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by Michael Monks
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CITY COMMISSION RECAP
The Covington City Commission held a legislative meeting Tuesday night and The River City News was there. Here is your recap:
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Food Truck Ordinance Passes Unanimously
It was a lengthy discussion at City Hall but the Covington City Commission unanimously approved the food truck ordinance. "We are trying to change the future of this city, trying to get more active, more energy in the city and I believe this is worth trying," the mayor said.|
Other zoning issues pass, one issue is tabled
In addition to food trucks, the city commission took up other issues related to zoning, most emerging from the Center City Action Plan and Mayor Chuck Scheper's effort to "make it easier to do business in Covington." Zoning changes receiving unanimous approval from the mayor and commissioners were the allowance of community gardens in residential neighborhoods, the allowance of fences to be installed on vacant properties, allowing micro-distilleries and micro-breweries to operate in areas where they were previously barred, and permitting certain retail operations to operate with conditions in residential neighborhoods.
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But the sticking point was the allowance of second-hand stores which are currently only permitted in the Latonia Shopping Center and in the area around the Fifth Street exit near Interstate 75. According to Covington zoning specialist Andrew Juengling, the second-hand stores would include retail clothing, furniture, appliances, and sports/recreational equipment. Antique stores and vintage clothing stores would not be allowed in the commercial areas in question. "We received a number of calls n the past regarding the opening of second-hand shops and one opened without a permit," Junegling said, explaining why the issue came up. He added that any proposed second-hand stores that would be viable businesses and not a detriment to the area while filling a vacant storefront would have to go before the board of adjustments for approval as each could only operate on a conditional basis.
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City Commissioner Steve Frank was uncomfortable with the wording, particularly the allowance of second-hand appliance stores, so the issue was unanimously tabled for further discussion and will be up for a vote at a later date.
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City property tax rate to stay the same this year
The City Commission will forego an increase in the property tax rate for the third consecutive year. The vote will not be taken until the next legislative meeting, but a first reading of the ordinance indicated that the commission is on board with retaining the current 2.995 percent rate. "It's hard to raise taxes in a priod of time when people are hurting," Frank said. "We are also at or below the median city in Northern Kentucky and we had been four years ago near the top."
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Frank encouraged the Covington School Board to make an effort to forego its share of a property tax increase as well. "Where there have been increases is on the schools and I urge the schools to find ways to cut costs."
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City finance director Bob Due corrected an earlier report that indicated Covington's cumulative property value had dropped below $2 billion, showing numbers that keep the city on the other side of that figure.
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Police captain positions not going away yet
Though the Management Partners report suggested that the Covington Police command staff was top-heavy and that the department should eliminate the position of captain, that won't happen yet. The department had five captains at the time of the report, but one retired last month and the position will not be filled , saving the City $120,000. The police department must come up with $500,000 in cuts to which that $120K will be applied. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the rank of captain and create a command staff that has two assistant chiefs.
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City settles accident involving employee for $82,500
An animal control officer was involved in a 3-car collision after dropping his cell phone while on duty, ramming into a car in front of him, which then ran into the car in front of them. The driver of the middle car had to have rotator cuff surgery and settled with the city for $82,500 to cover pain & suffering and hospital bills.
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Interim Fire Chief Dan Mathew gets $5,000 pay increase
Now that he has taken over for Chuck Norris who retired last month, interim Covington Fire Chief Dan Mathew will be paid an additional $5,000.
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"COMING DOWN THE PIKE" BECOMES POPULAR REFRAIN AT CITY HALL
When are we finally going to know for certain what city leaders are talking about when they say there are lots of good things coming down the proverbial pike? Meeting after meeting we are promised that good things are coming and Tuesday night's city commission meeting was no exception. "We're trying to bring more people in (to town) and over the next sixty to ninety days you're going to be seeing that," Mayor Chuck Scheper said. "There are a lot of projects, new activity, new businesses, new restaurants that will bring people."
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"The reviews of all the departments are winding down and by the end of the month all decisions will be made," said City Commission Steve Casper. "That will allow us to turn the corner and talk about economic development."
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"It's not all pain without any gain," said Commissioner Steve Frank. "There are a lot of good things to look forward to. Covington has suffered but folks are going to be pleased with what we are going to be able to talk about."
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Mayor Scheper finished the meeting by reiterating his C+V=G mantra with his new modification. While the C still stands for courage and the V for vision, the G no longer stands for growth, but rather "greatness". "We're shifting to greatness as a city because that's what's ahead of us," he said. Looking forward to it.
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STEVE FRANK: $2,000 FOR IDEAS THAT COULD SAVE CITY MONEY
Got a good idea to save the city money? If it works, Commissioner Steve Frank will personally pay you two grand:
$2,000 for the best idea to save Covington money. We've had ideas from Management Partners, PUMA, the Covington Commission, and our own departments. Now it's time for the public to come up with suggestions for cost savings! OK armchair quarterbacks; $2,000 for the best idea (s) for either you or your favorite charity. Send them to this or my campaign facebook page and I'll post the best 5 submissions for a final vote by the public. Deadline for submission is in two weeks, August, 21'st. We need them in time for incorporation into this year's budget.
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS WILL CO-HOST CANDIDATE DEBATES
RCN is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Reverend Richard Fowler of the Ninth Street Baptist Church. This campaign season, The River City News will produce and moderate four debates, one each for Covington Mayor, Covington Commission, Covington School Board and Kentucky State Senate district 23. Dates and times are still being worked out but expect more updates on this soon.
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NOTE: The deadline to file for the school board race is next Tuesday, August 14.
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QUICKIES
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State Senator Thayer says Gov. Beshear is committed to being involved in pension reform cn|2
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State official looking for feedback on taxes WKYT
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Widow: Punishment for death of former state representative "disrespectful" Herald-Leader
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Louisville woman advertises her unborn child on Craigslist WDRB
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UK returns more than 2,000 unsold tickets to UofL football game Herald-Leader
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Letters depict lives of free, enslaved families in Kentucky Herald-Leader
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
Cincinnati TV stations catch up to the food trucks in Covington news; Why the CEO says health care reform will force you to pay more for Papa John's; Plus, more work on the Eastside as a huge housing development nears. Click it.
