speed limit signs and patrolling the area more.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS GOT HEATED

ALLEY DISPUTE?

During the Audience Comments there was an ‘Alley dispute’ between Terry Collier from 103 Wallace Street and Michael and Rebekah from 106 Conley Street both in Louisa, Kentucky. (See video of discussion) Both parties will be back to Louisa City Council Regular Meeting on Tuesday April 11, 2023.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

Old Business

Approved Minutes for February 16, 2023 – Motion by Gary Robertson 2nd by Ashley Caudill. None Opposed.

New Business

Appointed Council Member – Coty Rowe was named newest Louisa City Council Member with Mayor Slone breaking the tie.

Resolution 2023-03, “Resolution of the City of Louisa to Adopt the Lawrence County Solid Waste Management Plan 2023-2027 Update- Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Gary Robertson. None Opposed.

Wholesale Rate Adjustment, Big Sandy Water – Motion by Ashley Caudill 2nd by Rose Lester. None Opposed.

Republic Services Disposal Agreement – Motion by Gary Robertson 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.

Surplus Property – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.

Council Comments – Louisa City Council Member Ashley Caudill resigned effective March 16, 2023. Louisa City Council Member Rose Lester discussed the hazards of Lady Washington Street in Louisa, Kentucky.

Audience Comments – Alley dispute between Terry Collier and Michael & Rebekah. Both parties to come back to April 11, 2023 Louisa City Council Meeting.

Executive session – None

Adjourn – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Gary Robertson.

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The next Louisa City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 7 PM at Louisa City Hall, 215 N Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky.