Bowling Green commission approves option to buy downtown property, radio fiber, playground and several personnel actions

Bowling Green — The Bowling Green Board of Commission on Sept. 16 approved an option to purchase 500 East Main and voted on a package of operational items including a fiber installation for public-safety radio sites, an application for a state transportation grant, playground replacement work, personnel appointments and a change order for asphalt work.

The actions, taken at City Hall during the regularly scheduled evening meeting, were advanced by unanimous votes unless noted. City officials said the property option will provide interim office space as the city plans long-term development of its City Hall campus. Officials described the fiber work as a cost-saving measure to improve redundancy for the public-safety radio system.

City manager remarks and staff presentations City Manager Jeff Meisel presented the purchase option for 500 East Main, which staff said would offer space for “four or five departments” during a multi-year campus planning process. “This will be an opportunity to plug and play,” Meisel said during discussion of the acquisition. The commission voted unanimously to approve the municipal order authorizing an option to purchase the property (municipal order number 2025-231).

Steven Eppley, an IT manager, described the radio-fiber project as an effort to “upgrade and replace some outdated equipment or radio towers that are used for our public safety radio system.” Eppley told commissioners that partnering with local utilities to provide fiber to tower sites will create dual communication paths where only one exists today and will allow the city to defer expensive aerial equipment replacement. The commission approved a sole-source purchase of fiber and service aggregation routers from Bowling Green Municipal Utilities and Motorola Solutions Inc., for $279,386.25.

Roads, grant application and resurfacing scope Staff asked the commission to authorize submission of a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet county priority projects program application for $669,586.14 to resurface approximately 1.1 miles of roadway, including Riverview Drive and Plum Springs Loop. City staff said the project would require a 20% local match (about $167,000) for a total project forecast near $837,000. Commissioners voted to authorize the grant application.

Parks, playground and capital projects The commission approved a GameTime contract using the Omnia Partners cooperative to replace the Lovers Lane playground, with a total project cost of $549,378.49. Parks staff said the project will remove the existing 25‑year‑old equipment, regrade the site, install a concrete apron and pour‑in‑place rubber surfacing to improve accessibility.

A municipal change order with Scotty's Contracting Stone LLC was approved to provide asphalt through a sole source, adding $196,000 for a total project cost of $237,500. Staff said the work will let public-works crews complete in-house paving at Hobson Grove, Pedigo Park, Lampkin Park walking trails and resurface the landscaping division storage area.

Personnel and human-resources items The commission approved multiple personnel actions: the promotion of Benjamin Craig to police sergeant (municipal order number 2025-222); probationary appointments for three office-associate positions in human resources and parks and recreation (2025-223); a probationary appointment in information technology for Jordan Miller (2025-224); and the probationary appointment of Aaron Bridal to landscape gardener (2025-225). HR manager Tiara Bridal described the recruitment pools for the office-associate posts (277 applicants, 12 interviewed for the position she summarized).

Financial policy, signatures and purchasing manual updates City staff presented amendments to the city’s financial policies and purchasing manual to reflect the recent separation of the assistant city manager and CFO positions and to add timelines and clarifications for vendor appeals. Katie Schaller Ward, assistant city manager, said the updates included “some specific time periods for us to respond to an appeal” and matching language for revenue collection. The commission approved the policy amendments.

Ordinances and interlocal agreements The commission advanced several ordinances and interlocal items: a first reading (nonbinding) of a new cable-franchise ordinance that updates the city’s franchise requirements; final approval of an interlocal agreement with Warren County and the Barren River Area Development District to manage opioid-settlement funds; and final approval of a new massage-facility regulation amending chapters 15 and 24 of the city code. City Attorney Hillary (last name on file) said licensed massage therapists vetted clarifications and that licensed therapists who furnish documentation to city licensing will be exempt from some local requirements while subject to posting and affidavit conditions.

Process, budget and next steps Staff noted the radio-fiber project was originally budgeted at about $1 million and that the current approach saves money while maintaining backup communications paths. The county and city will split some radio project costs 50/50, officials said. The commission also approved several routine municipal orders for signatures on accounts, amendments to code, and closure of a public right-of-way (between 1418 and 1422 Mount Air Circle), all by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance (items approved unless otherwise noted) - Municipal order 2025-231 — Option to purchase 500 East Main; motion moved by Commissioner Perrigan, seconded by Commissioner Beasley Brown; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-222 — Promotion of Benjamin Craig to police sergeant; move: Commissioner Beasley Brown; second: Commissioner Bailey; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-223 — Probationary appointments (HR and Parks & Rec office associates); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-224 — Probationary appointment (Information Technology, Jordan Miller); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-225 — Probationary appointment (landscape gardener, Aaron Bridal); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order — Purchase of fiber and aggregation routers (Bowling Green Municipal Utilities & Motorola Solutions Inc.), $279,386.25; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order (KYTC grant application) — Authorize application for $669,586.14 with 20% local match; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-229 — Lovers Lane playground replacement (GameTime via Omnia), $549,378.49; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-230 — Change order with Scotty's Contracting Stone LLC for asphalt, $196,000 (total project $237,500); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Municipal order 2025-? — Designation of officials to execute checks and open investment accounts (signature-card changes after separation of assistant city manager/CFO); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Ordinance (first reading, nonbinding) — Cable-franchise ordinance (updates to franchise terms; first reading held). - Ordinance (second reading, binding) — Interlocal agreement re: opioid settlement funds with Warren County and Barren River Area Development District; vote: 5–0 (approved). - Ordinance (second reading, binding) — Regulation of massage facilities (amendments to chapters 15 and 24); vote: 5–0 (approved). - Ordinance/municipal order — Right-of-way closing between 1418 and 1422 Mount Air Circle; vote: 5–0 (approved).

Why it matters The purchase option for 500 East Main provides near-term space to consolidate city operations while the city plans longer-term campus improvements. The fiber and radio work is designed to increase redundancy for 911 and public-safety communications at substantially lower cost than full equipment replacement. The road grant application targets high-traffic corridors (Riverview Drive, Plum Springs Loop) and, if funded, will require a local match. The Lovers Lane playground project updates a heavily used park to inclusive surfacing. Personnel actions fill positions included in the FY 2026 budget.

What’s next City staff said they will pursue the KYTC grant, coordinate the fiber installation with utilities, begin contracting for the playground and pursue required inspections and closeout steps for the downtown property acquisition. The commission rescheduled the Oct. 7 meeting to Oct. 21.

Ending Most measures passed by unanimous roll call; the commission convened a closed session on real‑estate deliberations under KRS 61.810(1)(b) and returned to approve the option to purchase 500 East Main. The board adjourned after the final roll call.