ASHLAND — Speeding through a rather lengthy but routine agenda in less than 20 minutes, the Ashland Board of City Commissioners Thursday night gave second and final reading approval to two ordinances helping to clear the way for major construction projects in the city.

With no discussion, the commissioners gave final approval to an ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas E. Kelley to execute an amendment to an earlier agreement between the city and the developers of Melody Mountain.  

Bo Gunlock, vice president of asset management for RG Properties, announced earlier this month that work on an estimated $10 million  addition to the property that now includes Walmart, O’Charley’s, Outback Steakhouse, Chick-Fil-A and a small strip mall housing several businesses should begin soon after the start of the new year. Gunlock said the 120,000-square-foot development will have five retail outlets including at least two anchor stores. In all, Gunlock said the development should create about 300 new jobs in the city.

The proposed development will be on now vacant land between Walmart and O’Charley’s. Two developments previously announced for the land were canceled because of the nationwide recession.

The project will also include an overhaul of the Riverhill Drive intersection with U.S. 23 and completion of the sidewalk to the shopping center.

Construction should begin in late February or early Mach and be completed by early fall, Gunlock said. The businesses that will locate there have not been announced. Gunlock said the developer would allow each business to announce its plans.

In his comments at Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Marty Gute said the expansion on Melody Mountain plus the restoration of Putnam Stadium will create dozens of new, badly needed construction jobs in the city.

The commission also gave final approval to an ordinance authorizing Members Choice Credit Union to encroach onto the city’s right of way in the 1400 block of Central Avenue to allow for a sign and for parking and landscaping on land adjacent to the new Hospice building where the credit union, now located near the entrance to the AK Steel mill, plans to build its new offices. The change was recommended by City Manager Stephen Corbitt.

In other action, the commission gave final approval to ordinances:

‰Allowing the Ashland Housing Authority to close an unimproved alley running parallel to Winchester and Greenup avenues at 32nd street.

‰Authorizing Mayor Kelley to execute a contract with BLK Construction for miscellaneous concrete and asphalt work for up to a year for the Department of Engineering and Utilities and the Division for Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution.

‰Authorizing Kelley to execute an agreement allowing the Housing Authority to encroach on the city’s right-of-way at 32nd Street and Winchester Avenue for parking and landscaping.

 The commission also gave first reading approval to an ordinance authorizing Kelley to sign a “task order” with  Strand Associates Inc. for an amount not to exceed $25,500 to provide an “asset inventory report” for the Department of Engineering & Utilities. The commissioners were told the report is required by the federal government and the city is a “little late” in providing it, said Engineer Ryan Eastwood.

The commission also approved the appointment of E.B. Gevedon III to a three-year term on the Tree Board and of Bobby Vanhoose to a four-year term on the parks and recreation board.

During their brief comments during the meeting, City Commissioner Tom Cantrell said he had just completed the six-week leadership development program offered once a year by the Ashland Alliance.

“If anyone has the opportunity to take part in this program, I highly recommend it,” Cantrell said. “I’ve lived here all my life and I have driven and walked by places hundreds of times that I didn’t even know existed. It helped me get to know a lot better a city I thought I already knew.”

City Commissioner Larry Brown reminded citizens that the city has a free smoke detector program they can take advantage of by calling (606) 327-2056. The Ashland Fire Department will install smoke detectors in homes at no charge, Brown said.

Chris Pullem, acting director of planning and community development, brought his daughter, Caroline, a second-grader at Hager Elementary, to the meeting as a reward for getting an “A” on a social studies report about local government.  He said he wanted his daughter to see government in action.

Mayor Kelley allowed Caroline to bang the gavel adjourning the brief meeting.

JOHN CANNON can be reached at jcannon@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2649.