City takes another step toward conference center

Aaron Snyder, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
·2 min read

ASHLAND Ashland’s city commission voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with a legal firm to provide assistance with the city’s future conference center development.

The city will execute an engagement letter with Frost Brown Todd Attorneys at $400 per hour.

The firm, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, will help negotiate agreements to design, build, finance, operate and/or maintain and obtain relevant regulatory and legislative approval regarding a $25 million conference center complex that is included in the state budget for the next two fiscal years.

Commissioner Cheryl Spriggs wondered if there would be a cap on the number of hours for which the city would pay.

City Attorney Jim Moore said the billing would be monthly and, if the city is not satisfied, it could “terminate the agreement at any time.”

“We thought about the cap,” he added, “but it would be almost impossible to estimate — if the project goes all the way — what the cap would be.”

Other notable items from Thursday’s meeting, which lasted 30 minutes:

• The commission voted for Ashland Assisted Housing to apply for additional administrative fees for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.

• The board voted for the mayor to execute a contract with Southern Ohio Trenching & Excavating, Inc., for the Chestnut Drive sanitary sewer and waterline replacement project for $383,953 — which is budged in the utility revenue fund.

• The commission also voted for a contract between Ashland and Rumpke of Kentucky, Inc., to provide a public drop box recycling service for three years in the amount of $250 a box per month to be emptied at least twice a week.

• Mayor Matt Perkins and the commissioners all applauded the annual Repair Affair, which took place this past weekend and included nearly 60 community projects. Chris Pullem, who filled in for City Manager Mike Graese, said the Boyd County Fiscal Court reached out for ideas of how to implement a similar event in the county.

• Scott Martin, of the Northeast Kentucky Chamber, mentioned a few upcoming events: a Lunch and Learn with Sen. Mitch McConnell on May 28, a “Grounds for Discussion” gathering on May 29 at Pappy’s Cookin’ at 8 a.m. in Flatwoods and a new shelter house ribbon cutting at Armco Park on May 29.

• Mike Maynard, of Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, said on July 11 at the Ashland Transportation Center, mobile dental services will be provided. More information will be released soon on the mission’s Facebook page.

• Commissioner Amanda Clark said this year’s first AKY Makers Market is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Broadway Square.

• Commissioners raved about Burger Week, which concludes this weekend. Marty Gute said he planned to take “foreigners to Fat Patty’s” on Thursday evening, referencing guests from West Virginia.