Mercantile Coffee Owner Suggests Downtown Events, Road Aid Program Breakdown presented at Nicholasville City Commission Meeting.

The July 8 Nicholasville City Commission Meeting was short, including only one ordinance reading, a few personnel changes, a public hearing, and a presentation from the owner of Mercantile Coffee on Main.

The Commission first held a public hearing on the local government Municipal Road Aid Program. According to City Clerk Kathy Walker, the city estimates it will receive $21,000 in revenue for the Road Aid Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. $125,000 will go towards street paving and milling, $350,000 will go towards a street sweeper, and $175,000 will pay for street department personnel. “Any revenues allotted above the estimated amount will be put towards paving,” Walker said. There were no public comments in this hearing.

Kara Hoagland, former co-owner of Coffee at Oak & Main and new co-owner of Mercantile Coffee & Feed, attended this meeting to propose events for the coming months throughout the community through her coffee shop.

Hoagland has been in Jessamine County “forever,” and wants to bring more life into Nicholasville’s Downtown. She told the city commission that she had already spoken to Judge Executive David West and wanted to keep the Commission in the loop, as well.

She mentioned hosting Friday night markets behind her coffee shop, but is now planning to host them on the Courthouse lawn after getting West’s blessing. She also would like to schedule a spooky time on Main Street for adults the week before the children’s spooky time on Main Street is hosted. Chief Michael Fleming is in charge of manning road closures around the county, so he suggested Hoagland move the adult spooky time to a side road off of Main Street since Main Street takes up so much manpower from the Nicholasville Police Department. She agreed to the Chief’s suggestion.

Hoagland would also like to figure out a way to bring an ice rink to Jessamine County for the winter season. She has connected with staff at the Lexington Ice Center and suggested to the Commission that if she can raise money for the ice rink, it be placed where the new Courthouse is planned to be on Main Street adjacent to the Central Bank. Mayor Alex Carter supported her ideas, as did commission members, but did tell Hoagland she would have to speak with Judge West about using the property where the new Courthouse will be constructed for the seasonal ice rink.

Appointments and Personnel Transfers: The following transfers and appointments were approved by the Commission.

Reappointment of Raven Warren to the Nicholasville, Wilmore, Jessamine County Joint Tourism Commission. The Chamber of Commerce’s reappointment on this board is Tommy Cobb, and the reappointment from Wilmore is David Carlstedt. These roles have three-year terms.

Jared Cobb has been appointed for one of the Nicholasville Housing Authority Board positions. The city has one more vacancy to fill for this board.

Chester Hager was transferred from Police Officer to Police Detective P2 with no change in rate or pay, effective July 2, 2024.

Ordinances:

Ordinance 159-2024

An ordinance, pursuant to Nicholasville, Kentucky Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Section 25-1, various amendments to the Nicholasville Zoning Ordinance (This ordinance is for the removal of the restriction on maximum lot coverage for A-1, R1-A through R1-F, R1-T, R-2, R-3, P-1, B-2, B-3, and I-2.)

Director of Planning and Zoning, Tim Cross. He said the removal of the maximum lot coverage will likely be more noticeable on smaller lots than larger lots. This item was approved by the Commission and will receive a second reading at the next meeting.

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