Corbin commissioners discuss improvements to city, public safety, and community needs
Jun. 21—CORBIN — The Corbin City Commission met on Monday to discuss several key developments for the city and community concerns.
The meeting kicked off with Chris Campbell, President of the Corbin Public Library Board of Directors, thanking the commission for their continuous support and efforts in improving the library.
Next on the agenda, the board renewed their insurance contract with Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) — noting a slight increase in rates due to the need for expanded officer liability, cyber security, and property value coverage.
"The renewal quote was $314,415.90. It's an increase of about $38,206.56, it was offset by workers comp, but it was not much of an increase," said City Clerk Tori Brock. She explained that this is due to a premium, which was not included in the previous year's contract.
To put in perspective the scope of what insurance will cover, City Manager Scott Williamson explained the replacement coverage of the Corbin Arena.
"If something happened today to the Arena, it's $45 million," Williamson said about the full replacement to the Corbin Arena.
The board also discussed the expansion of the Corbin Center, which is funded by the grant award through the efforts of Senate President Robert Stivers earlier this year. The same designer responsible for the original Corbin Center will be handle the expansion project, ensuring continuity in design and functionality.
Williams also addressed the ongoing drainage issues in Corbin following heavy and continuous rains. Williamson explained that the issues are being addressed, with board members working together to ensure they are within budget for repairs.
"We're trying to keep prices down and keep everything in-house," said Williamson.
In other news, the final steps for repaving the blacktop at Miller Park were discussed, with only the final surface needing installation. The board approved the $84,000 project — eager to have the parking spaces ready for the upcoming state tournament in mid-July. This will create 55 new parking spaces in the lot.
The fire department also reported on the repair of an early warning alarm that was destroyed by lightning during the spring storms. The repair is scheduled for Thursday, June 20. This repair is critical for maintaining community safety.
Nancy Conley, director of the Corbin Tourism Commission, provided insights into upcoming marketing strategies and funding assessments. The goal is to evaluate the impact of current efforts and optimize future initiatives.
The Parks and Recreation department met with the Tourism Commission last week to discuss their ongoing plans to work with the tourism department to ensure all existing events are carried out this year.
During the public comments section, a local resident of Corbin, Andrea Mayne, who lives near the high school, raised concerns about ongoing theft at her property. Despite notifying the Corbin Police Department, she continues to face challenges with theft before she can replace and repair the stolen items, including her chain link fence and corner posts. The commissioners acknowledged her concerns, but there are no official solutions in place yet.
The meeting highlighted the board's commitment to addressing a wide range of community needs, from infrastructure improvements to public safety and community events.
