Council Approves Funding For HFD Training Center Project

Hopkinsville City Council approved funding for the proposed fire training center with an amendment to the Capital Budget at Tuesday night’s meeting, and two new police officers were sworn-in.

Council approved the first reading of an municipal order to transfer $200,000 from the TIF Fund to the Capital Fund for construction of the Fire Training Center. Prior to the vote, Mayor Carter Hendricks stated they started this project over a year ago and this was the third time they have requested more funding for the proposed project. He explained the transfer was needed due to the bids coming in higher than the initial estimate and the recent finding the building, the former Hopkinsville Police Department, needed a new roof.

Council also approved amending the Capital Budget to reflect the transfer of TIF funding.

In other action, the Council approved a recommendation to name the parking lot at the corner of 6^th and Virginia Street as “Postell Plaza” in honor and memory of the late Peter Postell, who was the owner of the original building that stood at that location.

Council also approved an ordinance declaring Elb’s Cemetery as abandoned and authorized city attorney, Doug Willen, to take legal action to vest title to the City to assume responsibility of maintaining and preserving the cemetery and the historical significance. The cemetery is located on Hope Street and was established by Louis Elb, Henry Oppenheimer, Bernard Rosenstein and and other members of the Israelitish Church in 1865.

During awards and recognitions, Hopkinsville Beautification Commission Director Heather Braun recognized and handed out plaques to the Holiday Decoration Contest winners in each of the city’s wards as well as the business contest winner, Brawner’s on 9th located at 323 East 9^th Street. (See the full list of winners below)

And Officers Joseph Bufford and Tyler Daniels were sworn in by Mayor Hendricks as the newest members of the Hopkinsville Police Department.