By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
It was an otherwise quiet, predictable gathering for Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.
But you never know what folks are going to say at the end — that’s why it’s always a good idea to stick around.
Don’t be mistaken — there wasn’t anything especially controversial discussed. In fact, when it came time to deliver Commissioner Comments, Mayor Joseph U. Meyer and Commissioner Michelle Williams had nothing to say at all.
For his turn, Commissioner Tim Downing mentioned how residents should use the city’s new app to report potholes, and Commissioner Shannon Smith took time to praise the city’s firefighters for their first-place finish in the recent Fight for Air Climb.
It was Commissioner (and former Mayor) Denny Bowman who said something that will probably get some people talking.
He wants casinos in Kentucky to help pay for the pension crisis.
In his comments, Bowman called on the city to draft a resolution in support of Rep. Dennis Keene (D) and his Kentucky House Bill 190, which supports casinos in the state. The bill, introduced last week by Keene and Rep. Charles Miller (D), has been submitted to Appropriations & Revenue.
“The legislation intends to put the Lottery Corporation in charge of licensing and regulation for full-fledged casinos in Kentucky, as well as for limited casino gaming at the state’s horse tracks,” reported Jennifer Newell of Legal U.S. Poker Sites. “The bill calls for the legalization of full casino gambling, which would presumably include table games, slots, live poker, and possibly sports betting.”
In November, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear wrote to legislators about the benefits of legalizing gaming in order to solve the pension problem.
On Tuesday night, Bowman agreed.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he said, offering that the Commission could discuss the possible resolution at their next caucus meeting in a week. “I think it will be a great thing for Kentucky.”
Also Tuesday:
– Commissioners heard the first reading of an amendment so the city can sell alcohol by the drink on a Sunday — specifically Sunday, March 17, which is also St. Patrick’s Day. A second reading will be heard and voted on in two weeks.
– Commissioners heard a first reading on an amendment that will rezone certain sections of the Linden Gateway District for community and market gardens. In November 2018, the commission ordered a public hearing before the Kenton County Planning Commission “to amend the Covington Zoning Ordinance adding the use of ‘Market Garden’ as a conditional use in all residential zones and the Linden Gateway District zone.” In January, the Kenton County Planning Commission held a public hearing and made a favorable recommendation to adopt them. A second reading will be heard and voted on in two weeks.
– Commissioners heard a second reading and approved an ordinance amending the zoning law to update sign regulations to be “content neutral,” clarify several sections of the sign regulations “based on past interpretations and administrations,” update out-of-date cross references, add provisions for messages on “small detached signs and drive-thru canopies,” and add permanent wall sign regulations to institutional uses.
– Commissioners approved an order to purchase up to 4,000 tons of salt from Compass Materials for $72.18 per ton delivered, payable through the general fund through a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Kenton County Fiscal Court.
– Commissioners heard two personnel updates from the fire department, approving a separation agreement with firefighter/paramedic Chris Sweeney effective Jan. 24, and accepting the resignation of firefighter/paramedic Sean Weldon, effective Jan. 28.
The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., Feb. 19, at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com
