[0:05] Commissioners, the day is Tuesday, September 15th, 2026. The time is 6.01 p.m. I'm calling the meeting to order. Will the clerk please call the roll. Commissioner Ackrey? Here. Commissioner Downing? Here. Commissioner Smith? Here. Commissioner Tubby? Mayor Washington? Here. We have our quorum and our duly qualified to conduct business. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I don't believe any presentations at this time.

[0:35] We do have a request from Covington Superintendent Courtney Flookas to address the commission next week, if that's okay.

[0:43] Madam Clerk, if you could put that under item number one next week for presentations.

[0:48] City manager's report?

[0:50] Just two things to report on tonight.

[0:52] I think enough communication has gone out about third street reopening and

[0:57] a portion of the fifth street exit closing.

[1:00] I know this is going to take a new pattern and new ways for people to get used to getting

[1:08] into Covington, but it's still a very easy path and we have enough detour signs.

[1:13] So I want to thank public works for getting those signs out and getting those message boards

[1:18] out about the detours.

[1:20] This is a lot of construction going on in the community right now, so we really appreciate

[1:25] the community's patience as we work through this with KYTC as well.

[1:29] So the second thing I wanted to get out, you all have your blinking things on you so I feel

[1:36] compelled to say, Blink is coming to Covington and hope everybody has October 8th to the

[1:41] 11th marked on their calendars. There is a lot of work happening on the city side to make

[1:47] sure that Blink is safe and fun for everybody to come to Covington. So again, October 8th to

[1:54] the 11th, we are activating the EDC, which is the CCA concept, just for the event.

[2:01] There's going to be a lot of communication going out about road closures, just businesses

[2:06] participating, all kinds of stuff.

[2:08] So I want to thank Dan Waller and the communications team for working hard on getting that message

[2:13] out as well.

[2:15] Thank you.

[2:16] Any questions for the City Manager?

[2:19] Commissioner Ackery?

[2:21] City Manager, how long is the 3rd Street, 5th Street Closure? I don't even know.

[2:27] So, the exit from 5th Street in front of the Radisson is a permanent closure, but in the

[2:34] meantime, 3rd Street is still open and the roundabout concept that's in the 3rd Street

[2:40] Crescent area that's not slated for this year. So, we have a little ways to go with the

[2:44] the current traffic pattern.

[2:49] Any other questions?

[2:51] Commissioner Downey.

[2:53] As we continue to experience changes

[2:57] around the like this detour and others

[3:00] around the Brent Spence Bridge,

[3:02] there's going to be a variety of different entities

[3:06] that are going to be put in communication out

[3:09] around these changes and the impacts

[3:11] and how it's going to impact the community and whatnot.

[3:15] Can you talk a little bit whether in this meeting or in a future meeting around how our

[3:21] comms team is working with those groups to make sure that we have a consistent cohesive

[3:24] message for the members of our community and the businesses that are going to be impacted?

[3:30] Just briefly I will mention that we have as soon as we hear the detour or opening or closure

[3:38] information from KYTC, our ComStime, Johnsonnet, and then we use our social media channels

[3:45] and our communication channels to get that information out to the public. Sometimes it's

[3:50] not soon enough for us, but we do the best we can to get that information out. As far as

[3:56] other entities, a lot of it is being funneled through KYTC, and they are our main point

[4:02] of contact for communication so our team is very much in contact with them and as soon as

[4:08] we hear about any of these things we try and get it out to the community.

[4:12] I know that you do. One ask that I would have is we're as we're thinking about that.

[4:18] We certainly know in any relationship basically when information is going to be released it's

[4:27] always an imminent thing so like you know we might know on a Monday but because they're going to be

[4:32] releasing on them on Thursday. I would just ask that we continue to maintain the closeness

[4:36] so that way when we can anticipate those things that we can be ahead of it and we can

[4:40] be working in advance as much as possible so that way we are not, the tail is not lagging

[4:45] the dog so to speak. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Just very quickly, maybe next week with

[4:52] a week after, I know that we've done a lot as a city and engaged some of our business owners

[4:58] through the bridge, the gap initiative, if we can just get an update on anything going

[5:02] on through that lens, I think that that would be great to share with the public the work

[5:07] that's being done behind the scenes. That's all I got. I will be happy to share that update

[5:11] next week. Thank you.

[5:14] Thank you. So, nothing else for the city manager? Next up, the administration department.

[5:22] Elizabeth Wexel.

[5:30] Good evening, Mayor and commissioners. I have two items for you this evening.

[5:34] The first is a request for a presentation from two groups by Gadbeck's groups.

[5:45] One is Tri-State Trails, and the other is Kora, the Cincinnati Offered Alliance.

[5:51] They and their partner organizations funded by one NKY and with a lot of public participation

[5:59] over the past several months have developed a regional monthly service trails plan for

[6:04] Northern Kentucky and this plan expands on the Covington Newport bicycle plan that was

[6:13] adopted by the City of Covington, I believe in early 2025. And so they would like to come in and

[6:22] present this regional plan to the city and what they think the next steps could be if the city

[6:28] So it chooses an implementation, so that's what we ask is that you allow them to come and present.

[6:36] Do they have a particular, are they set for next week, or can we move that at a different time?

[6:43] And the reason I say that is we have the superintendent coming next week.

[6:47] But also I see we have fire department retirements next week.

[6:51] And it could tend to be a pretty long night.

[6:55] or is there something you're trying to get before us right away, or can we maybe move it to the next cycle?

[7:02] What are our faults on that?

[7:04] No, I'm sure that they're flexible when they can come and present.

[7:08] This was just when it seemed to fall into this schedule when we talked to them.

[7:13] Okay, so why don't we do this?

[7:17] Why don't we try to find another date for them?

[7:20] Now it's possible, and I don't know this until the fire department comes up here.

[7:24] But if they are not doing any kind of ceremony, they may come back.

[7:29] We may have trails next week, so it would just kind of be a little flexible if that's okay with the B.O.C.

[7:36] Is that okay?

[7:36] So I love me.

[7:37] Okay.

[7:37] All right.

[7:39] All right.

[7:41] Next order of business.

[7:42] Now item number two.

[7:43] Yes.

[7:44] The second one is for

[7:49] a contract amendment to our contract with J.S.

[7:54] held they are our owners agent for the City Hall construction project and this contract

[8:02] amendment would simply extend their contract with the same terms, payment terms and contract

[8:08] terms through the end of this calendar year when we expect that the project will be completed.

[8:21] I have a small question, maybe I'm just misunderstanding this.

[8:29] In the consultant service modification, it lists the duration of adjustment as 214 calendar

[8:36] days, but the adjustment appears to only be five months, and it's just maybe it's a

[8:49] something that we needed to gain alignment there on if it's 214 days versus the

[8:56] roughly 150 that we would have with the pipelines. Frank can you speak to

[9:02] that? Is that something we need to address?

[9:07] I'm looking at it right now. If you

[9:20] need I can point it out based on the...

[9:26] Yeah, I mean we can call it as

[9:36] Yeah, I have no issue with the extension itself, I just want to make sure that we're not signing ourselves up for a longer duration and what we're intending and that we're all in alignment on what we're agreeing to.

[9:47] Yeah, understood.

[9:49] Either way, the contract price would be the same, but yeah, we'll look into that.

[9:59] Any other questions for Elizabeth on it without objection?

[10:03] Yeah, consent.

[10:04] Thank you.

[10:05] just

[10:09] a little housekeeping item number we're going to add to the agenda 22B under

[10:18] people in technology, Walt Mays being promoted to neighborhood service director

[10:25] if the clerk can make a note 22B a walk on. Next up,

[10:36] Kate one. Good evening Mayor and

[10:39] Commissioners, tonight I have two agreements before you.

[10:43] The first one being in order, authorizing the mayor to execute the CCR programmatic agreement

[10:52] between the City, the Kentucky Heritage Council, and the Federal Highway Administration,

[10:58] in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

[11:03] Do you have any questions about the agreement?

[11:05] There were some blanks on the dates just because we don't know when it will actually be routed

[11:10] but we wanted to have it ready to go as soon as we hear back from the feds.

[11:24] Okay without objection consent next item please.

[11:28] Thank you and my second item is an order authorizing the mayor to execute a professional services

[11:37] agreement with Maryman Anderson architects for face to professional architecture and engineering

[11:43] services for the rehabilitation of the Frank Duvenek House and

[11:47] studio and I would like to also note that on Exhibit C page 4 clause 8 it has

[11:55] been removed at the request of our legal team and I will update the packet for

[11:59] the clerk.

[12:06] This is really just a comment. I know that there's a group of folks that

[12:10] are incredibly interested in this property and I'm sure you're aware of it. My

[12:14] My only ask in this can be sort of an offline conversation is to communicate these

[12:19] sort of updates to them.

[12:21] I think that they would be thrilled if you would do that.

[12:24] So we can talk later, but thank you for your work on this.

[12:27] Thank you.

[12:28] Mr. Downey.

[12:31] If you could just follow up in an email to the body, the change that you just mentioned,

[12:37] the update.

[12:38] I just didn't capture at all.

[12:39] I just want to make sure that I go back and review.

[12:41] Yes.

[12:44] I just want to make sure that I identify what the change is, because that's new news.

[12:51] Thank you very much, appreciate it.

[12:55] Madam City Manager, following up on the vice mayor, she is correct, there's a lot of interest in this property.

[13:02] Can you instruct the communications department to put something out and just kind of update the community on what's going on?

[13:09] and this might be a timely message here.

[13:13] You can see the locations to that.

[13:15] Okay.

[13:17] Without objection, consent.

[13:19] Thank you.

[13:25] Next up, Community Development Department, John Siddansky.

[13:30] Director.

[13:51] Mayor and President.

[13:53] Dear consideration this evening is in order authorizing the execution of a member-an-of-a-log agreement.

[13:59] and pilot agreement with innovative opening solutions

[14:02] incorporated relating to an industrial revenue bond

[14:05] for an economic development project located at 42.93

[14:09] winsome avenue.

[14:10] And I just want to note that there's a correction

[14:13] to the A.I.R. on my female body this morning

[14:16] and left copies on the day as for you

[14:20] where there's an adjustment of the deal

[14:21] for the pilot percentage.

[14:25] So, this project is the relocation of innovative opening solutions, headquarters and operations

[14:32] from Memorial Wood, Ohio to Covington.

[14:35] IOS, originally known as Erlinger Hardwork Consultants, was founded in 2005 as a locksmith

[14:40] company and is grown to incorporate multiple product offerings and solutions for the general

[14:45] contracting industry, specifically door openings, window openings, access controls and surveillance

[14:50] systems.

[14:51] And I would like to recognize Mark Turemi, who is president of IOS. He's an attendance today.

[15:00] The project would involve the relocation of 50 jobs and grow to 57 by year three, with a total annual payroll of 4.7 million. The company is looking to purchase about 100,000 square feet of space at the south end of the Latonia Commerce Center on Winston Avenue. $6 million investment includes the purchase of the building, build out of office fabrication, warehousing space, and a firewall separating the big box into two separate parcels.

[15:27] The jobs include estimators, salespeople, project managers, handlers, fabricators, and back-office

[15:34] functions.

[15:35] And we are competing with a site option in brewing county, some

[15:41] of the benefits, the community

[15:42] benefits.

[15:44] Staff today is recommending a 15-year-rb with a 20% pilot to the city in county and 50% of

[15:50] the schools.

[15:52] We believe this is a competitive offer.

[15:54] Additionally, the company is agreeing to some landscaping improvements in the parking lot

[15:58] by installing a minimum of the two tree wells and making a good faith commitment to participate

[16:02] in coming to the independent public schools career and technical education program.

[16:08] Also, we toured their facility in Norwood and can attest to the sophistication of their

[16:13] operation and they feel and we feel that they would make a great fit in what they're doing.

[16:21] The city's return on investment for this incentive is 10 to 1, so for every dollar property

[16:26] tax that's we are for going we make it up tenfold and payroll tax.

[16:33] I'll now

[16:34] field any questions that the Commission may have.

[16:47] Any questions for Mr.

[16:48] Sadatsky?

[16:55] Without objection?

[16:56] Thank you. Thank you.

[17:06] Next up, Community Development. Patrick Duffy.

[17:14] Good evening, Mayor Commissioners. I'm here to present fiscal year 2027 small

[17:20] This is incentive program, the first round.

[17:23] So real quick overview of the budget for the program,

[17:27] this fiscal year is $150,000.

[17:30] This first round we had quite a few approved application

[17:33] in six with a grain total of $52,000 for those incentives.

[17:40] So we're going to have some competitive rounds later in the year.

[17:45] Start with the facade projects.

[17:47] projects. So we have three projects requesting $30,000 total. The first is 14-5th Street, but

[17:57] the SOD- Improved Project will restore the slightly deteriorated facade. It's a vacant building owned by Johnson Street

[18:05] properties. Properties located on the busy 5th Street corridor. The scope of the project includes

[18:16] Exist and repairing existing windows, painting the facade, replacing like fixtures,

[18:21] rebuilding the storefront, and repairing the existing doors.

[18:25] The total cost of the project is $30,500.

[18:29] And a tenant for this space is yet to be determined.

[18:33] Staff recommendation is a $10,000 facade improvement grant for Johnson Street properties and

[18:41] I forgot to mention Angie Villanard is here tonight with Johnson Street Properties

[18:45] Incorporated.

[18:49] Any questions on this?

[18:56] Just a comment that Earl Frank's sons and

[19:01] daughters has been a long-time business in our in our city and we're glad to be

[19:07] partnering with you on on this renovation. So thank you for being a constant

[19:12] presence in our community because oftentimes all of us up here talk about it

[19:17] the power of small business, and you represent that well.

[19:22] So thank you.

[19:23] Without objection, consent.

[19:27] We are now moving slightly east to 16 East Fist Street.

[19:32] Now, once again, Johnson Street properties

[19:34] is rehabbing the facade of the slightly deteriorated

[19:37] vacant storefront along the Fist Street corridor.

[19:42] Similar to the first project, the scope includes replacing

[19:46] windows, painting, the entire facade,

[19:48] installing new lighting, repairing and rebuilding the storefront, I should say, and replacing the door.

[19:55] The total cost for this project is $25,500.

[20:03] So staff recommendation is to prove a $10,000 facade grant to Johnson Street properties, and that should say incorporate.

[20:12] any

[20:16] questions without objection consent.

[20:22] The third facade slightly west of those of 36 west 5th Street.

[20:29] Abilign LLC will be transforming a former law office on 5th Street into the new headquarters of

[20:36] Colvay and Gray. We actually are joined tonight with by Rich Male and Caroline, Male Bunty,

[20:43] I believe, right there, and Malei, sorry, and basically you can see the transformation

[20:50] of the before and after years is pretty significant. The scope of the project includes adding

[20:58] new gas lanterns, lighting in the landscape area, windows, exterior signage, new stucco and

[21:05] in painting of the façade as you can see in the picture.

[21:09] So staff recommendation is a $10,000 façade grant

[21:12] to Abiline LLC.

[21:17] Any questions?

[21:20] Without objection, consent?

[21:23] Now we've gone to the rent subsidies.

[21:25] We have two requests for $12,000.

[21:31] This first one is Legacy Key Property Management.

[21:34] We are joined by Vicky McIntosh

[21:35] hearing this in the audience here. This is Limit O property management company will

[21:41] be filling the previously vacant space at 140 to 142 Pike Street. Like you see

[21:46] key is dedicated to helping property owners maximize the value of their

[21:52] investment while providing exceptional service to their tenants. The owner what

[21:59] of the small business development center we're joined here by April from SVDC on a

[22:04] business plan. She plants a Vicky, plants a higher of three FTE employees, the preference

[22:10] to higher-cubbing than residents. Staff recommendation is a $6,000 subsidy for legacy key property

[22:19] management. Any questions? Without objection. Consent. Our final rent subsidy is the Work

[22:28] LLC. We are joining tonight by the owner, just the white in the federal.

[22:35] Workhage is a curated, used book and media store for admin readers, collectors of physical

[22:40] media, and offers a third space or will offer a third space for community organizations to

[22:45] meet in the Lithuania neighborhood. She also utilized Small Business Incident for a business

[22:53] this plan located at $36.22, the Corsi Ride-In Redis Corner.

[22:59] Staff recommendation is $6,000 rent subsidy

[23:03] for the work-age LLC.

[23:07] Any questions?

[23:09] Was that without objection, consent?

[23:12] And finally, we do have one historic electric sign

[23:17] requesting $10,000 for our program.

[23:21] maybe you may recognize this. The Sam's Candy sign, we're joined here by Sam

[23:28] Drogans. The Sam's Candy Electric sign has been visible on Pike Street for

[23:36] decades. The building owner has decided to hire across plus these signs to

[23:41] restore the sign to its original glory as a tribute to the store candy shop.

[23:45] The scope of the project entails replacing electric capacitors, cleaning

[23:50] the service, of course adding some new lighting, and adding a protective covering so that

[23:58] it's not damaged. The neighborhood is actually seminary square and SAM is exceeding the

[24:05] 80-20 public-private match. Recommendation is a $10,000 facade grant for SAM throw games.

[24:17] There's no questions, I just want to quick comment.

[24:20] You've done a fantastic job on these presentations, and I want to sincerely thank all the business owners that are investing in this city, and for believing in what we're doing, and I think that you've done a great job, some dowskies did a great job, and I'm looking forward to welcoming all of you, and I'll also share that I'm a small business owner in this community as well, so I believe in it as much as you guys do.

[24:43] and I'll keep my business here forever.

[24:44] So, welcome.

[24:46] So again.

[24:49] So, just a comment on Sam's, I don't, you know,

[24:53] growing up in the neighborhood,

[24:54] we probably have no clue of this,

[24:56] but looking through those windows

[24:58] and looking at the original ice cream bar and everything.

[25:03] And I believe that's also movies, you know,

[25:07] movie producers come to town and shoot movies in Sam's.

[25:11] So, because of the original, the way it looks,

[25:14] because it's a very, very interesting building.

[25:17] And Echo, what Shannon says, you guys are the lifeline

[25:22] of the city of Covington, and we know how hard it is

[25:26] to start and keep a business.

[25:29] And so we're so proud of you and glad

[25:32] that you're part of our city.

[25:36] So without that's going to consent, without objection.

[25:41] And just to kind of inform you of what just happened

[25:43] And so basically staff made these recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.

[25:48] Board of Commissioners asked these questions.

[25:51] They agreed that these projects should go on the consent agenda for next week,

[25:55] which basically means the vote will take place on the consent agenda next week.

[26:00] Very seldom ever, is it pulled off the consent agenda?

[26:05] So I feel comfortable if I were sitting where you are that we're going to have a partnership.

[26:11] So, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

[26:18] You can feel free to stay if you want, or this is your chance.

[26:24] Reclaim your night folks.

[26:28] Nathan, I think you need to stay.

[26:58] Okay, next up is the community, excuse me.

[27:02] Community Development Department Jeremy Wallace.

[27:05] It's Wallace.

[27:06] Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

[27:09] Two items for you tonight that are related.

[27:13] Continuing our momentum with affordable workforce housing,

[27:17] another nice project here.

[27:18] So this is our phase two of our Pleasant Street Project.

[27:23] Through all our way over the first two that went in,

[27:25] a few weeks ago, those will be completely done imminently.

[27:30] And then Seoul, and then phase two is moving

[27:33] a little further east and that would be five new units at 316 to 18, 326, 328 and 338

[27:41] pleasant. Two of the units will be exactly like the two that we have in place now. One unit

[27:49] will be a duplex and attach duplex and then one unit will be a slightly smaller unit. So five

[27:57] I've knew all filling up previously vacant space

[28:01] and all sold for affordable ownership.

[28:06] Any questions, Mr. Walnut?

[28:09] Exciting, without objection, consent?

[28:12] Okay.

[28:13] And then item number two is just the related

[28:16] disposition and development agreement

[28:18] to transfer these five properties

[28:19] to neighborhood investment partners.

[28:22] So neighborhood investment partners,

[28:23] Incas are nonprofit housing partner on this project

[28:26] and so all these properties will be transferred to them prior so that they can control the development from there on out.

[28:33] Any questions without objection consent. Thank you.

[28:39] Next up.

[28:41] Fired party.

[28:42] Sir.

[28:46] Good evening, Mayor Commission. Before you have six additional items for your review.

[28:51] We have three retirements and then three promotions to back those some of those thoughts.

[28:58] Okay. No. 14. Lieutenant Dan Roberts. Lieutenant Dan Roberts. He's with the

[29:05] department about 20 years. He's retiring at the end of the month. Okay. Do you

[29:10] see Mr. Roberts is he? Do you want a presentation next week or what do you

[29:17] what is the fire department? Mr. Roberts, he will not be able to make it next

[29:20] week but there are other five will be able to make it for shelter. That sounds

[29:25] fair. With any questions without objection consent number 15.

[29:32] Engineer Heterowski, he's going to be retiring with another 20 years of service at the end of the month.

[29:41] Any questions without objection consent?

[29:48] Yes, go ahead. I'm sorry, go ahead.

[29:50] The next one is firefighter Ben Bon Filio. Engineer Heterowski, the one before I met Ben, had been together for a while.

[29:57] Yes, 20 years of service also.

[30:00] Without objection, consent.

[30:06] Next. Engineer Charles Wagner, he's, current engineer, he's number one on the list. We promoted to lieutenant. With the retirement of Mr. Robert as lieutenant, this is just back filling that spot. Any questions without objection, consent.

[30:24] Next. Firefighter Rob Hanaker, currently a firefighter. Number two on the engineer's list. I don't have these got out of order, but he will be promoted.

[30:33] to engineer. Any questions without objection, consent?

[30:40] And last but not least, Mr. Petri, firefighter Petri, he's currently number one on the list.

[30:44] He will be promoted to engineers as well. Any questions without objection, consent?

[30:50] Thank you, Patrick. Madam Clerk, we can just put that under presentation

[30:55] side of number two after the superintendent. Thank you. Next week. Legal Department, Mr. Schultz.

[31:02] Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

[31:04] Your consideration tonight is your request for an order authorizing the legal apartment to hire Aaron Osborne to the position of Assistant City Solicitor starting September 23rd, 2026.

[31:17] Any questions?

[31:20] Seeing none, without objection consent.

[31:23] Thank you, Mr. Schultz.

[31:25] Director Lewis.

[31:28] I have three items for your consideration this evening.

[31:31] The first is in order of proving the hire of Erin Boyd as a police officer in our police

[31:35] department and this would be effective September 27th.

[31:40] Any questions?

[31:42] Seeing no objections, no questions, consent.

[31:45] Second is a request for an order proving the hire of Olivia Nixon as a police officer and

[31:50] our police department again effective September 27th.

[31:54] Any questions without objection consent?

[31:58] And finally an order of proving the promotion of Walt Mase to the position of Director of Neighborhood Services in the city of effective September 23.

[32:09] Any questions without objection consent.

[32:13] Thank you.

[32:13] Thank you ma'am.

[32:19] You see the next item on the agenda's board appointments.

[32:22] I wish the point, Tom West to the Fund for Covington, former

[32:29] Representative, or Tom West, former Economic Development Director.

[32:35] Arnold Simpson, former State Representative, City Attorney and

[32:39] City Manager to the Fund for Covington.

[32:42] Paul Himmer,

[32:45] well known business owner to the Fund for Covington,

[32:53] and

[32:53] the Fund for Covington and Jean Schroer,

[32:56] Catalytic Fund to the Fund for Covington.

[33:00] Without objection, that'll go in consent.

[33:05] All right, I don't believe I have anything else.

[33:08] Commission discussion items.

[33:11] See no commissions, discussion items.

[33:14] Commissioner comments, no commissioner comments.

[33:18] I have no comments.

[33:19] Have a good night.

[33:20] Thank you.

Covington

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