_Board of Commissioners

Subject: Agenda Overview for Newport Board of Commissioners Meeting – January 6, 2025 Please find attached the agenda for the upcoming Newport Board of Commissioners meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The primary items to be discussed at this meeting are outlined as follows: 1. Swearing-in Ceremony – The Board of Commissioners will be officially sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller. 2. Appointment of Vice-Mayor – Julie Smith-Morrow will be appointed to the position of Vice-Mayor. 3. Reconstitution of the Parks and Recreation Division – Two new positions, Parks & Recreation Manager and Parks & Recreation Clerk, will be established to oversee organized sporting events, youth leagues, and community programs, including the return of well-regarded events such as the Chili Cookoff and the Monsters on Monmouth Parade. These roles will also support various activities for all age groups. 4. Creation of the Municipal Liaison Position – A new position will be created to serve as a liaison between city departments, enhancing interdepartmental efficiency and addressing budgetary concerns. The Municipal Liaison will work closely with department heads, the Finance Department, and the city manager to ensure that operational challenges, particularly those arising from staffing shortages are effectively addressed. Additionally, this role will involve direct engagement with residents and stakeholders, attending community meetings and helping to resolve concerns. 5. Creation of the Economic Development Coordinator Position – This entry-level position will support the economic development team, focusing on the attraction and retention of businesses. A particular area of focus will be the development of a comprehensive strategy to revitalize vacant storefronts. 6. Ordinance to Adjust the Start Time of City Meetings to 6:30 PM – The Board is considering an ordinance to begin regular city meetings at 6:30 PM rather than 7:00 PM. This adjustment aims to provide more time for discussion on topics of public interest without extending meetings into late hours. This summary highlights the key agenda items for the meeting. For a complete list of the topics to be addressed, please refer to the attached agenda. Tiffany Myers City Clerk Tiffany Myers  PUBLIC NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Newport, Kentucky, has been called. The meeting will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 7:00 pm one or more members of the Board of Commissioners may participate via Zoom or a similar teleconference system. If the city closes due to Inclement weather, the physical meeting place will be via teleconference Zoom. If the city is not closed to inclement weather, the primary physical location remains the City of Newport Municipal Building, 998 Monmouth Street, 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room. The Agenda will be available at www.newportky.gov This notice has been published to meet the requirements of KRS 61.823(3) and (4). Notice dated 3 of January 2025. Tiffany Myers City Clerk Tiffany Myers  CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS January 6, 2025 @ 7:00 PM Newport Municipal Building, 998 Monmouth Street, 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room AGENDA NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Comments about city service issues not on the agenda are allowed during the public forum portion of regular meetings. After the reading of an Ordinance, audience members are allowed to address the Board with questions or concerns regarding said Ordinance. When recognized, please state your name for the record and limit the time used to present your remarks. Orders and Resolutions are passed by one vote, and Ordinances require two readings to be adopted. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Ordinance: one or more members of the Board of Commissioners may participate via Zoom or a similar teleconference system. If the city closes due to Inclement weather, the physical meeting place will be via teleconference Zoom. If the city is not close to inclement weather, the primary physical location remains the City of Newport Municipal Building, 998 Monmouth Street, 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room. The public can access the meeting through the live stream Facebook.com/CityofNewportKY or YouTube/CityofNewportKY CALL TO ORDER OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO COMMISSIONERS & MAYOR  The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller will administer the Oath for the 2025-2027 term. PERSONNEL ORDERS COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-01 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING JULIE SMITH-MORROW TO THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR IN THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-02 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING MELISSA HOFFSTEDDER TO THE POSITION OF PAYROLL/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 6, 2025. CONSENT AGENDA FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONER ORDINANCE NO. O-2025-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 31.42 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING PERSONNEL WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER. FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2025-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 31.48 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. SECOND READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 31.44 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING PERSONNEL WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  December 9, 2024, Regular Minutes NEW BUSINESS: FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-02 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTIONS 30.025(A) AND (B) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING MEETINGS. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-03 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A SHORT FORM LEASE AGREEMENT WITH STRYKER SALES, LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO BE USED IN THE FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS CITY MANAGER COMMENTS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Board of Commissioners Upcoming Scheduled Meetings 2025 @ 6:30 PM February 3 (Caucus) February 24 (Regular) March 17 (Regular) April 7 (Caucus) April 21 (Regular) May 19 (Regular) June 16 (Regular) July 21 (Regular) August 18 (Regular) September 15 (Regular) September 29 (Caucus) October 20 (Regular) November 3 (Caucus) November 17 (Regular) December 15 (Regular) January 5, 2026 (Regular)