Hopkinsville City Council bid farewell to outgoing councilmembers at Tuesday’s meeting, which will be the final city council meeting of the year.
January will see several new faces on the city council, but first, Mayor Wendell Lynch presented the outgoing members with certificates of appreciation, thanking them for answering the call to serve, which often comes with long nights and longer meetings. Longtime councilman Phillip Brooks had some advice for incoming members—celebrate the victories and respect those who sit on the council with you.
Patricia Bell says it has been a joy and an honor to represent the citizens of Ward 9, and she hopes she has helped make the city a better place.
Councilmember Alethea West wished future councilmembers good luck in their endeavors, and told mayor-elect James R. Knight she wishes him great success and happiness in his term.
Members Kimberly McCarley, Tom Johnson and Terry Parker will also be exiting city council.
Council did approve an ordinance that makes changes to the language concerning public comments—participants will now have a three-minute time limit for their comments, and they are limited to speaking once per meeting, though attorney Doug Willen says the presiding officer over a meeting would have the authority to extend a speaker’s time, if they felt it was needed.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing Community and Development Services to proceed with administration of a capital improvement project at the Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville, which will be an addition onto the teen center.