The Princeton City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 17 and received updates on department projects and approved several appointments. While a regular meeting, this meeting was on Tuesday instead of Monday to account for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
During committee reports, Princeton Police Chief Chris King shared that the department was officially moved into its new building, but it was still unpacking. He told council members that it wasn’t quite ready to host them for a tour yet.
Fire Chief Brent Francis said the fire department received a new ceiling, lights and backdoor. The safety motors on the front door still need to be replaced, but the department is pleased with the progress. It’s also hosting hazmat classes for the next six weeks that are being put on by District Two Training Center.
Councilman and airport board member Jim Joiner said the new fiberglass signal pole has been delivered and installed at the airport. The total cost was $99,000, but it was fully funded by the Kentucky Department of Aviation.
Joiner is also a member of the Princeton Electric Plant Board, and shared that offices would be closed Wednesday, Jan. 18 to allow employees to attend the funeral of former coworker Dewight Meeks. He said Meeks was a longtime employee, community leader and friend and would be missed.
During the mayor’s report, Princeton Mayor Brock Thomas said the Martin Luther King Jr. Day program at Central Presbyterian Church was a “blessing.”
He also took a moment to remember Meeks, noting that he had the privilege of serving many years with him on the Youth, Inc. Board. Thomas said he always “did more than his fair share” and that his “main goal was always the youth.”
This meeting saw the second reading of Ordinance 01-03-2023, which establishes a transient room tax. This will create additional income for the city.
Director of Public Works David Sullenger requested that two items be declared surplus and advertised for sealed bids. The items were one 2005 Chevy pickup and one 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup. Both were approved.
The council was also presented with a resolution regarding street designations from the Department of Transportation. Sullenger explained that the DOT needed the list of street names in a different format than the city had it recorded in and the ordinance was essentially “cleaning up” the road systems for organizational purposes. The council approved the ordinance.
Thomas presented three executive orders, all making appointments. The council approved all three — Rhett Miller was appointed to the City-County Park Board, Wayne Yates was appointed to the Princeton Tourism Commission and Chase Mitchell was appointed as the city chaplain.
The next regular city council meeting will be 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.
