_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday September 25, 2023 MINUTES Call to Order: A regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Guidugli Jr. on September 25, 2023, at 7:00 op p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street. The meeting was opened with a silent invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were: y Commissioner Radwanski, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, Mayor Guidugli Jr., City Manager Thomas Fromme, City Attorney Daniel Braun, Police Chief Christopher Fangman, Fire lC Chief Frank Peluso, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz, Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen, and City Clerk Tiffany Myers. Absent was Commissioner Smith-Morrow. Personnel Orders: COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2023-069 ca AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, PROMOTING ENGINEER/EMT NICHOLAS BROWN TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2023. ffi A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R-2023-069 as read. Comments: O Chief Peluso said Mr. Brown began his career with Newport in 2010 and was promoted to engineer in 2016. Mr. Brown is responsible for all maintenance and ordering of personal protective equipment. An Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Commissioner Rechtin Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Yes Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes ot Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. Mayor Guidugli Jr. called for a five-minute recess at 7:02 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with attendance taken. The following members were present: Commissioner N Radwanski, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, and Mayor Guidugli Jr. Presentation:  Corey Wilson and Mike Bezold with KYTC gave a presentation/update on the KY8 Licking River Bridge. In their presentation, they had four bridge designs. They went over each bridge design and how many lanes of traffic they would allow, along with bicycle and pedestrian safety. The next phase of this project is refining the designs, gathering Page 1|8  cost estimates, and picking one of these bridges. There is no cost determination currently because this process is still in the preliminary stages.  Mayor Guidugli Jr. read a letter he received from a concerned citizen regarding the bridge design, aesthetics, and the lanes of traffic. The mayor stated he has received a lot of these letters. Corey Wilson noted that as far as the three to four-lane bridge designs are concerned, KYTC is looking at traffic studies, and they are considering the development projects both cities have that could cause a potential rise in traffic. The bridge design is being built to last for 75+ years, not for the current moment.  op A discussion ensued between Board members and KYTC on the Bridge design and whether KYTC is considering the possibility of future streetcar development on the bridge. y Mayor Guidugli Jr. called for a five-minute recess at 7:53 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:58 p.m. with attendance taken. The following members were present: Commissioner lC Radwanski, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, and Mayor Guidugli Jr. Public Forum:  Logan Bear, an Eastside resident, said that currently, the bridge is not that busy, and three lanes were unnecessary. ca  Bob Yoder, 510 Monroe Street, supports a bridge that promotes bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. He is in support of the four-lane bridge.  Gina Estes lives in Covington. She does not support three or four lanes because the data is not there for this. She would like the cities to hold a public hearing. ffi  Jim Guthrie has lived in Newport for 30 years. He wants the bridge design to focus on the pedestrian aspect more.  Rachell Comte, 817 Dayton Street, stated that the bridge designs offered are a repeated O design the city already has and that it will promote speeding.  Charlie Wood feels that the construction will affect the kids and adults who row on the river. He offered different ideas to be considered that promote aquatic activities in the city. An  Mary Leonard stated that other cities are reducing lanes, and we are adding more lanes. She would also like to see a streetcar option and pedestrian and bicycle safety considered.  Susan Gray lives on Greenup Street. She moved her for walkability, and she does not support three or four lanes.  Jose Munoz lives on Monroe Street. He is opposed to four lanes and likes that Newport ot is walkable.  Jerry Peluso stated that Litter Fest and the Second Annual Fall Fest will be this weekend. The Fall Fest provides an excellent opportunity for our businesses and N encourages everyone to come down.  Rosemary Williams stated that anyone wanting to participate in Litter Fest should stop by the City Building on Saturday morning. Approval of Minutes: A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to approve the August 31, 2023, special meeting minutes as presented. Page 2|8 Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. Old Business: SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2023-015 op AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY y CREATING SECTION 130.26 OF CHAPTER 130: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY OF TITLE XIII, GENERAL OFFENSES, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE REQUIREMENT TO SECURE FIREARMS LEFT UNATTENDED IN ANY VEHICLE AND CREATING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF. Comments: lC City Manager Fromme advised that this Ordinance would need to be withdrawn to allow staff further time to review. ca A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to withdraw Ordinance O-2023-015. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Commissioner Rechtin Vice Mayor Fennell ffi Yes Yes Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. O Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2023-016 An AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, REPEALING, IN FULL, SECTIONS 32.060 THROUGH 32.080 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND RE-ENACTING THE SAME SECTIONS 32.060 THROUGH 32.081 THEREOF REGARDING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve ot Ordinance O-2023-016 as read. Comments: Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen said that with the help of a consultant, we N went through our Ordinance and State statutes to ensure we were following protocols. This Ordinance will involve the Planning and Zoning Board in the HPC Historic District designation process. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Page 3|8 Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2023-017 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 2023 – 2024 ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. op A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2023-017 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes y Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. NEW BUSINESS: lC ca FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2023-018 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 99.10 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING ffi RENTAL DWELLING INSPECTION GUIDELINES A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to approve O Ordinance O-2023-018 as read. Comments: Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen said this is correcting an error where the An rental inspection guidelines were inadvertently removed. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Commissioner Rechtin Yes Abstain Vice Mayor Fennell Yes ot Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. N FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2023-019 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY CREATING SECTION 111.36 OF CHAPTER 111: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE APPLICATION FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION CENTER LICENSE AND ESTABLISHING THE NEWPORT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2023-019 as read. Page 4|8 Comments: City Manager Fromme advised the Board that this Ordinance was initially looked at in 2020 and has since been requested by citizens, business owners, and Board members. City Manager Fromme stated that other neighboring cities had adopted Entertainment Districts; if we don’t pass this, we may not be competitive and be able to draw new businesses to Newport. Once this is passed, we need approval from the State. We are looking at early spring to enact the Entertainment District, and I would like to start this program on a small scale on Monmouth Street, and then, if it’s successful, we can expand to other areas in the city. Also, businesses can opt out of allowing customers in their stores with the cups. A discussion among the Board ensued on the pros and cons of this Ordinance. op y Business owner and resident Jerry Peluso advised the Board that he is against this and has seen the adverse effects alcohol can bring to the city, such as vandalism, public urination, graffiti, litter, etc. He would like Monmouth Street to focus on retail stores. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Commissioner Rechtin Vice Mayor Fennell Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Abstain Yes Yes lC Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2023-066 ca AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY ffi REGARDING THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS. A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R-2023-066 as read. Comments: O Finance Director Lenny Kuntz advised that we have discussed investing funds out of our An Reserve Fund in the budget meetings. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Commissioner Rechtin Yes Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes ot Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2023-068 N AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY DECLARING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT AS SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R-2023-068 as read. Page 5|8 Comments: Chief Peluso stated that the fire department is auctioning two John Deere Gators that are over twenty years old. We recently upgraded to Kawasaki Mules. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2023-070 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF op y THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THREE 2024 CHEVROLET TRAX LS VEHICLES lC A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R-2023-070 as read. Comments: ca Chief Fangman stated that this is part of our three-year plan. In 2020, we identified a semiconductor shortage, which caused the price of the Dodge Durango and the Chargers to increase. Based on our current budget, the Chevrolet Trax is within our means. Admins and Detectives will use these vehicles, and the Durango’s will be moved to patrol vehicles. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski ffiYes Commissioner Rechtin Vice Mayor Fennell Mayor Guidugli Jr. O Yes Yes Yes Motion 4-0. Motion carried- so ordered. An Department Head Comments: Finance Director Lenny Kuntz stated that the tax bills would be mailed by the end of the week. There will be some information on the website concerning the drop boxes, and extended hours will be offered. ot Board of Commissioners Comments: Commissioner Radwanski: N  Have we heard anything about the bike lane study? City Manager Fromme stated there have been ongoing meetings and feels Newport is ahead of the game with bicycle and pedestrian opportunities in the city.  Where does the city stand on EV Charging Stations? City Manager Fromme advised that we are looking at having a few stations available, but this is a complex issue.  The Board has had a pretty good year, and we are meeting one of the goals in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan about being transparent. Page 6|8   Would like the State of the City address to be held here at the City Building.  The Entertainment District is a good idea, and Newport is losing the lunch crowd. We offer a variety of businesses, and we should try to take advantage of bringing people into the city. Commissioner Rechtin:  Thanked the ReNewport group for their efforts in getting a million-dollar grant for forestry. op  ReNewport is testing air quality in the city, and they are working with the Feds out of the Atlanta, GA District. y  About five months ago, the Westside Citizen Coalition recognized that inside of our Comprehensive Plan, it identifies our jail sight as a potential opportunity for redevelopment. Ed Davis and Charmaine Gregory have been leading the charge on this. So far, there have been two meetings, and they are setting up other meetings with lC Campbell and Kenton Counties to see how this will impact the west side of the city. Vice Mayor Fennell:  Would like City Manager Fromme to reenact the Tree Board and would be willing to ca have people contact her to see if anyone is interested.  Thanked the police and fire departments for working River Fest. Mayor Guidugli Jr: ffi  At a KLC meeting, they announced their top focus is Annexation, and then they are looking into sales tax options. The Board passed an item that I brought to them. This was to notify the local governments of environmental violations that arise in the community. O  Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance is requesting a letter of support for some of the work that Captain Kunkel and a team of volunteers did. They built an off-road biking facility at Sixth Street under the bridge. I will be signing this letter. An  I’m happy that ReNewport received a grant to plant trees in the city.  I have received many congratulations on the Margaritaville Project. People are excited about this.  The bridge was a big topic tonight, but there are other issues in the city we are working on regarding traffic. ot Adjournment: A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried- so ordered. Accordingly, the meeting was adjourned at approximately N 9:40 p.m. Page 7|8 Respectfully submitted, City Clerk Tiffany Myers Date Approved: Mayor Thomas L. Guidugli Jr. Attest: City Clerk Tiffany Myers op y lC ca ffi O An ot N Page 8|8