Mayor Ed Burtner, who recommends appointments for approval by the city commission, said Rodgers was selected based on those qualifications.
"He is a businessman. He is a civil engineer," Burtner said. "He combines both the civil engineering and business backgrounds as part of the qualifications he brings. Those were the major things I was looking for."
Rodgers is the latest of three new appointments to the commission in the aftermath of a mishandled raise for the utility's general manager. The matter came to light in May.
Since then, commissioners Margaret Seals and Hap Cox have submitted resignations, and city commissioners have appointed James Powell and Betty Berryman to fill the vacancies.
In a letter last week, Oliver said he chose to resign after Burtner suggested the move was "in the best interest of WMU and the community." Oliver was serving as commission chairman at the time, and his term does not expire until Sept. 30, 2010.
The WMU Commission has not elected a new chairman.
Coincidentally, Rodgers is the father of Michelle Rodgers, who won the America's Junior Miss competition last month. His appointment takes effect immediately.
In other business,
— Cathy Rigney, battalion chief at Winchester Fire-EMS, was recognized for completing the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer's four-year program for chief officers. The program, held at the academy in Emmitsburg, Md., includes four graduate and baccalaureate-equivalent courses, which each require completion of a research project. Burtner said there are fewer than 17 graduates in Kentucky. "Chief Rigney is one of an elite few, and we are very proud to have her on our team," he said.
— Jerry E. Fryer and Kerry Odle were reappointed to three-year terms on the local Codes Appeals Board. The term begin immediately and end June 30, 2012.
— Jeff Walson was appointed to a three-year term on the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission, which will begin immediately and end June 30, 2012.
— Margaret Seals was reappointed to the Winchester Urban Renewal and Community development Agency Board for a four-year term, beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2013.
— Sections of the city's personnel code were amended, including sections on uniforms, personal equipment and pay. In addition, the position description for equipment operator III at Winchester Public Works was amended and a new pay classification plan was adopted to match projections in the fiscal year 2009-10 budget.
— The commission repealed an ordinance that established the Winchester Character Council. The seven-member council was created in 2004 to spearhead character education and development in the community. According to a memo to the commission from Burtner, appointments to the council have expired and the council has not met in more than a year.
"The city has continued efforts to further character development efforts for the community and can and will convene citizen groups to assist as needed," Burtner wrote.
He reiterated Tuesday that repealing the ordinance was not intended to diminish the efforts of character development.
— Winchester Police Capt. Shannon Stone gave a report on items to be purchased with federal Justice Assistance Grant funds. The department is planning to buy crowd control vests, duty lights, a Taser training suit and Taser training cartridges. The department also wants to purchase three Tasers for the Clark County Sheriff's Office. More than $11,000 in funds is available.
The commission also granted a request from Winchester Police to participate in the Kentucky State Police Report Reimbursement Program, which allows individual to purchase reports online at the state police Web site. Stone said Winchester Police will receive $5 for each report that is purchases. Reports will still be available at the department's headquarters on Maple Street free of charge.
— The commission approved a request from George Rogers Clark High School to donate 80 tons of gravel, which will be used on the drive to the school's stadium. Commissioner Shannon Cox recused himself from the vote.
