Berea eyes additional annexation

Andy McDonald
Special to the Register

BEREA May 20, 2008 08:34 am

— Berea City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance Monday night that would allow for the annexation of 134 acres of land into city limits.
Following the first reading of the ordinance, more than one city council member questioned whether the city's infrastructure could support the annexation of more property into Berea city limits.
Ordinance 12-08 proposes the annexation of 134 acres on Possum Kingdom Road. The land is across from the Tremont subdivision. While the property could be zoned agricultural once it is annexed, council member Denise Hagan expressed concern that if it is eventually zoned residential and becomes a subdivision, the increased demand on city resources could become excessive.
“Do we have the manpower and resources to maintain these people?” asked Hagan. “If not, we're not being very wise with our resources. I’m just saying do we as the city have the funds to support another subdivision?”
Council members Chester Powell and Glenn Jennings suggested the city actually might have greater control over the area if it was annexed into city limits, with Powell noting that the fire and police departments already would respond to an emergency in that area anyway because it so close to existing city limits.
The city would mainly bear the cost of serving roads and providing police protection for the newly annexed area if the 134 acres were to be zoned for residential development.
In other news, the council:
• Passed an ordinance to raise its wholesale water rates and tariffs to $.0162490 for the Garrard County Water Association and $0.0021720 to the Madison Southern Water District. Both entities purchase water from Berea Municipal Utilities. The rate increase will be suspended until it can be approved by the Kentucky Service Commission, according to the ordinance.
• Mayor Steve Connelly designated May 29 and June 2 as the meeting dates for public forums for the proposed utility rate increases for electric, water and sewer service. The forums will take place at 6 p.m.
• Passed an ordinance approving the annexation of 2237 Menelaus Road for B-2 commercial property. The property is located near the bypass and belongs to Troy and Amanda VanWinkle.
• Heard the first reading of an ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2008-2009 budget. The budget projects $14.7 million in general fund revenues and $20.1 million in general fund expenditures, including $10.6 million in capital outlay projects. City utilities is projected to garner $21.8 million in revenues and $23.7 in total expenditures.
• Adopted a resolution to enter into a contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the replacement of mast arm pole streetlights at the intersection of Boone and Chestnut streets.
• Entered into a letter of understanding with the auditing firm of Ray, Foley, Hensley & Co. to perform the city's 2007-2008 audit.
• Awarded a bid to Bluegrass Fire Equipment Co. to purchase a thermal imaging camera. City officials said the $12,700 camera can be used in search and rescue operations as well as in locating fires inside the walls of a structure.
• Approved a measure accepting sewer line improvements into the city's system at Willow Glen Subdivision, Green Meadows Subdivision and Calico Place.
• Heard a presentation by Charles Hay of the Madison County Historical Society who presented a proposal to establish a Madison County Walk of Fame. The project would be located on the sidewalk surrounding the Madison County Courthouse. Approximately 100 3x3-foot concrete slabs bearing the bronze shape of Madison County would be set into the walk, each memorializing the life of a historically prominent county resident.
If the project garners enough support, the society hopes to install the first 15 plaques next spring, with three plaques per year thereafter. The cost of the plaques is $1,500 each. Hay requested the city of Berea appoint a liaison to the project, who would nominate prominent Berea historical figures and requested financial support for the project from the city of Berea.
Council member Chester Powell said while he thought the idea for a Madison County Walk of Fame was a good idea, he didn't necessarily see how it would directly benefit the residents of Berea. “I just wonder how much money Richmond would give is they were talking about putting them (plaques) around Berea City Hall,” he said.