Hickman officials approve street renamed to honor Rev. Roberson

by Barbara Atwill
PETITION PRESENTED – Several Hickman residents attended the Hickman City Commission on Aug. 26, with a petition requesting to rename a street. Alicia Esters, spokesperson, requested renaming Fourth Street to Rev. James Roberson Way in honor of Rev. Roberson’s committed service to the city and community. (Photo submitted)
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A moment of silence was observed at the beginning of the Hickman City Commission Aug. 26, in remembrance of the late Mayor Pro-Tem Phillip Williams, who died following injuries sustained in a car accident Aug. 15.

Mayor Heath Carlton said, “It is going to be a difficult meeting. In memory of Commissioner Williams, I would like to ask everyone to stand and have a moment of silence. He served over 12 years with the City.”

Commissioners James Adams, Robert Griggs, and Judy Powell were in attendance.

Alicia Esters, and others from the community, attended and stated she had a petition with over 100 signatures asking if the City would rename a street in Hickman in honor of Rev. James Roberson, and asked what is the next step they need to start the process.

Carlton stated, “He is a very deserving man. I haven’t been involved in renaming a street, but I’m sure City Clerk Donna Haney would know what the next step would be.”

Haney asked, “Do you have the petition? Do you have a street in mind?”

Esters presented the petition and stated, “We would like to rename Fourth Street, the street Rev. Roberson resides on.”

There are only 12 residents on the street and the church, where Rev. Roberson serves. All agreed to the renaming, except a “humble” Rev. Roberson, Esters said.

“It is our way, as a community, to say thank you for his years of loyalty, dedication, and service at graduations, commencements, speaking at church service,” stated Esters.

Commissioner Griggs said, “There is no problem with changing for 911.”

The Commission voted to rename Fourth Street to Rev. James Roberson Way, with a dedication service to be held later when the signs arrive and posted.

Fulton County Schools Superintendent Aaron Collins addressed the Commission saying, “Thank you to the City for their support of Fulton County Schools and continuing Mayor Pro-Tem Williams’ ideology of having fireworks when Fulton County football players score. We appreciate Mayor Carlton and his assistants on Friday. I hope the football team scoring 42 points helped with getting more money for fireworks and more people will come and donate for that show. We appreciate it and what a great tribute to a great man in Phillip Williams.”

“I appreciate Leanne Wilkerson and her continued work with KLC (Kentucky League of Cities) and working with the language concerning change of language as recommended by KLC. Section 9 was deleted as requested. Section 2 was changed as discussed in meetings and language adjusted that there is no expectation from Fulton County Schools to the SRO (School Resource Officer) as allocated. Section 3 has been changed to a one-year term as requested by KLC. Section 6 has been revised and is now using the suggested KLC language. Section 7 is City policy discretion and so is Section 8. It is up to the City for the language for Section 7 and 8. KLC was OK with the language, just didn’t know if you wanted to write your policy or not,” continued Collins.

“Exhibit B addresses all requirements as understood by the District under Senate Bill 1. Number 11 and 12 have been revised as advised by KLC. The job description has been changed to an hourly rate and is not eligible for exempt status,” Collins said.

“We are appreciative of Chief Tony Grogan for assisting us with the language and job description changes, as well as salary schedule. Thanks to Allison Whitledge for her assistance in the preparation of the MOU (memorandum of understanding). Exhibit C, the salary schedule, includes an hourly rate, based on 60 hour week, 40 regular hours and 20 overtime,” concluded Collins.

The Commission received the changes via email at 6 p.m. and sent then to KLC to look over again to make sure everything is black and white for both entities.

Carolyn Smith addressed the Commission concerning a situation at Holly Street, a dead end road.

“Years ago, I addressed the Commission about a gas line in the road, runs straight down my driveway. Every time we put rock down, it washes away. This leaves me with bumps and holes. The previous Commission said they would come and remove the gas line, but never did. They came and changed it from my unit to the road, but left it in my drive,” Smith said.

“I have also been coming in and reporting the culvert in the road itself. It is very bad and the culvert is broken. The City replaced the culvert, but afterwards sink holes started forming at the entrance to the road. We take the garbage from my house, all the way up the road for the garbage truck to pick up. My husband and I are getting too old for that and I would like someone to do something about it,” Smith said.

City Manager David Gallagher said he will go and look at the culvert, gas line and the road.

Gallagher said, “Several people contacted the City, and I contacted a couple companies, but only one bid was received.”

Mayor Carlton opened a bid stating, “This bid was received on Aug. 21, at 3:43 p.m., from Harold Coffey Construction, Inc., of Hickman, Ky., for Terrace Drive repairs for $64,362 for the entire project. This is part of the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) project.”

The Commission accepted the bid, pending approval of the noted change to Coffey’s bid included, and the work to be performed by the engineer.

The second reading of Ordinance 19-10 for Grass Clippings on City Streets was read and approved. It is now illegal to blow grass clippings into the street, placing garbage, debris or refuse, including, but not limited to construction material or structural debris, rock, earth or sod, grass clippings, shrub clippings, leaves, vines, small trees, brush, limbs, small trees, burn barrels, tires or animal carcasses or parts thereof, appliances, and hazardous waste.

Hickman resident David Thomas asked, “What about the leaves that belong to nobody? Like in front of Bill Powers’ old house, that fall and when it rains it is like driving on ice.”

Mayor Carlton said, “This Ordinance is addressing people placing items.”

“I understand that, but the purpose is to keep the storm drain system clear,” stated Thomas.

Gallagher said, “They used to vacuum the leaves up.”

Mayor Carlton stated, “We have the vacuum, but the truck that was used, we will have to come up with something else for that.”

“Work crews used to come and clean the drains out near my house and that didn’t work, because I threw it back, because it wasn’t mine,” Thomas said.

“There is a KRS (Kentucky Revised Statute) stating if the property owners allow foliage or trees to overgrow on sidewalks or roadways, you are supposed to be outside of eight feet,” Carlton said.

Discussion was heard about the Troy Avenue findings.

“Bacon, Farmer, and Workman Engineering and Testing of Paducah was brought in by the State and performed a pressure test of the area, and found the area, where the sink hole actually was. There was some dampness and it was attributed to a small leak, which was a suggested cause, not a total finding. The area needs to excavated to find exactly what is causing the problem. Didn’t see anything to indicate the slide behind the house was related to the street, either by a leak or a spring. So, we will have to dig up and look at it. I talked to Willie Caton today to find out if there is a leak,” stated Gallagher.

“The second thing, I sent an inquiry to Kyle Poe to address with him. The trees are on the state right-of-way. Probably the roots of the tree are causing the problems with the line. They are causing the problem with the sidewalk buckling up. I asked if they were going to remove the tree and fix the sidewalk and I have not received an answer. The first thing to do is excavate ourselves and see what the problem is,” Gallagher continued.

The first reading of Ordinance 19-92 Budget Amendment for FY 2019-2020 was read changing the budget to allow for grants received for funding projects to have a balanced budget, as required by the State.

The City Manager’s report included animal control is ready to go and already has one dog.

“It had been discussed to take pumps now at the lift station, the City has, for a temporary fix until the Agreed Order and Engineering reports are received. We are at a standstill. A decision needs to be made to fix what is broken and operate with it, or do a bypass, which we are doing now with the diesel. If we try to put in what is coming in the Agreed Order, we have to wait for approval. The motors will be expensive to make the change. You’re talking $10,000 plus on the low end to $30,000 of the high, not including the installation,” stated Gallagher.

“I asked Bob Pickler to let us know what the projected cost will be over 10 years,” Gallagher said.

Discretionary road funds will be used to pave Wellington and Moulton Streets near the Fulton County Courthouse, Gallagher reported.

The Commission went into Executive Session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) at 7:48 p.m., and reconvened at 8:25 p.m., with no decision and no votes taken.

Chris Bradshaw, property manager at Indian Hills Village, addressed the Commission concerning traffic on Bernal Avenue and Boone Street.

“Someone is going to get hurt. I realize the police and sheriff’s departments can’t patrol. Maybe some speed bumps at Boone Street and again after the park could be a remedy? I don’t know, but something needs to be done to slow the traffic,” Bradshaw stated.

The Commission voted to make the intersection of Bernal Avenue and Boone Street a four-way stop and post a speed limit sign on the other side of the park.

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.