_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, September 21, 2020 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Peluso at 7:00 p.m. and held via video teleconference via the Zoom meeting application 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. Clerk’s note: In accordance with the Governors Emergency Order and the provisions of SB 150, it is allowable to conduct the meeting via a live video teleconference. The meeting agenda published on the city website, posted at the city building, and distributed to media of record advised the public how to comment in advance or during the meeting. No advance comments were received by staff. In attendance via video teleconference were: Commissioner Beth Fennell, Commissioner Frank Peluso Commissioner Thomas Guidugli, Jr., Commissioner Ken Rechtin, and Mayor Jerry Peluso. Also in attendance were: City Manager Thomas Fromme, Assistant City Attorney John Hayden, Police Chief Chris Fangman, Fire Chief Bill Darin, Director of Finance Leonard Kuntz, Community Services Director Doug Roell, Assistant City Manager Larisa Sims, and City Clerk Amy Able. PERSONNEL ORDERS The city clerk read by title and summary R-2020-035. AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING BRETT LOCKMAN TO THE POSITION OF PATROL OFFICER GRADE I, IN THE NEWPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 5, 2020. Commissioner Peluso made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. Chief Fangman stated that Lockman holds a master’s degree and is a resident of Newport. The city clerk read by title and summary R-2020-036. AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING MATTHEW GARRETT TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC GRADE 0 IN THE NEWPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 5, 2020. Commissioner Fennell made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Rechtin. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. Chief Darin noted that Garrett is also a registered nurse and has served the fire departments of Edgewood, Erlanger, and Independence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to approve minutes of the August 17, 2020 regular meeting and the September 17, 2020 special meeting. Second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell. Upon hearing there were no corrections or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. OLD BUSINESS The city clerk gave second reading by title and summary of O-2020-014. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY LEVYING AND ASSESSING AD VALOREM TAXES FOR CITY PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. Commissioner Peluso made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Board of Commissioners of Newport, KY September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Rechtin. Commissioner Fennell pointed out the rate being adopted1 is lower than the 2019 rate. Upon hearing there were no further comments or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. The city clerk gave second reading by title and summary of O-2020-015. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Peluso. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. NEW BUSINESS The city clerk gave second reading by title and summary to O-2020-016. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 150.22 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING APPEALS OF NOTICES AND ORDERS. Commissioner Peluso made a motion to approve; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Fennell. Mr. Fromme explained that recently condemnation of a rental property was contested by a tenant rather than the owner or a property prompting examination of the code. The change makes it clear such appeal may not be made by those other than owners. Upon hearing there were no comments or questions, the mayor called for a vote; by show of hands, the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. COMMENTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS Mr. Kuntz stated tax bills should be in the mail by October 1. There are new drop boxes at both entrances to the city building. There may be some accommodation for those wishing to pay in person while the city building is closed due to the pandemic. Mr. Roell said sidewalk repair work is progressing well and the work is going rapidly. After completion of the north-south streets work on east-west streets will begin. Commissioner Peluso asked for updates on installation of a safety hump on Sixteenth Street, paving, and the catch basin on Central and Grandview. Mr. Roell stated the safety hump will be installed this week along with the abandonment of the sewer at Sixteenth and Monmouth. Regarding the sewer at Central and Grandview, following review with the engineer, the decision is to tie the pipe into the main sewer which will stop flow across the street. It is most likely a yard drain will be included. A permit from SD1 has been secured. Work should take place the last week of the month. Paving Grandview, Central from Thirteenth, and McHenry starts in October. Commissioner Fennell added there have been many complaints about the dip at Sixteenth and Monmouth and Mr. Roell confirmed there will be improvements to the intersection. COMMENTS FROM CITY MANAGER • Development projects continue throughout the City even during the pandemic including many matters coming up for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ovation is moving along., Fourth Street Academy will have a ribbon cutting at the end of the month, Baptist Home is progressing. City Rama plans are moving forward. There will be a bond issue coming up Clerk’s Note: The tax rate being adopted is the allowable rate, often referred to as the “’comp’ plus four”, which provides a 4% increase in revenue, or four percent more revenue over the amount collected the prior year from ad valorem taxes than would be realized with the compensating rate. The allowable rate is not a 4% higher tax rate than the previous year. As demonstrated this year, the allowable or “comp plus four” sometimes is a lower rate than the prior year. The rates are determined by a calculation with many factors relating to assessment or properties and prior collections.1 Page 2 of 3 Board of Commissioners of Newport, KY September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes soon, both the\County and School Board are in support. We are not without problems and challenges. In times when can be hard to make commitments he commended the Board for their leadership and keeping their eye on the ball which has positioned the City for success right now. Revenues fluctuate but we are doing the best we can. Calls for service have been up during the pandemic and requests will be added to the list and addressed in the order received subject to prioritization for matters of more urgent nature. • Recognized the City Clerk on her upcoming retirement. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Peluso • Stated Mr. Roell addressed the items he had received questions about; it’s good to see these projects and the sidewalk program moving forward. Commissioner Rechtin • Welcomed and noted the excellent quality of the candidates brought forward by the police and fire chief. • Recognized ReNewport, they had a ribbon cutting at the Clark Park last Thursday. Commissioner Fennell • OKI traffic counts show rush hour traffic was reduced by 50% in March and April and is now 10-15% below 2019 figures. Truck traffic is up 10% from 2019. • Remembered her cousin, the late Steve Sparks, and extended sympathy to his loved ones. Mayor Peluso • The inaugural Clark Park event was well attended. • Rental license notices and ABD licenses also go out in October. • Residents of Newport must register vehicle license plates within thirty days of moving in. Commissioner Guidugli • Recommendations about trick-or-treat are pending. • Congratulations to the new hires, we all look forward to meeting them in person soon. Following a question from the mayor, Chief Fangman said the police recruits have been pitching in with various projects including painting over graffiti and collecting abandoned shopping carts. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Guidugli made a motion to adjourn; second to the motion was offered by Commissioner Rechtin. The motion carried unanimously, 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amy B. Able, City Clerk, MMC, KMMC ___________________________ _____________________________ Date Approved/Signed Jerry R. Peluso, Mayor Attest: __________________________ City Clerk Page 3 of 3