City Announces Casey’s To Expand On Shaon Property
Bowling Green Aldermen Prepare To Improve Park Equipment, Security
Bowling Green city officials announced at the Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday night that Casey’s General Store has purchased the former Shaon Motors property and has submitted plans to expand their business.
City Administrator Barb Allison said Casey’s will be tearing down the buildings at the location and building a new, expanded facility. The plans for the new development will be discussed and reviewed by the Planning and Zoning committee tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 7) at 5:30 p.m.
Mel Orf, the city’s building inspector, said the new facility will have a canopy area for the fueling pumps with six bays. He noted that more information about the development will be released, though a company official could not be reached as of press time.
In other business, the board of aldermen took a proactive approach to the city’s park system. Members unanimously approved moving forward on grants that will provide added security and equipment within the large city park and at the lake. The city will also pursue grants for signage, surfacing of the trail system in the city park and surfacing of the parking lot at the 15th Street pocket park.
The grant to seal the surface of the trail in the park, the parking lot and to provide ADA-compliant bathrooms in the lower city park is an 80/20 match up to $150,000. The deadline to submit a proposal is July.
A grant that would provide a 50 percent match up to $250,000 is being examined for improvements at the lake.
The city also approved the purchase of security cameras for the city park at $3,264.72. Police will be able to better identify perpetrators of vandalism. A similar system is being sought for the park area at the lake.
The board will take up the issues for approval at the regular board meeting later this month.
Aldermen also moved forward on a plan to change the city’s deposit plans for water services. Currently, users pay a flat $160 deposit. Board members moved a proposal forward that requires a deposit of $125 for homeowners and business owners and a deposit of $225 for renters. The full board will vote on the proposal later this month for final approval.
Members also agreed to purchase a 2017 Ford half-ton truck for the water department at a state contract price of just over $24,000. The board will give final approval at the regular board meeting.
The board also heard from the city’s auding firm, KPM, CPAs of Springfield. The city received a “clean” audit, which is the best rating. A representative of KPM noted the city has built reserves in the general fund and in the water and sewer departments, which has been recommended for the past five years. It was noted the city currently has almost six months worth of expenses in reserves. It is recommended that municipalities have no less than three months in reserves.
