Part of a full agenda, the council gave final approval of the new tax rates: 12 cents per $100 value on motor vehicles; 14.8 cents per $100 on personal property and 11 cents per $100 value on real estate.
Growing out of the inclusion of East Lake Drive into the bypass and calling all of it the William H. Thomason Byway, the council turned down a request from Leitchfield resident Ann Huff for a city ordinance that would notify everyone living on the street be notified of a possible name change.
Council members who were present (Wales Montgomery and Kelly Stevenson were absent), said the elected council could make the name changes on a case by case basis. The public could object to a name change, they said, by coming to the council and stating their views.
They said the East Lake name change had some opposition, but not enough to warrant keeping the old name. The bypass, which included East Lake Drive, has been part of the bypass plans for about 20 years.
The council did hear a request for a red light at the intersection of Thomason Byway and Wallace Avenue, a light that would allow walking seniors to cross between Parkland Manor, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center and Grayson Manor.
The council agreed to put the matter before the State Department of Highways, since the bypass is a state highway. However, they warned that such lights are not readily approved.
As the council heads into a new year, it got a clean audit report of last year's budget. CPA Dan Drane praised the city for its financial management and the report it provided on income, spending and relating both to city goals.
“No other city we audit,” Drane said, “does such a good job with its financial reporting, and most don't even bother to do it.”
Some of the surplus money in the budget -- about $8,000 -- will be going to a new firing range exclusively for the Leitchfield Police Department.
Chief Greg Dennison told the council his officers have to use private club's firing ranges that are not always available when officers can schedule firearms training. The new range would be encircled with an earthen berm, be about 100 yards wide and be located near the intersection of Kefauver and Hornback roads.
And the city has come up with a cost figure of $48,000 to extend the sidewalk on 259N from near the fairgrounds to the bypass. Construction was not expected to start until 2008, but the council approved starting right away on the paperwork and permits required.
Trees around The Square came up again at the Monday (Sept. 18) meeting. Leitchfield Deposit Bank requested removal of the large trees in front of the bank because of a problem with starlings roosting in them in great numbers.
The council approved removing the trees, and decided to survey other businesses around The Square to see how many more trees would need to be removed.
An item tabled at the last council meeting -- donating a surplus police vehicle to the Anneta Fire Department -- came up again Monday, and the council decided to set a minimum price of $800 on the vehicle which the fire department could meet or, if not, the vehicle would be sold at the next city surplus auction.
Council members expressed reservations about setting a precedent for giving away city property, even though there are no legal restraints with doing it. At the earlier meeting, council members “felt uncomfortable” with giving away property city taxpayers had bought to a district that does not pay city taxes.
In response to a letter from a summer resident in Leitchfield and the rest of the year in Brazil, the city has agreed to “look into becoming a sister city to one in Brazil.”
Curtis Dewees sent the letter offering his help, but since the city has no experience with the concept, the council decided to contact other cities that have done it to get a clearer picture of what's involved.
Before adjourning, the council approved giving Mayor William H. Thomason authority to contract with a financial advisor on construction of the planned North Leitchfield fire station.
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