Having someone with Jackson's experience will allow the city to continue moving toward the comprehensive plan update without losing ground, Kerns said.
The commission also hired Billy Nickell, a former Winchester firefighter, on Tuesday to serve as the city's new code enforcement officer.
The city's former code enforcement officer, Derek Noe, took a job as a police officer in Richmond about two months ago. Kerns said Nickell came out as the top candidate after a written test and interview.
"My experience has been that firefighters typically make very good code enforcement officers because they understand the building code ... and they have good track record in terms of dedication and hard work," he said.
In other business,
- In a second reading, the city's personnel and pay classification plan was amended, changing the position descriptions for administrative assistant, police chief, police captain, police sergeant and police officer at Winchester Police.
- The commission authorized an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Office of Highway Safety for a $10,500 highway safety grant that has been awarded to Winchester Police for overtime law enforcement, gasoline expenses and training. The grant requires a $10,500 match from the city.
- An $8,150 bid was awarded to DMH Construction of Winchester for installation of a storm drain extension at 325 Carolina Ave. Also, a $9,990 bid was awarded to the company for installation of a storm drain extension at 35 Willow Drive.
- A bid awarded to Dirt Diggers on June 17 for demolition of a structure at 59 4th St. was rescinded. According to the order, Dirt Diggers failed to provide the appropriate paperwork to issue a notice to proceed.
- The fiscal year 2009 paving program was amended to add $53,847 to the original bid amount for two additional streets and two crosswalks. With the amendments, the total program cost amounts to $160,949. The Allen Company has been performing the work.
- Educational Plaza Drive, which runs in a northwest direction from the northwestern end of Fulton Road was accepted into the city street system for maintenance and repair.
- Charles Embry was reappointed to a four-year term on the Housing Authority of Winchester, beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2012.
- A $19,898 bid was awarded to Jerry Rogers Sealing & Striping for the fiscal year 2009 Crack Sealing Program. The program involves Belmont Avenue, Ascot Avenue, Andover Drive, Colby Ridge Boulevard, South Burns Avenue and Hay Street. East Hickman Street may also be included after a review of the street.
- Two orders were approved establishing a drug-free workplace policy and adopting the policy in the city's personnel policies and procedures code.
- Brian Howard was promoted from firefighter III/EMT to lieutenant/EMT.
- Trent Travis was promoted from firefighter III/paramedic to lieutenant/paramedic.
- Darla G. Hamilton was hired as a crossing guard.
- The resignation of Raymond Patrick Jr., firefighter III/paramedic, was accepted.
- Kerns presented a Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center energy audit report, which was initiated by Shanda Cecil from the Strodes Creek Conservancy.
- Commissioners approved a request from Central Baptist Church to close Bells Alley from Lexington Road to Gay Street, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 31 for an annual fall festival. Shannon Cox abstained form voting.
- Public Works Director Pat Clark made a presentation to the commission about storm water issues at 72 S. Main St.
- The enabling ordinance of the community visioning committee was repealed in recognition that the Community Action Plan process has evolved into the main, comprehensive planning effort in the community.
- A section of city code establishing the Winchester Planning and Zoning Ombudsman Panel was repealed after commissioners agreed that the panel is no longer needed in light of recent efforts on local planning and zoning policies.
- Lisa Earlywine was appointed to a one-year term on the Winchester First Board to fill the vacancy of the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce appointee.
Contact Mike Wynn at mwynn@winchestersun.com.
