Elizabethtown council adopts zoning change, approves engineering and website contracts; residents raise quiet‑zone and cemetery concerns

The Elizabethtown City Council on Feb. 3 adopted a zoning change for 310 College Street, approved professional services contracts for a wastewater facility expansion and a new city website, and accepted an updated price for a delayed generator purchase. Residents used the public‑comment period to press the council on establishing railroad quiet zones and on masonry repairs at Helmuth Cemetery.

The zoning measure — ordinance 4‑20‑25 — was presented on its second reading and adopted by roll call. The measure rezones 310 College Street from urban residential general (R‑4) to neighborhood office (C‑1) to permit uses such as real‑estate offices. Council members recorded voting “yes” were Council Member Bishop, Council Member Fulkerson, Council Member Isaacs, Council Member Jones, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Tyler; the motion carried.

The council approved a municipal order to hire Jacoby Toons and Lands LLC (JTL) to design and analyze an expansion of the Valley Creek regional wastewater treatment facility. The contract is for professional engineering services not to exceed $400,000 and includes assessments of discharge locations, pretreatment program review, capital‑improvement planning and assistance pursuing funding opportunities.

Separately, the council approved a contract with Revised Software Systems for development and support of a new city website. The initial development contract is for $44,600, with annual hosting and maintenance fees of $6,900 for 2026–2028.

The council also accepted an updated bid from Boyd Company for a standby generator ordered in 2021. Because of material and fabrication delays the equipment was not delivered until 2025; the updated price approved by the council is $145,546.19, and the council noted the item remains within the previously budgeted amount of roughly $175,000.

The body adopted a municipal policy change regarding change orders within approved contracts; the council made and seconded the motion and voted to adopt the policy (details summarized in the city clerk's office record).

In other business, the council read for the first time ordinance 5‑20‑25, an annexation ordinance that would annex approximately 53.944 acres along Gaither Station Road and South Ring Road. The ordinance was read by summary at first reading; owners of the affected parcels gave written consent, and the city provided notice to Hardin County. No final adoption occurred at this meeting; the council will consider the measure in subsequent readings.

Public comment brought several separate community issues to the council's attention. Alexis Dutin, speaking on behalf of College Street neighborhood interests and accompanied by Nate Baughancourt, thanked the council for what she described as a compromise and asked whether planning and zoning recommendations would be followed up; the mayor responded the council had asked for a response in 90 days and that the item would be brought up at a meeting in three months.

Brad Libert of 315 College Street told the council he believed the decision on the College Street matter ran counter to neighborhood preferences, saying, “We had a hundred people that asked you to not vote for this,” and that council had approved the change despite that opposition.

Stetson Smith of 409 Sandy Circle urged the council to pursue establishing railroad quiet zones at several train crossings, noting some crossings do not meet the minimum safety standards required for quiet‑zone designation and saying the process involves submitting inventory documents and obtaining a Federal Railroad Administration review. City staff said they would provide a response and follow up.

Dan Brooks, who identified himself as from Brownieville but not an Elizabethtown resident, raised concerns about the masonry wall at Helmuth Cemetery behind Beck Clinic, saying mortar between stones has deteriorated and that water intrusion is causing freeze‑thaw damage. The council asked Brooks to leave contact information with city staff and said it would research responsibility for the cemetery and follow up.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 1‑20‑25 — Opposing mandated centralized collection of local occupational license fees by the Kentucky General Assembly. Motion to approve carried. (First discussed and approved by voice vote.) - Ordinance 4‑20‑25 — Rezoning of 310 College Street from R‑4 to C‑1. Second reading by summary; motion to adopt passed by roll call (Bishop, Fulkerson, Isaacs, Jones, Springsteen, Tyler — yes). Adopted. - Ordinance 5‑20‑25 — Annexation along Gaither Station Road and South Ring Road (approx. 53.944 acres). Read by summary on first reading; owners gave written consent. First reading only; no adoption at this meeting. - Municipal Order (JTL contract) — Professional engineering services for Valley Creek wastewater treatment facility expansion, not to exceed $400,000. Adopted. - Municipal Order (Revised Software Systems) — Website development and support, $44,600 initial with $6,900/year hosting 2026–2028. Adopted. - Municipal Order (Boyd Company generator) — Accept updated bid for standby generator, $145,546.19. Adopted. - Municipal policy on change orders within approved contracts — Motion to adopt carried.

Why it matters

The wastewater engineering contract and annexation proposal relate to infrastructure and growth planning that could affect service capacity and future development around Gaither Station Road and South Ring Road. The website contract affects public access to city information, and the generator purchase impacts Public Works resilience. Public comments show residents expect follow‑up on neighborhood zoning impacts, train horn reduction options, and preservation of a local cemetery.

What happens next

The council indicated it will follow up on planning and zoning recommendations within about 90 days and will research responsibility and possible repairs for Helmuth Cemetery. The annexation ordinance will return for additional readings before any final adoption. The city clerk's office holds the full texts of ordinances and contracts mentioned.

(Quotes are from the council meeting transcript; procedural language and motion confirmations are summarized from the official meeting record.)