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Richmond commissioners approve entertainment-district liquor rules, multiple appointments and contracts
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting the Richmond Board of Commissioners approved a second-reading ordinance creating alcohol rules for a downtown entertainment district and adopted multiple orders including appointments, contracts and equipment purchases.
The Richmond Board of Commissioners voted to approve an amendment to downtown entertainment-district licensing and a package of orders including appointments, contract awards and equipment purchases at its Sept. 9 meeting.
The most consequential action was the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 25-21, which amends the city—s rules for an Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) and directs the city to apply for an EDC license from the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ordinance as summarized by the city attorney clarifies licensing for businesses that sell alcoholic beverages within common areas, allows licensed businesses in or adjacent to the EDC to sell in designated common areas within a Thursday-11 a.m. to Sunday-1 a.m. window if the city grants written permission, and requires city-approved drinking cups and compliance with applicable state open-container laws.
Commissioners also approved a slate of orders that carried routine administrative, personnel and procurement actions:
Votes at a glance - Minutes (regular meeting, Aug. 12): motion to approve by Commissioner Cole; second by Commissioner Newby. Vote: Cole — yes; Goebel — yes; Newby — yes; Brewer — yes; Mayor Blythe — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-21 (Entertainment Destination Center; second reading and adoption): motion to adopt by Commissioner Newby; second: not specified in the public record. Vote: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: adopted. Authority cited during discussion: 804 KAR 4:370 (ABC regulations) as referenced in the attorney—s summary.
- Order 25-133 (declare police-department property surplus; dispose via GovDeals): motion by Commissioner Cole; second by Commissioner Goebel. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Order 25-134 (appoint Robbie Smith as fire chief, effective payroll date Sept. 2025, pay grade O8): motion by Commissioner Brewer; second: not specified. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. Clarifying detail: appointment notes list Smith's hire date as Feb. 2002 and subsequent promotions to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and assistant fire chief.
- Order 25-135 (hire Joshua Taylor, labor 1, Recycle Department; $15.75/hr, contingent on pre-employment requirements; effective 09/19/2025): motion by Commissioner Newby; second: not specified. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Order 25-136 (youth football facilities agreement with Madison County Youth Football League, 1-year term): motion by Commissioner Cole; second: Commissioner Goebel. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. City manager noted contract is one year because teams will move to a new park next year and future terms may be renegotiated.
- Order 25-137 (award contracts for Fire Training Center interior installation): motion by Commissioner Brewer; second: not specified. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. Contracts awarded: plumbing to First Call Construction ($28,600); HVAC to Dunright Services ($45,800); electrical to First Call Construction ($40,300). Funding: Fire Department capital outlay (fiscal year '26).
- Order 25-138 (appoint Kenny Hill to Board of Adjustments, 4-year term): motion by Commissioner Newby; second: not specified. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Order 25-139 (purchase parks equipment for Richmond Regional Sports Complex): motion by Commissioner Brewer; second: not specified. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. Purchases: 60-inch tracked remote-control mower from Brown Equipment ($75,000) and 4WD cab tractor with 12-foot flex mower from Hobdy Dye & Reed ($59,075). Funding: Capital Projects Sports Complex bonding 2.
Several other ordinances on first reading (including the ad valorem tax ordinance, zoning map amendment for Heath Street/Estill Avenue, and zoning-and-development ordinance amendments) were introduced for first reading and will return for second reading and action at a future meeting.
No item on the evening's consent or orders agenda failed to pass; recorded roll-call votes shown in the minutes were unanimous where recorded.
Commission deliberations were largely procedural. The city attorney provided the ordinance summaries required for second reading on Ordinance 25-21; the city manager described outreach to other Kentucky cities with similar EDC rules and told commissioners that the proposed licensing window matched businesses' requests and had worked elsewhere, and staff highlighted funding sources for capital purchases.
