The amendment passed on a 4 to 1 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Richard Abraham voting no. The approved amendment is as follows:
It is the intent of the City Commission that all sections of this Ordinance shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with KRS 446.350, which provides as follows: “Government shall not substantially burden a person’s freedom of religion. The right to act in a manner motivated by a sincerely held religious belief may not be substantially burdened unless the government proves by clear and convincing evidence that it has a compelling governmental interest in infringing the specific act or refusal to act and has used the least restrictive means to further that interest. A “burden” shall include indirect burdens such as withholding benefits, assessing penalties, or an exclusion from programs or access to facilities.”
It is the intent of the City Commission that all sections of this Ordinance shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with KRS 446.350, which provides as follows: “Government shall not substantially burden a person’s freedom of religion. The right to act in a manner motivated by a sincerely held religious belief may not be substantially burdened unless the government proves by clear and convincing evidence that it has a compelling governmental interest in infringing the specific act or refusal to act and has used the least restrictive means to further that interest. A “burden” shall include indirect burdens such as withholding benefits, assessing penalties, or an exclusion from programs or access to facilities.”
Prior to the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Abraham asked that the ordinance amendment he introduced at the May 21 meeting be deleted from the agenda.
In other business, the Board heard an overview of the New Day Initiative, which includes solutions to improve the permitting process for the public.
They also approved a resolution in support of the Civic Beautification Board's efforts to raise money to restore a fountain in the City Hall atrium, as well as approved five municipal orders.
An ordinance was introduced to approve moving $80,000 from the General Fund Reserve to the Bob Leeper Bridge Project. This ordinance will be voted on at the next regularly scheduled meeting, June 11th.
