_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, September 23, 2024 MINUTES Call to Order: Mayor Guidugli Jr. called a special meeting to order on September 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street. In attendance were: Commissioner Radwanski, Commissioner Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, Mayor Guidugli Jr., City Attorney Daniel Braun, Police Chief Christopher Fangman, Fire Chief Frank Peluso, Assistant City Manager John Hayden, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz, and City Clerk Tiffany Myers. PERSONNEL ORDERS COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-59 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING BENTON CLIFT TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 24, 2024. A motion by Commissioner Rechtin, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R- 2024-59 as read. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-60 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING TRENTON STOLZ TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/EMT IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R- 2024-60 as read. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-61 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING TYLER IAVASILE TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/EMT IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 24, 2024. A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R- 2024-61 as read. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-62 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING BRIAN ROBINSON TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/EMT IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 24, 2024. A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R- 2024-62 as read. Page 1|6 COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-63 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING TYLER MASSIE TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/EMT IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 24, 2024. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R- 2024-63 as read. Roll Call for Orders R-2024-59 through R-2024-63 Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS  Chief Fangman presented an award to Officer Christopher Armstrong for 23 years of service to the city. A ten-minute recess was taken at 6:05 p.m., and the meeting resumed at 6:15 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioner Radwanski, Commissioner Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, and Mayor Guidugli Jr. PUBLIC FORUM  David Dalton invited everyone to attend the Mammoth Music and Art Festival.  Jen Schafer thanked the city for helping her establish the kayak rental center at James Taylor Park. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2024, as presented. Motion carried- so ordered. OLD BUSINESS SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-18 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 2024 – 2025 ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2024-18 as read. Comments: Page 2|6   Assistant City Manager Hayden advised the Board that there seems to be some confusion about tax rates. Finance Director Lenny Kuntz is here to answer questions from the public.  Kevin Cook, a Newport resident, was unhappy about Campbell County PVA raising property values and felt the city was increasing taxes to those who couldn’t afford it.  Michelle Cade, a Newport resident, asked about the ad valorem taxes, whether the city has tax incentives for businesses and residents, and the rate for the insurance premium tax.  Finance Director Lenny Kuntz answered questions and provided a brief presentation that explained the city's steps to determine the tax rate. Roll Call: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes 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-2024-19 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ESTABLISHING THE WORLD PEACE BELL HOTEL AREA IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND AUTHORIZING THE ASSESSMENT OF LEVYING OF AN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TAX UPON THE DAILY ROOM RATE CHARGES OF HOTEL OPERATIONS LOCATED THEREIN. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Ordinance O-2024-19 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. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-58 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 Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2024-58 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. Page 3|6 COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION R-2024-65 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONER OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A KENTUCKY HOUSE BILL (HB) 1 PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION FOR UP TO $7,500,000.00 IN HB 1 FUNDS WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DLG); AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT TO EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE DEEMED NECESSARY BY DLG TO CARRY OUT THE JAMES TAYLOR PARK PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACT AS THE AUTHORIZED CORRESPONDENT FOR THIS PROJECT. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Resolution R-2024- 65 as read. Comments:  Kevin Cook, a Newport resident, wanted to know if this grant would cover the hole in the Floodwall. Assistant City Manager Hayden advised that SD1 made this hole and is working on fixing it shortly.  Josh Tunning is here on behalf of the Westside Citizens Coalition to discuss the connectivity issue for the 4th Street Bridge. There are concerns about pedestrian safety, and he presented some solutions they have come up with to the Board. The Westside Citizen Coalition wants the Board and KYTC to consider tonight's solutions in their planning process.  Michelle Cade, a Newport resident, wanted to know what the grant money would be spent on. Mayor Guidugli Jr. advised that, at this moment, we don’t know; the State turned this project over to us. 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. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-66 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- 2024-66 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes Motion 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-67 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ACCEPTING THE BID OF AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER Page 4|6 THOMAS J. FROMME TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH RIEGLER BLACKTOP FOR THE 2024 STREET RESURFACING PROJECT. A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R- 2024-67 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. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-68 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ACCEPTING THE BID OF AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER THOMAS J. FROMME TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH RECTOR EXCAVATING FOR THE BREITH ALLEY PROJECT. A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R-2024-68 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. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS  Chief Fangman stated that you will see some officers with pink badges for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The Newport Police Union Fraternal Order, Lodge number 2, provided these badges to our officers.  Finance Director Lenny Kuntz stated that the Budget Book for the website will be completed in the next few weeks. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ' COMMENTS Commissioner Rechtin:  Introduced Ms. Cade to Ms. Schafer who helped with a planning grant for James Taylor Park. She can help answer your questions. Commissioner Smith-Morrow:  Happy that we have five new firefighters starting and can continue getting them fully staffed, thanks to consideration taken into passing the budget. Page 5|6 Vice Mayor Fennell:  There was a lot of discussion about taxes tonight. Our city has a unique location. We have a lot of traffic from Cincinnati. Because of our location, we provide many services that most cities do not. Mayor Guidugli  Wish Kevin Ellison a Happy Birthday.  Mammoth Music and Art Festival is this weekend.  On October 20th, the Wheels Back on Monmouth event is back.  There was a discussion about the tax rate, but this issue connects with the Budget. Taxes are essential to city government because they let us hire qualified personnel. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried—so ordered. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk Tiffany Myers Date Approved: Mayor Thomas L Guidugli Jr. Attest: City Clerk Tiffany Myers Page 6|6