_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS December 12, 2022 @ 7:00 PM Minutes CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Guidugli Jr., on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 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 Jerry Peluso, Commissioner Rechtin. Others Present: Assistant City Manager John Hayden, Deputy City Clerk Joy Rovno, Chief of Police Christopher Fangman, Chief of Fire/EMS Frank Peluso, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz. PERSONNEL ORDERS COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2022-083 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, REAPPOINTING COMMISSIONER ELISABETH FENNELL AS REPRESENTATIVE AND APPOINTING LAUREN O’BRIEN AS ALTERNATE FROM THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY TO THE OHIO- KENTUCKY-INDIANA REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. Vice Mayor Peluso made a motion to approve R-2022-083. Commissioner Rechtin offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS None Page 1 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022 PUBLIC FORUM Mark Mintz a long time Newport resident, presented two vintage Newport Police Badges from his fathers’ collection, along with photos from the 1981 firework explosion on Monmouth Street to Fire Chief Peluso. He explained his fathers’ connection with the City as a life- long resident and thanked the Pelusos for their service to the City. Mayor Guidugli thanked Mr. Mintz for his generous contribution to the City. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting Minutes November 21, 2022. Vice Mayor Peluso made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2022. Commissioner Rechtin offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 OLD BUSINESS SECOND READING COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2022-012 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023, INCLUDING AN ESTIMATE OF REVENUES AND RESOURCES AND MAKING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH Commissioner Rechtin made a motion to approve O-2022-012. Vice Mayor Peluso offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 Page 2 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022 DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS Chief Peluso  Thanked Vice Mayor Peluso and Commissioner Peluso for their many years of service to the City.  Wished all Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. Lenny Kuntz  Echoed the sentiment of Chief Peluso. Chief Fangman  Expressed his sincere gratitude to Vice Mayor Peluso and Commissioner Peluso for their many years serving the City of Newport and its residents. Deputy City Clerk, Joy Rovno read the attached statement from Daniel Braun, City Attorney. John Hayden  Expressed regards from the City Manager who is unable to attend this meeting due to illness.  Thanked Vice Mayor Peluso and Commissioner Peluso for their leadership of the City through tough times. He stated they have impacted the lives of others that will never be forgotten.  During his own run for commissioner, Jerry gave him words of encouragement that he would never forget. Frank and Jerry welcomed him as a new board member and shared their knowledge.  Best wishes to Frank and Jerry Page 3 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Rechtin  Stated Frank and Jerry are very different, but very much the same, sharing their proud Italian heritage which both are very proud.  Without Jerry Peluso, the City would not have an Italian Fest, without Frank the City would not know what a real Italian sausage tasted like. Both are very sensitive to small businesses as they both have or have had their own business, Frank with his catering and Jerry the Peluso Market.  Their service to others is beyond comparison, always ready to take a call and listen and act on issues.  Both have been good stewards of City funds.  They both love the City and its citizens.  He will look to them for continued advice, they both have been instrumental in the way he governs and works. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Guidugli stated Frank and Jerry have been a tremendous circle of influence to him and have been a source of knowledge for a long time. He stated he counts on continuing to be able to have them as advisers even though they will no longer serve as board members. Mayor Guidugli read proclamations for Vice Mayor Peluso and Commissioner Peluso thanking them for the many years of public service. He also presented Leadership awards to Vice Mayor Peluso and Commissioner Peluso. Vice Mayor Peluso Thanked all that attended the meeting, and read the following statement: It seems like yesterday that I, along with my family decided to run for City Commission. In 2006 when the decision was made to run for an elected position, it came from an empty spot in my heart. We were very successful in 2006, and with the continued support of the great citizens of Newport, we were successful in every election following. It is now time for someone else to sit in this chair. I cannot thank my family, friends and the citizens of Newport enough for allowing me to be part of leadership in the great City of Newport, our home town. We, as a team have made many great accomplishments over the past 15 years. It’s been an honor and privilege to work alongside elected officials, City staff and administration. You know you have a fantastic team when every ones efforts comes from their hearts, all working toward a common goal, the betterment of our City and all that call Newport home. I look forward to continuing to see Newport prosper under new leadership and although I will no longer occupy this chair or hold an elected office I remain ready and willing to help in any way possible. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge my wife of 48 years, Susan, our daughter Cassie, our son Frankie, our daughter in law Sarah and my Page 4 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022 beautiful granddaughter Mia, along with many friends thank you for the endless support and your unwavering love and continued faith in me. Finally, to my fellow citizens of Newport, my sincere gratitude for both your support and trust in me to serve as one of your City Commissioners. My promise to you was my honesty, always, even when the answer was not always the popular one. My integrity, hard work, and all decisions made were for the betterment of Newport and the betterment of her people. I hope I have lived up to these promises and expectations. I wish everyone a very merry and blessed Christmas. Commissioner Peluso Thanked his cousin, Frank Peluso for his service to the community. He stated Frank is a very ethical and honest human being, he will be missed. He also thanked all that attended and considers them friends. He has been serving the City of Newport for 35 years and a lot has happened during that time. The City has experienced a lot of development throughout the years, which has been noticed from surrounding communities, all of the improvements come through team work. He started his career in 1988, and thanked all the people throughout that time that helped make Newport what it is today. He thanked everyone that worked on the second floor past and present and all his colleges. He went on to read a text from the City Manager that he and Vice Mayor received: Jerry and Frank, I just wanted you to know how much you will be missed, we were all part of a good team that made many accomplishments together. Without your support these things would never happen. Your dedication and love for the City is beyond question. You always have a loyal friend in me. In closing Jerry stated he considered all City employees past and present his friends. He thanked the residents and voters that allowed him to represent them for the past 35 years. Mayor Guidugli Stated everyone should be feeling very good, this was a special meeting tonight. It will be a difficult time, transition and change is always hard. He knows both Frank and Jerry will still be active members of the community and he still has much to learn from them. He wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. . Page 5 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022 ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Peluso made a motion to adjourn @ 7:50pm; Commissioner Peluso offered a second to the motion. The Mayor called for a vote: Commissioner Jerry Peluso Yes Commissioner Ken Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Frank Peluso Yes Mayor Thomas Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion Carried 4-0 Respectfully submitted, __________________ ______________________________ Date Approved/Signed Thomas L. Guidugli Jr., Mayor Attest: -------------------------------------- Joy Rovno, Deputy City Clerk Page 6 of 6 BOC Minutes 12-12-2022