COMMISSION RECAP: 10 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

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The Covington City Commission convened for its regular legislative meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Here is what went down"

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Facade grants for Lewisburg for when new bridge is built

The Commission unanimously approved authorizing the mayor to enter a memorandum of agreement between the City of Covington, the federal highway administration, and the Kentucky state historic preservation officers with concurrence by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the adverse effects expected to hit the Lewisburg neighborhood when the Brent Spence Bridge project begins construction. City Manager Larry Klein explained that $420,000 will be placed into a fund for facade grants to be used specifically in that neighborhood to counter the adverse effects, though it could be several years before construction on the new bridge begins. The agreement is good for ten years and has a clause that it can be revisited at the time of its expiration. Mitigating the effects to Lewisburg was one of Covington's top concerns as a final design for the new bridge is selected. "This helps strengthen the neighborhood by reinvesting in it," Klein said.

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Backhoe trailer involved in accident to be sold

The trailer that flipped over with a backhoe on it (and a city employee inside the backhoe) will be sold as surplus property. (SEE: Employee pulled from backhoe that flipped in Devou Park) "This is way to get some salvage out of the damaged piece of equipment," Klein explained.

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Two Covington Police officers retire

Dennis Wesseler and Dennis Sparks each started at the Covington Police Department in 1990 and now they leave together, each having his retirement approved by the city commission. Wesseler arrived in Covington from Cold Spring's police department. Chief Spike Jones said Wesseler was a "rock star" in South Covington. "He has a huge following out there," Jones said. 

Dennis Wesseler

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Sparks arrived in Covington fresh off the mission in Panama that helped bring down former dictator Manuel Noriega. He won two life-saving awards in Covington and was described by Chief Jones as the best administrative lieutenant the department has ever had. "I came here tonight to be honored but it's been my honor serving the citizens of Covington and this is very hard for me," Sparks said.

Dennis Sparks

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OTHER NOTES: 

• The City will purchase a new Caterpillar steer loader in the amount of $74,645 as the current one is four years past its shelf life according to city engineer Tom Logan. Half the cost will be paid for through the Devou Trust Fund, a fifth from the Drees Pavilion allocation for equipment, a tenth from the Devou Trust for tree removal, and a fifth from the City's capital improvements fund. Half the time, the new piece will be used in Devou Park where it will play a major role in combating invasive species, as it also will along the Licking River Greenway & Trails when being used by the Cuty for other purposes the other half of the time.
• The Covington Human Rights Commission presented a framed certificate to the City Commission thanking them for extending health care benefits to same-sex partners of City employees.
• The asset forfeiture fund at the Covington Police Department will pay for $85,500 worth of new laptops for the department
• The contract of Dr. Paul Spellman was renewed for services for the Covington Fire Department.
• Guidelines were approved for the City's home buyer assistance program. $139,000 is available in individual opportunities to have $5,000 put toward lender-required down payments.
• Eight firefighters, two EMS workers, and two police officers were given pay increases.
• Jennifer Stein of Kenton Hills was appointed to the Devou park advisory committee.

New mural for Latonia to be hung in school

Artist Tammy Stephens, well known for her work on the popular mural in Helentown, showed off a new mural for Latonia. Though much smaller in scale compared to the one in Helentown, it was created in the same spirit by bringing together local children to help. Much of the work was done during the Latonia children's festival. It will be displayed at Latonia Elementary.

CITY EMPLOYEE PULLED FROM BACKHOE THAT FLIPPED IN DEVOU PARK

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by Michael Monks 

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An employee from the City of Covington's Department of Public Improvements was inside a backhoe when it flipped over while on the back of a truck in Devou Park Monday afternoon just after 3:00PM. The backhoe was driven up the ramp on the back of a transport truck that apparently rolled from a parking lot near the Behringer-Crawford Museum and then flipped in a field of grass. Covington Fire Chief Chuck Norris did not know the nature of the work being done at the time of the accident but said the city worker was not trapped but rather urged to remain in place after the backhoe flipped so as to prevent any injuries. That worker was taken to University Hospital in Cincinnati to be evaluated at the trauma center but is not believed to have suffered life threatening injuries. Rescue crews from the Covington Fire & Police Departments responded to the scene and after the worker was rescued two tow trucks were there to pull the backhoe and the truck from the grass. The employee's name was not immediately available.

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PHOTOS: 

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MORE PHOTOS BELOW, JUST CLICK THE LINK!

COMMISSION RECAP: 1 MAY

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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Most of the items on Tuesday night's Covington City Commission agenda were overshadowed by the surprise announcement that domestic partner benefits for city employees in same-sex relationships would be approved. That piece of legislation was a last minute addition to the agenda and was supported unanimously by all five commissioners who offered only quick comments following the sudden vote, which was taken at the end of the meeting: 

"This city is all about diversity and all-inclusiveness," said City Commissioner Shawn Masters, the board's only openly gay member. "It follows the heart of what this city is all about." Months ago during a gay pride celebration, Masters and Commissioner Steve Frank stood before a crowd at the Artisan Enterprise Center and promised that Covington would soon offer benefits to its gay employees. 

Read the full report on the domestic partner benefits at the link. 
Domestic Partner Benefits Approved for Covington  
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Other items on the agenda: 
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APPROVAL OF WORKING AGREEMENT WITH AFSCME UNION EMPLOYEES
The third and final working agreement was unanimously approved as the commission accepted the new contract with the union representing the city's dispatchers, public improvements workers, and clerical employees. Like the agreements signed between the City and the police and fire unions, the agreement is in effect through December 31, 2015. 
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STREET SWEEPERS PURCHASED A FEW YEARS AGO WERE NOT EQUIPPED FOR USE IN COVINGTON
The City is selling two 2008 model street sweepers to a Mr. William Clark in the amount of $138,000 and will enter into competitive negotiations with CMI Equipment Sales to purchase two new street sweepers. Director of Public Improvements Tom Logan explained to the commission that the previously purchased street sweepers (the ones being sold) turned out not to be able to handle the responsibility of cleaning urban streets. City Commissioner Sherry Carran asked why on dead-end streets or cul-de-sacs when the sweepers have to back up to leave, that debris is often dropped back on the ground and left. Logan explained that that was part of the problem with the previously purchased sweepers and that the new ones will be able to handle the turnarounds. 
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COVINGTON GIVING FIRE DEPARTMENT BOAT TO MONROE TOWNSHIP, OHIO
A 1988 22-foot Boston Whaler will be offered to the fire department of Monroe Township in Adams County, Ohio (just east of Augusta, Kentucky). The commission voted to declare the boat as surplus property, clearing the way for the transfer of ownership. Fire Chief Chuck Norris explained that as part of the Port of Cincinnati, Covington has benefited through the securing of grants and other funding and that by giving this boat to Monroe Township, it is a way for the city to give back to another Port member city and, "it helps our position as we apply for future grants," Norris said. 
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OTHER NOTES
The City will purchase a new ambulance at a cost of $154,452 from Muster Emergency Vehicles (payable from capital improvements fund); Vehicles formerly used by the fire department were declared as surplus property; the city amended its development agreement with the Center for Great Neighborhoods in relation to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; The commission accepted the bid of Heitzman Contracting in an amount not to exceed $89,750 for the roofing work needed at 118-120 East 15th Street (a property that is part of the Neighborhood Stabilization program and will be paid for by that grant); Elizabeth Barlik's employment as a legal assistant was approved; May 19 was declared National Kids to Parks Day in Covington. 
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UPDATE ON INSIGHT CABLE SALE TO TIME WARNER
Tim Broering of the Northern Kentucky Telecommunications Board explained that all changes to cable service would be gradual as Time Warner takes over Insight Cable. One key change for sports fans is that while Insight Cable offered the NFL Network, Time Warner has never been able to reach an agreement with the football channel and it would likely go away. However, Time Warner offers the Major League Baseball Network, something absent from Insight's line-up. Another feature for HBO subscribers will be HBO Go, an online portal to every HBO series and all of their episodes viewable on-demand, something Insight was never a part of (EDITORIAL: Yes!!!!!!!). Additionally, Broering expects that Insight's highly lauded broadband internet service would remain in tact even as Time Warner takes over ownership. As for any rate increases: "Short-term, they won't change the rates," he said. "What that short-term means, hard to tell." Subscribers to basic cable (the first 20 channels) will see no change. 
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A PRESENTATION BY THE CHILDREN'S HOME OF NKY
Julie Raia, Director of Quality Improvement at the Children's Home of Northern Kentucky, presented to the commission Tuesday. The Home, in Devou Park, has identified a new theme for its work this year: Building Bridges. It is an appropriate theme, Raia said, because the Home was founded by 19th century Covingtonian Amos Shinkle who also financed the building of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. Two interesting, and perhaps disappointing, statistics Raia shared while talking of how kids end up at the Home after committing a "status offense" included the fact that Kenton County ranks number one in Kentucky on juvenile status offense arrests, and that at Holmes High School, 55% of students are considered "truant". 
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CONGRATULATIONS TO GINA ESTES
Covington's Gina Estes was recognized by a resolution at City Hall Tuesday for her accepting her new role as Chair of Preservation Kentucky. "She will represent Covington and the Commonwealth with exuberant enthusiasm," said Beth Johnson, the city's historic preservation officer. Estes spoke briefly about some events coming up at Preservation Kentucky and urged everyone to purchase the "PK" license plates noting that after the first 900 are sold, $10 for each sale, including those first 900, will go to PK. 

Gina Estes

CUL-DE-SAC GARDENS BEING PAVED OVER AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY

by Michael Monks 

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UPDATE: The paving has been halted. The city commission never approved the paving. The decision came from an infrastructure committee meeting. Click here for the updated story. 
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Photo: Ron Lawson

BREAKING: Cul-de-sac gardens are a symbol of South Covington and bring the neighbors together to beautify a piece of their community that in most other places is nothing more than a concrete circle. So imagine the surprise of South Covingtonians Wednesday when they discovered two cul-de-sac gardens removed and word that two more were slated to go. Resident Lisa Placke said a neighbor of hers spotted a worker and approached him. "He said they were bringing in a back hoe to remove the cul de sac and if any of the neighbors wanted any landscaping plants they should come get them," Placke said. "Another neighbor took a bike ride through the neighborhood and discovered the cul-de-sac on Bluffside is currently being removed." 

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What the cul-de-sac garden looks like

The one on Bluffside has the great misfortune shared by cul de sacs on Vista View and Vantage View that have already been concreted. Crystal Lake may be next. More troubling than the surprise paving of neighborhood landmarks is the fact that no one seems to know why it is happening, including at least two city commissioners and the city manager. "This never came up at a Commission meeting and I have never been notified of the transformation," said Bill Wells, president of the South Covington Community Action Association as well as the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative. "You would think with all the storm water issues, the last thing the city would do is concrete over landscape."

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A phone call with Commissioner Shawn Masters and an email from Commissioner Sherry Carran demonstrate that neither is sure why this is happening but both are working to find out. Placke emailed City Manager Larry Klein and Klein responded that he was unsure as to why the cul de sacs were being paved and that he has sent a message to the engineering department. "I found this very disturbing as many residents have spent money and in some cases a lot of money and received donations from such places as Remke’s for plants," said Ron Lawson, a South Covington resident. "We spent time, in my case since 1979, to maintain it over the years." 

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"Paving of the islands in the cul-de-sacs has not been discussed with the Board of Commission, as far as I know," said Commissioner Carran. "If this is indeed the plan, we need to take a step back and review the reasoning behind the thinking." 

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Bill Wells is concerned that even though no one at the moment can reference a time where the paving was discussed, the end result will not be pleasing for neighbors. "Two years ago SCCAA adopted three cul-de-sacs and the neighbors landscaped them," Wells said. "Vista View was one of them. Last year on the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative neighborhood tour I personally showed all in attendance the Crystal Lake cul-de-sac and told them how this brought the neighbors together for a common good. The surrounding neighbors began to improve their landscapes, and now the City does this?"

COMMISSION RECAP: 21 FEB 2012

by Michael Monks 

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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Following such a grand jobs announcement earlier in the afternoon in Latonia, the Covington City Commission and city staff must have been ready to unwind at home. The agenda was long, but it was breezed through in less than forty minutes. Let's dive in: 

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TAX AMNESTY

Passed unanimously. For background on the program that will waive fees one time for delinquent real estate and personal property taxes, business license fees, and parking tickets, click here. 

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DEPARTMENT REVIEW

Contract awarded unanimously to Cincinnati-based Management Partners. This is part of Mayor Scheper's 10-point plan and will apply to each and every department in the City. 

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BOARD RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS

Greg Paeth resigned from the vacant property review commission as mandated by law since he is running for city commission. Fritz Kuhlmann was appointed to the code enforcement hearing board. Marshall Slagle was appointed to the board of adjustment.

Fritz Kuhlmann

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STAFF CHANGES AND PAY RAISES

Pay raises were approved for firefighter James Adams and police officer Chris Vance. Don Griess was transferred from animal control officer to driver in the public improvements department (animal control will be handled by Kenton County). Gerald J. Sterling resigned his job as a driver in the department of public improvements. Amanda Yeckering was hired as a part-time law clerk in the legal department. 

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FIREFIGHTERS AWARDED $319,000 GRANT

The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Department of Homeland Security and will go toward the replacement of the department's eight heart monitors which were described Tuesday night as outdated. The new monitors will bring the department up to the national standard. 

Chief Chuck Norris and his grant-writing team

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COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY HONORS DETECTIVE

Rob Sanders (L) and Brian Kane

Kenton Co. Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders returned to City Hall, where he served as a commissioner before being elected to his current post, to honor Detective Brian Kane. For his work in helping to land a conviction against Amanda Mayse for her role in the brutal 2009 murder of Shawn Davis, Sanders gave Kane an Excellence In Investigation award. Two veteran detectives had struggled with Mayse during interrogation but Kane gave it a shot and scored. "He proceeded with one of the best interrogations I've ever seen," Sanders said. "He was persistent, relentless, and slowly but surely wore this suspect down and got her to give in." Mayse is serving life without the possibility of parole for twenty-five years. 

Brian Kane

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ALSO

A resolution was passed unanimously by the commission in support of TANK and its desire to have the Kentucky General Assembly pass legislation "that would provide a mechanism through which the Kenton County Fiscal Court could make some minor adjustments to the transportation payroll license fee as contemplated in the original statute approved by the voters in 1978."

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks 

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Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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GO HOLY CROSS!
The Indians play today at 4:00PM (Eastern) in Bowling Green (which is in Central time). Covington is the only NKY River City without a state football title (CovCath is technically from Park Hills). If Holy Cross knocks off undefeated Glasgow, that changes. Holy Cross has only played football for 14 years -- this is a HUGE accomplishment and everyone in Covington should be proud of these kids.

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MORE HOLIDAY CHEER FOR MADISON AVENUE

If you're shoppin' local this holiday season, Downtown Covington is looking better than it has in a long time. Please come down and support your local retailers -- that is how we rebuild the central business district! Here are photos of new ribbons and bows being placed around Downtown by the hard-working Public Improvement department. Thanks to the Covington Business Council, Renaissance Covington and US Bank for being the chief source of funding for the decorations!

Ribbons on RiverCenter

Don Wright,Covington Public
Improvements

“This is an affordable way to create a more festive atmosphere for workers, shoppers and residents, and it creates an opportunity for further collaboration between the CBC, the City and local merchants," said Pat Frew, Executive Director of the Covington Business Council. "We’ve already started a dialogue with the city on sharing resources and distribution channels which could reduce cost for decorations in the future.”

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SPECIAL COVINGTON SHOP LOCAL EVENT IS SATURDAY

(But of course you should shop local & independent every day!)

You can meet local business owners and then take a nice Downtown evening walk as the Covington City Commission judges the "Best of Covington" decorations, as they travel from Madison Avenue to the Goose Girl Fountain in Mainstrasse. Meet at the Avenue Lounge for photos with Santa, local business trivia, and more. Details at the link. And be sure to patronize the 14 businesses participating this year. Their names are at the link, too.

Facebook Event

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WHOA! IF YOU SHOP LOCAL, SOMEONE ELSE WILL WRAP YOUR GIFTS!

Sounds like a great deal to me! Check it: Bring your receipts from gifts purchased at local Covington businesses on Saturday, December 17, between 2:00 - 6:00 pm to Groove Coffeehouse, 640 Main Street, and the Awesome Collective will wrap them for free!

Click to enlarge

I'm not sure what The Awesome Collective is yet but it sounds... awesome? Check them out on Facebook: The Awesome Collective|
EASTSIDE & SOUTH COVINGTON ANNOUNCE HOLIDAY PLANS
The Eastside Neighborhood Association will host its 4th Annual Christmas Party at The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., on December 14 at 6:00PM. Along with the Eastside Neighborhood Association, the event is co-sponsored by the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association and the Old Seminary Square Neighborhood Association. Please click here (link opens as email to Bennie Doggett) to RSVP by December 8.

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South Covington Community Action Association will host its annual holiday celebration on Thursday, December 7, 7:00PM at the Hands Pike Firehouse.

South Covington CAC holiday party, 2010

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COVINGTON FIREFIGHTERS COLLECTING COATS

From the Department: "St. Vincent De Paul has placed barrels in each of the Covington Firehouses again this year. Times are tough for many of our citizens, young and old, and this is a small way to give a helping hand. One coat can make all the difference to a person doing without this year. If you are cleaning out your closets and have a coat you are no longer going to wear, please put it in the barrel so someone can stay warm this winter. Questions? 859.431.0462."

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SO WHAT IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GONNA DO WITH THAT TEN GRAND?

Because of the rallying of Covington's engaged citizens, the fire department won a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual's Be Fire Smart program. The City reports on a variety of options that the grant could be used for: 

* Purchasing hardware that would allow us to produce and print onsite inspection reports;
* Adding to our fire extinguisher training program by purchasing needed equipment;
* Purchasing software upgrades that will allow us to upgrade our preplan site drawings;
* Purchasing additional public education materials;
* Looking into starting a business-friendly, self-inspection program for qualified occupancies.

SEE ALSO: Cincinnati CityBeat ranks Covington among the winners in this week's issue of Winners & Losers, all because we helped the fire department win the money:

COVINGTON: Thanks to local residents, the Covington Fire Department is getting a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual Insurance. That’s because enough residents took part in the company’s “Be Fire Smart” online quiz to learn about fire safety and prevention while also securing credit for their their fire department. More than 1,275 residents participated in the quiz, answering 10 questions to test their fire safety knowledge. Each person to complete the test scored a credit for the Fire Department, helping it become one of six mid-size communities, and one of 10 cities across the nation to win a Liberty Mutual grant. Assistant Chief Brian Bamberger said the money will be used to buy needed equipment. Besides the quiz, Liberty Mutual’s website includes fire safety tips, information on how to create a home fire escape plan and a room-by-room guide to preventing fire hazards. All of these are good to know, especially during the holiday season.

CityBeat
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REMINDER: COVINGTON'S RIVERFRONT IS TOPIC OF PUBLIC MEETING

Be there. From the City:

The Ohio Riverfront is important to Covington's future development, and we have an opportunity to shape what it will look like! Our neighbor to the north, Cincinnati, is making significant improvements to its riverfront, for public use/public recreational space, as well as for private developments like The Majestic Show Boat, the Montgomery Inn & Boathouse and the under-construction Christian Moerlein Lager House. At this Community Input Session, we will share how other communities have improved their riverfronts, what Covington's riverfront currently looks like, and how possible improvements can be made along the Ohio Riverfront.

Meeting is Monday, December 5, 6:00PM at City Hall.
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NEW ART EXHIBIT ON PIKE STREET THIS WEEKEND

'A New Reality' which highlights the talents of multimedia artists Robert Fry, Jennifer Grote and Michael Scheurer opens at the Artisans Enterprise Center on Pike Street in conjunction with tonight's First Friday Gallery Hop. From the release: 
Using a variety of mediums, styles and scales, these artists use every day ordinary objects, but assemble them in a unique way. The final instalation is an enlightening commentary on how the current economic downfall has required many to reassemble their day-to-day lives, generating a new vision of their future or A New Reality.
These artists' works, by transcending simple component reassembly, they prepare us for changes in our world, comfort us amid unplanned change, and offer new, hope-inspiring visions when confronting an unexpected future.
Catch it tonight from 6:00 - 10:00PM.
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Starting today, you can purchase a Christmas tree in Mainstrasse from the Boy Scouts. Reasonably priced Frasier fir trees and wreaths will be available on the Sixth Street Promenade. The sales run through Sunday.
ALSO: 
Miracle in MainStrasse Day of Family Fun! - Saturday, December 3rd - Bring the entire family to MainStrasse Village. While sipping hot chocolate, coffee or gluhwein, roasting marshmallows or just sitting by the fire pits, enjoy a concert on the Goose Girl Fountain by the Holmes High School Band (1:00 p.m.). People and pet pictures will be taken in the sleigh on 6th & Main by the Rescue Angels Animal Rescue (noon - 4 p.m.). Sit by the fire pits and enjoy music by local favorite, The Turkeys on the Goose Girl Fountain (3:00 - 6:00 p.m.) and finally, enjoy Christmas Karaoke for all ages on the Goose Girl Fountain (7:00 - 11:00 p.m.).
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IN THE NEWS...
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SOLDIER FACES NEW CHARGE FOLLOWING CRASH ACQUITTAL
Terrible:

U.S. Army Sgt. Riley Ealy, 28, of Fort Campbell was arrested Nov. 21 and charged with receiving stolen property worth more than $10,000. He is set to appear in Grant District Court Wednesday for a pretrial conference.(snip)A Kenton County jury acquitted Ealy in March of second-degree manslaughter, first-degree wanton endangerment and drunken driving for the death of 25-year-old James Fry.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah 
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'WHO' CONCERT TRAGEDY WILL BE REMEMBERED TOMORROW
It was 32 years ago Saturday:

Survivors of the Dec. 3, 1979 Who concert in Cincinnati, where 11 people died in a crowd crush, will mark the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy Saturday night.
The free event, sponsored by the Who Concert Victims Memorial Committee, begins at 7 p.m. on the public concourse between Great American Ball Park and U.S. Bank Arena.Survivors, family and friends members will light 11 lanterns of remembrance, read the names of the victims, hold a moment of silence and then walk to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at 50 E. Freedom Way.

Cincinnati Enquirer

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NKY SHOPS ROBBED FOR NEWPORT CIGARETTES

That was my first brand too, but I never went to Fort Thomas for them... especially with the intent of stealing them.

Do you recognize that dumbass? 

FOX 19

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BREAKING (8:36AM)

NY TIMES

NYT NEWS ALERT: U.S. Adds 120,000 Jobs in November; Jobless Rate Drops to 8.6%

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So I guess that takes the wind out of the sail of this cartoon I wanted to share today:

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HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY, EVERYONE!