BEREA — Berea City Council members reviewed a contract proposal Tuesday night that would give the city ownership of the old Parker Seal building. The 70,000-square-foot facility on nine acres of land is located near the intersection of Oak and Lewis streets.
The city has been in negotiation with the Parker Hannifin company for the past four years, and has negotiated a purchasing price of $150,000, according to City Administrator Randy Stone.
Initial plans for the facility include as a satellite police station, a small business incubator and a small sports facility, Stone said.
“That would be an area that with a little work we could operate some winter programs — basketball and volleyball,” Stone said. Equipment from the now-defunct Boys and Girls Club of Madison County, such as pool and foosball tables are now city property and also could be used at the facility.
One facet of the purchase agreement raised concern among council members — which party would assume responsibility if the site is contaminated by industrial activities.
Under the terms of the contract, Parker Hannifin, a company that manufactures motion control products, would be responsible for any known environmental problems at the site. Under the proposed terms, Parker Hannifin would be responsible for any clean-up or remediation of environmental problems even after the city of Berea has taken possession of the property.
According to a 200-page report, oil is the only known pollutant at the site, according to Stone, who noted the oil had been regularly pumped out up until approximately two years ago. Stone added that the recent environmental study conducted by consultants Third Rock has initially concluded that the air quality is at acceptable levels.
“They found no problems,” Stone said. “Based on the environmental study we’ve had, we feel comfortable having this facility used by the city.”
But the sticking point for some council members was that Parker Hannifin would not be responsible for currently “unknown” environmental issues that may arise.
“I’m uncomfortable saying we’ll take responsibility in the future for something that is unknown,” said Glenn Jennings. “Would I personally sign this agreement tonight if I was buying it? I would not. Would I buy it for the city tonight? I would not.”
Chester Powell added that if the city builds on the property, it may disturb the oil leachate in the ground, which could create a new environmental problem for which the city would be responsible. Powell wondered whether that could potentially cause problems for the city.
Denise Hagan expressed concern about why the property is on sale at a bargain price, suggesting that it may in fact be because the cost of cleaning it up would be prohibitive.
Mayor Steve Connelly suggested that the city take two steps before the council considers the purchase further. First, the city will notify Parker Hannifin that it wants the purchase agreement changed so that the company will assume all liability and responsibility for environmental issues — both present and future — that were directly caused by manufacturing activities at Parker Seal.
Secondly, the city will invite environmental consulting firms to brief city council members on the findings they reached in their report.
In other business, the city council:
• Unanimously adopted an ordinance that would keep the tax rate steady at 10 cents per $100 of property value. Under the current rate, the city will actually lose $9,525 in revenue compared with last year because property assessments have gone down. The city is projected to collect $628,353 in revenue from the property tax.
• Adopted an ordinance annexing 60 acres on O’Possum Kingdom Road with an A-1 agricultural zone designation. The property is owned by H. Gabbard and is located across from the Tremont Subdivision. When the item came up for discussion, Hagan suggested the property will eventually be zoned residential, which would further strain the city’s infrastructure and resources. “If the city doesn’t have enough water for the people we already have in the city limits, how are we going to have enough for these people?” Hagan asked. “I’m not against growth, but I think it has to be measured. We really have to think of some of these issues for the long term.” Other council members disagreed, saying the council only could consider the issue immediately before it — whether the property should be annexed as agricultural. When the vote was cast, Virgil Burnside, Howard Baker, Vi Farmer, Glenn Jennings, Truman Fields and Greg Lakes voted to annex the property into the city. Chester Powell and Denise Hagan voted no.
• Berea Municipal Utilities Director Donald Blackburn urged city residents to resume their efforts to consume water. Blackburn said water use has increased in October and November, reversing a nine-month trend when residents were cutting back on water use.
• Voted unanimously to join Local Governments for Sustainability, a group that advises municipalities on how to reduce greenhouse gases and energy use.
Local News
Berea considers buying Parker Seal building
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
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For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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