Richmond commissioners approve zoning changes, irrigation contract and personnel orders; several measures set for later vote

The City of Richmond Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 14 to adopt changes to the city zoning ordinance, to award a $2,293,514.80 contract for a full irrigation-system replacement at Gibson Bay Golf Course and to approve several personnel orders and administrative items. Two ordinances received first reading and will be considered at a later meeting.

The board gave final approval to Ordinance 25-09, an amendment to the municipal zoning ordinance, following a second reading. The board also voted to accept Order 25-59, awarding the irrigation replacement contract to Commercial Irrigation, Inc. The purchase will be funded by the city's general obligations bond series (ordinances 23-47 and 24-30). Several personnel orders — including a promotion to master police officer (Order 25-58), a parks department reclassification to Parks Athletic Manager (Order 25-60), the acceptance of a police resignation (Order 25-57) and a reappointment to the Board of Adjustments (Order 25-61) — were approved by voice vote.

Two ordinances were presented on first reading and will be returned for final votes at a future meeting: Ordinance 25-10 adopts the 2025 supplements to the Code of Ordinances as prepared by American Legal Publishing Corporation; Ordinance 25-11 is an amendment to the FY2025 budget estimating revenues and appropriating funds for city operations. The commission had a detailed budget discussion but took no final vote on the amendment at this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes of March 25, 2025 regular meeting: approved (unanimous voice vote). - Order 25-58 (promote a Richmond police officer to master police officer, effective 04/14/2025): passed (unanimous voice vote). - Ordinance 25-09 (zoning ordinance amendments; second reading/adopted): passed (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). - Ordinance 25-10 (2025 code supplements; first reading): presented, no final vote. - Ordinance 25-11 (FY2025 budget amendment; first reading): presented, no final vote. - Order 25-57 (accept resignation of Shane Harvey, Richmond Police Department): passed (unanimous voice vote). - Order 25-59 (award irrigation system replacement at Gibson Bay Golf Course to Commercial Irrigations, Inc., $2,293,514.80): passed (unanimous voice vote). - Order 25-60 (reclassify parks employee to Parks Athletic Manager, John Kuntz, $20/hr, effective 05/02/2025): passed (unanimous voice vote). - Order 25-61 (reappoint Brian Kirby to Board of Adjustments through 03/18/2029): passed (unanimous voice vote).

The commission recorded no dissenting votes in the items decided at this meeting. Ordinance 25-10 and Ordinance 25-11 were read for the first time and will return for a future vote after additional review and publication as required by Kentucky law.

Background and next steps

City staff said the irrigation project was put to bid twice and that Commercial Irrigation, Inc., was selected in part because it could meet the project's timeline (start this fall and finish by spring 2026), avoiding interference with the golf season. The FY2025 budget amendment (Ordinance 25-11) prompted questions and staff highlighted major adjustments including bond interest payments, emergency repairs, and overtime costs; final adoption will follow additional review. Ordinance 25-10 is a routine municipal codification prepared by American Legal Publishing Corporation and will be considered at the next meeting.

No litigation, appeals, or contingent conditions affecting the votes were reported during the meeting.