By LISA BICKNELL
CV&T News Editor
During Monday night’s meeting, the Irvine City Council began to publicly explore the idea of annexing more property into the city of Irvine.
Mayor Noland said he received six calls on Monday and a couple last week from people in North Irvine wanting their property to be annexed into the city.
Councilwoman Janice Bush said, “This[annexation] is something you just don’t do overnight.”
Councilman Tobo Bryant agreed, saying, “We have to go slow and easy, and see what it costs to offer [increased city services].
Councilwoman Nelle Williams said if the city wants to annex, “We have to sell it [the idea].”
Other considerations concerning annexation which the council discussed include taxing, how to offer city services to a larger area, water rates in newly-annexed areas, the addition of more city lights, and the effect on insurance premiums.
The mayor said the city is tentatively looking at extending its boundaries to Sand Hill Road, as well as to the high school on Hwy. 89.
Fire Chief Tony Murphy said they would also have to look into how annexation might affect the city’s class size. Irvine is currently a Class 3 city.
Councilman Billy Arthur said, “It won’t be an overnight thing, but I’d like to see it happen.”
Robert Sanders, building inspector apprentice to the city, said he has been discussing annexation with the mayor for a while. He called it “the right idea” and said Irvine has a lot of unique characteristics and is an ideal town to develop.
“If you build it, they will come,” he said. He also noted that businesses such as Target never build outside city limits because of a lack of services such as 24-hour fire department protection.
In his regular report, Estill Development Alliance director Joe Crawford stated at Monday night’s meeting of the Irvine City Council that there is “a lot going on” in Irvine right now.
He noted that the River City Players have acquired 20 percent of funds needed to purchase the Mack Theater downtown, and that the RCP is hosting a theater camp this week.
Students participating in the camp will perform a play based on local stories written by Irvine native Donna Crow. The play will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon at the fairgrounds. It is titled Nothing to Do in This Town.
Crawford also reported on the “excellent progress” made at the Estill Action Group’s meeting last week, when the five trail town committees met to discuss the next steps toward achieving trail town status.
The EAG is also working with local writer Rebecca Patrick-Howard to organize a downtown ghost walk through Irvine in October. Howard will lead the walk and narrate spooky stories of days gone by in the city.
On July 25, the EAG is hosting a fundraiser volleyball tournament beside the river at the American Legion with the goal to purchase updated Christmas décor for Irvine and Ravenna.
Also on the 25th of July, “Hollerwood,” the developing four-county outdoor recreation park, is hosting a “Hollerwood Park Founding Sponsorship Ride.” The main loop of the trail, parts of it in the Red River Gorge and Estill County, is marked now, and those who participate in the ride will get to explore it first. Sixty-five of 100 slots have already been filled.
Crawford said he is working with the National Park Service to get the trail better connected to downtown Irvine. He hopes there will be a trailhead open sometime in the next few months.
The Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Once Borrowed, the new “eclectic décor” shop soon to open beside the Twin on River Drive, on July 25.
Crawford said there are other “excited people wanting to open businesses in town.”
He reminded that this year’s Revive River Drive will be on September 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. Crawford said the chamber is working with the local police departments to make the event as safe as possible.
The Leadership LEAP program is working with the hospital to organize a downtown business centered contest?
Also, Crawford announced, the Lily Mountain Nature Preserve has acquired two additional properties. The preserve is again working to host a Zombie Hike in the fall. Last year’s event was “snowed out.”
Other events planned by the EDA include a trivia contest on September 12, a dodgeball tournament on October 17, and a talent contest on November 14.
In other business, Mayor W.J. Noland once again nominated Regina Robertson as an Irvine Municipal Utilities Commissioner. The council voted to approve her nomination.
City Clerk Robin Powell said Dancing Days, LLC. has filed for a privilege license to open the Steam Engine Pizza Pub on Main Street.
A motion was made to authorize the mayor to sign on all funds for the city of Irvine.
Concerning an on-going effort to clean up the city of Irvine, Police Chief Brad Smith reported that a truckload of debris has been hauled away from 314 Turner Avenue. He said his department has issued some citations on Cantrill Street as well and has notified the health department about some neglected properties.
The Irvine City Council will meet again on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at the Irvine City Hall.