30th of March 2025 - Ian VanSteenbergh

3 MONTHS.

It's been three months. Three months of council meetings. Three months of working for the betterhood of the community. And it's just getting started. Serving on the Midway City Council has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to share some updates on what we’ve been working on and what’s ahead for our community.

What Did the Council Get Done?

Over the past few months, I've gotten acclimated to the workings of council. I've hit the ground running with my fellow Councilmembers and Mayor Vandegrift to accomplish some really incredible things. One of my top priorities has been ensuring that Midway remains a place where people want to live, work, and visit. Over the past few months, we’ve taken steps to make real investments in Midway and accomplish those priorities.

One of our largest accomplishments so far is officially opening up our 24/7 EMS + Fire Station. This is, and already has been, lifesaving for the people of Midway. I could keep on going, but I'm sure you're tired of us explaining why this is so important. Which, speaking of the fire station, we sold the old fire station. The space will be transformed into a lounge fit with a bar, coffee, and golf simulators. They not only came in with the highest bid, but I am so excited to see an expansion of businesses past Railroad Street. This will be a great addition to Midway! We also have an important update for parking downtown. Starting in April, the Midway Business Association (in partnership with the restaurants downtown and with approval by council) will be sponsoring complimentary valet parking downtown. No matter where you are going downtown, simply pull into the valet spot and let them control the rest. This will not only help with efficiency, but will open up almost 75 parking spots! 

We approved re-appointments to multiple boards within the city and county. We received an outstanding report from the Auditor on the city's financial position. Hey, council work can't always be so glamorous. We're now working on the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and will have more exciting news down the road. 

Parks Board + Cemetery & City Property Committee Updates

The Parks Board has been hard at work. We're continously improving the parks so they not only function like they are supposed to, but that they continue to bring value to the community. We're working on a Master Plan for BlueJay Park. We're planning great community events. We're planning for the future. If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns about the Midway Park's System, contact me!

The Cemetery and City Property Committee met during the past three months and we are focused on the continous upkeep of our cemeteries and planning + completing the final phases of Midway Cemetery. 

What Else Has Ian Been Up To?

Beyond City Council work, I’ve been out and about, connecting with residents, supporting local organizations, and staying engaged in the broader conversation about Midway’s future. Here are a few events I’ve attended recently and things I've done:

• 2025 Statewide LGBTQ+ Leaders Summit: The Fairness Campaign, in conjunction with JustFundKY, hosted a Statewide LGBTQ+ Leader Summit at the Louisville Pride Center. This was a collection of news outlets, nonprofits, elected officials, and other various organizations. As one of the few openly LGBTQ+ elected officials, I was proud to attend and hear from folks all over the state. It was a day of community building, networking, and hearing about the anti-LGBTQ+ bills that are proposed in this year's General Assembly. 

• Advocating for Midway in Frankfort: During the 2025 General Assembly in Frankfort, they had 30 days of legislating, with plenty of bills to monitor and either support or oppose. It's worth mentioning that I had attempted to set up meetings with our Representative Dan Fister and Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, neither of which actually set up a meeting or bothered to respond to my follow-up emails. For the most part, Midway and other local governments are relatively uneffected from the legislature's actions. It could have been much worse. 

• Woodford County Tourism Stakeholder Meeting: In conjunction with my Board position on the Midway Business Association and as a Councilmember, I was proud to attend the Stakeholder Meeting at the Kentucky Castle. There, we got an update on what the tourism commission is up to, what businesses in the community have planned, and the overall economic impact tourism has on our communities. 

• Fairness Rally: As one of the very few openly LGBTQ+ elected officials (and as the youngest), I was proud to represent the work of the LGBTQ+ community and stand up to hate. I not only was able to show my support, but Midway was continously recognized for their election of an openly gay Councilmember. 

I know I'm missing plenty of other events I've been to. No matter where I go, no matter where I introduce myself, people always have something good to say about Midway. That's a testament to our character, something we should be proud of. I've also been interviewed and have had plenty of speaking opportunities where I was able to showcase just what Midway is all about and why they elected me as one of their Councilmemebers.

Looking Forward

There’s still a lot to accomplish in 2025! Some of the projects I’m excited to continue working on include:

• The 2025-2026 budget.

• My own Town Hall focusing on the future of Midway on April 14th, starting at 5:30 at the Midway Public Library Branch.

• Listening to constituents, engaging community stakeholders, and holding others accountable. 

• Planning the future of Midway, enhancing community spaces, and ensuring that Midway remains a place where people want to live, work, and visit.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve on the City Council and work alongside so many passionate people who care deeply about Midway. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s keep moving Midway forward together!