Published: July 13, 2009 11:17 am      

Barbourville tables Knox Partners agreement

Approves two-year deed extension for site of proposed wellness center

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

During Thursday’s meeting, Barbourville City Council members tabled the approval of a financing contract with Knox Partners, but approved a two-year deed extension with the organization for the site of the proposed Robert Stivers wellness center.

During last month’s meeting, the council made a motion allowing Mayor David Thompson, the city finance committee and the city attorney to negotiate a contract concerning the city’s financial obligations in the construction of the center. The wellness center is a project of Knox Partners, which consists of members representing Union College, KCEOC Community Action Agency, and the city and county governments.

“We’ve kind of worked on the contract this week, we’ve actually not come to anything of an agreement yet, so at this time I’m going to table that,” Thompson said.

Also during the last meeting, the council voted to grant a one-year extension on the deed to the wellness center property. The proposed $11 million project has been delayed for years over funding problems. Thompson asked that the proposed extension be extended to two years.

“After talking with them (Knox Partners), if something happens and the project goes on, in any fashion, it can’t be done in twelve months. As of right now, the projected time, if the college, Knox Partners, the city or the county, did anything, it would be 14 months,” Thompson said.

He asked for a motion amending the contract to include a two-year rather than a one-year extension. A motion was made by Jane Skidmore, seconded by Gary Williams, and approved unanimously.

Also during the meeting, Mayor Thompson oversaw the pinning ceremony for two officers promoted in the police department. Mike Broughton, an 18-year veteran of the Barbourville force, was promoted to lieutenant. Winston Tye, a 12-year veteran with the department who spent four prior years working in dispatch, was promoted to sergeant. The promotions will see to it that a higher ranking officer will be on duty during all shifts.

The department saw a total of 187 citations and arrests last month, the chief reported during the meeting.

Tourism and Main Street Director Betty Cole reported that Barbourville was re-certified in the national and state Main Street programs recently, and that a new mural on the Oasis building is underway. Renovations also continue at the Owen’s House, which was damaged by fire and is planned to be the future headquarters for Barbourville tourism.

Mayor Thompson also announced that the city would be receiving several thousands of dollars in coal severance funds — $10,000 to be allocated to the police department, $10,000 to the fire department, and $25,000 for a girls softball field.

The city was also awarded a grant for equipment to expand its new recycling operations.