Votes at a glance: Ashland commissioners approve ordinances on water treatment monitoring, sidewalk and pump-station change orders, landfill contract and grant/

At their March 11, 2025 meeting the City of Ashland Board of City Commissioners approved a series of ordinances and consent items, including first readings of multiple ordinances, a landfill disposal contract and authorization to apply for a recycling/household hazardous‑waste grant that requires a 25 percent local match.

The board took routine action on the consent agenda and then approved the following items (first reading or authorization as noted):

- Tank level monitoring agreement with USALCO LLC for the Department of Utility Operations/water treatment plant at no cost to the city (ordinance read and moved; first reading approved).

- Change Order No. 1 with Judy Construction Company for the Robert Strive screen replacement project, decreasing the contract by $39,337 (first reading approved).

- Change Order No. 1 with Lidee Contracting LLC for Sidewalk Replacement Project Phase 2, decreasing the contract by $121,637.03 (first reading approved).

- Contract with Boyd County Sanitary Landfill Inc. (Rumpke) for disposal of compacted garbage, rubble and refuse collected by the city for one year at a rate not to exceed $22.24 per ton (first reading approved); city staff noted the per‑ton rate rose about $1.00 versus the prior year and the increase equals roughly $9,083 compared with the prior year’s cost.

- Change Order No. 5 with Mechanical Construction Company for the 206 Sixth Street pump station rehabilitation project, decreasing the contract by $7,241.63 (first reading approved).

- Resolution adopting and approving the consent agenda for the meeting, which included promotional items and the purchase of 25 fire hydrants (motion approved). Commissioners discussed hydrant availability, supply-chain issues and plans to purchase more hydrants in the next budget year; staff said the city hopes to purchase 100 hydrants in the upcoming budget and possibly make an additional purchase before the new fiscal year.

Carry‑on items approved during the meeting included authorization to submit a fiscal‑year 2025–2026 recycling/household hazardous‑waste grant application to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (Division of Waste Management, Recycling and Local Assistance Branch) with a required 25 percent match if awarded, and authorization to execute a consulting agreement with Harrison Consulting LLC to provide oversight and consulting for construction of a proposed conference center (both motions approved at the meeting as add‑ons).

Votes: For the measures listed above, the record in the meeting transcript shows motions and seconds and no recorded opposition; the meeting chair called for “aye” and no “no” votes were recorded on those first readings and add‑ons. The transcript does not record individual roll‑call tallies by name for these items.

Discussion highlights and clarifications

- Fire hydrants: Commissioners and staff discussed that some hydrants along the city-owned portions of the system (including areas serving Catlettsburg) have been damaged or are obsolete and hard to get parts for. Staff and the fire department said hydrants often require replacement, that annual flushing identifies hydrants in disrepair, and that there are potential liability/insurance avenues to bill owners when appropriate.

- Promotions: The consent agenda included promotions for Ryan Connolly and Adam (last name not specified in the transcript); a pinning ceremony was noted for a future meeting.

The board adjourned after final items and some general comments about city events and public safety training.