By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
Those city residents who’ve had trouble keeping utilities on during COVID could soon receive some much-needed relief.
City Commissioners, who gathered at their regularly scheduled caucus meeting Tuesday night, heard a proposal to enter into an agreement with the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission for $175,000 to administer a Utility Assistance Program utilizing CDBG-CV funds.
That means the city will award funds to those who have been struggling to pay their utility bills due to COVID.
NKCAC has been selected by the Department for Local Government to administer a statewide utility assistance program using the state CDBG-CV funds, and Covington will award local CDBG-CV funds to the program, explained Commissioner Ron Washington, who as Mayor Pro-Tem, filled in for Mayor Joseph U. Meyer, who was on vacation.
Under the program, Covington households who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are at risk of utility shutoff will be able to apply to NKCAC for up to $1,500 in assistance to pay overdue utility expenses (gas, electric, sewer and/or water).
Per the terms of the subrecipient agreement, NKCAC will manage all aspects of the program, including program marketing, applicant intake, eligibility review, making payments directly to utility service providers and reporting program accomplishments.
The city will reimburse NKCAC for the payments made to the utility service providers as well as a 10 percent fee for program administration.
Anyone can apply for assistance, said Community Development Director Jeremy Wallace, who also noted there is no income cap.
Once an application is approved, NKCAC will submit payment directly to the utility service provider on behalf of the household. Households are eligible for assistance up to $250 per month for six consecutive months.
“There is money available,” Washington said. “You do not have to be low income to apply.”
Wallace did note the funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and should go quickly.
Those interested will go in-person to The Life Learning Center at 20 W. 18th St. for an application. Commissioners placed the proposal on the consent agenda for next week’s legislative meeting.
“People are having a tough time,” Washington said. “Hopefully we can get the message out.”
TIF for 419 Greenup
419 Greenup Street
Commissioners heard a proposed incentive to benefit RP Prop OZ, LLC, which submitted a TIF financial assistance application for up to $50,000 for sidewalk improvements to complement their $1.7 million historic renovation of 419 Greenup St.
“It’s really quirky,” Economic Development Director Tom West joked of the property, which used to be an 1880s firehouse. He noted that when one stands inside, they can look all the way through and see to the outside.
“The $1.7 million renovation will completely update the façade, windows and undergo a full interior remodel with all new mechanicals, fire suppression system and structural
improvements to create move-in-ready office space that will be available around December 2022,” a city memo states. “While the first floor will provide expanded event space for the Covington Yard development, the second and third floors will be marketed to office users that will help attract new payroll tax revenue to the city. Once completed, the 13,000-square-foot property comes with off-street parking spaces. As this is an opportunity zone project, the owner intends to own the property for many years.”
City staff estimated the commercial space will generate about $25,313 in payroll tax annually, which could pay back the city’s investment in two years.
“I think this is one of those things that’s very positive for our city,” Washington said. “Thanks to your staff for putting this together.”
Stormwater Quality Management Plan
Commissioners heard a proposal to approve the Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) for Covington’s MS4 and reduction of MS4 boundaries to exclude combined sewer areas. Three weeks ago, Commissioners heard a presentation on the same topic.
If approved by the Kentucky Division of Water, the proposal will, according to city documents, “establish the future requirements for Covington to be MS4 compliant. The emphasis remains to seek to preserve stormwater monies to combat flooding and other stormwater issues.”
The proposal was placed on next week’s consent agenda.
New Hires
Commissioners heard proposals Tuesday to hire two new positions:
Tyler Wilson, Recreation Program Coordinator
Logan Todd, Assistant City Solicitor
Both were put on the consent agenda for next week.
Board Appointments
Commissioners heard a proposal for these appointments:
Code Enforcement Hearing Board – Donald Mays
Covington Urban Forestry Board – Lindsey Moon
Covington Urban Forestry Board – Nichole Benning
Devou Park Advisory Committee – Aaron Wolpert
They were also placed on next week’s consent agenda.
Executive Session
Commissioners ended the Tuesday meeting by going into executive session at the city manager’s request, to “discussion which may lead to the appointment, discipline, or dismissal of an employee,” Washington said.
He also said they did not expect to reconvene, and no further action would be taken.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a legislative meeting held at 6 p.m., Nov. 16, at the City Building at 20 W. Pike St. in Covington. The meetings can be followed live on Fioptics channel 815, Spectrum channel 203, the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky (TBNK) website, the TBNK Facebook page @TBNKonline, and the TBNK Roku channels.
