Commission weighs taking Main Street from state; approves MOA for high-side sidewalk project

Commissioners discussed a multi-year petition and a state process to transfer ownership of portions of Main Street from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to the City of Winchester. Petition lead Chad (last name not specified in transcript) summarized outreach to downtown building owners and said the state provided an acceptable map and initial steps for transfer.

Chad told the commission the DOT sks for a city resolution and a map (survey not required) and that the state will sign an initial contract in about two months and the deed transfer typically completes in about two years. "There re 0 cost and, in my opinion, 0 risk other than you would have to maintain and upkeep it," he said, noting the contract would require the road to remain open to the public and revert to the state if the city later declines ownership.

Commissioners and staff highlighted unknowns: subsurface conditions under Main Street (Sanborn maps show cisterns), annual maintenance estimates (public works reported about $10,204.33 per block, estimated roughly $30,000 per year for three blocks), and potential responsibilities for traffic signals and right-of-way. Commissioner comments emphasized the possible benefits (crosswalks, lighting, streetscape changes) and costs, and several commissioners requested a draft state contract to review before deciding whether to proceed. City staff and one commissioner asked Chad to request a sample contract from KYTC; Chad agreed to do so.

Related to downtown work, the commission then considered a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the high-side Main Street sidewalk project (project number O7304400) presented as a resolution on the agenda. The MOA amount in the printed resolution was stated as $404,444,000. Motion to approve the resolution came from Commissioner Toole and was seconded by Commissioner Chenault; the resolution passed on voice/roll-call vote. City staff discussed the project's matching rules and confirmed earlier design expenditures (about $2,253,341.30) are not eligible to count toward the KYTC 20% match unless they fall within the program—ligibility window defined by the state (staff cited a 90-day rule prior to bid). City staff and commissioners noted the importance of ensuring the high-side work and potential transfer would not jeopardize state funding for the larger Main Street high-side project.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to request a sample state contract addressing transfer terms and to continue coordination with KYTC while moving forward with the sidewalk MOA and further design and funding steps.