LOUISA CITY COUNCIL ..Bridge day, New trash truck, Budget approved, Swimming pool doing Great! Time Captule times extended …June 2025
By Susan Salyer
The Louisa City Council had a Special Meeting on Thursday June 26, 2025 at 6PM at Louisa City Hall, 215 N. Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230. Mayor of Louisa Harold Slone was in attendance along with City Council Members, Kala Brown, Caleb Farley, Rose Lester, Coty Roe and Keith Chaffin. McClanahan was absent.
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Bridge Day is today June 27, 2025 everyone attending needs to gather on Vinson Street around 6PM to hear the history of the Louisa, KY/Fort Gay, WV Bridge. Then walk the bridge over to Fort Gay, WV. And back.
“Louisa Swimming Pool has had the biggest crowds day in day out recording almost 3000 participants,” Mayor Slone said.
There is opportunity in the future for the pool areas to be changed and Mayor Slone has some great ideas, he said.
APPROVE MINUTES FOR MAY 29, 2025
The Minutes for May 29, 2025 were unanimously passed with a Motion by Coty Roe seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
REVIEW BIDS FOR GARBAGE TRUCK
The Council went with the cheapest bid on the garbage truck for $295,063.00.
The Council also included the extended warranty for $8,000. The Council unanimously approved the bid for garbage truck and extended warranty with a Motion by Coty Roe seconded by Caleb Farley.
APPROVE ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR LOUISA PLAZA
This is the project for the New Burger King being built where Stars and Stripes vacated. Both parties knew there was an issue to be fixed and are willing to cost share the project. While digging at the property an 8 inch water line was damaged by contractor that needs replaced also. Bluegrass Engineering was hired and Thomas Bradley will be completing the engineering project. The Louisa Plaza cost will be $4,000.00 Motion by Coty Roe seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
APPROVE ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR LEVISA DRIVE WATERLINE
This project is the water line that goes from the Louisa Water Plant to Levisa Drive. The waterline was damaged during the flood. Slone is talking with FEMA to help with the cost, he said. When approved FEMA will pay 75% the state of Kentucky will pay 15% and City of Louisa will pay 10%.
The project chose Bluegrass Engineering at a cost of $11,000 with native Thomas Bradley overseeing. The Motion was unanimously approved with a Motion from Rose Lester seconded by Kala Brown.
APPROVE RAW WATER PUMP BID FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT
During the Flood there was damage to the Louisa Water Pump, The City is working with FEMA on this project. The lowest bid was $92,370.80 for Service Pump and Supply in Huntington, WV. Motion by Rose Lester seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
APPROVE CITY BUDGET FOR 2025-2026
The City Budget was approved at last month’s Special Meeting.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-01, CITY OF LOUISA 2025-2026 BUDGET
The Council unanimously approved the Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-01, City of Louisa 2025-2026. Motion by Caleb Farley seconded by Coty Roe. Roll Call.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-02, CITY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
The cost of living increase for Louisa City Employees is 3%. Motion by Kala Brown seconded by Rose Lester. None Opposed. Roll Call.
APPROVE LOUISA UTILITY BUDGET FOR 2025-2026
Approved last month.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-03, LOUISA UTILITY BUDGET
Motion by Rose Lester seconded by Kala Brown. None Opposed. Roll Call.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-04, UTILITY EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION
Motion by Caleb Farley seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed. Roll Call.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
* Councilman Keith Chaffin inquired about having flags flown down Main Street. Slone said, “We already have flags and they are down Main Street.”
* Councilwoman Rose Lester questioned golf cart drivers loaded with kids all under 16 in Meadowbrook. Possibly a new ordinance coming soon.
* Councilman Caleb Farley discussed changing the date to Septemberfest for the Time Capsule Project.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Eldred E. (Bud) Adams, Jr, City Attorney said, “The first item is an approved settlement with Columbia Gas for $89,000, due to damage to the streets. The second item is a real estate transaction and we are negotiating terms but no decision has been made.”
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
Old Business
2. Approve Minutes for May 29, 2025 – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
New Business
3. Review Bids for Garbage Truck – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Caleb Farley. None Opposed.
4. Approve Engineering Contract for Louisa Plaza – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
5. Approve Engineering Contract for Levisa Drive Waterline – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
6. Approve Raw Water Pump Bid for Water Treatment Plant – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
7. Approve City Budget for 2025-2026 – Approved last month.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-01, City of Louisa 2025-2026 Budget – Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Coty Roe. None Opposed. Roll Call.
9. Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-02, City Employee Compensation – Motion by Kala Brown 2nd by Rose Lester. None Opposed. Roll Call.
10. Approve Louisa Utility Budget for 2025-2026 – Approved last month.
11. Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-03, Louisa Utility Budget – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Kala Brown.
12. Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-04, Utility Employees Compensation – Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed. Roll Call.
13. Council Comments – See Video
14. Audience Comments – None
15. Executive Session – See Video
16. Adjourn – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Keith Chaffin.
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I agree fully with Rose on the the golf cart issue but even more needs to be done!!! I don’t believe any golf cart should be driven on a public roadway or sidewalk at all by anyone of any age. There are laws that prohibit that but are not enforced!!! Why not? Golf carts are for golf courses.
I’m completely fine with golf carts being on low speed streets and roads if it’s an adult driving it. It’s beyond ridiculous how many young children are driving around meadow brook on these carts with no supervision, It’s only a matter of time before a load of them are injured or killed or possibly disappear. I don’t even live there, but notice how bad it is by just passing through occasionally.
It would have to be city wide and include side by sides, four wheelers and motorcycles or it’s discrimination.
Leave them kids alone, They can’t be going but 10 mph, at least they are outside doing something