[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6488212,"mediaKeyId","5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42","parentId",5711266,"title","Hopkinsville council repeals commercial recycling rate on first reading; staff told to seek vendor options before final vote","audioSeconds",1111,"startMs",1905000,"endMs",3016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42&start=1905&end=3016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42/thumbnail_1905000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488212/Hopkinsville-City/Christian-County/Kentucky/Hopkinsville-council-repeals-commercial-recycling-rate-on-first-reading-staff-told-to-seek-vendor-options-before-final-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488212-59d4d18c0f6347a1660822f28bd53fed/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568747&Signature=IFozcdcWRKKHLMA3XwWXTJm-ieH5RDugdFYgG1o0u9j3ffagE148ji2A9C2tdH93xsK5ORv7clm31ah9qDIbRG~n2EIzLPSXFQk6OBmSIM44~cLLqfKrayyzUzzznJNcAZEqVj~btcQ2IELIXRo6uY~ypby8hM70Q9srJURbsRlQ-FDM6hKaEglZkrBCR0JIsAWPc-528rYFoanm~aplffPwUd9ONpbWm2Pc2~N8c5D~BRj7zlC0Ochit6mRvsSm9ccmsQjD212Ol~qQWRqLFxge2AChuO3co2V2gnvzo-77AgpusYqA6znJE5RpIgUq7iUyKMVrW0LffRoaW6bGaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hopkinsville, KY","date","2025-09-03T12:14:09Z","article","Hopkinsville City Council voted on Sept. 2 to repeal the city's commercial recycling rate ordinance on first reading, a move that would end the municipal commercial recycling rate currently codified at section 93.07 and set a timeline for ending city-run recycling if a replacement plan is not enacted.

Council member Amy (council member) moved the ordinance repeal and Council member Chuck (council member) seconded the motion. The ordinance passed on first reading; Council member Martin voted no, and the other members present voted yes. The clerk completed a roll call before the council declared the ordinance passed on first reading.

The repeal prompted extended discussion about how the city will maintain service for commercial and industrial customers. Brian (staff member) told the council that commercial customers would receive 30 days' notice before any change in service. Administration and council members repeatedly emphasized they did not want businesses to miss a day of service during the transition.

City staff reported there are about 159 commercial customers and 24 businesses located in the city's industrial park that currently receive recycling service. Staff further said the city's recycling operation has four employees and that personnel costs account for roughly 75% of the program's operating cost. Those figures were cited by staff during council questions about whether keeping commercial or industrial service alone would produce sufficient savings.

Administration representatives said the city will present options for the council to consider before the ordinance's second reading. Melissa Clayton (Chief Financial Officer) and other staff told the council they had been exploring alternatives including a franchise model (one contracted vendor), opening collection to multiple private vendors, or other third-party contracting. Under the franchise option staff described, the city would put a combined residential/commercial requirement in the bid if it wanted to preserve curbside recycling while also serving commercial accounts.

The council also discussed legal and operational constraints. The city attorney noted that the existing trash flow-control language in the code treats solid waste brought to city facilities as property of the city, and that the ordinance language will need to be changed to permit third-party collection and to define how recycling and regular waste are distinguished for scale/fee purposes.

Several council members pressed staff on communications and timing for affected businesses. Council member Don (council member) and resident Britney (resident) said industrial-park firms often have external requirements, such as ISO certifications, that depend on continued recycling, and asked that administration notify those businesses immediately. Troy (staff member) told the council he would contact the Industrial Foundation and industrial customers the following day.

Staff told council the administration planned to present options at a committee-of-the-whole meeting; the staff member said Sept. 18 was the planned date for a full presentation but later indicated they would attempt to provide information by Sept. 16 so councilors could review options before the final vote. If the council selects a franchise or other ordinance change, staff said they would return with ordinance language reflecting that choice.

Council members repeatedly asked that any change avoid a lapse in service for commercial and industrial customers and urged quick, clear communications to those accounts. \"We need to make sure our businesses are taken care of and not just finish the program,\" Council member Amy said during the discussion.

The council's action repeals the commercial rate language from the Hopkinsville code pending the second reading and publication required by law. The ordinance as presented and passed on first reading does not itself create a new commercial vendor contract; staff must draft any implementing ordinances and bring them back to council for approval.

The council set the next procedural steps: staff will return with options and any proposed ordinance language prior to the second reading so councilors can vote with the implementation plan in view. The administration said it will notify commercial accounts and speak with industrial-park stakeholders immediately.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-2025 (repeal of Hopkinsville Code 93.07, commercial recycling) passed on first reading (roll-call recorded; Council member Martin voted no).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hopkinsville City Council Meeting - September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hopkinsville City Council voted on Sept. 2 to repeal the municipal commercial recycling rate on first reading, setting a timetable for ending city-run commercial recycling unless the council approves a replacement plan.","taxTitle","Hopkinsville City, Christian County, Kentucky","taxId",51060,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488202,"Council reprograms CDBG funds to parking-lot and public-facility work; FY operational amendment and three municipal orders pass",207,3029000,3236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42&start=3029&end=3236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42/thumbnail_3029000.jpg","/articles/6488202/Hopkinsville-City/Christian-County/Kentucky/Council-reprograms-CDBG-funds-to-parking-lot-and-public-facility-work-FY-operational-amendment-and-three-municipal-orders-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488202-b36f7ac5b4d3ab7b45d80e49a18762c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568747&Signature=KX-IGqmLA~mymVylno2h9xYlxspji8v1-EuiHj09bMEizBZ-22G5R7XgXKJ1ascWCxHwjVOQUxseRooElxMOP63149mH1whmtwhnS~6jS~E~W~WnhGkFRXDubt0ix6yfENjiECPlFR50xBgzDSge4E7ymNOZZb3cF1eXcvVWEooLrupdu9TtGDygKkxIlcCeQRvbzgQtwNV9wtnhBgsQC3WP-JB3yqWaIcUo0SuSifOhlcUv786PEunxftqoZkfNPcHVG8k0ve1MkMkI3itYxVckZyxnFW8QM2-elbbr1HdeH5abgnQmB5MykaA7IRAfgm4b5cybEo6APFdXOMDlFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hopkinsville City Council on Sept. 2 approved a fiscal-year operational budget amendment on first reading and authorized the reprogramming of several Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) line items to pay for public-facility improvements, including resurfacing parking lots in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Ordinance 26-2025, the FY 2025-26 operational budget amendment, was introduced and approved on first reading by roll call. The ordinance amends the city's revenue and expense estimates for the 2025-26 fiscal year and directs that the full text is available at the city clerk's office for public inspection.

Council also passed three municipal orders (37-2025, 38-2025 and 39-2025) that reprogram unspent Hopkinsville Home Improvement Program CDBG funds from prior fiscal years into a public facility improvement program. The three municipal orders together reallocate about $145,000 of unspent CDBG funds to projects the city described as resurfacing parking lots for facilities serving low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, beginning with the Boys & Girls Club parking lot and then West Side Park parking.

Melissa Clayton (Chief Financial Officer) and other staff explained that the city recently resumed direct management of the CDBG program and worked with HUD to obtain a substantial amendment to the annual action plan allowing public-facility work. Staff said HUD rejected the city's initial proposal to use funds for street repaving, but approved the public-facility parking-lot projects. Staff noted many CDBG rules constrain how funds may be used and said additional reprogramming would be possible later if the city develops a revised home-improvement program and HUD approves it.

Councilors asked whether basketball courts or playground elements could be resurfaced; staff said they would check HUD's approval and report back. Council member Jason (council member) voiced the sole recorded \"no\" on one of the municipal votes during discussion but the municipal orders ultimately passed.

The council also discussed the administrative capacity to run CDBG projects. Staff said the city's grant writer and revenue-enhancement coordinator will pursue HUD CDBG certification training, and the city intends to manage the reprogrammed projects internally without creating a new department.

All three municipal orders and the first-reading budget amendment passed at the meeting; staff said the Boys & Girls Club parking-lot project is the first planned use of the reprogrammed funds and the city will evaluate remaining amounts as projects progress.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 26-2025 (FY 2025-26 operational budget amendment) passed on first reading by roll call; Municipal Orders 37-2025, 38-2025 and 39-2025 reprogramming CDBG funds were approved by council vote.","Council approved a fiscal-year operational budget amendment on first reading and reprogrammed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds across three municipal orders to pay for public-facility parking-lot resurfacing projects after HUD approved a substantial amendment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488208,"Council approves first reading of ordinance allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on 35 mph roads",83,1762000,1845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42&start=1762&end=1845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711266-c6047baa8608c5729adf53d197e9aa42/thumbnail_1762000.jpg","/articles/6488208/Hopkinsville-City/Christian-County/Kentucky/Council-approves-first-reading-of-ordinance-allowing-street-legal-special-purpose-vehicles-on-35-mph-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488208-71fe7ef189c65b751941fca76743f9ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568747&Signature=WotfdNsx45gY~885Avs3W7z~wvy5wKTHudNv2Twt25nWwIKXfSW~8plMc5jR4Hp10S417-tAJb-JDAIWFz3gEUY6HUJuzez55GUjAUvzojXMdci08MP3GYjblfAGHGBxrd2Zrkx7zaDtPfRZjdipahTW1UZb1AIthL9Zer62aVdaGIddIa1g4t4-KH4kAbhVKACrEc-24FgcPMq4RCpGcHIvonYQdPESLFT81hFplxnIDxHxvrEBSjhWFpiExbioTK~i6sTDOdhXt5rQQSvcWkNRFZJhtyCPrgmOnzbHd3gNjJNGr4IGIt8u2lHS6UDMGgM-5q2xOroR68gJSlxYhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hopkinsville City Council passed on first reading an ordinance authorizing the operation of street-legal special purpose vehicles within the city on streets with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, and imposing equipment and safety restrictions consistent with state law.

The ordinance, introduced as Ordinance 24-2025, cites the Kentucky General Assembly's Senate Bill 63 (codified in relevant KRS sections) as authorizing local governments to adopt such ordinances. The municipal text specifies that vehicles must meet state equipment requirements and that operators must be properly licensed under the applicable Kentucky statutes. The ordinance also requires passengers under age 18 to wear protective helmets while the vehicle is in operation within city limits.

Council members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the first reading. The clerk called the roll after a motion and second; the roll call showed unanimous support from members present and the chair announced that the ordinance passed on first reading. The ordinance states it will take effect after passage and publication according to law and reserves the city's right to impose additional restrictions.

Key provisions read to council include the definition references to KRS chapter 186 and the citation of Senate Bill 63, authorization limited to designated highways, the 35 mph speed-limit restriction, operator licensing per KRS 186.410 (as referenced in the draft), and the helmet requirement for passengers under 18.

The ordinance now proceeds toward a required second reading and publication to become effective.","On first reading the Hopkinsville City Council approved an ordinance permitting street-legal special purpose vehicles to operate on designated city highways with limits (35 mph or less) and safety requirements including helmets for passengers under 18.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hopkinsville council repeals commercial recycling rate on first reading; staff told to seek vendor options before final vote

Council reprograms CDBG funds to parking-lot and public-facility work; FY operational amendment and three municipal orders pass

Council approves first reading of ordinance allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on 35 mph roads