_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS April 25, 2022, 7:00 PM Minutes CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Guidugli, on Monday, April 25, 2022, 7:00 PM. The public had access to the live stream meeting through the City of Newport, KY Facebook Page Facebook.com/CityofNewportKY and YouTube/CityofNewportKY. In Attendance: Mayor Thomas L. Guidugli Jr., Vice Mayor Frank Peluso, Commissioner Beth Fennell, Commissioner Jerry Peluso. Others Present: City Manager Thomas Fromme, Assistant City Manager John Hayden, City Attorney Dan Braun, Deputy City Clerk Joy Rovno, Chief of Police Christopher Fangman, Chief of Fire/EMS Frank Peluso, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz, Historic Preservation Officer Scott Clark. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS  Affinity Program (Fiber access for residents of Campbell County) Judge Executive Steve Pendery explained many residents of Campbell County were working from home during the pandemic. This lead for the needed upgrades to the current WIFI system. The Affinity Program through Cincinnati Bell will provide fiber optics to all Campbell County residents; the installation is free. Judge Pendery explained the different plan options. Mayor Guidugli asked if residents would need to sign up for the program. Judge Pendery replied yes, residents would need to choose which plan they would want. Commissioner Fennell asked how residents would sign up for the program. Judge Pendery replied residents would call Cincinnati Bell and asked for the Affinity Program. Commissioner Fennell explained the different speeds of internet and recommended checking your devise. Mayor Guidugli thanked Judge Pendery for his hard work on this program. Vice Mayor Peluso thanked Judge Pendery and the Fiscal Court team for all the development programs in the city and county. Page 1 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022   Proclamation Historic Preservation Month Mayor Guidugli read the proclamation declaring May 2022 as Historic Preservation Month Scott Clark stated Beyond the Curb was a successful event people came from all over to tour the city. While on the shuttles, visitors and residents were given the history of the area, he estimated 300 to 400 people participated. Mr. Clark stated this is the 6th year the city has joined in the Northern Kentucky Restoration weekend, which will take place on May 20th thru 22nd, 2022. Other city’s taking part are Bellevue, Covington and Cincinnati Preservation Commission. Mayor Guidugli thanked Scott Clark for his continued work preserving the history of the city. PERSONNEL ORDERS None CONSENT AGENDA COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2022-028 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY REAPPOINTING JAMES GUTHRIE, AND DARREN SPAHR AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY EACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF A FOUR-YEAR TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2023. COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2022-029 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY REAPPOINTING TIM CURL, JAN KNEPSHIELD, AND SUSAN WHITEHEAD AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY EACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF A TWO-YEAR TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2023. COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2022-030 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY REAPPOINTING RAYMOND BUTTS, MARK MARRON, AND MIKE RADWANSKI AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY EACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRINGJANUARY 31, 2024. Page 2 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022 COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2022-031 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY REAPPOINTING ROSS CARTWRIGHT AS A MEMBER OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY FOR THE REMAINDER OF A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2024. Vice Mayor made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Order R-2022-028 thru R- 2022-31; Commissioner Fennell offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Beth Fennell Yes Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Absent Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 PUBLIC FORUM None APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Regular Meeting Minutes March 28, 2022 Vice Mayor Peluso made a motion to approve the March 28, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes; Commissioner Fennell offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Beth Fennell Yes Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Absent Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 OLD BUSINESS None Page 3 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022 NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2022-032 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE STANDARD ALLOWANCE FOR THE LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND AS AUTHORIZED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA). Thomas Fromme stated the law allows any municipality to declare up to $10m in lost revenue during the pandemic. This order solidifies a previously adopted resolution adopting the ARPA funds due to severe revenue loss during the pandemic. Mr. Fromme stated the importance of participating in the Census. The city’s population numbers were down the last census, which means the city will not receive as much funding, which is based on population. Mr. Fromme stated the ARPA funds would be moved to the general fund making them easier to use; the final rule allows this with little restrictions. Mayor Guidugli asked if this came about due to changes to the restrictions of the funds. Thomas Fromme replied the reporting process for these funds were originally very strict, some cities gave the money back due to the restrictions and staff time required to comply with the regulations. The final rule now allows normal budget process to utilize these funds. Lenny Kuntz agreed with Mr. Fromme on the importance of the census. He stated the treasury was working with the interim final rule where they were entertaining questions and comments about how things were to be quantified. The final rule was issued in February 2022, Mr. Kuntz gave a presentation of the breakdown of the funds and how they would be distributed and monitored. He also explained the reporting process. Mayor Guidugli stated in the beginning this process was very confusing, KLC stepped in to help to advocate for changes. Commissioner Peluso asked if the money could be used for salary increases. Lenny Kuntz replied the city could dictate how the money is used. Commissioner Peluso asked if the money had to be paid back. Lenny Kuntz replied no. Mayor Guidugli stated initially the money had many restrictions, due to the changes, the money can be used for payroll through the general funds. He thanked Mr. Kuntz and Ms. O’Brien for their efforts. Page 4 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022 Dan Braun stated part of the reason for creating the order is the Treasury Department mandated we needed to make this one time election to take the standard allowance. Vice Mayor Peluso stated the $936K coming from ARPA funds to general funds should be used conservatively. Mayor Guidugli stated not only do we need to be conservative with the money,the city had real revenue loss during the pandemic. Commissioner Peluso commented paying city bills should come firsts. Commissioner Fennell made a motion to approve Order R-2022-032; Vice Mayor Peluso offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Beth Fennell Yes Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Absent Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS Lenny Kuntz  Working on finalizing city budget John Hayden  Thanked Mr. Kuntz and the Finance Department for their hard work on the ARPA funds and budget CITY MANAGER COMMENTS  Echoed Mr. Hayden’s comments on the work of Mr. Kuntz and the Finance Department.  Importance of participation in Census which effects funds the city is eligible for.  City statutorily does not receive sales tax revenue.  Growth in development within the city is critical to the wellbeing of the city.  $8m is generated from business payroll tax, which is 1/3 of budget.  Memorial Day Parade  Italianfest Page 5 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Peluso  ARPA funds should go to paying city debts before used on anything else.  Beyond the Curb tour big success, thanked the Catalytic Fund, Executive Transportation and all of the volunteers, homeowners and developers that opened their homes or projects. Also thanked Scott Clark, Bev Holiday all the sponsors.  Recognized two guessed from White Castle Restaurant Pat Sweeny District Supervisor and Tommy Loveberry Regional Director of Restaurant Operations. Commissioner Fennell  Design Review Board how often they meet and what developments are they working with.  Thomas Fromme replied he is not aware the board was working on any current development. They are typically involved with projects that require a development agreement between the developer and the city. Examples, Ovation, Baptist Home, Fourth Street Academy, View 180, and New Riff.  Commissioner Fennell asked if the Design Review Board offered suggestions or changes to development plans.  Thomas Fromme replied yes, gave an example of the Hampton Hotel original design had a suburban feel to it, it did not match the urban environment of the city. The developer changed the whole design to meet city needs.  Commissioner Fennell stated she recently visited several river cities, which had little river access. Ms. Fennell went on to say the city has done a good job of keeping our river accessible with parks and activities.  More adaptive reuse of commercial buildings within the city.  Improving water sport access. Vice Mayor Peluso  American Legion and Lawler Hanlon reached out within the past few years concerning flagpoles, He thanked School Board member Julie Smith Morrow who was in attendance, along with the rest of the school board for the installation of two new flag poles, one at the high school and football field. Page 6 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022 Mayor Guidugli  Thanked Mr. Kuntz for presentation, and bringing clarity to the ARPA funding.  Governor Beshear presentation of checks for Newport Festival Park and Purple People Bridge upgrades, both are part of the Recreational Trail Program and Land Water Conservation Fund grants from the state.  City does not collect sales tax and is not an entitlement city, which means the budget is tighter and funds need to be used wisely.  Adaptive reuse of Baptist Home nearly complete, 9th and Patterson project is under way and will all adaptive reuses reinvigorate and protect our historic buildings. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Fennell made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM; Vice Mayor Peluso offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Beth Fennell Yes Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Absent Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 Date Approved/Signed THOMAS L. GUIDUGLI JR., MAYOR ATTEST: JOY ROVNO, DEPUTY CITY CLERK Page 7 of 7 BOC Minutes 04-25-2022