Commission approves solar cover for city pool

The Corbin City Commission unanimously approved the purchase of a solar cover and reel for the Corbin City Pool during its regular meeting on Monday. 

Paul Dole, the president of KCEOC and spokesperson on behalf of the Piranhas swim team, addressed the board asking for a dome to be added to the Corbin City Pool in the winter months to make it usable for individuals in swimming programs, such as the Piranhas team. 

Dole said one of the challenges that teams, like Piranhas swim, face each year is access to pools. 

Until the pandemic began, Dole said the University of the Cumberlands allowed some groups access to its pools. 

Dole explained that Corbin has produced multiple award-winning swimmers, including Parker Herren who recently competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

It would cost the city approximately $100,000 to purchase a dome, install a pool heater and complete the other necessary tasks to make the pool usable during the winter, said Dole.

The cost for the solar cover and reel was estimated to be less than $10,000. The cover will allow participants to swim until mid-December. 

The commission also voted unanimously to reject a bid from Municipal Equipment for garbage carts. The bid for $269,483 came in approximately $60,000 above the budgeted amount. 

The commission decided to send out another proposal for bids for a seven-day period to determine if the job could be completed for a lesser price. 

Maggy Monhollen, Corbin’s Downtown Manager and Director of Tourism, presented a proposal for a Main Street sidewalk engraving project. 

“I think it is a super exciting project,” Monhollen said. 

Marty Jordan, of Written in Stone and who is known for donating the Kissing Stone, has agreed to engrave nine two-by-two-foot stones, which will depict images related to Corbin. 

The stones will be installed at crosswalks in front of curb cutouts. Anticipated designs for the stones include the Downtown Corbin logo, a houseboat or waterfall, a steam engine/caboose, a music note, railroad bridge and more. 

The total cost for labor, materials and installation of all nine stones is expected to be $2,000. 

No vote was taken on the stones.

During the meeting, commissioners unanimously approved: 

The second reading of an ordinance that establishes the regulatory license fee for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Corbin for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

The appointment of Earnestine Angel to the Housing Authority Board. 

The hiring of Heather Bargo as full-time deputy city clerk and administrative assistant.

A contract with the Corbin Board of Education for a school resource officer.

Allowing internal promotions of four police officers to fill in a rank left vacant after a major retired.