_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, June 7, 2021 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Guidugli at 5:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street and streamed via Youtube with a live stream to the City’s Facebook page. The mayor opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance: Commissioner Ken Rechtin, Commissioner Beth Fennell, Commissioner Jerry Peluso, Vice Mayor Frank Peluso and Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Also in attendance were: City Manager Thomas Fromme, City Attorney John Hayden, Assistant City Manager Larisa Sims, Lenny Kuntz, Matt Shipp, Police Chief Chris Fangman, Fire Chief Bill Darin, Interim City Clerk Joy Rovno, PUBLIC HEARINGS Municipal Road Aid Funds The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain written or oral comments regarding the proposed use of Municipal Road Aid Program funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The proposed use of these funds is for road improvements such as resurfacing, rehabilitation, or reconstruction and signalization for City streets. Funds will be used for reconstruction and maintenance of roads including expenses such as filling potholes as well as snow removal and treatment, street cleaning, line painting, and repair or replacement of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, lighting and signage when done in conjunction with a street reconstruction project. Municipal Road Aid Program Cash balance carried forward (estimate) $0 Anticipated receipts (including interest) $ 308,894.00 Total available for appropriation $ 308,894.00 The public hearing notice was advertised in the Campbell County Recorder on June 3, 2021 and posted at the city building and on the city website beginning June 1, 2021. Thomas Fromme gave an explanation of the program. Commissioner Fennell asked if the amount went up or down from last year. Thomas Fromme replied the funds have increased. Jerry Peluso stated the resent road work at 10th and 11th Street needs further repair and this repair will be the responsibility of the State. Vice Mayor Peluso stated there is a water main issue at 4th and Columbia Street, which needs to be taken care of. Commissioner Rechtin stated less gasoline is being used with more electric cars being used, he asked if there is a movement away from a standards based upon weighted or mileage uses. Thomas Fromme replied there has been some discussion on the topic but nothing has been finalized. He went on to say this aid does not fully fund our cities street improvements. The city has a revenue stream to repair roads and sidewalks that comes from insurance premiums. The city guarantees a certain amount, which is much more than the municipal road aid. NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2021-009 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING ORDINANCE O-2021-005 BY AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT CONCERNING REVENUES, APPROPRIATIONS, AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2021. Thomas Fromme gave an explanation of the amended budget. Commissioner Fennell asked about the Fire Department overtime, which was up from last year. Thomas Fromme replied the overtime increase is due to injuries. Lenny Kuntz stated it’s also due to Covid-19 infections. Commissioner Fennell made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Ken Rechtin. The mayor called for a vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2021-010 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2021 TO JUNE 30, 2022, INCLUDING AN ESTIMATE OF REVENUES AND RESOURCES AND MAKING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH. Page 2 of 4 Thomas Fromme explained the budget for 2021-2022. He stated there would be a 5% increase to the pension contribution. Vice Mayor Peluso stated the pension could have significant problems in the future due to tier 4 employees not paying into the system. Commissioner Fennell stated the State has not funded the pension system correctly. Thomas Fromme stated the city and county are under the CERS pension system, which is the best funded in the state. Commissioner Fennell asked for clarification of the Assistant Planner position. Larisa Sims replied this person would take over the duties of the Planning and Zoning Commission and help with implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Fennell asked what qualifications this person would need. Larisa Sims replied this is an entry level position, usually someone right out of college. Commissioner Fennell asked if this position would take some of the duties from the current building and zoning administrator. Larisa Sims replied yes, this person would take on more duties the longer they are employed with the city. Mayor Guidugli stated this person would also be involved in volunteer programs. Larisa Sims replied this person would coordinate with neighborhood groups and outside organizations and would be the city contact person for these groups. Thomas Fromme stated volunteerism is critical to the cities success. Commissioner Rechtin thanked those that worked on the budget. Mayor Guidugli also thanked city staff. Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell. The mayor called for a vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. Page 3 of 4 Executive Session as allowable under KRS 61.810 (1) (c) concerning discussion of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the City. Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to go into Executive Session; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to adjourn; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell. The motion carried unanimously, 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joy Rovno, Interim City Clerk ______________________________ _________________________ Date Approved/Signed Thomas L Guidugli Jr., Mayor Attest: -------------------------------- City Clerk/Joy Rovno Page 4 of 4