Council accepts mayor's plan to use surplus to finish sewer repairs by replacing main line to treatment plant

Green lines show sewers that are part of the video-and-cleanout project.

By Heston Bates, Taylor Beavers, Jordan Brown and Gage O'Dell

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The Midway City Council went along Monday with Mayor Grayson Vandegrift’s plan to finish repairs to the sewer system though the cost is expected to exceed their original estimate.

Vandegrift noted that the original budget of $200,000 for a project to video and clean out sewers on the east side of town was cut back to $150,000 due to COVID-19’s expected effect on occupational-tax revenue, but he said the revenue picture is better now.

When the pipes were cleaned out, they were in better condition in many areas than was previously thought and since then there have not been any spills, but the main line near the plant has “entire gaps of sewer missing” and is causing backups upstream, he said.

Vandegrift said it is likely that the cost will be closer to the original budget. “I don’t think we can blink at this,” he said. “The project is too big not to move forward with.”

The council agreed. Council Member Logan Nance, often a fiscal conservative, agreed with Vandegrift. “That’s what surpluses are for, to help with projects like this,” he said. “This is only going to make things better down the road.”

Some other council members said likewise, so the project will be advertised for bids and the council may pick a bidder Sept. 8.

The mayor hired Buchanan Contracting to video and clean out the sewer system. He said sewage overflows from manholes during heavy rains have stopped, but the condition of the main line causes blockages upstream.

“This will be the city’s biggest public works project in over 50 years,” Vandegrift said. He estimated that the work will begin in late fall or early winter, depending on approval by the state Division of Water.

University students return: Addressing possible concerns about the influx of Midway University students for the start of the fall semester, Vandegrift went over the school’s plans and voiced confidence in them. “If a university can pull this off, it’s going to be Midway,” he said.

He said capacities in classes are limited and students are required to complete a negative coronavirus screening within one week of returning. He said students cannot be confined to campus because many have jobs, but if tested positive, a dorm is available for quarantine if the student is not able to leave campus.

“We are going to continue to communicate with them whether there’s cases or not, as it certainly is an issue that can affect public health,” said Vandegrift. He noted that Midway only has two of the reported 187 coronavirus cases in Woodford County, but expressed concern because most of the recent cases have been people younger than 40.

Vandegrift said  contact tracing will be the key to preventing covid-19 not only on campus but in the community. He praised the university’s quick response to the virus in the spring, saying the closure of the campus helped it better prepare for this semester.

Rentch property is labeled "private property" on map.

A piece of the park: The mayor told the council that Helen Rentch is willing to donate the part of her property that is being used as part of Walter Bradley Park back to the city, if they can agree that her part will not be developed and if the city ever abandons it, it will revert to Rentch or her estate.

Council Member John Holloway, the unpaid park manager, said “virtually all of that property” is in the floodway of Lee Branch, meaning it can’t be developed.  “Helen has been just extremely gracious to let us use her property the way that we have been,” he said.

In its only official action of the meeting, the council approved a permit for the “Turn the Town Purple” parade scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 10 by The Homeplace at Midway to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. Representatives from The Homeplace at Midway will be driving through town with purple-adorned vehicles, purple being the signature color of the Alzheimers’ Association.

The event will not seek public participation due to the pandemic. The caravan will start at the Homeplace, go down Stephens Street to Winter Street, turning around at Main Street to head back to the Homeplace.

In the roundtable at the end of the meeting, Council Member Stacy Thurman asked Vandegrift about the progress of the city's new Code Enforcement Board. The mayor said the board, three members and an alternate, has been meeting via Zoom (as the council does) to develop a list of abandoned properties for the council's consideration after Jan. 1. Property that the council declares abandoned can be taxed at about 10 times the normal real-estate tax rate.

Vandegrift said he is still having difficulty hiring a code enforcement officer, partly because of the pandemic. He said the task is "a little bit more challenging than it was six months ago," when the board was appointed. Jim Starks, whom the council appointed to a three-year term, is the board chair.

Mayor says city will levy fines against Columbia Gas for closing part of Main Street without encroachment permit

Outdoor work on 116 E. Main started June 30.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift says the city will levy fines against Columbia Gas for causing closure of the north side of East Main Street today.

"The work violated city ordinance, disrupted Friday traffic downtown, and burdened businesses such as restaurants, who rely on gas for their operations," Vandegrift said in an email. "We are starting the process to levy fines on Columbia Gas for violating our ordinances."

The mayor said the word was done without an encroachment permit allowing access to the city's right of way. "Encroachment permits are required of every citizen, every property owner, every utility company before cutting into city owned streets," he wrote. "We need to know before such action is taken and need to approve it so that we know the work to be done, and to have assurance that the replacement of the pavement will be to city specifications."

Vandegrift said a Columbia Gas supervisor told him that the work was being done "on behalf of 116 East Main Street," site of a historic but long-dilapidated building now being renovated by owner Ness Alamdari of Lexington under orders from the Woodford County building inspector.

"As to Mr. Alamdari, this is living proof of what we have been dealing with for more than four years," the mayor wrote. "For whatever reason, Mr. Alamdari continues to attempt to go around the city, around Planning and Zoning, and around any local law he can for his own purposes, despite the will and laws of our citizens."

Summing up, Vandgerift said, "Columbia Gas should have known better, and therefore should pay the penalty for doing such work without going through the process we as a city require. This behavior will not and cannot be tolerated. The interests of one person do not supersede the interests of the city and the people we work for."

Water bills can be paid online by credit card Wed.

Midway water customers can pay bills online by credit card for a fee, starting Wednesday, July 1.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift had decided to make the change, but the timing had not been decided. He announced in Friday in an email to the City Council and the Midway Messenger.

"There will be a link on our homepage at meetmeinmidway.com," the mayor wrote. "Once the customer clicks on the link, the portal will guide them through the very simple process."

Online payments of less than $150 will incur a $2.50 service charge from the vendor who is making it possible. Those over $150 will be charged a fee of 2.75 percent. " We as a city collect no fees for this service," Vandegrift said.

Customers can still pay at city hall or by mail, "but we’re very happy to add a new service for our citizens convenience," Vandegrift said.

Mayor: MetroNet crews may be in your backyard soon

Workers locating facilities for the MetroNet fiber-optic service will be returning to Midway in the next few days, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said in an email to the City Council and news media today.

"If you live in a neighborhood with buried utilities (Northridge, Mill Road, Gayland) and have a fence with a lock, please consider removing any padlocks you may have in the mornings so as to allow locate crews to mark the existing utilities for those whose easements run through your back yard," the mayor wrote. "This is most common in Northridge; most will not have anyone in their backyard marking."

Vandegrift said the location crews "will not be on site longer than it takes to mark lines with spray [paint], and MetroNet has assured me they will check on any locate crews if problems arise. After the locates are complete the installation process will begin. Burying utilities where none have been installed for 30 years isn’t always the most fun experience but MetroNet has committed 100 percent to strawing and seeding ditches, and fixing anything that may be damaged to the specifications of the home’s occupants."

Alluding to last month's problems with the contract crews, The mayor added, "After a frank discussion I had today with executives from their company, I do believe MetroNet greatly values our city, and they will work diligently to make this process as smooth as possible. Competition always favors the consumer, and having a third choice of cable, internet and phone provider, this one with high-speed fiber optic, will be a win for us and improve property values simply by having fiber run to each home."

Residents who have issues can report them to MetroNet by calling 859-785-1107 or 1-877-386-3876, Vandegrift said, adding, "If you have any questions, feel free to holler at me. He gave a link to what he called a "very informative" video about utility easements: https://youtu.be/Ca30L1RAMNI.

EDA confident about partner, talks transition from Soper, hires agent and starts transfer of greenspace to city

This map was published in March 2019, when the city annexed the property that EDA had an option to buy.

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The Woodford County Economic Development Authority board spent much of its Friday meeting discussing the best way to replace longtime chairman and executive John Soper.

The board also began the process of turning over the green space around the edge of Midway Station, awarded a contract for marketing the industrial and commercial park, and discussed relations with the adjoining landowner who has been its main collaborator recently.

Adjoining property: The EDA had an option to buy 104 acres next to Midway Station from Michael Freeny, but Soper said Freeny doesn't want to renew the option until he has a better idea of its worth.

Soper noted that the property hadn't been annexed and zoned industrial when EDA obtained the option in 2017, and that Freeny has since sold part of it to Lakeshore Learning Materials for its second building. He said Freeny wants to know the cost of building a road through a narrow strip that connects the two sections of the property and would provide access to South Elkhorn Creek.

"I expect that road will cost every bit as much as what he paid for that lot or more," because it will have to be built to city specifications so the city can accept it for maintenance, Soper said. "As far as I know Mr. Freeny is still willing to honor his commitment for access though that property to the creek," which the city wants for recreational purposes. He also said that Freeny knows EDA and the city are his conduits to state economic-development officials.

Midway board member Michael Michalsin said he expects "good dialogue" with Freeny because "He's very easy to work with. . . . I'm happy to stay in close touch to him as is useful for the board."

Transition: Soper, who's been on the board for about 20 years and has been its paid chairman for the last few, will be stepping down after his term ends June 30, leaving the EDA in need of a game plan for leadership.

The board agreed that the "most desirable option" would be to hire a full-time director, but concluded from research that option would likely be beyond its budget. Soper gets $60,000 a year, funded pro-rata by Midway, Versailles and Woodford County.

The board is considering four other options, according to a document distributed by Treasurer Maria Bohanan after the meeting:

● Part-time independent contractor (hired by the three governments, with duties directed by them): This option would “more than likely” be less than the cost of Soper’s contract but raises concerns about the contractor not being readily available as a full-time employee would, and that there could be potential for conflicts of interest.

● Full-time independent contractor (hired by the governments, with duties directed by them): This option offers more consistency in the EDA's messaging and relationship-building, and would establish a “go-to person for all stakeholders in the community, including planning and zoning,” but may be too expensive and could lead to a difficult recruitment and evaluation process. The document also questions whether a full-time person is needed, since a real-estate agent has been hired, but a big “variable” is possible development of the Edgewood property at Versailles, which is tied up in court.

● Third-party entity (hire a firm to handle EDA's needs): This option offers “administrative staff and a strong Rolodex,” would probably cost less than Soper’s contract, and could attract competitive bids from firms “likely eager for business in this environment,” the document says.

● Creating a position as a public employee: This option could make it easier to provide direction but “is problematic due to which entity and whom the individual would answer to,”and would require extra taxpayer funding for retirement benefits and health insurance.

In another element of the transition, the board discussed Soper’s suggestion that the treasurer receive some compensation, which could require a change in the EDA by-laws, which say members will serve without compensation except expense reimbursements but say the “secretary-treasurer,” a position that is now split, can be paid.

The board directed Bohanan to include in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year $4,500 for compensation of the treasurer and/or secretary and a Dropbox subscription to facilitate electronic communication. Soper said he would ask attorney Bill Moore about the need for a by-laws change.

Midway Station agent: The board approved SVN/Stone Commercial Real Estate Advisors to serve as its agent for Midway Station, part of the transition from Soper’s impending departure.

The board and Matt Stone of SVN agreed that selling land in Midway Station is not just about creating jobs but maintaining Midway's character.

Soper said, "The EDA is about jobs and about representing what the taxpayers want, and it's not just about selling land." Stone responded that SVN is not about "pushing a deal through to get some sales done."

Stone said SVN will boost Midway Station’s web presence and advertising, with aerial photos. He said that unlike many commercial firms, it splits commissions with agents for buyers, meaning “We’re employing the entire brokerage community, locally and nationally.”

Asked by Soper how Midway Station’s $65,000-an-acre price compares with other ready-to-use industrial property in the region, he said “It works very well” because the range is $35,000 to $85,000, “but in Lexington you’re dealing with prices that are six figures.” He said he has seen transactions of $75,000 to $85,000 in Georgetown, which some buyers prefer because it is on Interstate 75. “I think we compare well to Georgetown.”

Land transactions: The board authorized Moore to prepare a deed to the City of Midway for the Midway Station tract on which the city’s functioning water tower stands, and to prepare an option for the city to take ownership the 38 acres of greenspace that surround Midway Station, in return for the city agreeing to forgive $500,000 to $750,000 of debt owed by the EDA, not all of which is considered collectible. Both moves have been anticipated for many months.

The EDA also owes the county money, and Magistrate Mary Ann Gill asked if there would be “any effort to compensate Woodford County.” Soper said, “If there was money there, I think that we could,” but “If we can get out of this with paying off the debt … and putting the finishing cap of surface on those roads … I cannot conceive that there’s any cheese left in this trap.”

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift reminded Gill that the county did not participate in the $450,000 financing of a larger natural-gas line for Midway Station, which constitutes most of the debt and “really improved the park’s chance of selling land.”

Soper said the legal instrument from EDA to the city needs to be an option, not a deed, because releasing the mortgage on that part of the property without any direct monetary compensation might be a problem for the banks that hold the mortgages. He said that would “give Midway control of the land without going to the bank and asking them to release it … until after land sale,” which he said would be “A better time to release without any consideration.”

Soper said the city’s “intent to make some or all of it a park” will enhance the value of Midway Station. Vandegrift said it won’t be a park as such, “but a greenspace. Midway is such a picturesque city, we want our industrial park to be as picturesque as an industrial park can be.”

Close call: City's 12-inch water main is hit, quickly fixed

Google image shows water tower and two businesses involved.

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway residents nearly saw their water shut off on Thursday after an accident involving two businesses in Midway Station.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said AST Environmental hired its neighbor, Reed Utilities, to bore underground for an electric-service upgrade. During the process, a worker hit the 12-inch water main that comes from the nearby tower.

After sending an alert to City Council members, City Hall staff and the Messenger at 3:53 p.m., warning that the city's water supply might be shut off, Vandegrift sent another one at 5:31, saying the issue had been revolved.

The city's water and wastewater operator, Jack Blevins, saved the day, Vandegrift said.

"Because of the amount of water on the site . . . Jack was very concerned the break was bad," Vandegrift said in an email. "He was even more concerned because it was at the bottom of the pipe, the hardest spot to do a repair."

Luckily, Blevins was able to determine upon digging around the pipe that he could fix it without cutting it, and used a repair band around the pipe that sealed the break.   

Jack Blevins

Public Works Supervisor Terry Agee assisted Blevins with the repair in what Vandegrift called a team effort. The mayor praised Blevins, who worked without his usual co-worker, who is not working due to being at high risk for covid-19.

"I give Jack a ton of credit because he doesn't normally call me as worried as he did today, and given the current circumstances of dealing with covid-19, the timing would have been exceptionally bad,” Vandegrift said. "He pulled a rabbit out of his hat today."

The mayor added, "It's a great example of why I'm so proud of all our city employees. They're a skeleton crew, but they work together, and they've all absolutely stepped up even bigger during this pandemic."

AST and Reed Utilities also played an important role in helping resolve the problem, according to Vandegrift. "They hit the line by accident but were extremely helpful afterward, he said. "It's not every day the one who hits a line also helps you fix it."

The mayor says he does not fault either company. "Unless you have X-ray vision, it's a human thing to think you're further from a line than you are. It could have been a bad deal, but fortunately, it turned out well."

Council gives closed shops a utility-bill break, hears mayor predict 'There will not be large events' this year

By Madison Dyment

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The coronavirus is still going strong, and Midway is meeting the challenges head-on, even if some plans are being altered in the process. A plan to relieve some financial burden of closed downtown businesses was one of the ideas the City Council adopted Monday.

The meeting also included final passage of the new 911 service fee, and updates on covid-19, including a forecast from the mayor that Midway will have no major events for the rest of the year.

To help the 21 downtown businesses that have been forced to close, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift proposed to forgive their minimum utility payments of $59.30. The minimum, set by ordinance, covers water, sewer and garbage service.

The city has promoted takeout from restaurants and provided parking for that function, but “with shops, we just haven’t been able to help them out,” said Vandegrift. “I know at a time like now they’ll really appreciate it.”

The council debated whether more businesses, or all businesses, should get the break. It passed Vandegrift’s plan 5-0 with one abstention, applying it only to the April billing, which the mayor estimated would total $1,186. He said he expects to get federal emergency reimbursement.

Vandegrift had offered the option of also forgiving the minimum bill for May, but the council agreed to discussing extending the plan at its May 4 meeting, along with the possibility of adding additional businesses to receive relief. Council Member Bruce Southworth, who abstained on the vote, wanted to include more businesses.

City officials aren’t the only ones coming to help Midway during these trying times. Vandegrift said Ambrose Wilson, the Midway area’s representative on the county school board, told him about a Midway citizen getting food from a church blessing box.

“He was just out for a walk and the person was sort of apologetic, and Ambrose was thinking, ‘Why are you apologetic for that?’,” said Vandegrift. “Our concern is that we know these people exist and that they’re using the blessings boxes, but we just can’t seem to identify them to help them.”

Wilson, who challenged Vandegrift in the 2018 mayoral election, offered to form a way that Midway citizens in hardship can be helped in a confidential matter, Vandegrift said, and he was happy to oblige. He asked Council Member Logan Nance to work with Wilson, with help from the Midway Baptist Church, which runs the local food bank and delivers food anonymously to those in need. The church can be reached at 859-846-4514.

“We’ve got the food to do it, so no one should be going hungry in Midway right now,” said Nance, a member of the church.

This goodwill seems to be a trend within the community. Between efforts to feed those in need, volunteers making masks for free distribution at City Hall, and more, Midway has come together while staying apart.

“There are so many examples in Midway where if someone sees an issue, they don’t say ‘That’s too bad,’ but instead say, ‘How can I help?’,” said Vandegrift.

Despite that good report, Vandegrift sadly informed attendees that, while decisions are not absolute yet, Midway will not have its usual summer and fall events.

“The truth of the matter is that 2020 is not going to be completely normal,” said Vandegrift. “There’s going to be many questions going forward about events in Midway, and I think people need to start preparing themselves that there will not be large events in Midway in 2020.”

The Midway Business Association, which holds the Midway Fall Festival on the third weekend of September, has scheduled a special online meeting for 10 a.m. Thursday to discuss “how the association can help our members,” the meeting notice says.

Even if many effects of the coronavirus are felt across Midway, the mayor announced that Midway still stands at zero confirmed cases of the virus. Masks and sanitizer are still available at City Hall, with roughly 800 masks remaining.

Vandegrift attributed the lack of cases to citizens’ doing “such a good job following social-distancing guidelines, staying healthy at home, and only going out when necessary.”

He added, “We’ve got to keep hanging in there. We’re all getting antsy; I want to be able to see people and say hi again, but we all have to hang in there longer.”

911 fee, Windstream request: Outside of covid-19, the council gave second reading and unanimous final passage to the ordinance funding the 911 dispatch center and other emergency services, levying a $59 annual fee on residential lots and higher fees for businesses.

“This is taking a step towards making sure 911 is funded going forward in an equitable way,” said Vandegrift. The fee was agreed on by representatives of the three governments in Woodford County and will take effect when the Versailles council and the county Fiscal Court pass it.

The fee will be added to the tax bill for each residential, commercial and industrial property and will replace the telephone-landline fee of $3.50 per month at the end of the year.

The council postponed a decision on an encroachment permit requested by Windstream Communications. The company wants to bury fiber optic cables in the sidewalk on the south side of East Main Street to provide service to a customer in the area.

The Windstream representative in the online meeting was unable to answer questions about the project, so Vandegrift said he would arrange a discussion with Windstream engineers, expressing concern about the city’s streetscape being destroyed and calling that “a frightening concept.”

Wednesday night, Vandegrift sent the council and the news media an email reporting, "I talked to an engineer today who cleared everything up and there will be no tearing up of road or sidewalk, and it’s to service 395 customers." He called a special council meeting for 5 p.m. Monday to act on the permit and work on the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The next regular meeting will be May 4 at 5:30 p.m. via an online Zoom conference. Vandegrift encouraged citizens to join the call or to send in statements to be read, to facilitate public involvement at a time when meetings can’t be held in person.

Message from the mayor: New internet, phone and TV provider will soon start running lines all over town

"Anyone with a small sign in their yard can expect subcontractors for MetroNet to be doing some form of construction through the utility easement that they also have access to," Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift says in his Message from the Mayor.

By Grayson Vandegrift
Mayor, City of Midway

MetroNet will soon begin the construction phase of installing high speed fiber optic cable to every home in Midway. When this is done, each citizen will have a new option for cable, internet, and phone access.

However, I want to make each of you aware that I expect this phase to have a few bumps, and I think the better prepared we are the smoother we can make it. Where utility poles exist, MetroNet will be running their cable along those poles, but each property in town will also have a fiber optic line running into their yard, and that will still require a small ditch in many yards. Neighborhoods with buried utilities will have everything run underground, and many yards, if not most, will have a ditch as well. All ditches will be patched with seed and straw and will eventually be good as new, but I do expect that not everyone will be in love with the process.

But, in the end, this will provide more options, and competition means better services for our citizens. Anyone with a small sign in their yard can expect subcontractors for MetroNet to be doing some form of construction through the utility easement that they also have access to. This means that employees will be legally allowed to enter premises so long as they’re on that easement, in order to complete their work. As jarring as it sounds, employees can enter a back yard with a privacy fence, but again, only to bury their cable along the easement.

I’ve been in close contact with Kris Smith, the governmental affairs liaison with MetroNet, and with their construction team, and they’ve committed to us that they’ll do their utmost to make this construction phase as smooth as possible.

This can be a difficult process, and it’s possible that other lines could be inadvertently hit, temporarily disrupting service. Although we hope that doesn’t happen, it’s something everyone should be prepared for. MetroNet has repeatedly assured that they will do everything to solve any situation as quickly as possible. The small yard signs in resident’s yards give a phone number they can call anytime to address concerns.

I’m confident that once the fiber optic is in place, this will be a great improvement for the city and for our citizens. Recent studies have shown that having fiber optic cable directly to one’s home, even if the current occupant doesn’t use it, can raise the home’s value as much as 3%. Anecdotally, in a world where streaming is becoming the norm, I believe these studies to be very plausible in their findings.

The direct number for MetroNet, posted on their yard signs, is 877-386-3876. Folks can also visit MetroNetInc.com/construction for more information.

City leaders meet with Frankfort water officials, discuss pipeline; initial estimate of cost is about $1.25 million

City Council Member John Holloway, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift
and Council Member Bruce Southworth posed for a picture during
their tour of the Frankfort water plant. (Photo provided by Vandegrift)

Midway city leaders held their first meeting yesterday with Frankfort Electric and Water Plant Board officials about the city's plan to build a pipeline to Frankfort, to replace Kentucky American Water Co. as its wholesale water supplier.

"All are in agreement that it is a very doable project with benefits to both entities," Mayor Gayson Vandegrift said in an email. "This was just an initial discussion, so we didn’t nail down absolutes, but we are going to continue moving forward with this project to potentially become a wholesale customer of the Frankfort Plant Board no later than 2025."

Vandegrift toured the Frankfort water plant with City Council Members John Holloway and Bruce Southworth. "All agreed that it’s very impressive," the mayor wrote. "While the current treatment facility was built in 1974, the only things that old are the concrete; they’ve been very diligent about continually investing in technology, most things in the plant are less than 20 years old, with a significant portion newer than 10 years."

The mayor said the next meetings "will involve more engineering and discussions of probable cost"of a 12-inch pipeline to the Frankfort system at Duckers. "Initial estimates are around $1.25 million. However, as previously mentioned, the FPB wholesale rate of $2.55 per 1000 gallons is significantly less" than Kentucky American, even more so since the state Public Service Commission recently gave the company 18.5 percent of the 21.5% rate increase it requested, Vandegrift said

The new rate will be $4.796 per 1,000 gallons. The current rate is $4.053, plus a tax of about 16 cents a gallon that is passed through to the Kentucky River Authority. The tax would apply to water from Frankfort, which also gets its water from the river.

Mayor says he will ask council committee to plan for buying water from Frankfort, not Kentucky American

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the City Council this evening that Midway should run a water line to the Duckers area so it can buy wholesale water much more cheaply from the Frankfort Electric and Water Plant Board instead of Kentucky American Water Co.

Following are Vandegrift's remarks, as prepared for delivery, followed by additional comments and a report on other action at the council meeting.

Kentucky American Water Co.'s connection to the Midway water system

"As you know, I have been looking into our options as they pertain to our wholesale water supplier. In 1985 the city signed a 40-year contract with Kentucky American Water, meaning that this contract will expire in 2025.

"It is the opinion of our city attorney and his associates that the contract is, at least for now, a valid one. The Kentucky Supreme Court has a case before them which argues that such a contract shouldn’t be valid because Kentucky American should be considered a franchise, not a utility. That case is unlikely to be overturned, and even if it were, the planning for an endeavor such as switching water providers would be a process that could take that long time regardless.

"I have been in discussions with executives at the Frankfort Plant Board, including their chief engineer, and they have assured me that they are ready, willing, and able to sell us water at a wholesale rate. Their current rate for wholesale customers is $2.55 per 1,000 gallons. We currently pay Kentucky American $4.21 per 1,000 gallons. That means we could get water for 40 percent less than what we’re paying now, and we could conceivably cut water rates for our citizens and still flood our water fund with new revenue for infrastructure improvements. And this is before the Public Service Commission rules on the current rate increase Kentucky American has asked for. Who’s to say how many more increases they’ll have received by 2025?

"We owe it to our citizens to find a source of clean, potable water at a reasonable price, and this seems like a no-brainer. We will be responsible for running a water line to the Duckers area, less than two miles from Midway, to hook in with the Frankfort Plant Board’s 20-inch supply line.

"This is a large initiative but one that will have an immediate and long lasting impact on our city and its residents for many years after we’re gone. It is my firm resolve that we begin now the process of switching water suppliers so that come 2025 we’re ready to flip the switch and begin drawing our water from a local, municipal-minded utility as opposed to a publicly traded profit making entity. It has become abundantly clear that Kentucky American’s business model is going to continue to be based on frequent rate increases. To me, that is unacceptable, and we shouldn’t let ourselves be held for ransom every time they decide they’re not making their executives and shareholders enough money at the expense of the rest of us.

"Therefore, I’m asking that the Public Works and Services Committee, consisting of Council Members John Holloway, Kaye Nita Gallagher, and Bruce Southworth as chair, to begin the process of laying out a plan with logistics and probable costs so that on that day in 2025, we’re ready to sell good water at a greatly reduced price. I will be heavily involved with the committee’s work, but will also respect their autonomy as a committee of our legislative body. The committee should consult with the Frankfort Plant Board as well as our engineers and/or consultants we may hire to achieve our goals.

"When we lowered our sewer rates by 25 percent I told you that in my opinion, that was just the start. Significantly lower water bills in Midway, once thought by many to be a fairy tale is now underway, with this even bigger step firmly within our grasp. We have the money and the flexibility to finance this project in a cost-effective way, and one could argue the savings alone would finance the project to come within several years. I hope that the city council will enthusiastically join me in beginning this plan, while keeping all options on the table as we go, so that we can finally realize that long sought after dream, and conclusively turn a fairy tale into a reality."

Vandegrift added that he would "keep all options on the table," because construction of the supply line would require research and purchase of easements, and he said he does not believe eminent domain, or condemnation, should be used for the project.

"It would be a complete sea change in the way Midway utility bills work," Vandegrift said. He said he would welcome a counter-offer from Kentucky American, but "They don't care about Midway."

Budget nears approval: The council heard first reading of the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, which it had agreed on at three budget workshops (details here and here). It plans to hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday for second reading and passage.

Vandegrift thanked Assistant City Clerk Sonya Conner and former assistant clerk Diane Shepard for their work on the budget, which included "figuring out from scratch how to get into ordinance form," following the retirement of Phyllis Hudson as city clerk-treasurer.

For a PDF of the budget ordinance and the rest of the council's meeting packet, click here.

Sidewalk bids in: Vandegrift said the city had received two bids for sidewalk repairs, about $39,000 and $42,000, which he would present to the council at its July 1 meeting. He said he would ask the council to increase the city's maximum contribution to each job to $1,500 or $2,000, from the current $1,000. The city splits the costs with property owners, but its contribution is capped.

"When we set that one thousand, we didn't quite know what the scope of it was," he said. Even with a higher cap, he said, "It'll be more fair, but they'll still pay their share."

Events: The council approved event permits for the 45th annual Midway Fall Festival, to be held Sept. 21-22, and the Bourbon Country Burn bicycle tour, which is expected to bring 1,000 riders to town on Friday, Sept. 27, when riders will follow various courses from the Lexington base camp to distilleries in the Frankfort area.

Fall Festival coordinator Elisha Holt said the festival needs to hire off-duty police officers to direct traffic. Vandegrift said he would discuss that with the Versailles Police Department, which covers all of Woodford County. Holt said the festival's new partnership with the Iron Horse Half Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 22, will bring more portable toilets to the festival, a total of 28.

She said organizers of the foot race want to start music at 8 a.m., but Vandegrift said, "I wouldn't push it" because there are already some misgivings about combining the two events. All present went along with a suggestion by Council Member Sara Hicks that the music be acoustic, not amplified.

City Council stretches out cemetery pavilion project to start funding improvements at city's three cemeteries

Two of the largest trees in the St. Rose Tabernacle Cemetery, next to the Midway Cemetery, have upended tombstones.

The Midway City Council decided this evening to stretch out construction of a pavilion at the Midway Cemetery over two years, to fund other work at the cemetery and start fixing up the two historically African American cemeteries for which the city has taken responsibility.

At its second workshop on the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, the council also discussed other budget changes, and a suggestion that it seek bids for engineering services on the proposed budget's single biggest item, a sewer-improvement project estimated to cost $200,000.

The council plans to finish drafting the budget at a third and final workshop at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, and enact it at its regular meeting on June 17.

The pavilion, which would provide shelter in inclement weather, is estimated to cost $45,000. The council voted to put $20,000 in the budget for pouring its concrete footers and pad, and use the other $25,000 for other improvements at all three cemeteries.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said Public Works Supervisor Terry Agee has a list of work needed at the main cemetery and at the other cemeteries, including removal of trees that have upended tombstones. The mayor said Agee sees the tree removal as a five-year process, partly because removal of too many trees would upset the public.

Council Member Sara Hicks, chair of the Cemetery and City Property Committee, said all the tree work in the St. Rose Tabernacle Cemetery should be done first, "so you can start to re-erect the tombstones." The work there and at the Sons and Daughters of Relief Cemetery will also include installation of lines and taps for watering.

Engineering firm's map of project (click on image to enlarge)

Sewer project: The council agreed in February to use up to $200,000 of its half-million-dollar-plus General Fund surplus for a project that would send a camera through the city's oldest sewer lines, east of Winter Street, to see how they need to be repaired or replaced, and then remove sludge, tree roots and other obstructions. Vandegrift put the project in the budget he proposed to the council.

Council Member John Holloway noted that $62,000 of the estimated cost is for engineering services, which presumably would be performed by HMB Engineers of Frankfort, the city's longtime consultant. "For sixty-two thousand dollars, I think we should bid out the engineering," Holloway said. He also said he didn't understand some of the terminology in HMB's description of the project, some of which seemed duplicative.

Vandegrift said "All those questions can be answered by HMB," and "I have no problem with bidding whole thing out. . . . We can ask HMB those hard questions." He said the project was originally planned for this summer, but "It's looking more like the fall."

In other sewer-system business, the mayor noted that his budget continues to invest in improvements at the city's wastewater-treatment plant, and said that he has been impressed with the work of plant operator Jack Blevins. He said when the budget was tighter, the plant was not as well kept up.

The sewer budget calls for $60,000 in capital expenses. The water budget has the same amount, up from $43,000 in the current fiscal year. Vandegrift said lot of water-line replacements are needed, as well as a gearbox replacement.

The mayor said he expects the state Public Service Commission will give Kentucky-American Water Co., the city's water supplier, a 10 percent increase instead of the 21.5 percent hike it is seeking. He reiterated that unlike last year's increase, the city will not be able to absorb the increase and will have to pass it on to customers. The city cut water and sewer rates 25 percent last year.

Other items: The city's contract for police services from the City of Versailles is budgeted at $166,000, the same as currently; the contract calls for Midway to pay 4.25% of the police budget, and for the Versailles Police Department to be in Midway 16 hours a day. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m, police are in the Midway-Millville area, but not in the city unless they get a call, Vandegrift said.

Council Member Logan Nance said those hours are when crime might be most likely, so "It might be worth looking into them doing some overnight [patrols in the city] as well."

On another public-safety issue, Vandegrift said his estimate of $50,000 for bulb-outs, or curb extensions, at two major intersections on Winter Street is "just a guess," and the work might be done for less. The bulb-outs at the Stephens Street and Bruen Street intersections will be designed to slow traffic by reducing street width.

The budget also calls for $10,000 for new signage. Vandegrift said about half of that would go for a promotional sign directing traffic from Interstate 64 to downtown, requested by merchants. He said that it would face traffic coming off KY 341 (Midway Road) at US 421 (Leestown Road), and that he thinks the state Transportation Cabinet would allow it to be placed in the right of way.

Holloway wondered if a sign would be visible enough to guide motorists before they chose the left-turn or right-turn lane from 341 to 421. Vandegrift said it would "if you put it in the right spot." Hicks said, "If it's big enough, you would see it before you got to the lanes."

Council Member Stacy Thurman said the city needs a sign for the charging station for electric cars behind City Hall. Shown an example, Vandegrift said he would have Agee order one.

Mayor objects to Kentucky American Water rate hike request, says he's shopping for another supplier for city

A concrete vault at Coach Station and Leestown roads holds Midway's supply connection to Kentucky American Water Co.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift formally objected to Kentucky American Water Co.'s latest rate-increase request today, and announced that he is looking for another water supplier for the city.

"I am actively talking with other water providers, to look into switching water providers, so that we can provide the same quality at a better price, free of continuing rate increases," Vandegrift said in an email to the City Council, the Midway Messenger and The Woodford Sun.

Vandegrift told the Messenger that Midway and Kentucky American are in the 30th year of a 40-year contract that the city could leave early without penalty.

"I don't want to continue to basically watch the city be held hostage by Kentucky American's latest rates," he said, adding that he expects the company to seek increases from the state Public Service Commission every two years unless the PSC denies the current request, which would be the company's sixth in 12 years.

"I want to have a backup plan," the mayor said. "Even if they get half of what they're looking for, it's ridiculous." Kentucky American's plan calls for Midway to pay 21.5% more.

Getting a new wholesale water supplier would require a new supply line, which Vandegrift said would be expensive but could easily be financed by a long-term bond issue. "I think it's a lot more doable than people might realize," he said.

Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer System map (adapted) shows
it serves a small part of Woodford County that is close to the Midway
city limits, south of the section of Elkhorn Creek that appears in red.

Vandegrift declined to name cities with which he has had discussions, but Frankfort and Georgetown are obvious possibilities. The PSC does not regulate rates of cities' water systems.

Midway did not pass along Kentucky American's 2017 increase of about 10% to the city's retail customers, but in his letter to the PSC, Vandegrift said, "We will not be able to absorb another rate increase. Additionally, the hard work and planning that went into lowering our rates by 25%, all while improving our ability to invest, will effectively be offset by another rate hike."

He asked the PSC to consider "the toll these continual rate increases take on the people who are footing the bill. I watch as people come in to Midway City Hall and literally pay their water and sewer bill with pennies." The PSC will hear the rate case starting tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Vandegrift said the company's dealings with Midway undercut one of its arguments for the rate increase, the need to repair its infrastructure. "KAW has made it no secret that they wish to purchase our aging system," which needs $10 million to $20 million in upgrades over the next 20 years, he wrote. "Why would a company that needs more money to fix infrastructure also want to purchase some that they know to be ready for investment? Why would a company want to take on more debt if it can’t meet its current obligations?"

Kentucky American also says it needs the rate hike to cover increased operating costs and bolster sagging rates of return for its shareholders.

The mayor's letter concluded, "I believe it’s time KAW be told in no uncertain terms that they can no longer run a business model predicated upon the concept that they can ask, and be given, a rate increase every two years. I urge you to protect the public from unnecessary tax increases, to help Kentucky American Water take a longer look at their operations and to adjust accordingly, as we all do, whether we’re an individual, a business owner, or a city. If we, a city of 1,800 people with limited resources can make it happen, so can a publicly traded company like Kentucky American Water."

City council gets audit report showing occupational-tax windfall, discusses several other topics in long meeting

By Korrie Harris, Akhira Umar and Kristi Fitzgerald

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway collected much more occupational tax than it budgeted in the last fiscal year, improving its finances substantially, according to an audit report the City Council heard Tuesday evening.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift hands Deputy Clerk Sonya Conner the $1,000 check
that former council member Johnny Wilson, standing at left, had just given the
city to help with restoration of the two African American cemeteries in the city.

The council also heard about a joint "town hall" meeting of local governments and restoration of African American cemeteries; discussed the future of the old wastewater treatment plant; endorsed a proposed two-day water competition for dogs at the dog park; and discussed other topics in a long meeting.

Audit report: Thanks mainly to new industries and businesses, Midway collected $662,524 in occupational taxes on payrolls and net profits in the fiscal year that ended June 30, well over the $500,000 the mayor and council had budgeted. They budget conservatively; this year's estimate was $550,000. In 2016-17 the budget was $400,000; in 2015-16 it was $275,000.

In 2017-18, the city took in $265,758 more in 2017-18 than it spent, according to the audit. The occupational-tax windfalls have allowed the council to reduce property taxes 25 percent thanks to the influx of occupational taxes.

The audit noted three "significant deficiencies" in the city's financial procedures, all of which were essentially dismissed by Jason Strange, a certified public accountant for Stiles, Carter and Associates in Elizabethtown, who presented the report.

In one case, five credit card transactions didn’t include source documents such as receipts. In another, the city clerk-treasurer was paid a week's sick leave in advance. “It was not any sort of malfeasance from what we understand,” Strange said. All city expenses are public records and can be accessed by filing an open-records request.

The other deficiency involved insufficient "segregation of duties over receipts, disbursements and reconciliations." For example, "The clerk-treasurer accepts cash receipts and also records the amounts . . . has check-signing authority and performs bank reconciliations without review."

Last year's audit noted some of the same items. "They're very common with what we see in small governments and small cities," Strange said. "Most folks live with this because the costs outweigh the benefit to add a layer of folks to deal with this."

Multi-government meeting: Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced that the councils of Midway and Versailles will hold a "Woodford Town Hall" with the county Fiscal Court form 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System office in Versailles.

Vandegrift said the event is meant to “engage the public in what the governments are here to do for them.” He said each one will give five minutes of introductory information, followed by an open forum for citizens to make comments and ask questions. If the town hall is successful, it could lead to more like it, the mayor said.

“I think this can be a really exciting thing,” he said. “I don’t think this has ever been done in Woodford County, or if has, it’s been a long time.” Vandegrift had pushed for a joint meeting of the governments, but the idea was quashed by the fiscal court, which is now under the leadership of County Judge-Executive James Kay.

UPDATE, Jan. 30: The town hall, called "We Are Woodford," will include state Rep. Joe Graviss.

African American cemeteries: Former council member Johnny Wilson, appearing in the opening "Citizen's Comments" segment of the meeting, proposed that the city set aside money to repair and replace headstones at the two African American cemeteries, Sons and Daughters and St. Rose.

Wilson reported that 71 of the 303 headstones need resetting, repair or replacement. He suggested that volunteers could do the repairs. Saying he was speaking "from the heart," Wilson have Vandegrift a check for $1,000, which he said represented the $450 in pay he got as a council member filling an unexpired term, plus $550.

Vandegrift said the check would be earmarked for the intended purpose. "I appreciate all your research on this," he told Wilson. "It's very meticulous." The council and the audience gave Wilson a round of applause.

Old wastewater plant: Retired Kentucky State University professor Steve Mims has leased the property from the city for several years to raise fish. He pays around $50 a month in rent and gets treated water from the current plant at no cost.

Midway paid off the debt for the sewer plant last year, which Vandegrift said changed the situation. "In my opinion, it is not worth the city being the landlord," he said. He suggested the council declare the property to be surplus and seek bids for it, which would allow Mims to buy it. “You don’t have to go with the highest bidder,” he said. “You can go with the bid that fits the property best."

The council then held a 10-minute executive session with City Attorney Phil Moloney to discuss "future acqusition or sale of real property when publicity would be likely to affect the value," a stated exception to the state Open Meetings Act. No further action was taken.

Including the executive session, the council meeting lasted an hour and 47 minutes, one of the longest in some time.

Dog event: The council endorsed the Midway Business Association's proposed “Dock Dogs” competition, which would be held at the dog park on a summer weekend -- if the MBA works out arrangements with the commercial vendor who does the events, in which dogs jump off a dock into a large pool, among other things.

The city Parks Board had approved the idea, but didn't have authority over questions about water, vendors and permits, said new Council Member John Holloway, a board member and Walter Bradley Park's unpaid manager.

The council discussed the cost and source of water, necessary permits, liability insurance, parking and other questions with MBA representatives Justin Werner and Steve Morgan. They predicted that the event would draw 2,000 to 3,000 people, with competing dogs coming from other states as well as Kentucky. DockDogs is a “premier canine aquatics competition,” its website says. 

Council roundtable: At the end of each meeting, council members are offered chances in turn to bring up other matters.

New Council Member Logan Nance requested an update on the Midway Child Care Task Force and a look into online payment of water-sewer bills.

Vandegrift said get would get the council an update on the task force. He said online credit card payments would carry a 4 percent surcharge, which has made him hesitant about residents' reactions, but "I'm all for it . . . if you all feel a hunger out there for it." He endorsed Nance's suggestion for a survey of city residents about the idea.

Message from the mayor gives his view of options for sewer-rate cuts; first reading of ordinances Monday

By Grayson Vandegrift
Mayor, City of Midway

It’s time to set a new baseline for our sewer rates – one that reflects our much improved financial situation.

Tomorrow night, I will present two options to the city council for cutting sewer rates – a 25 percent cut (which I prefer) and a 15 percent cut. The reason our current sewer rates are what they are is because they were raised in 2002 to cover the bonds issue for the new sewer plant. Now that we’ve paid off the debt on both the old and new plants, I believe it’s time to set a new baseline sewer rate.

Governments too often take money when they need it but never give it back when they don’t. Our upcoming sewer project to camera and clean out the old lines in town will not require us to borrow money, but future projects likely will. At that time, we may have to raise rates temporarily to pay off the loan of such a project – but it will only be for the life of the loan – then, rates will be reduced back to the baseline.

The question is, what should that new baseline be? I believe it should be 25 percent lower, bringing the rate just below the levels they were before the city had to build a second sewer plant because of failed technology in the old plant. The numbers and projections show (they are available at City Hall or here) that even with a 25 percent rate cut, there is still plenty of new money coming in because we are debt free in our sewer fund, and we’ve got plenty of money saved for rainy day funds.

The ordinance requires two readings, the first of which is scheduled for our regular council meeting on Monday, Dec. 3 at City Hall. The second readings, and vote to approve one of the ordinances, is set for Dec. 17 at City Hall. Both meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. Thank you for taking the time to read this and on becoming more informed on the issues, that’s part of what makes this community so great.

Kentucky American wants Midway to pay 21.5% more for water; mayor says he will object, calls hike 'absurd'

Kentucky American Water Co. is asking the state Public Service Commission for rate increases, including a 21.5 percent in the fee for wholesale customers such as the City of Midway. Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the Midway Messenger that he would oppose the increase.

"I will absolutely be speaking publicly against this rate increase," Vandegrift said in an email. "It is absurd for them to ask for another rate increase right now."

Kentucky American last filed for rate increases in 2016. The PSC gave it about half what it sought; for the company's direct residential customers, that was a 9.2 percent hike. Midway's water system did not pass the increase along to its customers. "I'm not sure if we'll be able to do that again," Vandegrift said.

At its meetings in December, the outgoing City Council is to consider an ordinance that would reduce sewer fees by 2515 percent, because the city has reduced its sewer expenses with an early payoff of the bond issue used to build the wastewater treatment plant. Vandegrift said he has changed the cut from the original 25 percent on the advice of Council Member Bruce Southworth, chair of the Public Works and Services Committee, but still hopes for an additional cut to make the total 25 percent.

The sewer and water funds are separate, but billed together. "On average, the sewer bill is about 35 percent of the overall bill, when you factor in garbage too," Vandegrift said. In August, the council increased garbage rates 15.4 percent for residential customers and 29.6 percent for businesses, passing along increases from contractor Rumpke Waste & Recycling.

The increase for Kentucky American would be the company's sixth in 11 years, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. The PSC process includes public hearings, and takes six months to a year.

The company says it is spending more than $100 million improving its system and needs a rate hike to cover those costs. “These investments are necessary to maintain and enhance service, water quality, system reliability, and fire protection capabilities for customers while still keeping the cost of water service for most residential customers at about a penny per gallon, usually their most affordable utility bill,” it said in a news release.

“We have approached infrastructure replacement in as proactive a way as possible,” Kentucky American President Nick Rowe said, “but more investment is still required in order to address the continual need for system renewal.” The news release listed "major capital projects," including work at the company's largest treatment plant, on the Kentucky River in Fayette County and "the replacement of 9.5 miles of aging water pipes in the region since the last rate increase took effect in 2016." It didn't say where those were.

“In addition to focusing on these and other capital improvements, we are committed to containing operational and maintenance expenses as much as possible, too, in order to keep rates affordable for our customers,” Rowe said. “We have done this by implementing efficiencies and leveraging technology throughout our operations. We will continue to work toward becoming even more efficient without sacrificing the safety of our teams or the level of service we provide.”

Mayor says 25% sewer-rate cut to be proposed at next City Council meeting; sidewalk repair plan renewed

By Hannah Woosley, Sierra McLean and Al Cross
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift plans to ask the City Council to give the city's sewer customers a Christmas present: a 25 percent reduction in the city's sewer fee.

Vandegrift made the announcement today, after distributing figures at Monday night's City Council meeting showing that the balance in the sewer fund is "rising very steadily." He told council members that he would "be talking to each of you individually, but I’m of the opinion we can have the first reading of [an ordinance] lowering sewer rates the first Monday in December."

Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, Vandegrift said in an email to the Messenger and The Woodford Sun, "We’re going to go ahead and put 25 percent sewer-rate cuts into ordinance form and schedule for first reading on Dec. 3 and second reading Dec. 17. It’s become apparent, and I’m very confident, that with the sewer fund rapidly improving and our new revenue coming in, which is expected to continue to grow itself, we can both cut rates and make major investments in infrastructure."

Vandegrift told the Messenger Tuesday night that he did not talk to all the council members before making the decision: "After the meeting I felt that wouldn’t seem right. I did speak to a few, individually, but didn’t try to get a consensus much more than those I spoke with felt that this council should be the one to decide, which I agree with." Three council seats will change hands Jan. 1.

The sewer fund is growing because it no longer has one big expense: payments on the bonds the city issued to build its current wastewater treatment plant. At Vandegrift's request, the council voted in July to dip into the city's savings to pay off the bond issue early. He said the city was paying more interest on the bonds, 3.8 percent, than it earned from the $285,490 certificate of deposit it cashed, 0.6 percent. Vandegrift said at the time that the move should lead to lowering sewer fees by “at least 25 percent . . . in a few months.”

West Main Street in 2015

Sidewalk redux: The council voted 5-0 to renew the program it started last year, paying half the cost, up to $1,000, of repairing selected sidewalks. Property owners will apply to be part of the program, pay the full cost, then be reimbursed. Council Member Kaye Nita Gallagher abstained, saying, "I've got a dog in this fight." Her sidewalk on West Main Street needs repair or replacement.

Last year, due to budget limitations, only three owners were funded for repair of five sidewalks, and the plan “worked very well,” Vandegrift said. “It wasn’t a huge number, but it was sidewalks that hadn’t been fixed in a very long time. This showed us that we can do it on a larger scale.”

Vandegrift said he wants residents to apply if they believe their sidewalks need repairs. He said letters will be sent in February to those who have sidewalks that need repair but haven’t signed up. The sign-up deadline will be March 31. If residents who need sidewalk repairs haven’t signed up by this date, they will be required to bear all costs to repair their sidewalks, he said.

The mayor also said residents who own blighted or abandoned property or have not paid their taxes are ineligible to participate in the cost-sharing program.

Council Member Steve Simoff asked Vandegrift how the city will prioritize repairs. He said Winter Street should have priority, especially due to the busy Halloween traffic, “simply for safety reasons.” Vandegrift agreed, saying that they will look to frequently walked streets first.

The mayor said that eventually, repairs on old streets such as Winter will require tearing up old trees. Council Member Sara Hicks noted that the city has a tree plan that could guide replacement work.

Citizen’s petition: Rex Cecil, who owns the vacant building at 123 E. Main St., asked the council to consider a variance in its policy for restoring water service to properties that have not been active for five years.

Cecil said he closed his architectural practice that was in the building in 2005, and he turned the water off in 2009. He said he wants to sell or rent the property, but “Since it’s been more than five years, it’s $850” to do that, he said.

Vandegrift said he would refer the matter to the council's Public Works and Services Committee.

400 S. Winter St. (Photo from Google Maps street view, 2015)

Building extension request: Greg Rawlings requested an encroachment permit for an addition to the house at 400 S. Winter St. that would need an entrance for parking. Rawlings said the property was originally platted for townhouses but will remain a single-family residence. The council approved the permit 6-0.

Traffic update: Vandegrift said edge lines and center lines will be painted on Stephens Street when the weather stays consistently warm. He said he will include in the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 money to build sidewalk bulb-outs at the Winter Street intersections of Bruen Street (the post office) and Stephens. Bulb-outs are designed to make streets narrower, create more space designated for pedestrians, and discourage speeding.

Holiday schedule: The council also discussed the upcoming holiday-season events. On Friday, the tree- and street-lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, Santa Claus will be visiting via RJ Corman Railroad at 11 a.m.

Record number of vendors blamed for overheated transformer at Fall Festival; mayor pledges changes

Story and Photos by Sierra McLean
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway’s Fall Festival drew thousands to town on a warm, sunny Saturday, but hit a roadblock in the afternoon when an electrical transformer overheated and leaked hot oil.

The leak at the corner of Gratz and Main was reported to the police by a festival goer. Power to downtown had to be cut off while Kentucky Utilities replaced it. According to Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, the power went out around 4:15 p.m. and was out for about 30 to 45 minutes.

The faulty transformer

Vandegrift said the transformer overheated because there were too many vendors at the festival drawing electricity. He said Elisha Holt, the contracted coordinator for the Midway Business Association, assured the city council in August that the festival would have no more than 210 vendors, a record number. “She told us, on record, ‘We are not adding anymore vendors. We are turning our waiting list away’,” Vandegrift said.

Asked about that, Holt said, “Well, we had 230 vendors who actually paid to be here, but oftentimes they don’t all show up, and there are several who aren’t here.”

Vandegrift said, “Where I feel burned is that the permit was approved for 210 vendors. I started getting reports from people today who thought there were as many as 250.”

Transformer oil spilled onto the street.

Asked if anyone was monitoring what was being plugged in, Holt said, “No, no, that’s never been the situation. Not only was it not regulated, it’s never been regulated.”

Vandegrift said, “It frustrates me that they turned around and overloaded the circuits like this and we were warned -- now we passed this warning onto the coordinator, told them that you still can’t just plug anything you want into this. There has to be some oversight and some control of how many circuits are being overloaded. And then we have what happened today.”

Holt saw the loss of power in an opposite way. “That gave those food booths, who normally are making food the whole time, a half an hour to go shopping.” she said. “A vendor actually came in here and said, ‘Normally I have to cook the whole time, but I had half an hour to come and shop,’ so it all worked out. It was fine.”

Vandegrift said, “I didn’t hear anyone who was upset about losing power. The ones I talked to seemed very understanding and patient.”

Prototype was among several bands performing at the festival.

But he also said, “I feel like it’s an insult to the city (a) to violate the permit and (b) to essentially cause a problem that the city has to fix, despite the fact that we don’t put on this festival and we don’t receive any money from this festival, aside from our normal permit fees from the vendors, which will total about $4,000 this year.”

He continued, “What worries me is that it created a potential public safety hazard by having hot oil dripping from a transformer. What if a kid was walking under that or something?”

Vandegrift added that he “wasn’t throwing Elisha under the bus” but just trying to do his job, “protect the city and the interests of the city.” He said Saturday night, “I had a great conversation with Elisha tonight and she was very agreeable to making some changes and were agreeable to working with them.”

In the end, Vandegrift said he just wanted to make sure that “everyone still had a good time.” He said, “It’s really, really important that this festival remains a community event… and that it’s not about an entity or individual making as much money as possible. When it becomes that, we have a serious problem. I’m not saying it has become that, but I am seeing troubling signs that it is moving in that direction.”

When asked if this would change how the festival is run, Vandegrift said, “I can guarantee you significant changes are going to be made.” Vandegrift is running for election to a four-year term that begins Jan. 1. His opponent is county school board Chairman Ambrose Wilson IV.

Spectators got a close look as one of RJ Corman Railroad Co.'s freight trains rolled through Main Street.

Despite the temporary electric problem, thousands enjoyed the festival, and vendors were happy. Debbie Osbourne, who works for the Purple Buffalo Lavender Co., a first-time vendor, said, “It has been very good for us.”

Susan Davisson, left, a designer at Jewelry by the Spoonful in Cynthiana, said this was her ninth year at the festival. When asked what keeps bringing her back, Davisson said, “This is my biggest money-making festival.”

The Pop Shop popcorn company was also pleased. Tiffany Davies said they came because, “We had heard so many good things about it and there’s a huge variety of vendors here. So, there’s sorta something for everybody. Plus, they are really good at not doing a lot of duplications.”