By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
Noting that “clear, well-written” policies and procedures reflect their values and visions, provide guidance to the city manager and create a framework for making consistent decisions while protecting the legal interests of the city, Covington Commissioners approved a set of 30 priorities for policy development for the next fiscal year.
It’s the second consecutive year the Commission has developed the priority list, which was approved at their regularly scheduled legislative meeting Tuesday night.
“This is a blueprint, a list of things we’re telling the city … this is important to us,” said Commissioner Tim Downing.
But after some confusion from Commissioner Denny Bowman, who wondered if the document was set in stone, others explained it was just a guide, one that included many items that have been brought up by residents. The commission will then pass on the subjects to the city manager, who will investigate if a course of action is necessary.
Then the topics will again be brought before the Commission before any action is taken.
Their list included: regulations of emergency shelters, panhandlers and food trucks, creating sidewalk repair, street cleaning, social media and data security policies, developing a master calendar and an emergency response protocol, returning building permit issuances from Planning and Development Services to the city, and returning storm water fees and management responsibilities back to the city.
The entire list follows:
*Franchise agreements for all utility companies serving the city.
*An ordinance addressing Bond for Public Officials.
*Right of way management and encroachment ordinance.
*An ordinance regulating the operation of emergency shelters, panhandling and associated issues.
*Food truck regulations and ordinance revisions.
*The implementation of a two-year plan requiring the Finance Department to
a. allocate health insurance costs to departments based on departmental experience;
b. establish fleet management as an internal fund; and
c. allocate self-insured liability fund expenditures to departments.
*Revision of Urban Forestry ordinance.
*Digital Inclusion Plan to extend wireless service to other areas of the city.
*A sidewalk repair policy and ordinance.
*Pursue a contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to assume maintenance of state highways in the city except for I-75/71 and I-275, at fair compensation.
*Street cleaning policy and signage requirements to address parking after the street has been cleaned and for persons who are out of the area on business or vacation when the relevant streets are cleaned.
*The effect of the pilot program on the use the speed bumps/humps.
*The appropriate use of the Covington “C” and the official city seal.
*Return building permit issuance from Planning and Development Services to the city with a final decision by Oct. 1, 2019 and implementation by Jan. 1, 2020.
*Emergency response protocol for emergencies arising with the city.
*Returning storm water fees and management responsibilities to the city government.
*An order adopting code enforcement policies & procedures.
*Enforcement of rental license rules for smaller landlords.
*Formal policy on release/waiver of nuisance code liens and adjustments of amounts owed the city.
*Adoption of a progressive fine system for housing code violations and zoning/historic preservation requirement.
*Data Security Policy.
*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.
*Social Media Policy.
*Development of a Register/Codification of Commission’s major policy orders.
*Development of a Register for City Manager Administrative Orders.
*Development of Master Calendar listing the quarterly, annual and biennial activities and events relevant to the operation of the city commission.
*Record retention policy consistent with state law and procedures for management of the city’s records (Electronic Document Management System). to include communications from the city manager, Mayor, departmental file creation and maintenance standards, various board meeting minutes, and official letters.
*Assess the many staffing issues facing the Police Department, including the concept of “Ghost Hiring”, fringe benefit comparisons, etc.
*Report to the Board of Commissioners on the utility and implications for use of porous pavers for parking areas and roadways.
*Work with property owners in the Main Strasse neighborhood to have the pavers re-set at their expense because it is believed to be much less costly than replacement with concrete. City will have to plan for curbs repairs/replacement; resetting of pavers in islands where necessary.
While the list passed unanimously, Bowman still balked at the suggestion of some of the priorities, like taking over storm water management.
“I don’t blame the Sanitation District for the flooding problems,” he said. “I blame the government. I blame the Planning Commission. I blame everybody that issues permits, and tears down trees.”
Mayor Joseph U. Meyer noted that the city’s residents have, in total, paid more than $30 million to the Sanitation District for storm water management, and still, the city’s flooding issues haven’t been addressed.
“Do we just let them keep doing what they’re doing?” he asked. “Because we’re not a priority. There’s got to be another way.”
Also Tuesday:
Forestry Board Asks Commission for Re-appointments
Like all who volunteer to speak at a Covington Commission legislative meeting, Steven Hill had just three minutes to make his point. He did it well.
Noting that due to development, Covington has lost nearly 7,000 square feet of tree canopy, he pleaded with the Commission to approve the re-appointments of members of the Urban Forestry Board, of which he is chair.
Everyone should “stand up and say no,” he said. “Not here. Never again.”
If the Covington Commission does not act within the month, the unapproved members will not be eligible, which would mean the city could ultimately lose its Tree City USA designation – something Covington has received for the past 15 years.
‘Eva Farris Way’ Gets First Reading
Commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance to name an unnamed alley which runs west of Madison Avenue and north of West Fourth Street, behind property at 18 W. Fourth St., “Eva Farris Way.” There is interest in naming it after Farris because, as city documents say, it is “in recognition of her many contributions to the city.”
Eva and Oakley Farris have dedicated much of their lives to philanthropy, with a strong focus on endeavors that would improve the future of the region’s children. Numerous groups, organizations and institutions of higher learning have benefitted from their generosity.
The Commission will vote on the ordinance at their next legislative meeting in two weeks.
The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., Oct. 8, at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.
