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CITY HALL IS FALLING DOWN, LIKE SERIOUSLY
Was it the tension that's enveloped the place over the past six months? Not sure, but Covington's City Hall is in serious need of repair. The city approved a payment of $42,610 to Hummel Industries to fix the north wall where bricks are becoming dislodged and falling to the ground. That's dangerous enough, but we're talking a potential collapse of a 45-foot long, 3-foot tall section. The city engineer said that this has been an issue for nearly ten years but that it's become seriously urgent recently. Hummel Industries is said to have other experience working on City Hall projects. They are charged with improving structural steel and replacing bricks.
|LIGHTS BACK ON IN COVINGTON
What a night for breaking news -- and we got to cover it together as a community! Thanks! Click the link for photos and the story from last night's "blackout".
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MAINSTRASSE GETS NEW ENTRYWAY
Great news for this vibrant neighborhood. Click the link for that story.
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COMMISSIONERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST BULLYING
A resolution will be drafted and adopted by Covington's elected leaders urging the state legislature to pass anti-bullying legislation. This follows the suicide of a 13-year old Covington boy who suffered at the hands of bullies. Click link for that story.
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FIVE FIREMEN PROMOTED
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| Standing L-R: Brinkman, Bode, Adams, Harris & Woodring |
Congratulations to the five firefighters chosen for promotion Tuesday night. Paul Woodring is now an engineer, Michael Harris is an engineer/paramedic, Jimmy Adams is an engineer/paramedic, Graham Bode is an engineer, and Jeffrey Brinkman is now an engineer.
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'VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR OVERALL DOWNTOWN PLAN'
BioLOGIC gets a loan from the city to build out its second floor. The money was supposed to come from a Duke Energy grant, but Duke says it needs 90 days before it can get the cash prepared for the project. So, instead, the City voted to offer a bridge loan in the amount of $100,000 and will be reimbursed when the Duke money comes in. A nervous Commissioner Steve Casper asked Community Development Director Jackson Kinney, "So, there's no risk, right?"
"Duke is indicating to us that they'll provide the funds and I believe it," Kinney responded. Kinney went on to describe bioLOGIC's buildout as a very important project for Covington's overall Downtown Plan. The buildout would be considered phase 2 of a life science business cluster around Pike Street. Phase 3 would involve bioLOGIC and the City redeveloping a separate building Downtown. BioLOGIC was said to have already been in discussions with three businesses that may occupy space in their renovated second floor.
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RIVERCENTER GARAGE PROJECT TO COME IN UNDER BUDGET
In asking for city funds to replace a deteriorated standpipe system at RiverCenter Garage, City Engineer Tom Logan announced that the overall project will come in $50,000 -$100,000 under the $2.6 million even with the $39,297 being requested for the standpipe system. In fact, had the project not come in so economically, the city may not have explored replacing that system at this time. More than 80% of the standpipe in the garage suffers from significant corrosion. The commissioners approved the funds.
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SOUTH COVINGTON PRESIDENT SUPPORTS DAYTIME CURFEW
Bill Wells, President of the South Covington Community Action Association, took to the podium in commission chambers to support the delayed daytime curfew for students who are supposed to be in school. "We in South Covington have been pleading for such an ordinance for years," Wells said.
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COVINGTON WELCOMES 18TH OFFICIAL NEIGHBORHOOD
It was announced that Rosedale is now its own official neighborhood recognized by the city and the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative which offered a presentation Tuesday night as to their progress in developing a website. That site is now live online and features details information on each neighborhood and city/county contact notes. You can also check out photos from various celebrations all over town.
See the new website here: Covington Neighborhood Collaborative
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ANONYMOUS POTSHOTS AGAINST CITY MANAGER BLASTED
During the CNC's presentation, the group took a moment to recognize City Manager Larry Klein for work he has done with and for them, professionalism, accessibility and his recent honor of being named City Manager of the Year in Northern Kentucky. "They don't have to vote on this, do they," Klein joked, referencing the commission's recognition of the city manager award in which former Mayor Denny Bowman voted against the ceremonial resolution.
Commissioners Steve Frank & Steve Casper recognized the long list of names of neighborhood leaders that approve of honoring Klein via the CNC. "That list reads like a who's-who of Covington," Casper said. Frank was more pointed.
"I think there's been a lot of anonymous potshots against Larry online," Frank said. "These are people who will stand tall and show their support for him." Klein expressed his gratitude to the CNC.
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OTHER NOTES:
--The Roebling Point Business Association also offered a presentation, explaining their history and how they hope to grow. You can read my profile of them from last week here: RiverCenter & Roebling Point Prepared for New Opportunity
--The city will auction off a minivan that was used for its part in transporting Kenton County jail inmates to litter patrol, which is no longer necessary.
--The city will buy a used piece of equipment to make its winter salt tasks more efficient instead of purchasing a new portable salt conveyor system.
--The city will continue to offer a manager and two lifeguards to the Boys & Girls Club's swimming pool.
--Joseph Ruark was appointed to a 3-year term on the audit committee.
--Larry Klein was appointed as an ex-officio memberto the Board of Trustees for the Employees Retirement Fund of the City of Covington.
BioLOGIC gets a loan from the city to build out its second floor. The money was supposed to come from a Duke Energy grant, but Duke says it needs 90 days before it can get the cash prepared for the project. So, instead, the City voted to offer a bridge loan in the amount of $100,000 and will be reimbursed when the Duke money comes in. A nervous Commissioner Steve Casper asked Community Development Director Jackson Kinney, "So, there's no risk, right?"
"Duke is indicating to us that they'll provide the funds and I believe it," Kinney responded. Kinney went on to describe bioLOGIC's buildout as a very important project for Covington's overall Downtown Plan. The buildout would be considered phase 2 of a life science business cluster around Pike Street. Phase 3 would involve bioLOGIC and the City redeveloping a separate building Downtown. BioLOGIC was said to have already been in discussions with three businesses that may occupy space in their renovated second floor.
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RIVERCENTER GARAGE PROJECT TO COME IN UNDER BUDGET
In asking for city funds to replace a deteriorated standpipe system at RiverCenter Garage, City Engineer Tom Logan announced that the overall project will come in $50,000 -$100,000 under the $2.6 million even with the $39,297 being requested for the standpipe system. In fact, had the project not come in so economically, the city may not have explored replacing that system at this time. More than 80% of the standpipe in the garage suffers from significant corrosion. The commissioners approved the funds.
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SOUTH COVINGTON PRESIDENT SUPPORTS DAYTIME CURFEW
Bill Wells, President of the South Covington Community Action Association, took to the podium in commission chambers to support the delayed daytime curfew for students who are supposed to be in school. "We in South Covington have been pleading for such an ordinance for years," Wells said.
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COVINGTON WELCOMES 18TH OFFICIAL NEIGHBORHOOD
It was announced that Rosedale is now its own official neighborhood recognized by the city and the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative which offered a presentation Tuesday night as to their progress in developing a website. That site is now live online and features details information on each neighborhood and city/county contact notes. You can also check out photos from various celebrations all over town.
See the new website here: Covington Neighborhood Collaborative
|
ANONYMOUS POTSHOTS AGAINST CITY MANAGER BLASTED
During the CNC's presentation, the group took a moment to recognize City Manager Larry Klein for work he has done with and for them, professionalism, accessibility and his recent honor of being named City Manager of the Year in Northern Kentucky. "They don't have to vote on this, do they," Klein joked, referencing the commission's recognition of the city manager award in which former Mayor Denny Bowman voted against the ceremonial resolution.
Commissioners Steve Frank & Steve Casper recognized the long list of names of neighborhood leaders that approve of honoring Klein via the CNC. "That list reads like a who's-who of Covington," Casper said. Frank was more pointed.
"I think there's been a lot of anonymous potshots against Larry online," Frank said. "These are people who will stand tall and show their support for him." Klein expressed his gratitude to the CNC.
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OTHER NOTES:
--The Roebling Point Business Association also offered a presentation, explaining their history and how they hope to grow. You can read my profile of them from last week here: RiverCenter & Roebling Point Prepared for New Opportunity
--The city will auction off a minivan that was used for its part in transporting Kenton County jail inmates to litter patrol, which is no longer necessary.
--The city will buy a used piece of equipment to make its winter salt tasks more efficient instead of purchasing a new portable salt conveyor system.
--The city will continue to offer a manager and two lifeguards to the Boys & Girls Club's swimming pool.
--Joseph Ruark was appointed to a 3-year term on the audit committee.
--Larry Klein was appointed as an ex-officio memberto the Board of Trustees for the Employees Retirement Fund of the City of Covington.
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