_Board of Commissioners

CITY OF NEWPORT, KY REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS February 24, 2025 Minutes Call to Order: Mayor Guidugli Jr. called a regular meeting to order on February 24, 2025, at 6:30 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, Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Sutherland, Mayor Guidugli Jr., City Manager John Hayden, Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen, City Attorney Dan Braun, Fire Chief Frank Peluso, Police Chief Christopher Fangman, and City Clerk Tiffany Myers. Commissioner Rechtin joined via Zoom. CONSENT AGENDA: COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-20 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, RATIFYING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF BRUCE CARTER TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-22 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING WILLIAM RICHARDSON TO THE FULL-TIME POSITION OF MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS AND COMMUNITY LIAISON IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY MANAGER. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-23_ AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, APPOINTING JOSH TUNNING TO THE FULL-TIME POSITION OF MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY MANAGER. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-24 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, RATIFYING THE MAYOR’S REAPPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL HAAS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Sutherland to amend Commissioners Order R-2025-22 to state "no later than March 31, 2025." Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Commissioner Sutherland Yes Page 1|6 Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. PROCLAMATION: Mayor Guidugli Jr. read a proclamation in honor of retired Lt. Col. Robert McCray. Mayor Guidugli called for a recess at 6:55 p.m., and the meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioner Radwanski, Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, Commissioner Rechtin, Commissioner Sutherland, and Mayor Guidugli. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to approve Special Meeting minutes from January 13 and 21, 2025, the Caucus and Special Meeting minutes from February 3, 2025, and the Special Meeting minutes from February 8, 2025. Motion carried- so ordered. New Business: FIRST READING OF COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. O-2025-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AMENDING SECTION 37.094 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES TO INCLUDE SUBSECTION (C) TO PROVIDE FOR A CREDIT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FEE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AS PART OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BY NEXIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC UNDER THE KENTUCKY BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO KRS 154.32-010 THROUGH 154.32-100 A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, to approve Ordinance O-2025-05 as read. Comments: Jim Parsons explained how the Nexigen Economic Development project and the Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) would benefit the City and Nexigen. Roll Call: Commissioner Rechtin Yes Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONER’S ORDER NO. R-2025-04 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY (THE “CITY”), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND NEXIGEN COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. (THE “COMPANY”) RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND Page 2|6 INSTALLATION OF AN OFFICE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO BE LOCATED IN A DESIGNATED DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE CITY (THE “PROJECT”); AGREEING TO UNDERTAKE THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING REVENUE BONDS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS PRECEDENT SET FORTH IN THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO PAY THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, EQUIPPING AND INSTALLING SAID PROJECT AND FACILITIES; AND TAKING OTHER PRELIMINARY ACTION. A motion by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Sutherland, to approve Order R-2025-04 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-05 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 Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2025-05 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Commissioner Sutherland Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-16 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING CITY MANAGER JOHN HAYDEN TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE NEWPORT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. A motion by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Sutherland, to approve Order R-2025-16 as read. Roll Call: Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Page 3|6 Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-18 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2025 DODGE DURANGO AWD VEHICLE FOR USE IN THE FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2025-18 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Rechtin Yes Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. COMMISSIONERS ORDER NO. R-2025-19 AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING MAYOR THOMAS L. GUIDUGLI, JR.TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT REGARDING MEMBERSHIP IN SOUTHBANK PARTNERS, INC. AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTION. A motion by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, to approve Order R-2025-19 as read. Comments: Will Weber from Southbank Partners delivered a presentation on the organization. Roll Call: Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-25 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, OPPOSING SENATE BILL 110 AND ANY OTHER BILLS BROUGHT FORTH DURING THE 2025 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION BY ANY MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE, IN FULL OR IN PART, THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE CITY OF NEWPORT AND ANY LOCAL Page 4|6 GOVERNMENT FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING MEASURES CONCERNING SHORT TERM RENTALS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY. A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Commissioner Sutherland, to approve Resolution R-2025-25 as read. Roll Call: Commissioner Radwanski Yes Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow Yes Commissioner Rechtin Yes Commissioner Sutherland Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 5-0. Motion carried- so ordered. FUTURE LEGISLATION: A motion was made by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Radwanski, to discuss the consideration of creating and advancing legislation regarding measures concerning medical cannabis. Roll Call: Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow No Commissioner Rechtin No Commissioner Sutherland Yes Commissioner Radwanski Yes Mayor Guidugli Yes 3-2 Motion carried- so ordered. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS  There will be a special meeting on March 10th at 6:30 p.m. Compass Point Planning will give a presentation on zoning code updates.  Thank you, Will Weber, for coming out tonight to address the Board and provide transparency. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Radwanski:  Welcomed the new hires to the team. Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow:  Thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work this winter keeping the streets cleared. Commissioner Sutherland:  Project with Nexigen is fiscally responsible for the city.  Glad to have the votes to move forward on the medical cannabis discussion.  Welcome the new employees to the city. Page 5|6 Commissioner Rechtin:  Congratulations to Bobby McCray on his award tonight.  Welcome the new hires to the city.  We have learned that the city has lost its Tree Grant, a federal grant. If the city cannot plant trees using this funding, we should consider planting at least a specified number of trees ourselves. Mayor Guidugli:  The city remains steadfast in its commitment to having trees planted.  Thanked Will Weber with Southbank Partners for being here.  Congratulated Bobby McCray for his award tonight. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Commissioner Radwanski, seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Morrow, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried—so ordered. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tiffany Myers Date Approved: Mayor Thomas L Guidugli Jr. Attest: City Clerk Tiffany Myers Page 6|6