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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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CITY COMMISSION TO APPROVE THIRD UNION CONTRACT TUESDAY
After approving new working agreements between the City of Covington and the unions representing police officers and firefighters, the city commission on Tuesday will approve the third and final working agreement with the union representing dispatchers, public improvements employees, and clerical workers. Here is the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting at City Hall:
- A working agreement between the City and AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) through December 31, 2015
- Purchase of a new ambulance in the amount of $135,888 (with additional options in the amount of $18,564) from Muster Emergency Vehicles payable from capital improvement funds
- Purchase of two new street sweepers (No price listed. Here is the language from the resolution: "Declaring the bids received from CMI Equipment Sales, Inc and Jack Doheny Supplies Inc for the purchase of two regenerative air street sweepers to be the two responsible bids in accordance with KRS45A.365 and rejecting all other bids and authorizing the competitive negotiation process between CMI Equipment Inc and Jack Doheny Supplies, Inc in accordance with KRS45A.370)
- Sale of street sweepers: accepting the bid of William A. Clark in the amount of $138,100 for the purchase of two 2008 street sweepers
- A 1988 Boston Whaler boat used by the fire department will be voted on as surplus property and its ownership could be transferred to another government agency
- Vehicles formerly used by the fire department and department of public improvements will be voted on as surplus property
- The City of Covington may enter into a third amended development agreement with the Center for Great Neighborhoods
- Covington resident Gina Estes will be recognized for her appointment as the Chair of Preservation Kentucky
- Two presentations: one on the purchase of Insight Cable by Time Warner and another on the Children's Home of Northern Kentucky
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KENTON COUNTY MOVES TO UNITE DISPATCH SERVICES
As Covington moves to "get out of the dispatch business", the Kenton County fiscal court is preparing to take over the city's 911 emergency services:
County officials unanimously authorized Kenton Judge-executive Steve Arlinghaus to advertise and accept resumes for a dispatch manager for the Kenton County Emergency Communications Board. The makeup of that board has yet to be determined, but the fiscal court is expected to consider and possibly vote on a board structure at its next regular meeting on May 8.Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder
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KY SUPCO: CITY EMPLOYEES CAN'T BE CONSIDERED WHISTLEBLOWERS
Cities are not considered employers to be covered by the "Whistleblower Act":
In sum, we wold that cities are not political subdivisions under Kentucky’s Whistleblower Act, and city employees are therefore not protected by the Act. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals.Page One Kentucky
Read the entire ruling here (PDF)
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REIMAGINED BRENT SPENCE: FINANCIAL WINDFALL FOR CINCINNATI?
As Covington fights to save its exits and access to the city Cincinnati is seeing potential dollar signs in a reimagined Brent Spence design:
A land use analysis performed by the UrbanCincy team found that the alternatives presented and illustrated in the Revive-75 documents would increase the amount of new land available in the Central Business District by roughly 33 percent. Approximately 25 new city blocks would be created under the proposal, freeing up land that is currently taken up by the expansive tangle of roadways that connect I-75, I-71 and the Brent Spence Bridge.Urban Cincy
This would be accomplished by maintaining the ramps that connect I-71 to the Brent Spence Bridge and extending Fort Washington Way west, becoming the Third Street Expressway. This expressway will later align with the Sixth Street Expressway after connecting to the new bridge alignment west of Longworth Hall. The street grid would then be reestablished and developable real estate could be maximized on the newly reclaimed land. Based on the research provided from Minicozzi and Katz, UrbanCincy estimates that the taxable revenue capture could be more than $200 million from property taxes alone.
Such a move would not only allow for a sizable expansion of the Central Business District, but it would also create available land for a future expansion of the Duke Energy Convention Center. In a time when public agencies are trying to do more with less, this is a perfect opportunity to create more tax-productive property in the heart of the Cincinnati region. Moving the new bridge west is a solution that city, county and local business leaders should all support.
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MEANWHILE, A TV NEWS INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE COSTS TAXPAYERS $8 MILLION A MONTH:
"We have to look at different ways to build this project that will cut years off of this," said Mark Policinski, president of OKI Regional Council of Governments. "Simply put, we can't wait 11 years to have a new bridge."More with video at the link.
Funding remains an issue, despite a visit by President Barack Obama that used the bridge as a backdrop to promote his jobs bill.
"The frustration on my part as it is with anybody," said Steve Morrison, a Covington business owner. "Nobody can tell you a time and a date. A lot of discussion, but nobody can tell you if that's three years, four years or 10 years from now."
WLWT
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SEE ALSO: As Louiville prepares for its new bridge project, towns on the other side of its portion of the Ohio River in Indiana feel like they are getting the shaft:
“They’re not conservationists, they’re obstructionists,” he said. “I’m a bit upset about the whole process. And I don’t think it’s necessary at this point to build a downtown bridge, especially redoing all of Spaghetti Junction and throwing all of that in and expect Indiana to pay because of what Kentucky should have done years and years ago.”News & Tribune
(snip)
“Adding tolls on the 65 bridge will wipe me out,” she said. “I’m a travel agent ... I’ve been in the business since 1980. I survived 9/11, I survived the recession, but I will not survive tolls. It’s hard enough to get them to come over to Indiana as it is,” she said referring to Kentucky residents.
“My dream would be just to do away with the downtown bridge,” she said. “It is not needed. I know it’s not needed. As sure as I’m standing here, we don’t need another bridge down here.”
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in case you missed...
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KENTON COUNTY HIRES FIRST AFRO-AMERICAN PROSECUTOR
Congratulations to Lawrence Hilton:
More on Hilton along with the weekly mugshot round-up...
...at the link!
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FRIDAY'S HEADLINESA national gay blog weighs in on a candidate in the Covington mayor's race; Steve Frank: No new bridge without Covington's changes; Plus, a profile on the Holmes student that landed a $40,000 scholarship to UK. More Covington News Than Any Other Source -- at the link!
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QUICKIES
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Woman sues Kentucky dentist after he allegedly dropped a small screwdriver down her throat that had to be surgically removed Herald-Leader
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Kings Island opens today Cincinnati Enquirer
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KY Arts Council gets $734,000 from National Endowment for the Arts press release
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NKU among healthiest employers Business Courier
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NKU professor to be part of summer institute press release
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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STATE AUDITOR SPEAKS IN COVINGTON ABOUT TAXING DISTRICTS
Democratic State Auditor Adam Edelen discussed special taxing districts like the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission in Covington and called NKY the state's "special district capital":
Edelen’s office will begin in May a review of all the special taxing districts that can levy a tax or fee to see how many there are, how much tax money is going to these districts, and what, if anything, should be done to make the system more efficient.
These districts include libraries, fire districts, sanitation districts and the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission. Taxing districts in Northern Kentucky have become a hot-button issue with tea party members and others seeking to dissolve NKAPC and roll back the taxes of the libraries and sanitation district.
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SEE ALSO: On Monday, Edelen is expected to release the full audit of the state agriculture department which could be a very bad day for former Commissioner of Agriculture, former Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, and former UK basketball star Richie Farmer cn|2
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MORE POLITICS
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Governor Beshear takes steps to increase access to high quality anesthesia press release
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4th District Republican voters react after this week's debate cn|2
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Attorney General jack Conway talks prescription drug abuse in Murray and Paducah press release
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NEW DIXIE PRINCIPAL WAS ADMINISTRATOR AT HOLMES MIDDLE SCHOOL
The new principal at Dixie Heights, one of the area's largest high schools, spent 12 years in the Covington Independent Public Schools district:
One of Hendrix’s toughest challenges in education was soon after she got out of college when she worked as a counselor at a wilderness residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed teenage boys. They lived in a tent several miles from civilization. The average stay for a boy there was a year.Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle
“I did leave that program feeling like I could do anything,” Hendrix said. “They wanted us to give a two-year commitment, but most didn’t make it that long.”
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SEE ALSO: Holmes High School's Dontel Rice is named a Cincinnati Enquirer all-star Click Here
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COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET STARTS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY
Support the Covington Farmers Market at its new location starting next Saturday, May 5 on Court Street in Roebling Point near the former jail.
Stay up to date with the Farmers Market by following on Facebook. Click here.
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INDEPENDENCE FARMERS MARKET IS TODAY TILL 2:00PM
From the City of Independence:
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for your Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, green onions, free range eggs, frying chickens, pork, and organic cheeses. Also available honey, breads, jams and a variety of plants. Indulge yourself at Reta's Food Booth for your biscuits and gravy for breakfast or BBQ Pork Sandwiches, herb roasted potatoes and coleslaw for lunch. The market will be open every Saturday from 8:30-2:00 at the Courthouse Square on Madison Pike.|
FROM OUR NEIGHBORS IN TAYLOR MILL:
We are currently seeking a volunteer who is interested in leading our Mobility Monday Walking Group, beginning at 7:00 pm in Pride Park. Anyone interested should please contact us at 859.581.3234. The walking group starts in May and continues until October. Its a great way to guarantee you'll meet new friends and live life actively.|
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MORE QUICKIES
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How the town of Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky got its name NPR
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Yelp Cincinnati to host preview event at new Mainstrasse bourbon bar Yelp
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The Welcome House thanks Restaurant Association for large donation Facebook
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Creation Museum Founder: Jesus was not a zombie! Barefoot & Progressive
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PHOTOS: UK star Anthony Davis's visit to Florence Cincinnati Enquirer
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Why you need to download UK star Terrence Jones's song Kentucky Sports Radio
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