HILLVIEW — With the new UofL Health-South Hospital opened in its city, the Hillview Council was motivated to further promote healthy lifestyles among its citizens.
The council discussed the possibility of adding exercise equipment to the city’s already-existing walking path.
Recreation Department director Terry Bohannon and council member Alice Keister researched the potential project. They hoped to purchase equipment from DWA Recreation through GameTime, an outdoor fitness equipment company.
Keister mentioned the possibility of adding as many as six workout stations along the path, some of which could be handicapped-accessible.
“We’re looking at potential grant funding,” Keister said. “I think it will be great for the community.”
Mayor Jim Eadens asked the pair to share possible equipment information with other council members. He also suggested contacting Bullitt County Health Department director Rob Flaherty to seek further potential assistance.
“If we do it, let’s do it right,” Eadens said. “(The Health Department) might add to what you’re wanting to do.”
Other council members were concerned about damages to the equipment. Council member Randall Hill said he was all for the project but worried about damaged equipment or citizens getting hurt.
Eadens said the equipment was not similar to standard gym equipment. Rather, he said they were sturdy pieces made of metal that were anchored down.
Hill also inquired about insurance and how the city would be covered. Bohannon mentioned that patrons signed waivers in the recreation department’s weight room, but not for other places such as the gymnasiums, accessible playground or the splash pad.
Keister suggested posting age-limit signs on the equipment, based on company suggestions that no one under age 13 should utilize the equipment. Council member Wes Stafford suggested posting something such similar to a “play at your own risk” sign.
The council will discuss the issue further after more information is provided to council members.
In other business:
- Police chief Bill Mahoney introduced the department’s four new hires, which will eventually bring HPD back up to full force.
Two of the the officers, Devin Richardson and Jayden Eadens, have completed five weeks of online training and were scheduled to attend academy training beginning in April. Another officer, Adam Cantrell, will begin academy training in August.
Ofc. Brandon Linton is a lateral move, coming to HPD from Louisville Metro Police. Mahoney said Linton would still need to complete a four-week prep course and receive all of his necessary gear.
“They all performed well in the hiring process,” said Mahoney. “I feel strongly that we got a good fit for our agency and our community. I’m thankful to have them here.”
Linton is a Louisville native and Mount Washington resident. He and his wife, Lucero, have a son, Angel, and a daughter, Angely.
Richardson is also a Louisville native residing in Mount Washington with his wife, Brittany, and their four children. He said being a police officer was something he always wanted to do and that he found a great opportunity with Hillview.
Cantrell is an Air Force veteran who served over one year with the Fort Knox Police. The Texas native, who lives in Mount Washington with his wife, Cari, said he loved the Hillview community and its police department.
A Hillview native and resident, Eadens is a North Bullitt High School graduate and former student at Zoneton Middle and Overdale Elementary. He is the grandson of Jim and Donna Eadens.
“This is the community I grew up in,” he said. “I want to help it nurture and grow.”
- Mahoney mentioned that two new police cruisers had arrived for the department.
The council previously approved an amendment to the city’s budget in February for the purchase of the two Dodge Durango vehicles.
The final costs for the cruisers, including all system and equipment upgrades, will be included and presented in the city’s amended 2023-24 Fiscal Year budget, which will be presented to the council for approval in June, prior to the start of the 2024-25 Fiscal Year which begins July 1.
- The city received a clean audit for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year from its auditor, CPA Chad Robinson.
Among the few notes of concern addressed by Robinson was a “segregation of duties” to various employees. He said the issue comes up each year among smaller municipalities with less office employees.
Robinson credited the mayor and his office staff, adding that they were great to work with during the auditing process.
- Public Works representative Joey Thompson reminded that the city’s annual Spring Clean-Up event was scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 8 am to 4 pm at the Public Works garage.
- The next Hillview City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 1, 6:30 pm, at the Hillview Government Center. The public is invited to attend.