Council briefs: human trafficking prevention in region
Plus, Tourism unveils new marketing campaign and expanded concert events, fire chief steps in as interim city administrator
BEREA — City Council’s second regularly scheduled meeting of the month included two encouraging updates, one from a nonprofit dedicated to ending human trafficking, and another from the tourism department. Also discussed was the utility of the Council’s standing legislative Personnel Committee.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Last year, Mayor Bruce Fraley declared January to be Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Berea. At the Council meeting, Lisa Foster, president of Redeeming Hope, a Madison County-based nonprofit dedicated to helping young women with sex trafficking-related trauma, told Council about the progress made on a therapeutic house to be built on donated land in Berea. The house is intended to feel like a home, not an institution, Foster told Council.
She also told Council that trafficking happens around the globe, including in Kentucky. “It is an inhumane evil,” Foster said.
A fundraising dinner for Redeeming Hope will be held on Saturday, February 8, at Boone Tavern. Doors open at 5:45 PM. Tickets are $75. There will be guest speakers, including a survivor of trafficking, and an expert on the “Dark Web”. For more information, visit here.
Municipal order
The first municipal order of 2025 (Municipal Order 01-2025) was read out and adopted by Council to assign members to the following standing legislative committees for 2025-2026.
Audit & Finance: Steve Caudill, Steve Davis, Teresa Scenters, Cora Jane Wilson
Public Works: Jerry Little, Steve Caudill, John Payne, Ronnie Terrill
Parks: Katie Startzman, John Payne, Ronnie Terrill, Steve Davis
Personnel: Cora Jane Wilson, Jerry Little, Katie Startzman, Teresa Scenters
Before the order was adopted, freshman Davis raised concerns echoed by Startzman and Caudill that for members on the Personnel Committee to make hiring decisions could possibly expose them to legal risk. Little reminded the others that in times past, various citizens were brought in to help hire Berea City officials such as the police chief, so that there was the perception that municipal hiring decisions in Berea were not a “slam dunk.”
Caudill suggested that in the next few weeks, a meeting to outline the exact charge of the Personnel Committee should be scheduled. Startzman also asked for there to be such a meeting for the Parks Committee.
Department head reports: Berea Tourism
A new thematic marketing campaign for Berea Tourism was unveiled to Council by Interim Tourism Director, Dani Gift.
“Get your hands on Berea!” is Tourism’s first fully themed marketing campaign, according to Gift. “It’s about creating excitement about the experience. It’s not just about, ‘Well you can go here and buy something’. It’s about how you can go [to Berea] and get your hands on a great experience.”
The graphics and art for the campaign will feature hands engaged in crafts, eating, or some other activity that Berea offers, according to Gift.
This year also will see an expansion of the Pavilion concert series into an “event” with food trucks, yard games, and artisans displaying their wares. This will be done in coordination with other live music events in town, Gift said. There will be an increased outreach to motor coach tourists, and a bump for Tourism’s online presence, Gift reported.
Last year, Berea hosted visitors from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and from 26 counties on six continents, according to statistics presented by Gift.
City administrator report
Shawn Sandlin, offered his first report to Council in his dual role as Berea’s fire chief, and interim city administrator now that Rose Beverly has left the post. Sandlin mentioned his gratitude for Beverly, for working with him over the past month to bring him up to speed. Sandlin praised her “outstanding leadership, professionalism, dedication, and commitment.” This is Sandlin’s second go-round in the administrative role. Prior to Beverly’s hiring in late 2021, Sandlin also filled in as interim administrator.
Sandlin also reported that the budget amendment process was underway and a meeting to apprise Council of the changes would happen next month.
Comments section
Highlights from the mayor’s and councilmembers’ comments section include Fraley thanking Sandlin for his work ethic and commitmen. Fraley also announced that he, Sandlin, City Clerk Robin Adams, and Councilmembers Davis and Payne, had all recently attended a leadership academy hosted by the Kentucky League of Cities.
Startzman urged Bereans to take advantage of a recent grant from Berea College to the Berea Maker’s Space that allows anyone interested to take a variety of classes in woodworking and other skills, all at no cost for the next six months. For more information, visit here.
Caudill shared that a student at Silver Creek Elementary School whom he coaches in soccer, has kidney cancer. The University of Kentucky’s Hematology/Oncology Clinic DanceBlue team will be hosting a mini-dance marathon in her honor. Caudill said more information would be forthcoming over the next few weeks. To donate, visit here.
The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is Tuesday, February 11, at 6:30 PM in the City Annex, 304 Chestnut Street. You can watch a video of this Council meeting here.
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