City votes to hire Crosbie to represent city in Royalty removal appeal
Councilman Joe Buckman, left, speaks during Tuesday night’s council meeting with Councilwoman Kecia Copeland, middle, and Councilman John Kelley looking on. Click to enlarge.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 10:30 p.m. — The Bardstown City Council voted Tuesday night to retain the legal services of Lexington attorney Scott Crosbie to represent the city and the council in former Mayor John Royalty’s appeal of his removal April 13 as mayor.
Lexington attorney Scott Crosbie.
Councilman John Kelley said Crosbie had forwarded a proposal to represent the city at a rate of $160 per hour. Crosbie’s prior contracts did not include representing the city or council in any appeal, Kelley explained.
On May 12, Royalty’s attorneys, Doug Hubbard and Jason Floyd, filed notice in Nelson Circuit Court of Royalty’s intent to appeal the council action to remove him as mayor for official misconduct.
The council voted unanimously to remove Royalty following a two-day hearing with testimony from nine witnesses. The hearing followed a three-month investigation that was triggered by the appearance of anonymous packets of information targeting former Councilman Francis Lydian and Councilwoman Kecia Copeland.
The council voted to give Mayor Dick Heaton authority to sign Crosbie’s proposal on behalf of the city, while Kelley was authorized to sign on behalf of the council.
COMMUNITY CLINIC RUN FOR THE HEALTH OF IT 5K. The council approved the request to use city streets and sidewalks for the Nelson County Community Clinic’s upcoming 5k walk/run.
The “Run for the Health of It” 5K is set for 8-9 a.m. June 10, 2017. The event will begin and end on the Spalding Hall lawn.
BUDGET AMENDMENT. The council approved final reading on its budget amendment that adds $82,000 to the city’s General Fund to pay for the Crosbie investigation and related expenses. Those expenses were not part of the city’s budget and the amendment was required so the city will end the fiscal year with a balanced budget.
BUDGET REVIEWS. Heaton told the council he will forward drafts of the city’s budget to the council this week for their review. The council’s meetings in June will focus largely on the budget, and Heaton said department heads will be available at meetings to answer questions from the council.
HRB RECOMMENDATIONS. The council voted to approve the following Historic Review Board recommendations:
COA 17-35. Jimmy Crume, applicant/owner, 210 East Broadway. Recommend approval to demolish a shed at that location.
COA 17-36. Harold Johnson, applicant/owner. Recommendation to approve installation of a United Parcel Service drop box at the rear of the building.
COA 17-37. Bardstown Main Street program, applicant, City of Bardstown, owner. Recommend approval of installation of LED lighting in West Raspberry Alley between 110 and 112 North Third St.
COA 17-38. Ralph and Judy Buckley, applicants/owners. Approval of a metal hand rail at 109 East Broadway Ave.
COA 17-40. Weiland Shelburne, applicant/owner. Recommend approval of a new roof at 112. West Broadway as proposed.
COA 17-41. Kandice Walton, applicant/owner. Recommend approval to install a shed at 317 Raspberry Alley.
COA 17-42. Dana Dones, applicant, Clear Properties LLC, owner. Recommend approval of a request to install a new roof at 511-1/2, 513 North Third St.
COA 17-43. John and Nancy Ballard, owners/applicants, 210 East Flaget Ave. Recommendation to approve installation of shed doors as proposed.
COA 17-44. Joe Buckman, applicant, K&N Investments, LLC, owners, 458 East Stephen Foster Ave. Recommend approval of the renovation of the storefront at that address.
Councilman Joe Buckman recused himself from participating in discussion or votes on COA 17-35, COA 17-37 and COA 17-44. Councilman David Dones recused himself from participation in discussion or voting on COA 17-42.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES. The council approved changes to the city’s list of committees and created a new committee to address the city’s recreation needs.
The committees and their members include.
SAFETY COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman John Kelley, Councilman Kecia Copeland, Councilman Bill Sheckles, the Police Chief or his/her designee and the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. Co-Chairman Mayor J. Richard Heaton, Co-Chairman Councilman Roland Williams, Councilman John Kelley, Councilman Bill Sheckles and the Chief Financial Officer.
LONG-TERM PLANNING COMMITTEE. Councilwoman Kecia Copeland, Councilman Joe Buckman and Councilman Roland Williams.
ELECTRIC & CABLE TV COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman David Dones, Councilman Roland Williams, Councilman Kecia Copeland, the City Electrical Engineer and the Electric Superintendent.
WATER & WASTEWATER COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman Bill Sheckles, Councilman John Kelley, Councilman David Dones, Mayor J. Richard Heaton, the Director of Public Works and Engineering and the City Civil Engineer.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman Joe Buckman, Councilman Bill Sheckles, the Director of Public Works and Engineering, the Public Works Superintendent, the Groundskeeper, the Sexton and the citizen-member.
STREET, SOLID WASTE & TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman Joe Buckman, Councilman Roland Williams, Councilman Kecia Copeland, the Director of Public Works and Engineering and the City Civil Engineer and the Public Works Superintendent.
ANNEXATION COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman John Kelley, Councilman David Dones, Councilman Bill Sheckles, the Human Resource Director, the Director of Public Works and Engineering and the City Civil Engineer.
RECREATION COMMITTEE. Chairman Councilman Roland Williams, Councilman Kecia Copeland, Councilman David Dones and the Recreation Director.
NEXT UP. The Bardstown City Council will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at the council chambers on Xavier Drive next to the Rec. Center.
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