By Gage Wilson
Glasgow News 1
The Glasgow City Council opened its meeting not with a scheduled presentation from the city’s police department, but with silence.
Hours after Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was shot and killed while patrolling Interstate 65 in Warren County, Glasgow officials paused Monday night to remember one of their former officers.
Phillips previously served with the Glasgow Police Department before joining Kentucky State Police nearly four years ago. Glasgow Police Chief Guy Howie said he hired Phillips into the department roughly six years ago, remembering him as a “wonderful young man with a wife and kids” and as a model for other officers.
A presentation from Glasgow police scheduled to open the meeting was set aside following Phillips’ death, with the council instead observing a moment of silence.
The emotion of the evening carried into the council’s invocation, delivered by Councilman Freddie Norris. Norris prayed for peace and comfort for Phillips’ family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers, as tears were shed among council members and those gathered inside city hall.
Phillips was assigned to Kentucky State Police Post 3 in Bowling Green and was a graduate of Cadet Class 103.
Regular Business
After the moment of silence, council members moved forward with an otherwise routine agenda, approving new regulations for electric bicycles and scooters, reviewing a new executive order concerning leadership at the Plaza Theatre and giving final approval to the city’s 2026 property tax rate.
Among the measures approved was a new ordinance establishing regulations for electric bicycles and scooters within Glasgow.
The ordinance establishes rules for where and how the devices may be operated, including restrictions on their use on sidewalks and in city parks. Electric bicycles and scooters will generally be prohibited on sidewalks outside residential areas, while children 12 and younger may operate certain devices on residential sidewalks under direct adult supervision and at speeds no greater than 10 mph.
The ordinance also addresses nighttime operation, school zones, passengers and prohibited activities such as racing and stunt riding.
Before the ordinance was called to a vote, Councilwoman Marna Kirkpatrick questioned language requiring riders to “operate at a speed reasonable and prudent for existing roadway, traffic, weather and pedestrian conditions.”
“Should that word ‘reasonable’ be there?” Kirkpatrick asked, noting that one person’s definition of reasonable may differ from another’s.
Howie said enforcement would ultimately rely on an officer’s discretion, prompting Kirkpatrick to ask how riders would know what is and is not permitted under the ordinance.
Howie explained that the police department and the council’s Public Safety Committee wanted to get the regulations before the full council ahead of the holiday season, when e-bikes and scooters could find their way onto children’s Christmas lists.
With the ordinance approved, Howie said information outlining the regulations and restrictions will be distributed to local school districts for students and parents.
Council members were also presented with an executive order outlining the duties of a new executive director for the Plaza Theatre.
Under the order, the full-time salaried position will report directly to the mayor and oversee the theater’s day-to-day operations, including programming, bookings, staffing, marketing, rentals, finances and facility needs.
The executive director will also work with the Plaza Theatre Advisory Board, evaluate potential performers and events, negotiate proposed booking terms and oversee the theater’s budget, revenues and expenses.
Council members additionally gave final approval to Glasgow’s 2026 property tax rate, setting the rate at 16.4 cents per $100 of assessed value on real and personal property.
The rate received unanimous approval on first reading earlier this month after being recommended by the council’s Finance Committee. The 16.4-cent rate is slightly below Glasgow’s previous rate of 16.5 cents per $100.
The council’s next scheduled meeting will be Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.
Key Facts
– Glasgow City Council opened its meeting with a moment of silence for Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, a former Glasgow officer.
– Phillips was recently shot and killed while patrolling Interstate 65 in Warren County, according to officials.
– Council approved a new ordinance regulating where and how electric bicycles and scooters can be used in Glasgow.
– The ordinance restricts e-bikes and scooters on most sidewalks outside residential areas and limits children 12 and younger to slow, supervised riding on residential sidewalks.
– Police Chief Guy Howie said information on the new rules will be shared with local schools for students and parents.
– An executive order outlines duties for a new full-time executive director at the Plaza Theatre, who will report to the mayor.
– Council gave final approval to Glasgow’s 2026 property tax rate at 16.4 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from 16.5 cents.
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