Butler City Council Meeting September 14, 2026
Butler Mayor Mason Taylor read Resolution 104, recognizing Butler Police Chief Ken Hale for 30 years of service to the city of Butler. This resolution designates the police/fire station at 309 Taylor Street as the Kenneth L. Hale Public Safety Building. The resolution states that “the city designs to recognize and honor Kenneth L. Hale for his service, dedication, leadership, and contributions to the public safety and civic welfare of the City of Butler and its residents…” Full-time Northern Pendleton Fire Department Butler Firefighter Tyler Trumble also praised Chief Hale for his tireless work during the recent hazmat incident at 210 Matilda. Trumble told how Hale “worked 40 hours straight” with different agencies to get everyone evacuated to the Butler Community Center then back in the building except for one unit. “This was a learning curve,” said NPFD Chief Adam Fuller. “It involved multi-agency response, like the Butler Market, working through it. It’s been ten years since a similar thing occurred.”
Fuller reported that the Butler Market’s owner pledged to put $100,000 towards repairs to get the building up to code, but Fuller is not sure that amount will be enough. The three apartments above the store will need to be consolidated into one because one lacks proper egress and another has unsafe conditions. Plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression upgrades need to be completed in the store/restaurant. Fuller said that it would take 4-6 weeks for a plumbing plan to be reviewed before any work could be started. After the plumbing cost has been determined, the owner will have a better idea on costs and how to proceed to get the building up to code.
The chief reported 30 first response calls; one structure fire, two MVCs, and one gas fire. He has attended flood mitigation meetings, worked on policy issues, spoke with Kentucky Utilities about moving poles that are in the street (not economically feasible), and completed inspections at local establishments. NPFD expects to learn on September 30th whether it received the AFG grant for hose, rope rescue equipment, and fans. There are a couple of additional grants that Chief Fuller is considering.
Chief Hale reported 38 calls, three citations, two city warnings, and one emergency protection order. He completed business and vacation checks and was working with the ABC Board for Butler Market’s liquor license.
Audience member Glenn Shell asked about the cost of the sidewalk concrete poured and expressed concern about the quality of grinding work completed. Fuller assured Shell that the sidewalk grinding project was completed throughout the city to address 50% of the identified sidewalk hazards. “There has not been an ounce of concrete poured. If you grind, you save money. This project is very much in line with the PC Coalition to increase walkability,” explained Fuller. He further said that the city will need to identify where to go next with the more critical areas and stated that if there would happen to be road aid funds left over, they could be used for sidewalk repairs. In addition, Fuller mentioned that water or sewer line projects would enable them to repair sidewalks in those areas, too. If these options are not available, then improvements will be made a little at a time. Fuller mentioned that the Kentucky League of Cities has grants that have a sidewalk component.
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