_Board of Commissioners

City OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, March 26, 2018 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Peluso at 7:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street. The meeting was opened with a moment for silent invocation and the mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were: Commissioner Frank Peluso, Commissioner Beth Fennell, and Mayor Jerry Peluso, Absent: Commissioner Thomas Guidugli and Commissioner Ken Rechtin. Also in attendance were: City Manager Thomas Fromme, Assistant to the City Manager Larissa Sims, City Attorney Dan Braun, Police Chief Tom Collins, Fire Chief Bill Darin, Director of Finance Lenny Kuntz, Community Services Director Doug Roell, Assistant City Attorney John Hayden, Code Enforcement Director Brian Steffen, License Inspector Bob Bramel, Community Liaison Bev Holiday, and City Clerk Amy Able. PUBLIC FORUM Mr. Randy Pauly spoke in opposition to the concept discussed in the media of building a soccer stadium in Newport. He also expressed concerns about the new traffic roundabout near the Foruth Street bridge. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Peluso made a motion to approve the minutes of the Monday, February 26, 2017 regular meeting and the Monday, March 12, 2018 caucus meeting. Commissioner Fennell offered a second to the motion. Upon hearing there were no changes, corrections, comments or questions, the mayor called for a roll call vote. Commissioner Peluso: Yes Mayor Peluso: Yes Commissioner Fennell: Yes Motion carried 3-0. OLD BUSINESS The city clerk gave second reading by title and summary of tentative O-2018-001, an ordinance amending Section 99.07 of the Code of Ordinances concerning rental dwelling licenses. Commissioner Peluso made a motion for approval, Commissioner Fennell offered a second to the motion. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a roll call vote. Commissioner Peluso: Yes Mayor Peluso: Yes Commissioner Fennell: Yes Motion carried 3-0. The city clerk gave second reading by title and summary of tentative O-2018-002, an ordinance amending Section 99.09 of the Code of Ordinances concerning duration, pay date, expiration, and renewal of rental dwelling licenses. Commissioner Fennell made a motion for approval, Commissioner Peluso offered a second to the motion. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a roll call vote. Commissioner Fennell: Yes Mayor Peluso: Yes Commissioner Peluso: Yes Motion carried 3-0. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS & PROCLAMATIONS Chief Collins opened by thanking the families of first responders for their support and sacrifice and recognized Chris Gallichio who is retiring after 23 years with the Newport Police Board of Commissioners of Newport, KY March 26, 2018 Meeting Minutes Department. The Chief stated he has been a great asset describing him as not a story teller but a story maker. The Chief shared several vignettes and praised him for his work starting the canine program and his dedication to the City. Mr. Fromme recognized Greg Tulley, retiring Director of Development Services. Mr. Fromme stated that over thirteen years they worked together on many projects and perseverance was key with Greg doing a remarkable job on projects like the Pavilion. He said this 13 year period has been the most productive era for investment and development with $300m complete and $100m underway or near completion. He said that with his creative style, Greg helped steer the City through rough waters and bring to fruition projects such as South Shore, View 180, Monmouth Row, Carothers Road, Nexigen, Ethos, St. Elizabeth, Route 9 and connector, and the Academy on Fourth. Mr. Tulley stated he loves Newport which has been his home for twenty-five years, it is a wonderful community, and through challenging times his approach was that failure was not an option. He urged the City to stay the course because the future is bright, capture the moment and continue the wonderful work that’s been happening for so long in the City. Mr. Hayden gave a Property Task Force Update. (See attached.) There have been over 120 code liens since August 2017 and they have uncovered numerous unlicensed rentals. Aside from liens and foreclosures, collections total $178,000. There has been substantial compliance and only two lawsuits filed. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER Mr. Fromme stated that the Property Task Force has exceeded expectations. Liens totaling $84,000 were ratified by the Code Enforcement Board. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD Commissioner Fennell noted Chief Collins was featured in a news story about a music in the schools when he joined retired teachers for the program endorsed because of links ranging from improved memory to higher SAT scores. Mayor Peluso commented that Thursday is Opening Day of the baseball season and a new business in Newport on York Street owned by Tom and Tucker Browning. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Fennell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Peluso offered a second to the motion. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a roll call vote. Commissioner Fennell: Yes Mayor Peluso: Yes Commissioner Peluso: Yes Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. ___________________________ _____________________________ Date Approved/Signed Jerry R. Peluso, Mayor Attest: Page 2 of 3 Board of Commissioners of Newport, KY March 26, 2018 Meeting Minutes __________________________ Amy B. Able, City Clerk Page 3 of 3