Berea City Council amends water and wastewater budgets

Sep. 21—Blake Vickers

The Berea City Council held a workshop meeting on Monday in which council members amended water and wastewater budgets and made a declaration to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

A bid recommendation was passed for water and wastewater treatment chemicals by the city council.

"There was a pretty significant increase this year, a total of an 81% increase on the water chemicals. A 36% increase on the sewer chemicals," said Kevin Howard of Berea Municipal Utilities.

An increase in the chemical price was anticipated in 2022, so $130,000 was budgeted for water and $50,000 for sewage.

2021's water budget was $105,000, with $102,000 being the actual spent amount. $32,000 of that was budgeted for sewer costs in 2021, with $33,700 spent.

Howard recommended an increase to the water and wastewater budgets, totaling out to budgets of $167,847 and $61,056, respectively.

According to officials, the budget included costs for chlorine from Brenntag at $28,320, phosphate corrosion inhibitor for the water treatment plant from CITCO Water at $25,340, ACH (a coagulant) for the water treatment plant from CITCO Water at $92,064, Filter 8 polymer for the water treatment plant for $2,803.35, and sludge polymer for the water treatment plant for $6,804.

More chemicals to be used at the water treatment plant are fluoride for $12,516 from Univar.

Two chemicals were purchased for the sewage plant — aluminum sulfate for $27,360 from CITCO Water and polymer from CederChem for $33,696.

The motions were passed for the chemical bids unanimously. The increases for the water and sewage budgets were also amended to the new totals of $167,847 and $61,056. They will be reconciled with the finance department.

Councilwoman Katie Startzman questioned Howard on the budget increase.

"Do you see that significant increase as like a blip, or is it going to continue in that trend? Do you have an explanation for that? That's crazy that you guys are dealing with that," said Startzman.

Howard noted the cost of chlorine and ACH drove the budget up for water — with outside factors like the railroad strike and last year's Texas ice storms causing that increase in price.

Howard remained on the floor to introduce an item to accept previously installed wastewater maintenance and to accept them into the city maintenance system.

Two manholes and 45 feet of eight-inch-pipe were installed at a commercial building on 113 Mayde Road for $31,065.

Vineyard phase three had four manholes and 720 feet of eight-inch-pipe added for a value of $77,080.

Fincastle phase one had 12 manholes and 2967 feet of eight inch pipe added for a value of $283,695.

It was approved by the city council.

Resolution 12-22 saw the City of Berea apply for a grant for the Kentucky Cleaner Water Program. If the grant is awarded, the funds would go towards infrastructure at the Brushy Fork Sanitary Sewer.

Jennifer Lainhart, the executive director of Hope's Wings, appeared before the council as part of a joint proclamation with the Madison County Fiscal Court and the City of Richmond to declare October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"I hate that we have to have an awareness month for domestic violence, but we do. We're fortunate in Madison County to have a program like Hope's Wings that is a resource for our citizens. I was doing some numbers the other day and if you look at the statistic of one in every four women and one in every nine men are victims of domestic violence. and if you look at Kentucky's population, that means 12,070 women in Kentucky are victims of domestic violence and I think it was close to 6,000 men," Lainhart said. "Unfortunately, there is still a need of our services and unfortunately, we need the support of all of you."

Lainhart noted Hope's Wings does a couple of big activities for the community.

On Oct. 3, Lunch at City Hall will take place and will bring together Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley, Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe, and Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor to read the proclamation. Hope's Wings will provide a free lunch at the event. The event is usually held in Richmond, however, this year it will be held at the Berea City Hall at 11 a.m.

These Hands Don't Hurt is a rally celebrating those who deal with relationship issues in a healthy way. It will be held at the county courthouse on Oct. 6 and will have multiple resources and booths set up showcasing helpful organizations in the county.

The second reading of Ordinance 14-22 was heard by the city council. It dealt with transient tax room revisions.

"Amending the code of ordinances of the city of Berea, Kentucky by revising sections 61.01 and 61.02 to specifically provide for the in position of transient room tax to cabins, lodgings, campsites, or other accommodations charged by any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, or any other place in which accommodations are regularly furnished to transients to consideration or to any person who facilitates the rental of accommodations by brokering, coordinating, or in any other way arranging for the rental of the accommodation," said Jerry Gilbert, as he read the ordinance.

The council approved the ordinance unanimously.

The second reading of a fireworks code ordinance was also read. The council decided to revise article seven, chapter 54 (which deals with fireworks used within the city) as it was outdated.

Consumer aerial fireworks can only be used in the city on New Year's Eve, Independence Day, the Memorial Day holiday, and a date mandated by the city to celebrate Independence day if it is celebrated on a date other than July 4.

They also must be sold and stored in accustom with local sate, federal law, and local ordinances. No one under the age of 18 can use, ignite, or purchase consumer fireworks. Fireworks can not be used within 200 feet of any existing structure.

Councilman John Payne brought up discussion on the ordinance.

"I would like to point out, the current consideration does restrict all aerial fireworks to three 24-hour days. Of course, those are 24-hour days, two o'clock in the morning would not be exempt through this local ordinance. It also removed local restrictions on all other fireworks," Payne said. "The original proposal, in my understanding, was in response to citizens complaining about loud, booming fireworks disturbing their family pets and their neighbors. Ordinances should be specific enough to be reasonably enforced. I believe that ordinances should address perceived problems without unduly restricting the personal freedoms of our citizens."

Payne proposed an amendment to the ordinance that added hour restrictions to the aerial fireworks, added firecrackers (described by Payne as M-80's, or Black Cats) to the more regulated section of the ordinance with exceptions to less egregious aerial fireworks like parachutes or smaller fireworks. It also added time restrictions to allow fireworks to be used on July 3 (essentially adding a rain day for Independence Day).

Payne's amendment allowed for smaller fireworks to be used from noon to midnight on New Year's Eve, July 3, Independence Day, Memorial Day, and any day designated by the city to celebrate Independence Day.

The amendment would also allow for consumer fireworks to be fired from noon to 9 p.m. and Payne added that anyone who ignites fireworks is responsible to clean up the leftover debris. It also takes into account burn bans within the city by prohibiting the use of fireworks during those times.

Councilwoman Teresa Centers asked if they could table to amendment for a later use as part of a broader noise ordinance in general. The motion was tabled unanimously.

Ordinance 16-22 saw a second reading of a surplus auction. The surplus items will be sold on www.govdeals.com.

IT Director Daniel Brindley gave a department report.

City Administrator Rose Beverly also gave a report. She noted they are working on the final details of the Ellipse Street straight use path.