RICHMOND—The City "has a plan" to address the damage its massive sports complex construction project continues to cause in a neighboring subdivision.

City Manager Rob Minerich told the City Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting this week that he'd met with engineers and contractors for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex, as well as property owners in the Covington Woods neighborhood where their homes have been flooded thanks to poor earthworks management on the construction site.

“A lot of [the problem] has to do with the grading that took place on that part of the new park that runs off towards those houses. The grass hasn’t grown up in it yet, but we are looking at adding some detention ponds to catch the water and divert it to the storm water system, so a plan is in place,” Minerich said. 

The City is taking steps to fix the problem, but it would "take some time", Minerich said. Mayor Robert Blythe commented that "folks can be consoled knowing that" while Commissioner Jim Newby commended Minerich for staying in touch with the neighbors.

Ordinances

The Commission also gave unanimous approval to Ordinance 26-28, authorizing the annexation of 0.35 acres at 217 Pleasure Drive, and zoning it as R-1C, single family residential small lot. Ordinance 26-29 also passed unanimously, authorizing the annexation of 0.8 acres located at 223 Pleasure Dr. and 611 Benjamin Dr., rezoning them as R1-C.

The property owners, Richard and Julie O'Toole, as well as Kenneth and Karen Allen, requested the annexations in order to connect to City sewer services, as previously reported. 

The Commission also unanimously approved three zone changes for Carriage Place, the 200-acre housing development off Hwy 25 (Berea Road). 

Ordinance 26-30 rezones 88.6 acres at 96 Punkin Run Road from vacant R1-A, single family residential large lot, to R1-C and R3, multi-family apartments. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the change back in August, to accommodate more housing development as well as an assisted living facility, as previously reported. 

Commissioner Mike Brewer asked for the number of single family and multi-family apartment units the development would have. Minerich said that the developer would provide that information to P and Z after the zone change was approved. 

The two other Carriage Place zone changes passed were Ordinance 26-31, rezoning 49.53 acres from agriculture to R1-C, and Ordinance 26-32, rezoning 18.09 acres from vacant agriculture to R1-C.

Commissioner Jim Newby asked if the new residential area being built would connect to the existing Carriage Place neighborhoods. Minerich said yes.

Ordinance 26-33, outlining regulations for the use of public and private sewers and drains, in compliance with state and federal laws, had its first reading. The Kentucky Division of Water mandates that the City has to update this ordinance every five years, according to City Attorney Chris Johnson. 

Orders

The Commission passed Order 26-173 to pay $228,630 to True Colors, LLC of London, Ky., to sandblast and repaint the pools at Paradise Cove. 

Order 26-175 declaring property surplus in the Police Department also received unanimous approval. The surplus will be sold on govdeals.com, according to the order. 

The Commission also unanimously approved Order 26-176, which authorizes FAHE Consulting to oversee project management for Liberty Place using funds from the Department for Local Government’s Community Development Block Grant. The contract will cost $11,500 and will be covered by the CDBG grant. The Liberty Place Recovery Center is a substance use rehabilitation center for women. 

Retirements and new appointments 

Ceremonial Order 26-168, which accepts the retirement of Jason Rawlins in the Codes Enforcement Department, passed unanimously. Rawlins served in the department for over 30 years, according to Minerich. 

“[Jason] would do anything for the City, certainly a dedicated employee and we wish him the best in his retirement,” Minerich said. 

Commissioner Tammy Cole asked if the City is hiring a new codes enforcement officer to replace Rawlins. Minerich said the job has been posted on the City’s website and will close next week. 

Order 26-169 hiring a new mechanic in the Vehicle Maintenance Department and Order 26-170 promoting an employee to senior mechanic within the same department, also received unanimous approvals. Additionally, Order 26-171 was unanimously passed, which moved an equipment operator from the Recycling Department to become a mechanic in the Vehicle Maintenance Department. 

Unanimous approval of Order 26-174 led to the appointment of Robin Sowers to the Architectural Review Board for a three year term. 

Order 26-177 was also passed unanimously, moving two laborers to equipment operators within the Public Works Department. 

Presentation

Around 1,500 to 2,000 people attended the 23rd Battle of Richmond reenactment this year, according to Battle of Richmond Association President George Ridings, who gave a presentation to the Commission. Visitors came from as far away as Wisconsin, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota, he said. Additionally, 174 people participated in the reenactment and there were over 100 other volunteers. 

More horses will join the calvary in next year's re-enactment, Ridings said. He also invited the public to celebrate the re-enactment's 25th anniversary at Lake Buck Lodge on November 8 at 5 pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online. Other upcoming Battlefield-related events include a meet-and-greet with a Victorian-era Santa Claus on November 29 at Pleasant View House from 2 pm to 4 pm, as well as Christmas with the Clays at Whitehall on December 12 from 5 pm to 8 pm. The Battlefield Visitor Center is open from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday.

Over 100 people from 18 states have visited the center in the last 26 days, including a visitor from Wales and a descendant of one of the soldiers, Board member Louetta Hetrick added. 

Public comment 

Ed Brown spoke on behalf of the Richmond Downtown Neighborhood Association and invited the public to donate clothing for homeless people on November 12 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Millstone Park. Especially needed are socks, sweatpants, sweat shirts, coats, gloves, and hats.

Collection sites to drop off clothing before November 12 include City Hall, Kentucky Signature Coffee, Jackson’s Restaurant, the Forcht Bank branch at Richmond Centre, and God’s Outreach Foodbank. 

City manager report 

The annual Halloween Hoe-Down featuring trick-or-treat booths, games, food, and a petting zoo, will take place on Main Street in downtown Richmond on October 29 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Minerich reported. 

Recognition

At the top of the meeting, the Commission recognized the opening of Pure Wellness, a spa owned by Ashley Renton, Minerich’s sister, and Made New Mercantile, a thrift store owned by Stacey Jordan and Nancy Brown.

These are some highlights from the October 27, 2026 Richmond City Commission meeting. For agenda and minutes of all Commission meetings, visit the City's website. To watch live streams or previously recorded City meetings, visit the City's YouTube channel and choose the "live" tab.