By GAGE WILSON
Glasgow News 1
Cave City Council members had a busy agenda ahead of them at the regular meeting Monday.
With all council members present, Mayor Dwayne Hatcher called the meeting to order. After some discussion and a semantic amendment the council approved the last meeting’s minutes.
Eric Sexton, executive director for BRADD, explains more about a pilot program started this year. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
The next matter concerned the city’s ongoing search for further assistance in grant writing. The city considered hiring a full-time grant writer, but wanted to explore other options through the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD). Mayor Hatcher invited Eric Sexton, the executive director for BRADD, to approach the council and explain to them what BRADD could further offer the city.
Sexton summarized what BRADD does and of what its assistance consists.
“We have piloted a project this fiscal year to provide some additional services, beyond our normal scope of work,” he said. “We selected Barren, Allen and Simpson counties and some of the incorporated cities in those counties for this new project.”
Sexton explained that by being in the BRADD area services are already provided without added cost. This pilot program allows cities and counties the ability to pay in order to expand on those services. Sexton did admit that this first year will have a bit of a learning curve, as BRADD has not offered this option previously. For a city the size of Cave City, the cost was estimated to be $4,000 annually.
“Under this agreement we would designate an employee, who would not be a full-time grant writer, but they would work under the city’s direction for specific program areas,” he said. Sexton finished by saying that Barren County, Scottsville, Park City, and Franklin have all entered into this program.
Councilwoman Beverly Ford asked how much time BRADD would give the city specifically under this program, which Sexton was unable to answer due to the fluidity of the contracts for the program.
“At minimum, a couple hours a week more than what we already do,” he said.
With no more discussion Mayor Hatcher called upon the council to make a decision on whether to hire a grant writer independently or to enter into the BRADD program. Council woman Ford made the motion to enter into the program, seconded by Councilman Brandon Wright, and the motion was passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
Judge Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd talking about the proposed Ag. Expo development. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd approached to speak about the proposed agricultural expo-center, which would be added on to the Cave Area Conference Center.
“We really want to make this center a regional opportunity,” she said. She said she plans to take the original plans from 2004, and bring them up to date. Byrd spoke about a meeting attended by Edmonson County and Hart County officials for this center to, potentially, receive funding from multiple counties.
She went on to speak of the multiple benefits to local economy, and the diverse events that can be held at the proposed center, and explained that at this stage the center would be able to seat 3,000.
Sherman Architecture LLC will be responsible for the project.
“They came highly recommended from the American Engineers,” Byrd said. “They will be developing these plans, and doing a lot of the photo and video work we’ll need.”
Mayor Hatcher pointed out that this project would qualify for the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The mayor, with the agreement of the council, committed $10,000 out of the ARPA funds to go to the development of the center.
CCPD Chief Darrell Butler explain to the council the need to remain competitive to help recruitment. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
Cave City Police Department Chief Darrell Butler was next to speak to the council on a matter near to him and his staff. He encouraged the council to look at a packet provided to them that outlined two options regarding to CCPD vacation policy and incentives.
“In the past several years department recruiting has become very competitive,” he said. “For me to be able to get new officers in the doors, we have to be able to keep up with neighboring police departments.”
He said that the department’s pay was not the main issue. Instead he sited the department’s 20-year-old paid leave policy, which only offers officers five days of vacation in their first three years.
“All I’m looking for is two weeks starting out for new officers,” he said. Butler pointed out that only one person has remained with the CCPD for more than 10 years. “You’re looking at him.”
Once Butler finished, the council took action with Councilwoman Ford making the motion to grant the chief’s request as well as adding a $1,500 sign-on bonus effective immediately The council passed the motion with Councilwoman Ashlyn Hudson being the only dissenting vote, as she sought to give officers three weeks of vacation rather than only two.
With the meeting reaching almost two hours, the council agreed to adjourn. The Cave City Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at Cave City Hall.
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