Jerry Little urges citizens to work with the city when it comes to infrastructure repair

Workers pour new gutters and sidewalks along U.S. 25, a mostly state-funded, $8 million investment in Berea. But while new infrastructure is added, the city works to maintain older infrastructure as well.  

Who is responsible for streets, curbs, and other infrastructure in the greater Berea area? It’s not always clear, as Berea City Councilman Jerry Little pointed out Tuesday night. Little raised the issue during a report about the activities of the city’s Public Works Committee.

In recent months, one group of citizens has complained that the city is not maintaining its infrastructure, Little said.  But some of the time, the infrastructure in question is not actually the responsibility of the City of Berea, he added. He noted that some infrastructure, for example, is on private property. Or, in some cases,  property has been annexed into the city, but the city does not have easements to work on issues like drainage, said Little. That can lead to confusion among the public. “Sometimes the city gets blamed for things that are out of our control,” Little noted.

As chair of the Public Works Committee, Little said much of Berea’s infrastructure is aging, but that the city is making an effort to keep up. “We can’t take care of all the problems. We try to take care of what is most needed, because we just don’t have the manpower to take care of everything,” Little said.

Little recommended devising a new system for handing infrastructure complaints, then recording and prioritizing them. In the meantime, he urged patience. “We’re trying to do the best job we can and we’re trying to address all the problems. Just try to work with us and we’ll try to work with you to get things done.”

According to a report released last year, the City of Berea has invested over $20 million in major infrastructure projects since 1997, including upgrading the city parks and improving roadways in the industrial park.

 

CITY OF BEREA MAJOR PROJECTS
PROJECT DATE	PROJECT DESCRIPTION	FINAL PRICE
1993	Berea Community Park	$  2,300,000.00
1993	Intergenerational Building	$     350,000.00
1995	Landfill Closure	$   4,000,000.00
1998	Sidewalk Project (Various)	$        93,077.99
1998	Valley/Boone St. Drainage	$       112,725.50
1998	Forest St. Drainage Project	$         48,347.96
1999	Glades/1016 Intersection	$       225,032.00
1999	City Hall Renovation	$       500,000.00
2000	Post Office Renovation	$       903,507.77
2001	Glades Road Reconstruction	$     1,834,261.75
2002	Logston Lane Reconstruction	$       119,613.38
2002	N. Broadway Reconstruction	$       737,508.12
2002	Intergenerational classroom add.	$       102,280.00
2003	Boone Street	$       190,112.12
2003	Ball Field Refurbish	$         73,723.05
2004	Shirley Street Reconstruction	$         95,434.75
2004	Glades/Rash Rd. traffic signal	$         49,000.00
2004	Ellipse/Jefferson Traffic Signal	$         33,345.00
2005	Utility and Public Works Build.	$       655,000.00
2005	Park Storage Bldg. and Office	$         49,900.00
2006	Maintenance Garage	$       185,810.00
2006	Blythe Court Reconstruction	$         99,223.00
2007	Shortline Pike Reconstruction	$       405,315.75
2007	Chestnut Street Park	$    331,698.00
2007	Forest /Center Street Intersec.	$         54,287.00
2007	Boone Street Improvements	$       238,000.00
2008	McKinney Right Turn Lane	$         23,538.65
2008	Berea Industrial Sewer Line	$       286,626.96
2008	Industrial Pk. Rd. (Farristown)	$       874,805.00
2008	Jane Street Connector	$       184,205.90
2008	Mayde Road Reconstruction	$     2,339,900.00
2009	1016 Sidewalk (Cemetery Hill)	$       139,515.75
2010	Park Expansion Contract #1	$     1,049,999.75
2010	Park Expansion Contract #2	$       651,610.40
2010	Park Expansion Contract #3	$       162,926.00
2010	Prospect St. Reconstruction	$     2,253,978.00
2011	Welcome Center Renovation	$       535,352.00
2011	Baldwin Street Bridge	$         36,509.00
2011	Folk Center Roof	$       118,836.00
2012	Shortline Pike Extension	$       179,223.88
2012	Menelaus Pike Design	$       414,005.00
2013	Mayde Road Bike Path	$       109,415.00
2013	Prospect Street Lighting	$         26,203.00
2013	Folk Center Kitchen	$         81,294.00
2013	Menelaus Road Utility relocate	$         77,137.76
2014	Bratcher Lane Reconstruction	$     1,074,733.25
2014	Pumphouse Chemical add.	$         11,615.00
2014	Indian Fort Trail and Bridge	$       377,631.00
2015	Water Street Drainage	$       291,183.26
2017	Richmond Road Design	$       687,883.00
2016	Ford Building Renovation	$         33,185.00
2016	Food Bank Addition	$         76,042.00
2016	Salt Bin Expansion	$         17,702.00
2016	County Clerk Renovation	$       101,301.00
2017	Cumberland/Hughes Street	$       277,585.00
2018	Filtration refurbish	$         40,000.00
2018	Splash Pad at Berea Pool	$       225,000.00
2018	Berea Community Stadium	$      225,000.00
	TOTAL	$ 26,771,145.70
	1997- Present Total	$ 20,121,145.70

Kentucky Educators Boost Local Economy

Photo courtesy of Berea Tourism. Tourism’s partnership with KEDC enables educators from around the commonwealth to learn about Kentucky history through a variety of artistic mediums, injecting money into the local retail, hospitality and artisan economies.

Berea is expected to get a projected $250,000 boost to the local economy, thanks to a partnership between Berea Tourism and the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC).

Berea City Administrator Rose Beverly highlighted the partnership last week during her report to the Berea City Council, noting that educators and administrators from 62 counties around Kentucky have been coming to Berea to take LearnShop courses specifically tailored for educators and administrators, teaching them about the history, art, music, industry and folklore of the Bluegrass State.

Many participants stay overnight in town, and they are given a spending stipend, much of which stays behind in Berea, Beverly said.

“It’s a great collaboration that’s brought a lot of people from all over the state into our community,” Beverly said, noting that money from outside the community is spent in Berea shops, restaurants, gas stations and accommodations. “Each participant receives a $150 stipend, plus their own spending, bringing a lot of commerce into our town.”

According to a recent report from Berea Business and Tourism Development Director Donna Angel, an analysis from the tourism’s marketing consultant, Right Place Media, provided the $250,000 spending figure based on surveys of local businesses.

The program began when representatives from KEDC reached out to Berea Tourism Program Manager Liz Todd. Todd recently reported to the Berea Tourism Commission that the classes have allowed many participants to discover Berea for the first time, and that they are often excited to return to Berea later as tourists.

The workshops are designed to give educators opportunities to explore Kentucky history through a variety of mediums, including story telling, broom making, gourd art, ceramics, empowerment drumming, Appalachian music, loom weaving and black smithing.

In the course of this year’s program, which runs through May 18, participants will also have the chance to sample some of the Berea’s outdoor offerings. “As the school year concludes, Berea LearnShops and KEDC will host a full day of relaxation and outdoor adventure in Berea as a thank you to the Kentucky educators and administrators to include 120 attendees, plus KEDC staff,” Beverly added.

Beverly said the program has also benefitted local artisans, who were often asked to add classes because of the popularity of their courses.

“It provided well-paying presenter opportunities for 24 local and regional artists, instructors, new and old, during their slower season,” Beverly said. “Each session has grown, doubling after the first date. The only constraint has been limiting the number of attendees that the artisan instructors could effectively accommodate to deliver an expert instruction class experience that LearnShops are known for.”

Berea Tourism is gearing up for another round of LearnShops from April 26-28. Part of the Enchanted Spring LearnShops Session II: A Season of Discovery, the courses feature of variety of creative mediums, including painting, sketch booking, wreath making, gourd burning, fascinator design, jewelry making, broom making and pottery.

Learn more about this weekend’s offerings at: Berea KY Tourism Learnshops | Berea Tourism (visitberea.com)

The popular summer LearnShops series, which began in 2011, will run from July 22 – 30.

Berea Honors Law Day 2024

On Tuesday, Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley signed a joint proclamation declaring May 1, 2024 as Law Day in Berea, Richmond and Madison County.

Endorsed by Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor and Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe, the theme of this year’s proclamation is Voices of Democracy, underscoring the importance of the law in the founding of America, as well as the continuing influence of the law in preserving democracy.

Many Americans do not intend to vote, believe their vote does not matter, or they are afraid to speak their minds for fear of being ostracized or harmed, the proclamation states.  It further asserts that members of the legal profession should lead the way in speaking up, encouraging voting, but also in finding the courage to listen, respect and to agree on paths moving forward toward a more perfect union.

Finally, the measure urges citizens to observe Law Day by renewing their commitment to democracy, becoming informed, participating in elections, and holding our elected officials accountable.

The national proclamation was first introduced in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

At front left, Mayor Bruce Fraley presented the Law Day proclamation to attorney L. Brooke Bowman Mitchell, representing the Madison County Bar Association. Looking on from the second row (from left) were Berea City Council members Steve Caudill, Ronnie Terrill, Cora Jane Wilson, Jerry Little, Katie Startzman, Teresa Scenters and Jim Davis.

Alcohol Vote Tabled for Further Study

The Berea City Council voted unanimously to table an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of alcohol of city property.

Teresa Scenters initially kicked off Tuesday’s discussion of the proposed ordinance by citing KRS 222.202, which explicitly prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages in public places. “I think that alone should give us reason to pass this legislation tonight,” Scenters told council members.  

However, the issue proved to be less clear-cut as the discussion unfolded. Berea Police Chief Jason Hays said that, according to his understanding of how that section of KRS is interpreted, the law is subject to other statutes that allow for exceptions, such as when a licensed vendor has obtained a permit to sell alcohol at a public event.

Additionally, Councilman Steve Caudill noted that some properties are not city owned, but are instead leased, such as the Berea Park Annex and Memorial Park. While he said he would be in favor of banning alcohol in actual park spaces, such as playgrounds, the pool, baseball, the soccer fields, and the football stadium, the current ordinance might be unenforceable on city leased land.

“I think we’re setting ourselves up to have a lot of problems,” Caudill said. “By voting something into law where we don’t know the answers, that is bad policy.”

When asked if the ordinance would apply to city leased property, such as the Berea Park Annex, City Attorney Jerry Gilbert said he couldn’t offer a legal opinion until he reviewed the terms of the city’s lease with Berea College, along with other issues. The Berea Park Annex is under lease from Berea College for 99 years, Caudill said.

Because of the unanswered questions, Caudill said voting on the ordinance before those issues are resolved would be inviting trouble. As such, he moved to table the proposed ordinance. “If we pass this ordinance, we’ll pass an ordinance that does not have the intention that we were going after and therefore I recommend we table this,” Caudill said.

When the vote was cast to table the item, Caudill, Katie Startzman and Jim Davis voted in favor. Ronnie Terrill, Cora Jane Wilson, Teresa Scenters and Jerry Little voted no. David Rowlette was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

In a move to address Caudill’s concern, Jerry Little offered a motion to amend the ordinance to include city leased property, which was approved when Terrill, Wilson, Little and Scenters voted yes. Caudill, Startzman and Davis voted against the amendment.

Caudill persisted, however, suggesting that approving an ordinance without knowing precisely where it is enforceable would be irresponsible.

“I would like to know corporate counsel’s opinion on that, and I’m sure that Jerry [Gilbert] is not able to give that on a moment’s notice in terms of whether or not we have the legal authority to create restrictions on ABC laws on land that we don’t own. That’s what I’d like to know from corporate counsel,” Caudill said. “I think we’re making bad policy.”

Little, who opposed the initial motion to table the item, introduced a second motion to table it, citing the need for more information before the council can go forward.

“We need to know if we’re making a legal vote,” Little said. “The reason we’re doing this [tabling the item] is to find out if it’s legal or not.” Caudill seconded that motion and it was adopted unanimously, setting it aside until a future work session.

Startzman, who could potentially stand to lose business if alcohol is sold elsewhere in the city, maintains that the aim should be to encourage attendance at art fairs, festivals, concerts and food truck gatherings. “I’m in support of anything that creates more energy, momentum, visitors and events in Berea, and I think serving alcohol at public events would contribute to the overall experience for tourists and locals,” Startzman said after a recent work session on the subject.

On Tuesday, Startzman disagreed with the interpretation of that specific line of Kentucky law prohibiting alcohol consumption in public, stating it has to be interpreted in context, including provisions for exceptions. She expressed her frustration with the discussion. “We’re going to be spending hours and hours more of taxpayers time and money to be dealing with this,” she said.

Mayor Bruce Fraley said officials will benefit by allowing corporate counsel the chance to explore the ordinance further, while asking Chief Hays, and the city’s ABC administrator to go through some of the legalities. “I think it would be a worthwhile exercise to discuss this in a work session prior to bringing it back to the floor,” Fraley said.

When it came time for citizen comments, Jacque Bowling pointed out that Kentucky law prohibits drinking in public, whether it is on city property or not. “I think if you don’t pass this ordinance, you will find that you have more problems than if you don’t pass it,” Bowling said.

Hailey Howard disagreed, noting there are exceptions around Kentucky where alcohol is served at public events. Howard addressed concerns that the city might be held liable if there is an alcohol-related incident, stating her understanding that it is the vendor or licensee who is liable, not the city.

 “I’m really happy to hear this being tabled so that more information about the legalities of it can be learned about by this counsel,” Howard said. “As someone who has worked in the alcohol industry for many, many years now, there is event licensing that allows you to obtain a license to sell alcohol.”

Steve Davis, who is a recently declared candidate for Berea City Council, thanked the council for the civil tone of the discussion. “I just want to thank for council tonight for handling a difficult situation where there were differences of opinion among you, and you came to consensus to look further into the matter that has some legal issues involved,” Davis said. “I just appreciate the fact that you guys work together. It’s good to see that in our community.”

Shane Morris, who raised questions about the enforceability of the proposed law, said watching the council’s attempt to reconcile the two viewpoints should be informative.

“This plot has greatly thickened here,” Morris said. “It’s going to be very interesting.”

Legislators Secure Big Bucks for Berea Projects

From left, State Representative Josh Bray (71st) and State Senator Jared Carpenter (34th) announce the funds for Berea infrastructure projects that impact public safety and economic development. Berea City Councilman Ronnie Terrill (at right) was credited by Mayor Bruce Fraley for actively lobbying state officials for road improvements and projects.

Kentucky State Senator Jared Carpenter (R-34) and State Representative Josh Bray (R-71) surprised the Berea City Council Tuesday, announcing $1 million in funding for a Kenway Street connector to the Berea Bypass.

Both Carpenter and Bray briefly addressed the council’s business meeting last night, having concluded the current legislative session in Frankfort earlier that morning. Bray also announced that the Mayde Road extension to Menelaus Road has been included in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s six-year road plan, as well as funding for a study to extend the Berea Bypass from Kentucky Highway 21 to U.S. 25 Mt. Vernon Road. The biggest news of the night, however, was the Kenway extension, which will add a second access point to the Roselawn and Dixie Park subdivisions. Currently, there is only one street to access that neighborhood.

“We allocated a million dollars toward that project to help the City of Berea,” Bray said. “We’re very grateful for your advocacy for that. We feel like it’s a great project that’s going to have a huge impact on traffic safety and flow, so we’re really happy about that.”

Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley had previously asked Bray, Carpenter and several others to write letters of support for the Kenway connector, a project citizens have been pushing for since at least 1976. Officials said the lack of access points to Roselawn and Dixie Park presents both traffic and safety hazards that can be remedied if Kenway Street is extended to the Berea Bypass.

Fraley noted that Congressman Andy Barr is assisting to secure additional funds for the project, which is estimated to cost between $2.5 million and $3 million. If those federal funds are secured, the project could begin as early as next year, Fraley said.

Bray and Carpenter expressed thanks to Fraley for his continued advocacy for Kenway and other Berea projects, while thanking councilmembers Ronnie Terrill, Cora Jane Wilson, and Teresa Scenters, who lobbied to have approximately $300,000 allocated for the study of the next phase of the Berea Bypass. Bray also thanked Katie Startzman for her advocacy to help stop legislation that would have been particularly burdensome for local governments.

Carpenter stated that when local officials make their voices heard in Frankfort, it can be crucial when it comes to securing state funding for a project.

“It makes a difference when you guys are involved,” said Carpenter, stating that engaged local officials tend to get noticed. “We appreciate your efforts, and we were glad to be able to bring some of your taxpayer money back home.” 

City officials, in turn, thanked Carpenter and Bray for being responsive and accessible.

“You make it easy to be engaged. When I call, you answer the phone,” Fraley said. “Thanks for the quality of representation that we get from both of you.”

Terrill, Scenters, Wilson, Scenters and Caudill echoed those sentiments.

“Thank you for answering those calls. I appreciate that you follow through and care, and appreciate what you do for Berea and this area,” said Cora Jane Wilson.

Steve Caudill, meanwhile, noted that some Berea infrastructure projects like the Berea Bypass and Kenway connector seemed to languish for lack of funding in years past, but not lately.

“I don’t think it should go unnoticed that in the last 5-10 years, there’s been more investment from the state in Berea’s infrastructure than we’ve seen since the 70s,” Caudill said.

Lobbying for intergovernmental funding of infrastructure projects has been a particular focus of Fraley’s administration since he was elected mayor in 2018. That approach has yielded results such as funding for the Chestnut Street Pavilion, Mayde Road extension, as well as economic development projects in the Berea Industrial Park, the Berea Bypass, and now the Kenway connector, among others. Crediting Carpenter and Bray for their attentiveness and work, Fraley added the council and City Administrator Rose Beverly were also instrumental in securing money for the much-needed projects.

“It’s a good investment, and I think it’s good that we bring those tax dollars back to Berea,” Fraley said. “It’s important to our citizens to do that. You have to advocate, you have to show up, be present, be positive, and you’ve got to work with your legislators. That’s what happened.”