Bardstown City Council OKs letter in support of Itsuwa future expansion

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 (Corrected 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2019) — The Bardstown City Council approved a request from Kim Huston, president of Nelson County Economic Development Agency, to write a letter expressing the city’s support for a planned expansion by Itsuwa, a coatings company located in the Wilson Industrial Park.

Itsuwa is planning a 17,000 square-foot expansion of its plant at 659 Wilson Parkway. The expansion would add 12 jobs that will pay more than $18 an hour on a new second shift.

The resolution affirms the city’s support for a 1/2 percent refund of the occupational taxes the city will collect on the new jobs the expansion will create. The refund will last for 10 years once enacted, Huston told the council.

“It’s the city’s way to support Itsuwa’s expansion plans,” she said.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story identified the wrong company receiving the letter of support regarding their planned expansion. The Gazette regrets the error.

BUDGET DISCUSSION. The council spent considerable time discussing the combined utilities section of the proposed 2019-20 City of Bardstown budget.

The proposed budget includes funds to replace the truck used for gathering bulky items; $925,000 to repaint two of the city’s water tanks; $450,000 for downtown infrastructure improvements; funding to purchase a new bucket truck from the cable and internet department.

Due to anticipated drop in the wholesale electricity costs the city pays to Kentucky Utilities, most of the city’s electric customers will see a rate decrease on their bills in the next fiscal year.

OUTDOOR DINING WARNING. Bardstown Police Chief Kim Kraeszig told the council that letters have been distributed to downtown businesses who have seating outside in front of their establishments that it is unacceptable for people to stand around in front of the businesses and drink.

Bars and restaurants can only serve alcohol to customers who have seats available outside the business. Some businesses have been having customers hang out on the sidewalk with their drinks, which Kraeszig said was not allowed.

OSCAR GETZ DONATION. The council approved a $2,195 donation to the Oscar Getz Museum for new signage that will help visitors find the whiskey museum.

Executive Director Linda McCloskey said that now that the museum is on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, people have had trouble locating the museum. The new signs will update the sign in front of Spalding Hall, and add new signs to help direct visitors.

KENTUCKY HERITAGE GRANT. Mayor Dick Heaton announced that the city has been awarded another grant from the Kentucky Heritage Council in order to fund preservation workshops for the next fiscal year.

Preservation Coordinator RaShae Jennings said the $15,000 grant will fund workshops that will focus on repairing historic masonry, repairing historic windows, and other topics.

Heaton also signed a proclamation declaring May as National Preservation Month.

NEW FOOD TRUCK. The council approved an application for a new mobile food vendor — Ben’s Jammin’ Ice Cream & Snacks — operated by Benjamin Williams of Bloomfield.

The mobile food vendor will sell Chaney’s Ice Cream, a variety of drinks, including Ale8, Gatorade and sodas in glass bottles. Chaney’s Ice Cream is a brand from Bowling Green.

NEXT UP. The Bardstown City Council next meets at 7 p.m. May 28. 2019, in the council’s meeting room next to the Rec Center on Xavier Drive.E

-30-