Government briefs: A roundup of happenings in city meetings this week

By Patricia Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter

EDGEWOOD

Edgewood city council discussed the installation of a small lending library on city property, but as part of the Kenton County Public Library’s outreach program.

Council members seemed to be thinking affirmatively about the Little Free Library, but CAO Brian Dehner brought up some of the cons of having the library on city property, including the fact that the Kentucky League of Cities will not insure a structure like the library. He also said that if anyone else had a little box they wanted to put up on city property they would be able to because the city allowed the little free library.

After hearing the bleak negatives, a vote was held, and of the six council members present, 5 voted yes, to allow the little library on city property, and one, Councilman Rob Thelen, voted no.

Council once again discussed when to discuss the fate of the clock tower outside of President’s Park, and CAO Dehner asked if they could have a special meeting on October 28. But some council members said they didn’t want a special meeting, so Dehner said he would put it on the agenda for the next regular council meeting on the 21st. Council specified that they wanted options of what they could do with the clock, as well as how much money each option would cost.

INDEPENDENCE

Independence Mayor Christopher Reinersman administered the oath of office to Gage Ashcraft, the new police officer who will be attending the Police Academy in December.

Correy Eimer, Associate Director of Workforce at the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, came to give council information about their community initiatives and rebranding. He said the four-year strategic plan would center around supporting the community in obtaining grants, and supporting community development projects.

The first reading of an ordinance supporting a text amendment for fences in some front yards was read. The yards have to be at least 3 acres or over, they have to be located in the R-CVS, R-LLS, and R-RE zones, and PDS recommended that the fences not be over 4 feet tall.

Another ordinance had a first reading, and specified requirements allowing for medical marijuana businesses in the case that the people vote to allow those businesses within the city limits. Mayor Reinersman stipulated that this is only in case the issue is passed by the voters on November 5. If the issue does not pass, there will not be a second reading.

There will be a candidate forum at the senior center on October 29, at 6 p.m. put on by the Independence Businessmen Association.

FLORENCE

Kentucky State Representative Mary Ann Proctor visited the city to give council an update on the legislative happenings in Frankfort. She said with the constitutional amendments coming up on the ballot, they ought to know that the state increased the SEEK funding three percent this year and 6 percent next year. Boone County received $500 million dollars to fix roads in the area between 2026 and 2030. Some of the money will go to the rest areas, with the northbound being worked on first, and the southbound being addressed second.

She said the personal income tax will go down to 3½ percent.

Proctor said they have a squatter case in Grant County where they have been trying to oust a squatter who is illegally in a house. She said she has been working with law enforcement to identify squatters and get them out of a house without lengthy court battles. Since a lot of these people are professional squatters, she wants to have them charged with a class D felony, and increase the charge every time they get caught squatting. She said ‘our home is our castle,’ and something has to be done about squatters.

Council talked about a reorganization of positions in the city, since Linda Chapman retired. She wore many hats, and now the city has to reorganize to be able to fill the void that Chapman left behind. They have already hired a new financial director and human resources director but there are still positions to be eliminated and added, like moving chess pieces around to make the city work efficiently. Council member Gary Winn wanted to table the issue since he felt that there were too many moving parts. The issue is scheduled to be revisited at the next meeting.

COVINGTON

Covington Mayor Joe Meyer asked to wait on approval of the substance abuse program extension for the Health Departments because he was expecting a phone call to answer a few regulatory questions, and that call had been delayed, so the issue will be on another agenda.

The city commission adjourned as the commission and re-gathered as the Development Properties Corporation in order to transfer two properties, 630 and 632 Scott Street, to the city. This had to be done in order to obtain a building permit in relation to the new City Hall project.

ELSMERE

Elsmere Police Chief Russell Wood gave a report at the regular council meeting, updating members about the status of one officer, Tyler Perry, who has completed Phase one training, and another, Adam Markesbery, who is in Week 8 at the Police Academy. He also said they have a new police clerk, and he said she will be a great asset to the department and the city. The most popular officer, Onyx, has been busy detecting drugs inside vehicles.

Mayor Marty Lenhof said that the steps outside the city building are in place and safe, in time for election day. This is due to the fact that if people parked in the bank lot next door, they used to have to walk all the way around to access the city building, but now they can come up the side steps.

Council member Gloria Grubbs asked for people to remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and she urged people to get mammograms.

TAYLOR MILL

Taylor Mill Police Chief James Mills gave commissioners a report on his ten weeks at the FBI Academy. He talked about what an outstanding experience it was to be at the academy and the camaraderie it engendered. He related about a weekend in New York City when five buses of people from the academy descended on the city to work with the police there. Mills said that it was a unique experience that not everybody is able to have.

“It not only makes you a better police officer but it makes you a better person,” he said, remarking that he will never forget the experience.

Mayor Daniel Bell declared October as National Domestic Abuse Awareness month.

CAO Brian Haney told residents that there will be a form mailed with their tax bills asking for information if residents own rental properties in the city. He said if people don’t own rental property in the city, they can throw the paper away. But if they do own rental property, the city needs to know who owns the rental property in case something happens and they need to contact the owners immediately.

Haney told residents there isn’t any cost involved in registering their property, but if they don’t register, they will receive a penalty fee.

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