_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, May 20, 2024 MINUTES Call to Order: Mayor Guidugli Jr. called a regular meeting to order on May 20, 2024, at 7:00 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: Commissioner Radwanski, Commissioner Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, Assistant City Manager John Hayden, City Attorney Daniel Braun, Police Chief Christopher Fangman, Fire Chief Frank Peluso, Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz, Deputy Clerk Joy Rovno. Attended Via Zoom: Mayor Guidugli Jr. Absent: City Clerk Tiffany Myers PUBLIC HEARINGS: COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-42 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS L. GUIDUGLI, JR. TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL ROAD AND COOPERATIVE PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET, DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AND MUNICIPAL AID REGARDING MUNICIPAL ROAD AID FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2024, AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE KENTUCKY STATE STATUTES, AND ACCEPTING ALL STREETS REFERRED TO THEREIN AS BEING PART OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2024-42 as read.  No one from the audience approached the Board with questions or concerns about Order R-2024-42. Roll Call: Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. Page 1|6 PUBLIC FORUM  Kevin, a resident of Newport, inquired about the status of citizens submitting questions online. City Manager Fromme responded by highlighting the challenges of monitoring comments and potential legal issues. He encouraged everyone to attend meetings for direct engagement for now.  Aaron Sutherland introduced himself to the Board and the audience as a candidate running for a Newport commissioner seat. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve regular meeting minutes on April 29, 2024, and caucus meeting minutes from May 6, 2024, as presented. Motion carried- so ordered. OLD BUSINESS SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPROVING AND ESTABLISHING THE BUENA VISTA LOCAL HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2024-05 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY TO INCORPORATE THEREIN THE BUENA VISTA LOCAL HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT. A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2024-06 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AMENDING SECTION 99.05(A) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE APPLICATION FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLING LICENSES. Page 2|6 A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to approve Ordinance O-2024-07 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-08 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AMENDING SECTION 37.075(a) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE APPLICATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES. A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to approve Ordinance O- 2024-08 as read. Roll Call: Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-10 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 111.50(A)(4) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING LICENSING PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Ordinance O-2024-10 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-11 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY REPEALING, IN FULL, CHAPTER 152 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING FLOOD PREVENTION DAMAGE. A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to approve Ordinance O-2024-11 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Page 3|6 Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. NEW BUSINESS FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-09 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 111.52(A) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE RETAIL SALES REGULATORY LICENSE FEE AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O- 2024-09 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith Morrow Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-12 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 31.48 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING PERSONNEL WITHIN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2024-12 as read. Comments: City Manager Fromme stated that this is a continued effort by the city to further the historic preservation program and preserve the city's history. This Ordinance will provide adequate staffing to continue this effort. Roll Call: Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-41 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 DISPOSAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R- 2024-41 as read. Page 4|6 Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Jr. Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS  Thanked the Mayor and Board for their leadership and making hard decisions on behalf of the city.  I met with Mike Yeager, our engineer, about putting out the US 27 project to bid, which is projected for October. We are still waiting for the utility easements to be completed. This project will be great for pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooters. It will raise the sidewalk through the underpass above the traffic and extend it to the city of Southgate's limits. Also, it will provide underground utilities instead of installing poles and will increase the storm inlets to help with flooding.  Working on the budget, and that should be sent shortly. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Vice Mayor Fennell:  Questioned how the Code Department can monitor repeat littering offenders. Assistant City Manager John Hayden advised that the Code Department actively monitors businesses and will contact them if there are issues.  I would like City Manager Fromme to contact Rumpke because there is some confusion about charging residents for waste toters when Rumpke takes them. City Manager Fromme said we’ll meet with Rumpke to discuss this issue. Commissioner Radwanski:  Suggested to have the budget meeting after June 6th due to having a prior engagement.  I'm excited that the city has a team to make Buena Vista successful. I’m also looking forward to seeing the projects the Historic Preservation Department is working on.  Would like a Caucus Meeting to go over the various projects the city has going on. Commissioner Rechtin:  What is the status of the grant for the forestry service? City Manager Fromme advised that the city has been working with ReNewport on a grant from the National Park Service for Planning for the area from Steel Mill to James Taylor Park. Jen Sheppard advised the Board on why she is involved in the process for this grant and how the grant works.  Asked the City Manager Fromme to advise on how the city plans to implement the new cannabis law that will take effect next January. City Manager Fromme advised that the county will opt out, but as a city, we have three options: prohibit sales, allow sales, or allow citizens to place it on the ballot as a referendum to be voted on. Page 5|6 Commissioner Smith-Morrow:  Are there any updates on having a Caucus Meeting with KYTC for the bridge update? City Manager Fromme advised that he is working with them and is looking at sometime in June.  I am happy to see Buena Vista Local Historic District passed and am glad the city is committed to providing staffing to help make this district successful. I can’t wait to work on the Façade grant. Mayor Guidugli:  Appreciate the staff and the Board's hard work in the Buena Historic District.  The next meeting for BOC is June 17, possibly a Caucus Meeting before then. ADJOURNMENT: A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried—so ordered. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deputy Clerk Joy Rovno Date Approved: Mayor Thomas L. Guidugli Jr. Attest: Deputy Clerk Joy Rovno Page 6|6