Council approves bid to continue expansion of city’s cable TV system
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, 11:55 p.m. — A vote Tuesday night by the Bardstown City Council will allow the city’s cable TV system to continue its steady expansion across unserved portions of Nelson County.
Councilman Fred Hagan makes a point in discussion at Tuesday’s council meeting.
The council approved a bid of $115,897.72 from the Tennessee-based Jason C. Compton for additional construction of new fiber lines in a variety of areas, including Irish Ridge Road, Hobbs Lane, Bellwood Road and others.
GAS FRANCHISE FEE. Larry Hamilton, the city’s director of public works, told the council that the city’s franchise agreement with LG&E for natural gas service needs to be extended, and at time the city has an opportunity to add a franchise fee of up to 3 percent that the city’s gas customers will pay.
The franchise fee — if approved by the council — will apply only to LG&E’s natural gas customers in the city limits. The fee is based on customers’ actual usage.
In June 2014, the Louisville Metro Council approved a 2 percent LG&E franchise fee on natural gas bills. At the time of the vote, the Metro Council was looking for ways to fund additional police officer positions and other public safety projects.
Public Works Director Larry Hamilton looks over documents during Tuesday’s Bardstown City Council meeting.
Hamilton said approximately 90 percent of the cities with natural gas service charge a franchise fee which averages up to 3 percent. A recommendation will be presented at an upcoming council meeting, he said.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD. The council approved the Design Review Board recommendations for a new 1,920-square-foot building to house the offices of Nelson County Farm Bureau at the corner of Patriot Drive and KY 245 near Flaget Memorial Hospital. The building will be similar to the existing Farm Bureau building on Reardon Boulevard.
In other business, the council:
— approved a request for a Oct. 24, 2015, 5k walk/run to raise money for the Bardstown Middle School speech and drama program;
— approved a request for a Feb. 21, 2015, one mile walk in remembrance of Reagan Carter;
— approved re-appointing Larry Tanner to a four-year term on the Bardstown Housing Authority;
— approved resolutions for the city’s participation in the Lincoln Trail Regional Hazard Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Plan, and to give the city’s risk manager the authority to apply for federal disaster assistance.
NEXT UP. The Bardstown City Council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015.
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