_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, October 21, 2024 MINUTES Call to Order: Mayor Guidugli Jr. called a regular meeting to order on October 21, 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, Mayor Guidugli Jr., Assistant City Manager John Hayden, Planning and Development Director Brain Steffen, Human Resource Coordinator Terry Fornash, Finance Director Lenny Kuntz, City Attorney Daniel Braun, Lt. Co. Herschel Day, Fire Chief Frank Peluso, and City Clerk Tiffany Myers. PERSONNEL ORDERS COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-69 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING COLTON LANG TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 22, 2024. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2024-69 as read. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-70 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING JEREMY DAUGHERTY TO THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC IN THE NEWPORT FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 22, 2024. A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Order R-2024-70 as read. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-71 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, PROMOTING FIRE/MEDIC JUSTIN HUBBARD TO THE POSITION OF ENGINEER/MEDIC IN THE FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 26, 2024. A motion by Vice Mayor Fennell, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R- 2024-71 as read. Roll Call R-2024-69-R-2024-71: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Page 1|5 Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. A brief recess was taken at 7:03 pm, and the meeting reconvened at 7:13 pm with the following present: Commissioner Radwanski, Commissioner Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Rechtin, Vice Mayor Fennell, and Mayor Guidugli Jr. PUBLIC FORUM  Max Long, a resident of Newport, wanted some updates on four projects that are going on in the city. Mayor Guidugli provided an update on the projects.  Will Weber with Southbank Partners thanked the police and public works departments for helping Blink go smoothly in the city. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve the Special Meeting Minutes from September 16 & 23, 2024, Caucus Meeting Minutes from October 7, 2024, and Special Meeting Minutes from October 14 & 15, 2024, as presented. Motion carried- so ordered. OLD BUSINESS SECOND 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 Smith-Morrow, seconded by Vice Mayor Fennell, to approve Ordinance O-2024-19 as read. Roll Call: Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. Page 2|5 NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2024-72 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO $114,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY TAX INCREMENT REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2024 (CPX NEWPORT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, LLC PROJECT); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO TRUST INDENTURE SECURING SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A TAX REGULATORY AGREEMENT; AND OTHER DOCUMENTS AND TAKING OTHER RELATED ACTION. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2024-72 as read. Comments:  Jim Parsons stated that this is needed tonight due to construction delays. The city is not responsible for the bonds. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER R-2024-73 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, THOMAS J. FROMME, TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH CUSTOM DESIGN BENEFITS TO ACT AS THE CITY’S THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JEFFERSON HEALTH PLAN WITH VARIOUS INSURANCE COMPANIES AND WITH DELTA DENTAL PPO + PREMIER TO PROVIDE FOR THE CITY OF NEWPORT’S EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE NEEDS. A motion by Commissioner Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Order R-2024-73 as read. Comments:  Lisa Stamm, Health Insurance representative for the city, gave a brief presentation on the changes employees expect to see on January 1, 2025.  Terry Fornash explained how the Health Committee works and their role in the insurance process.  Finance Director Lenny Kuntz provided the Board with the financials for this process. Roll Call: Commissioner Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Page 3|5 Vice Mayor Fennell Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS  Finance Director Lenny Kuntz provided the extended hours for October for Property Tax payments.  LT. Col. Day gave a brief statement on the recent shootings in the city. Assistant City Manager Hayden Comments:  Newport had a busy weekend of events. Saturday was the tree-planting event with ReNewport, which had a great turnout. We are also working on installing software to help the public works department maintain the trees.  Sunday's car show had a great turnout, and it was the city's first time using the Newport Entertainment District (NED).  Blink also took place on three properties in the city. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Radwanski:  We have two significant retirements this year. I would like to see something done for City Manager Fromme and Vice Mayor Fennell. Vice Mayor Fennell:  She will miss everyone but will still be involved in the city.  The events this weekend, as City Manager Hayden stated, were well attended. Commissioner Rechtin:  100 students from NKU helped with various projects in cleaning up the city, such as trash pickup, painting under a bridge, and helping with tree planting. Commissioner Smith-Morrow:  Thanked the police for their involvement in Blink.  The events this weekend were great.  Thanked Lt. Col. Day for the updates on the shooting. Mayor Guidugli Jr:  The city has many volunteers. Thirty-four people attended the tree planting, and with the help of the City’s Arborist, Cassandra Homan, we planted 26 trees.  Thanked the police department for their help with Blink. Page 4|5 ADJOURNMENT A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Rechtin, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried—so ordered. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk Tiffany Myers Date Approved: Mayor Thomas L Guidugli Jr. Attest: City Clerk Tiffany Myers Page 5|5