HENDERSON, Ky. – The City of Henderson Board of Commissioners approved a $50,000 allocation to the Henderson Employee Relief Fund in partnership with Henderson Municipal Gas at its meeting on Tuesday, April 14.
Mayor Steve Austin also said at the meeting that Henderson Municipal Power & Light and Henderson Water Utility will each contribute $25,000 for a total of $100,000 from the City of Henderson and its utility partners.
The commission met on its regular day but at a special time and in a special format as the community continues to navigate restrictions on in-person gatherings while the COVID-19 crisis continues.
The action of the City and its utility partners followed a similar action on Tuesday morning by Henderson County Fiscal Court.
“So many of our citizens have been severely impacted by the fallout from the COVID-19 crisis and the loss of employment that has come as a direct result. It has obviously created limitations in what a segment of our work force has been able to do in keeping up with their monthly expenses,” said Mayor Steve Austin.
“As a City we have a desire and a responsibility to do our part in providing support to the HERF project,” he added. “We are grateful to be in a position to do that along with our partners at Henderson Municipal Gas, Henderson Municipal Power & Light and Henderson Water Utility. We are also grateful for community leaders who acting quickly to get the relief fund jump-started.”
City Attorney Dawn S. Kelsey, who has been working with HERF on their assistance program, said that as of Tuesday at lunch time a total of 510 applications for employee relief had been received and 37 households had been recipients of payments already. They are administered by Henderson Christian Community Outreach, and payments for rent, mortgage payments or utilities go directly to the creditor.
The commission also passed on first reading an ordinance adopting a schedule of electric rates and services that has already been approved by the Utility Commission.
The action followed a public hearing and presentation by Henderson Municipal Power & Light General Manager Chris Heimgartner. For the average user, the utility bill should show a $1 reduction under the new schedule.
In other business, the commission:
–Approved the submission of a grant ($781,689) to the Federal Transit Administration for operation of Henderson Area Rapid Transit. The action followed a public hearing that offered details on the grant assistance program.
–Awarded bids for asphalt milling services (approximately $117,300 to Charbon Contracting LLC), asphalt paving service (approximately $583,761 to Rogers Group,) purchase of limestone, sand and rock (to Mulzer Crushed Stone, Pine Bluff Materials and Green Dream International) and concrete labor (approximately $269,460 to Rivertown Construction).
–Approved an addition to the interlocal agreement with Daviess Co. Fiscal Court for the operations of the scale house and CDD Landfill transfer station.
–Approved an agreement with Qk4 for services relating to the extension of Borax Drive into Henderson Technology & Industrial Plaza.
–Held a public hearing on outside agency funding for Fiscal Year 2021. Organizations and agencies funded at this meeting include Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club ($10,000), Henderson Economic Development ($60,000), Preston Arts Center ($10,000) and Henderson Christian Community Outreach ($4,000).
–Heard a proclamation from Mayor Steve Austin designating Arbor Day as April 24. “Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community,” Austin said in his proclamation. “Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.”
–Appointed Mark Weaver to a three-year term on the Henderson Utility Commission.
The next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, April 28, in the third-floor Assembly Room. It will likely be a 3 p.m. teleconference as will a May 19 work session on the 2021 Fiscal Year Budget.
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