Melodie Phelps, News Editor
CNHI
9-15-10 — The Monticello City Council has approved an extension of the original agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the streetscaping project in the downtown area.
During a meeting held Monday night at City Hall, council members agreed to extend the project through June 30, 2011. The original agreement between the two entities was dated for April 2011, according to Monticello Mayor Kenneth Catron.
Catron said that the additional three months may be necessary because of a delay with Windstream's portion of the project. He noted that the telephone company has now begun work in the downtown area.
The council also agreed to extend the line of credit for the project. City Clerk-Treasurer Greg Latham said the $750,000 line of credit was set to expire this month. That total represents the amount of federal funds included in the $1.5 million project.
Councilman Jeffrey Edwards asked what portion of the construction budget had been spent. Latham said that about $1 million has been spent so far. Edwards then inquired about contingency money that may remain when the project is finished. He noted that the stairs and the railing around the Doughboy had recently sustained some damage by a vehicle and wondered if that could be repaired with money that is left from this project.
Catron said that would be possible. Edwards noted that it would be nice to add a stronger rail and match the brick work in the statue area to that being used in the downtown project.
Also during the meeting, the council approved the tax rates for 2010. The property tax rate was set at 12 cents per hundred dollars assessed value, which is slightly lower than the 12.1 cents levied in 2009.
The tangible property rate decreased from 14.1 cents per hundred dollars assessed value in 2009 to 12.2 cents this year.
The rates for motor vehicles and watercraft remained the same at 22.2 cents per hundred dollars assessed value.
In other action, the council approved Wayne Engineering for land surveying that is part of the scattered housing project procurement. They also approved Micro Analytics, Inc., from Louisville, for asbestos removal for the project. Both firms were recommended by Kriss Lowrey and Associates who is heading up the project.