Canfield, Whatley honored by Covington City Commission on retirement; priority list approved

By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter

Roughly 75 years of city experience officially retired at Covington’s regularly scheduled commission meeting Tuesday night.

Vic Canfield (center) was recognized by the Covington City Commission Tuesday night for 37 years of service on the City’s Urban Design Review Board (photos by Ryan Clark).

The two that garnered the most attention had memorable careers: Victor J. Canfield and Mike Whatley.

Canfield, who spent 37 years on the city Urban Design Review Board — the last 25 as chairman — earned a standing ovation Tuesday as he was honored not only for retiring, but for having an award named in his honor.

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution commemorating his impact on historic preservation for the city, as well as an order creating the Victor J. Canfield Historic Preservation Award.

“This will recognize only the truly outstanding historic preservation in Covington,” Mayor Joseph U. Meyer said, noting it would befit Canfield’s legacy.

“I just wanted to say how humbled I am,” Canfield told the crowd. “I just hope that with the guidelines we have in place, the city can move forward with our preservation efforts.”

Laughing, Commissioner Bill Wells noted that three of the men on the city board are younger than the amount of time Canfield had served on the UDRB.

Commissioner Tim Downing pointed out that Canfield’s work — which included being a charter member of Covington Avenue Properties Partnership, and reshaping 15 historic preservation projects on that street alone, as well as serving as archivist, historian and facilities manager for Mother of God Church — are “part of the reason why so many love to call Covington home.”

“What a wonderful example of civic engagement,” Meyer said.

Similarly, Mike Whatley was recognized with a standing ovation as well Tuesday night.

Whatley had spent 31 years as a member of the city Public Works Department.

“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate what Mike does — he even helped me out with something recently,” said Covington resident Susan Barnett. “He will be missed.”

“I just want to give my deep felt thanks to folks like Mike Whatley,” Commissioner Jordan Huizenga said.

Priorities list approved

Also Tuesday, commissioners approved their policy priorities for the city for the next fiscal year, asking the city manager and staff to provide recommendations on these 20-plus topics over the next 12 months:

1. Policy that describes the circumstances and extent to which private use of city­owned computers and cellphones, and the city’s wireless system and email system, is appropriate.
2. An Open Records policy that provides direction and interpretation of the application of the open records law for use by the records custodian in responding to open records requests. The policy should also address record-keeping and publication requirements for open records requests and responses.
3. Record retention policy consistent with state law and procedures for management for the city’s records (Electronic Document Management System).
4. Total Cost Reduction Initiative, to recognize and reward employees who recommend cost saving changes in city operations.
5. Amend and update personnel ordinance (0-42-16). Correct the weaknesses in the current ordinance. Review the system of job establishment, job description approval and hiring. Revise salary classification schedule. Updates of the salary classification schedule can be independent of changes to the personnel ordinance.
6. A city-wide Economic Development Strategy. Address whether the city should require a developer who receives city financial support in excess of $100,000 to solicit bids from Covington businesses who have signed up with the economic development department.
7. Industrial Revenue Bond policy, identifying issuance and conditions criteria.
8. Zoning Code revisions.
9. Review the operations of the Tax increment Financing District
10. The appropriate use of the Covington “C” and the official city seal.
11. Review the Procurement Policy for adopted by the commission (two policies on the public drive; one adopted by the commission, a later updated version developed by staff without commission action).
12. Finance Policies and Procedures, to address the issues raised in the city’s audit(s).
13. Financial Management ordinance to set the rules and provide guidance for the city manager’s authority for budget changes; requirements for issuance (regarding) RFPs, etc., grant applications, submission of contracts requiring commission approval; authority to approve change orders not to exceed 10 percent of original bid without commission approval and requiring regular status reports on capital projects to the commission; and financial reporting to the commission.
14. A policy on the appropriate level of city general obligation debt.
15. Multi-year financial management tool.
16. Continuation or revision of the Fiscal Stability Ordinance.
17. A comprehensive housing policy for the city, addressing the use of vacant city owned parcels, the availability of affordable housing in high growth areas, the continuation of the consortium with HAC and considering use of NIP as a delivery vehicle.
18. Code Enforcement policies and procedures.
19. Building Code issuance: Return to the city from PDS as a means of improving customer service and better support for mixed use and housing rehabilitation in the city.
20. Revision of the “Good Standing” ordinance (0-11-06) to address urgent needs in the event of health, safety, welfare or other emergency considerations.
21. For the waste collection contract with Rumpke, bring customer service complaints and oversight back to city government.
22. A Fleet and Equipment strategy.
23. Sidewalk repair policy.

The list is not ranked by importance, and Meyer stated again that the topics could be changed over the upcoming year. But at he said he expects the list to serve two purposes: 1. To provide accountability for the Board, so they can check off tasks as they go, and 2. To provide guidance for the city staff.

“In the past, we come up with really good discussion topics, but the follow-through doesn’t happen,” Meyer said. 

Also Tuesday:

• Commissioners agreed to enter into a contract to expand the Footsteps2Brilliance early literacy program and make it available to all children in Covington. The contract is for three years at a cost of $50,000, plus $5,000 per year for training. After three years the license is perpetual.
• Commissioners agreed to renew a contract with ABM Parking Services for parking management and enforcement services, effective Aug. 01, 2018.
• Commissioners agreed to enter into an agreement with TMS Construction for the Covington Sixth District Elementary Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Reconstruction project for $244,870 paid for by grant and bond funds.

The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., Aug. 7, at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.

Contact the Northern Kentucky tribune at news@nkytrib.com