BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Inez City Hall continues to address the recurring issue of unrepaired sidewalk damage caused by utility companies, specifically Columbia Gas. Commissioner Carolynn Horn voiced her concerns during a meeting Thursday, pointing out sidewalk damage on Main Street.
During the meeting, the commission also discussed other matters, including campaign sign removal, street improvements, water district updates, and potential dog-related initiatives.
Mayor Ed Daniel assured the commission that he would again contact local gas company officials, expressing his preference for resolving the matter locally instead of “going over somebody’s head.”
The damage in question, which has been present for several months, is between two handicap-access curbs at the corner of the former Family Drugstore building.
In June 2021, the city amended its sidewalk and street ordinance, stipulating that utility companies must repair damage within 30 days or face daily fines. The fine amounts to $25 per day for the first 30 days and $50 per day for days 31-60. If repairs are not completed within 60 days, the city can perform the repairs and bill the utility company accordingly.
The ordinance also requires utility companies to obtain permits, file applications, and make cash deposits before excavation or making openings in the city. An additional amendment in June 2021 stipulates requirements for emergency repairs.
When the ordinance passed in 2021, former Commissioner Dennis Hall, who served as the street commissioner and was instrumental in the adoption of the ordinance, emphasized the authority of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office to enforce all ordinances. Hall stressed the importance of prioritizing the residents’ safety and making the city welcoming for tourists, visitors and employees rather than allowing utility companies to take advantage of the situation.
Following the ordinance’s adoption, the city successfully enforced it on the Martin County Water District, requiring them to repair sidewalk and street damage.
Mayor Daniels mentioned a recent incident involving the water district, where they had to pull up the sidewalk at the corner of the Historic Martin County Courthouse to repair a leak.
“If they’re lucky, they might be able to put that back in one piece,” said Daniels.
Commissioner Horn expressed her hope that the water district could repair the sidewalk while saving costs.
Horn also reported that campaign signs remain at the intersection of Routes 40 and 645, even though she contacted one of the sign owners.
“It’s not down,” Horn said. “He told me it would be that weekend or this past week, and it’s still there.”
The council discussed removing the sign and will explore options.
Mayor Daniels told commissioners he attended the June Martin County Water District meeting and reminded them the water board meets every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Fiscal Court meeting room.
“I believe Mr. [Craig] Miller took offense to me calling the reservoir ‘one big mudhole,’” Daniels commented, referring to Alliance Water Resources’ manager that operates the Martin County Water District.
Commissioner Nita Collier stated it was her understanding the water district was starting to fill up the reservoir.
“Well, they’re pumping, but he was predicting a whole lot of rain in July,” said Daniels. “And I told him that historically July and August were drier months.” The mayor said the district had refrained from pumping water from the river to the Curtis Crum Reservoir due to the high cost of renting a pump ($8,000 per month) and fuel ($1,000 per day).
“Are we supposed to run out of water?” Horn asked.
The commissioners followed with some light-hearted suggestions, including performing a rain dance.
Council member Roy Penix provided his street report, highlighting routine tasks such as grass cutting, weed cutting, and trash removal. He also mentioned the completion of street painting and the installation of a stop sign on Broadway, commending the city’s improved appearance. The street worker’s activities included the removal of a fallen tree and maintaining the ballpark, while residents of Addiction Recovery Care’s Whitehouse Hill weeded flower boxes.
Commissioner Horn expressed her appreciation for the flowers, saying she noticed immediately.
Penix further informed the council about filling a deep hole behind the Martin County Library, potentially created by groundhogs.
City Clerk Lisa Mollett reported her findings regarding city ordinances, specifically the absence of a leash law. While mentioning the possibility of dog tag sales, she proposed a unique idea of residents coming to City Hall to take a picture with their dog and record the tag number. This initiative would help identify loose dogs. Commissioners Horn and Collier commended the idea, and the mayor suggested dog owners could more easily put nametags on their pets.
Commissioner Collier discussed a current project to identify and map cemeteries in Martin County. LiKEN Knowledge and the University of Kentucky are collaborating on the project.