City Council votes to send all water customers $50 in vouchers for use at local, non-franchise businesses

It will be a while before downtown Midway is this busy again, so the
city's $50 voucher program is designed to shore up local businesses. 

Amid talks of a fourth stimulus of relief bill in Congress, to deal with the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, Midway will have its own stimulus to relieve the economic burden on local businesses.

The Midway City Council voted Monday to send each of the city's 755 water customers $50 in vouchers that can be redeemed at local businesses. The five $10 vouchers will be mailed with water bills at the end of May and can be redeemed until June 30.

"The idea [is to] give an infusion of cash to local businesses through the decisions made by citizens," said Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, who proposed it based on a suggestion by resident Bart Shockley.

Local shops and restaurants "are not going to be able to rely on tourism anytime soon," Vandegrift said. "The idea is to help now, when they need it."

The city's four franchised businesses -- two chain restaurants and two convenience stores near Interstate 64 -- will not be eligible for the vouchers. "I'm not worried about them," Vandegrift said. "They're gonna be OK. I am worried about our downtown."

The money will come from $40,000 that the city had budgeted for interest payments on the Midway Station industrial and commercial park, which it did not have to pay because of land sales made by the Woodford County Economic Development Authority.

Vandegrift first proposed that each water customer get two vouchers of $25 each. After discussing details of the plan, the council changed that to five of $10 each, to let recipients spread the money around, approximate the cost of a meal, and avoid the issue of making change, which won't be allowed.

When redeeming the vouchers, the recipients would sign them, and the business would countersign. Vandegrift said the vouchers will be printed on special paper with a watermark to avoid counterfeiting and would be transferable. He said he would work with individual council members and businesses on other details.

To recognize Shockley's idea, Vandegrift said he would call the program Business Advance for Rural Town Stimulus, or BARTS.

"I'm very excited about this," he said. "I don't know that there's a city in the country doing this. . . . Everyone's got something to gain from this."

Council members were likewise excited. "It feels good to do something good," Bruce Southworth said. "This is the way city money should be spent."

The council also voted to match a $2,000 grant that Council Member Stacy Thurman got from the Woodford Community Fund to buy $7 restaurant meals for the needy. That could extend the program beyond Thurman's planned five weeks, as could more donations. The money is being held by Midway Christian Church.

"I'm just really proud to live in a city that takes care of our citizens and our businesses," Thurman said.

Vandegrift thanked Assistant Versailles Police Chief Rob Young for the countywide work of his officers during the pandemic, when they sometimes can't practice social distancing. Young said, "The officers have really appreciated how everyone's been treating us."

UPDATE, May 6: Vandegrift posted answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q1: When will I receive my vouchers? A1: With your next water bill, around June 1.
Q2: What if my landlord gets my water bill? A2: Midway School Apartments and Midway Loft Apartments residents will receive vouchers in a city issued envelope under your door around the same time. If for any reason you live somewhere else and you don’t receive your bill, please email mayorgrayson@meetmeinmidway.com to make arrangements to receive your vouchers.
Q3: How do I use them? A3: We will furnish a list of participating businesses where you can use your vouchers as if they’re cash. You will need to sign each voucher upon use.
Q4: Can I get change from them? A4: No, but we are asking businesses to be flexible and round to the nearest number as much as possible. They will come in $10 increments, each water customer will receive 5 of them.
Q5: How long can I use them? A5: They expire on June 30, that is the last day to spend them, so use them quickly!
Q6: What if I want to donate them? A6: We ask you call Midway Christian Church at 846-4102 to arrange to drop them off, the Midway Ministerial Association is being asked to help distribute them to those in need.
Q7: What if I have other questions? A7: No problem! Email mayorgrayson@meetmeinmidway.com or call his cell, 361-6320.

In other business, the council approved an encroachment permit for Windstream Communications to install fiber-optic line under the sidewalk on the south side of East Main Street, after the company made clear that it would use existing conduit and do no excavation; and gave first reading to three amendments of the countywide zoning ordinance.

The amendments would allow 48-inch-high fences and hedges in setback areas, instead of 42; allow banners for charity events to be hung on posts and fences for two weeks; and ban permanent placement of recreational vehicles in floodplains. Second reading and final passage of the amendments are expected at the next council meeting, on May 18.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift included this photo, of a Versailles
sidewalk somewhat cluttered by signs, in a social-media post
saying that he wouldn't offer the Midway City Council a text
amendment that would allow signs in Midway to jut out 5 feet.

Vandegrift said before the meeting that he does not plan to ask the council to vote on a fourth proposed amendment to the ordinance, relaxing sign rules. The county Planning Commission voted to allow signs to project up to five feet from fronts of buildings, with nine feet of head clearance.

Versailles has approved the move, and the Woodford County Fiscal Court has given it first reading, but "I don't feel it's a prudent step for our city," the mayor said. "Our downtown is beautiful and pedestrian-friendly, and I feel that this could only lead to a cluttered and unnecessary look."

If Midway does not approve the ordinance, "It’d be the first time I can remember when all three bodies didn’t adopt the same amendment upon its recommendation [by the commission], but I just don’t feel it’s right for Midway," Vandegrift said. "I don’t anticipate any council members pushing for it either, but if one of them decides to, it’ll receive a vote. Otherwise, it won’t be put on the agenda." He said much the same during the council meeting, and no members spoke in favor of it.