LOUISA CITY COUNCIL AWARDS CERTIFICATES TO JOBE, NAPIER
By Susan Salyer
The Louisa City Council had a Special Meeting on Monday Aug 11, 2025 at Louisa City Hall, 215 N. Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230 at 6PM. Mayor of Louisa Harold Slone was in attendance along with City Council Members Joey McClanahan, Kala Brown, Caleb Farley, Rose Lester, Coty Roe and Keith Chaffin.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Harold Slone opened last night’s city council meeting with certificates of appreciation. Included were Sandy Jobe, a steady and dependable volunteer for city projects in the community, Cody Napier, a local body builder whose conditioning and endurance allowed him to save the life of a 10 year-old boy this summer. Lifeguards at the pool were also recognized. (See video)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE MAYOR
“The work on the water lines on Levisa Drive will have full pressure water starting today at Noon,” Slone said. “The blacktopping job in Louisa has stalled due to the milling machine being inoperable. But I will be in contact with the milling company, and the list of streets to mill will be finished.”
MINUTES
The Minutes were approved unanimously by the City Council. Motion made by Coty Roe and seconded by Keith Chaffin.
DISCUSSION ON GOLF CART/UTV ORDINANCE
The Council had a lengthy discussion about the Golf Cart/UTV Ordinance. (See Lazer video)
Mayor Slone said, “I want to clarify that golf carts have always been illegal to drive on the road and is not a new law. Nothing has changed.”
“…Chief Wilburn was asked at the last meeting to look up the KRS, what cities can do now if they choose to allow golf carts. Some Ordinances were given to the council from Prestonsburg, Ky League of Cities in Auburn to use as examples of an ordinance they will choose. Since the golf cart issue came up the ATV/UTV has been talked about in various counties. County deals with them more than cities. Now, the State of Kentucky has given local government the authority to make them legal if you choose.
There is a Statue you can go by to make the ordinance. The county has already passed the first reading of an ordinance that would allow ATV/UTV in the county with no restrictions other than basically the same sort of principles defined in a golf cart such as lighting, inspections by the Sheriff and pay a fee then licensed. The county does not allow golf carts in the city.”
City Attorney Eldred E. (Bud) Adams said, “I don’t think it does, so I guess we’re free to do what we want or not do anything at all.”
Then Councilwoman Rose Lester wanted to clarify something about the golf carts. Lester said, “It was not an intention of anyone to make it a profit thing for the city. The reason I brought it up was the safety issue that many people are complaining about. Since it’s been brought up a lot of people are like Yes we are for it, and some people are like your taking away our freedom. That was not our intent, the intent was safety and your freedoms not been taken away, we just ask everyone to be responsible and not drive wild and crazy.” Slone said, “Currently golf carts are illegal. If you choose to make them legal the specifications are lighting, Insurance and licensed.”
Currently golf carts are illegal. If you choose to make them legal, the specifications are lighting, insurance and license.
Chief of Police Steven Wilburn said, “The KRS spells out what guidelines you go by to allow golf carts. There was never any penalty or charging mechanism to that. So golf carts are illegal, but there was nothing you could charge them with unless I see them run a stop sign, then I could charge them. The traffic code specifies motor vehicles and under KRS, golf cart is not considered a motor vehicle. So this does give some enforcement back into it.”
The council decided to have Bud Adams draw up an ordinance using the example of Prestonsburg that allows golf carts/UTV. So, Now what is legal in the county is legal in the city.
APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR CLEAN WATER SRF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Slone said,
“…The City has been working on the Sewer Plant, for umpteen years. The city started out with $11.5 million and the costs have went up another $3 1/2 million. The City received an email for the Cleaner Water State Revolving Loan Fund which means, if you apply you’re going to get it unless there is some reason financially.
Provided the city passes the financials we will be awarded $4.8 million from the Cleaner Water State Revolving Loan Fund with $1.35 million of forgiveness. So out of the $4.8 million, $1.3 million you don’t pay back. That will be enough to finish the Sewer Plant. So I accepted the invitation, and a Resolution that agrees to go to the next step of loan application.
It will go before the Full Kentucky Infrastructure Authority Board for review process. The Council unanimously agreed with the Resolution with a Motion by Joey McClanahan seconded by Kala Brown.
APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR KRWA INTERIM FINANCE AGREEMENT FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Slone asked the council last month to apply for Interim Financing through Kentucky Rural Water Association. The city submitted the application, the council approved the resolution and was awarded $511,000 to finish what needs to be done and be reimbursed with FEMA Funds once the paperwork is submitted.
The Plan states the bond can’t be paid off till August 26. After August 26 the bond can be paid off. The interest rate to pay off the bond will be 3.46% The council unanimously agreed to the Resolution for Kentucky Rural Water with a Motion by Rose Lester seconded by Keith Chaffin.
APPROVE NEW FIREARMS AND DISPOSITION OF EXISTING
Chief of Police Steven Wilburn would like to get modern firearms for the police dept using Asset Forfeiture Funds. Wilburn wants to offer the weapons to the police officers that carried the firearms for years for a price of $200.00 The retired officers Greg Fugitt and Ed Cordle pay $100. The new firearms will include 16, 9mm guns and 3000 rounds of ammo. A Motion to approve new firearms was made by Caleb Farley seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
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AGENDA
- Call to Order – Mayor Proclamation Presentation (See Video)
Old Business
- Approve Minutes for July 08, 2025 – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
- Review last month’s discussion on potential Golf Cart/UTV Ordinance – The council decided to have Bud Adams draw up a new ordinance that allows golf cart/UTV.
New Business
- Approve Resolution for Clean Water SRF – Wastewater Treatment Plant – Motion by Joey McClanahan 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
- Approve Resolution for KRWA Interim Finance Agreement for Wastewater Treatment Plant – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
- Approve New Firearms and disposition of existing – Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
- Council Comments – None
- Audience Comments – None
- Executive Session – None
- Adjourn -Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Coty Roe.
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The next Regular Scheduled Meeting will be on Tuesday September 9, 2025 at 6PM at Louisa City Hall, 215 N Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230
