By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
When Covington City Manager David Johnston was hired last year, he was surprised to find the city had a recent history of decision-making that seemed to err on the side of saving money — sometimes at a detriment to providing services.
Then again, it was easy to understand. There was the near-bankruptcy of 2011. Then the embezzling scandal of 2014. Sometimes jobs and duties were combined instead of spending money to hire an employee.
For instance, one department head, Johnston says, had five managerial priorities when he arrived.
The restructuring of city hall then became a priority for him. In February, Johnston pitched a reorganization plan to city commissioners, one with new positions and hires, and he made the idea public at the commissioner’s legislative meeting Tuesday night.
“This city has a lot of momentum,” he said, adding that Covington should be a leader in the region in redevelopment and job growth.
Johnston reorganized the city’s departments into two sections: Services and Support. Under Services, he placed Public Works, Fire, Police, Economic Development and Neighborhood Services.
Under Support, he placed Legal, Administrative and Finance.
Hassert (file photo)
Two new hires were also approved Tuesday night: Dan Hassert as the City’s Communication Manager and Ken Smith as Neighborhood Services Director.
Smith has been Executive Director of Price Hill Will in Cincinnati for the past 11 years, serving a population of about 35,000, and previously worked for the Brighton Center.
Commissioner Bill Wells noted that as much as he’s volunteered in the city neighborhoods, Smith was always there, too. When he saw Smith’s resume, Wells said, “My God, I can’t believe we’re going to get him.”
Hassert was a newspaper writer and editor for 19 years before working as a speechwriter for Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. He lives in Covington with his family and went on to write a book with the former Governor, People Over Politics.
Wells noted that he was against the hiring of this position, as he thought it was unnecessary. Then he was able to interview the final candidates for the job.
“Only one person convinced me this was a needed position,” Wells said. “And that was Dan Hassert.”
A part-time position description was also approved Tuesday, that of housing choice voucher inspector.
Commissioner Jordan Huizenga made sure to note that after conferring with Johnston, they were confident that even though the city has budget concerns, these are positions that are necessary for providing public service — and will take the stress off of overworked employees at City Hall.
“These positions are very, very needed right now,” Huizenga said.
Two other jobs could be found in the restructured city architecture: Finance Director, which Johnston said the city was interviewing finalists for this week, and a grant writer.
Mayor Joseph U. Meyer noted that one large difference between the current structure and the proposed one involves the centralization of purchasing in the Finance Department.
Johnston said his organization will require the elimination of silos and a new commitment to collaboration, along with more defined roles and a smart investment of resources.
Meyer lauded the efforts of the city manager, saying the plan will be discussed over the upcoming weeks and should “offer great returns in the year ahead.”
Meyer
Also Tuesday:
- Commissioners approved an ordinance to establish an “Entertainment Destination Center” to aid economic growth and tourism in the city, in this case for Rivercenter Entertainment Venues, LLC, which owns FIRE, Butler’s Pantry, and Biscuits to Burgers. As the ordinance reads, the EDC acts as an “umbrella,” over certain businesses, and it is permissible to take alcoholic drinks outside of bars and restaurants “within the EDC into the common areas and into other ABC licensed premises within the EDC area.”
- Commissioners entered into an agreement with Cincinnati Bell to install WiFi equipment at Midtown Garage and City Center Garage. The city joins 23 businesses that installed similar equipment to support an initiative by Renaissance Covington to bring full-coverage, gigabit speed WiFi network service from the Renaissance district to the Convention Center.
- Commissioners approved a construction review contract with CSX for the Caroline Avenue wall project, where the city will build five drainage shafts behind the existing retaining wall at a cost of almost $25,000. The money will come from infrastructure funds and will lead to bids for further construction next month. Completion is expected by the summer.
- Commissioners accepted a bid for the Latonia Avenue Project, which includes complete pavement replacement due to base failure and storm sewer separation. This includes reconstruction of Latonia Ave. from Southern Ave. to just east of West 36th St. and will cost more than $700,000.
- Covington Fire Chief Mark Peirce presented Denise Henson with the Citizen Lifesaver Award. On Dec. 12, Henson responded with CPR to an unconscious co-worker at Holmes High School. The co-worker regained consciousness and was released from the hospital just one week later. “I’m glad I was there to help,” Henson said.
- Commissioners approved a resolution honoring the Covington Catholic High School Colonels for winning the Kentucky High School state basketball tournament. As Mayor Meyer noted, the school did originally start in Covington, and the Colonels became the first northern Kentucky school to win multiple state basketball championships. They also did so in a year when their football team won the state football title.
The next Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., April 3 at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com
