Legislative Update #3

Here’s an update on the February 17th City Council meeting. I am going to stray from my typical format to draw attention to the reason I suggested Ordinance 9339 be tabled.

After the second reading of Ordinance 9339 on February 2nd, Councilmember Herald said he would likely suggest changes to the draft legislation which would amend and adopt changes to Sections 38.02 and 70.41 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green regarding classification of civil offenses and storage of recreational vehicles. I received his amendments on the Saturday before the meeting. Councilmember Herald also mentioned the need to clarify wording regarding civil fines and that the City Attorney suggested raising the fines. Unfortunately, I did not receive the proposed fine increases until Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours before the Council meeting.

The legislation as introduced changed the wording of civil offenses to match other sections of the codified ordinances. I believed changing the fine amounts was a significant change that the public should be aware of and able to weigh in on. It is for that reason I suggested to Councilmember Herald the legislation be tabled until the next meeting March 2nd. He moved to do that and Council approved the tabling unanimously.

The fines were previously adopted over 20 years ago and would be changed to the following:

Class A Initial Civil Fine $100 If Delinquent $200 If Second Offender $150 If Sent for Collection $300

Class B Initial Civil Fine $150 If Delinquent $300 If Second Offender $300 If Sent for Collection $600

Class C Initial Civil Fine $300 If Delinquent $600 If Second Offender $1,000 If Sent for Collection $1,000

Class D Initial Civil Fine $1,000 If Delinquent $2,000 If Second Offender $2,000 If Sent for Collection $2,500

The other activities of Council are as follows:

Introduced New Legislation

Sponsored by the Committee of the Whole, two resolutions, 3900 & 3901, were introduced honoring outgoing Councilmembers Rachel Phipps and Greg Robinette, respectively.

Transportation & Safety Committee

Resolution 3902 adopting and authorizing an amended Federal Transit Administration Title VI Program was introduced, given three readings after suspending the rules, and adopted. This legislation provides compliance with federal nondiscrimination requirements in transit services, meeting requirements for B.G. Transit’s participation in the Section 5311 Rural Transit Program.

Finance Committee

Ordinance 9343 providing supplemental and/or amending appropriations was introduced, given three readings after suspending the rules, and adopted. Those fund increases can be seen by going to the Agenda Center on the City’s website under City Council Regular Meeting Materials for February 17, 2026.

Planning, Zoning, & Economic Development Committee

Ordinance 9344 vacating a portion of Coleman Avenue and reserving a utility easement. This requires a public hearing set for April 6th at 5:45 pm in Council Chambers.

Legislation for Third Reading

Public Utilities Committee

Ordinance 9337 authorizing the Utilities Director to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the lease of certain municipal property for agricultural purposes was adopted.

Ordinance 9338 authorizing the Utilities Director to sell vehicles and equipment no longer needed for municipal purposes was adopted.

Planning, Zoning, & Economic Development Committee

Ordinance 9339, as mentioned above, was tabled until March 2nd.

Ordinance 9340 amending the zoning district map for approx. 4.979 acres on West Newton Road from IE Innovation & Employment to I Institutional zoning was tabled until the required public hearing on March 2nd. The hearing will be in Council Chambers at 6:30 pm.

Ordinance 9341 amending the zoning district map for approx. 5.8 acres at 1168 North Main Street from C Commercial to IE Innovation & Employment zoning was tabled until the required public hearing on March 2nd. The hearing will be in Council Chambers at 6:30 pm.

Two committee meetings were announced. The Sustainability Committee will have a follow up goal setting meeting Monday, February 23rd at 5 pm in the Council Chamber Conference Room (Room 111) next to Council Chambers. Access to the room is through a labeled emergency door. The Planning, Zoning, & Economic Development Committee will hold a goal setting meeting March 16th at 6:15 pm in Council Chambers. Members of the public are invited to share their ideas and concerns.

The next City Council meeting will be March 2nd at 7 pm in Council Chambers.